30 Years Of Reform and Opening in South China:

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUANGZHOU 000731 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, S/P, INR/EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 2033/12/22 TAGS: PGOV CH SUBJECT: 30 Years Of Reform and Opening in South China: Remember, The Party Has Given You Everything REF: A) BEIJING 4574, B) CPP20081218722001 ¶1. (U) Classified by Consul General Robert Goldberg for reason 1.4 (d). ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: Enshrining Communist Party legitimacy is the political focus of celebrations commemorating Guangdong Province's 30 years of Reform and Opening, just as increased living standards are the economic focus. Officially a success, reform policies from the last 30 years continue to be a topic of vigorous debate outside the public view (see also ref A). In a populist effort to enhance its legitimacy, the Party is currently interested in developing a homegrown means to put "people first." This same effort will also address issues threatening social stability. To ensure no dissenting voices are heard, Beijing has barred groups without government affiliation from organizing commemorative events, according to one NGO contact. Discussions of future "political" reforms, especially in Shenzhen and other proposed test sites in Guangdong, appear focused on enhancement of the rule of law, improving transparency and fighting official corruption. However, in China, even greater freedom and participation in the political process is possible only as long as it does not threaten the leadership of the Communist Party. Expansion of elections beyond the village level and protecting the rights of those who might be seen as opponents to the current leadership are not on the table for the foreseeable future. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) This is part of a two-cable report. A companion cable (septel) focuses on the economic meaning behind Guangdong's celebration of the 30th anniversary of Reform and Opening. ¶4. (U) Visitors to Guangdong's official exhibition commemorating 30 years of Reform and Opening were greeted by videos, photographs and displays touting south China's rise from relative poverty to economic powerhouse. Nearly all of the exhibition's content focused on economic, technological and cultural achievements, but one of the take-home messages was distinctly political: China has come this far because of the Communist Party, and the Party continues to work for the people. The final wing of the exhibition's five sections showcased the ideals of "People First;" village elections, assistance to the poor, support for education, environmental protection and, especially, anti-corruption efforts all vied for prominence in making the Party's case for legitimacy. Social Stability and People First -------------- ¶5. (C) Since the government and academics began two years ago to reflect on the policy of Reform and Opening, debate has continued over whether China should seek a different path for the future, according to Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences (GZASS) Scientific Research Division Chief Peng Peng. Peng noted that the three basic features of a socialist country -- public ownership of the means of production, allocation of resources on the basis of one's work and a planned economy -- had all been eliminated over the past 30 years. Critics of Reform and Opening cite a widening gap between rich and poor, environmental degradation and social justice issues as problems resulting from the policy, according to Peng (septel). He noted that these issues were driving many recent reforms, saying that the Party's current theory of governance was more weighted toward social equality -- with an eye to maintaining social stability -- than its previous theory, which tended to focus on efficiency. (Comment: We would add, though Peng did not, an assumption that while some may get rich, those less well-off would benefit as well -- a "rising tide" philosophy. End comment.) ¶6. (C) Other Guangdong academics echoed Peng's assessment, emphasizing that the government would focus on a populist "people first" approach to future reforms. Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences (GDASS) Institute of Sociology and Population Research Director Zheng Zizhen (protect) predicted that Reform and Opening would continue, with the new approach being more "scientific and rational" than in the past and with a particular emphasis on "people first." Separately, Guangzhou Party School Philosophy Department Director Li Renwu said that there was no question as to the importance of both putting people first and adhering to Chinese characteristics, but that "the problem is how to carry on, and in what direction." No Grassroots Commemoration Ceremonies -------------- ¶7. (C) Beijing has barred groups without government affiliation from organizing events to commemorate China's Reform and Opening because it "knows that the [Reform and Opening] policy has created many problems," according to Guangdong Humanistic Association (GHA) President Yao Yuanwen (protect). Yao, who runs one of Guangzhou's few officially registered NGOs, independently reiterated Peng's observation about the elimination of basic tenets of socialism and implied that Chinese authorities hope to avoid the uncomfortable question of just how communist the Communist Party really is by ensuring that all commemorative activities stay on message. First Steps: Focus on Rule of Law -------------- ¶8. (C) For Shenzhen, at least, strengthening rule of law is a logical next step in the city's political development, according to two speakers whose speeches were featured on an official media website commemorating the past 30 years. Shenzhen China Development Institute (CDI) Vice President Guo Wanda couched the question in terms of improving the city's service industry, asserting that India's service industry was more advanced than China's because India "enjoyed a better democratic and legal environment." Popular Shenzhen internet commentator Jin Xinyi suggested that, just as Shenzhen had learned from neighboring Hong Kong how to develop a market economy, it could now benefit from learning Hong Kong's rule of law. "The general public has lost confidence in the country's judicial and legislative system," said GHA's Yao in an unrelated meeting, "not to mention the media." ¶9. (U) Shenzhen will be joined by Zhuhai, Shantou, Guangzhou and Zhanjiang in a pilot program designed to "deepen Reform and Opening" by streamlining government, strengthening the rule of law and improving official transparency, the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Government announced December 16, according to Nanfang Dushibao Online (ref B). Party On -------------- ¶10. (C) China wants to explore a model in which people are given freedom under the leadership of the Communist Party, according to GDASS' Zheng. Zheng said that while China was not willing to adopt western models of civil society, "in which people are given too much freedom," the political establishment had not yet identified models for political, social and cultural development with sufficient "Chinese characteristics." Guangzhou Party School Science Research Division Director Huang Kaixuan said that in the future, "democracy [would be] implemented in China's communities, as long as it fits into local peoples' lifestyle and makes them happy." Huang subsequently summed up the party's position, by noting that, at the core, "government administration and grassroots democracy will have an effective connection and benign interaction." Perhaps more succinctly, GHA's Yao, quoting Yu Guangyuan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, characterized broaching the subject of true political system reform in the Party as "tantamount to asking a tiger for its hide." Comment - Future Reform Administrative not Political -------------- -------------- ¶11. (C) As in the past, Shenzhen could be a laboratory for reforms to be implemented elsewhere. But at this stage, as China's leaders assess the results of 30 years of Reform and Opening, it appears clear that reforms that take place in Shenzhen will be limited. They will not broadly extend elections, protect the rights of those who might oppose the current leadership or otherwise threaten the absolute political power of the Communist Party. Strengthening the rule of law and similar reforms that streamline administration, make government work more efficiently and help root out corruption can all help shore up the legitimacy of the Party. Expansion of democracy beyond the village level, however, does not enhance the Party's control and appears not to be on the table for the foreseeable future. GOLDBERG