Chinese 370

John Ruwitch writes how while speaking to students and faculty members at Peking University, Jimmy Carter Nudges China Toward More Democracy. The students interviewed exhibit typical sensitivity to criticism and toe the Communist Party line on the Tiananmen massacre:

Carter's speech was well received by the students.

"I thought what he had to say was very sincere and pertinent. He didn't say things like 'the U.S. model is better than the Chinese', or 'you should learn from us'," said public administration student Deng Xuan....

Carter referred to Peking University's role in the China's democracy debate stretching back to the May Fourth Movement of 1919, which strove for democracy and intellectual freedom and also spawned the Communist Party.

He steered clear of mentioning the role of students from the prestigious university as leaders of the May Fourth inspired the pro-democracy protests of 1989, which the army crushed on the evening of June 3-4 in and around Tiananmen Square.

"Looking back, analysing the students' actions at the time, we think the government's actions were right, in light of the bigger picture," said a government student who would only give his surname as Wang.

"The students who participated had perhaps an enthusiasm for democracy and patriotic hearts," he added.

"But they neglected one point, that direction is more important than pace. China in the late 20th century needed economic development more than political democracy."

Of course, such a small group means the participants were carefully screened.