The Rise of Civil Society and its Impact on China’s Political Environment

The unprecedented lax attitude of Chinese officials towards media, allowing free press coverage of Sichuan’s devastating earthquake, has demonstrated how the power of free information flow could be fully exploited for the benefit of a nation.

Through modern information and communication technology, local and overseas media can get information about the earthquake at real time. The unobstructed information flow is vital to the governmental and non-governmental organizations around the globe to organize rescue operations and logistics support in China.

The televised images depicting the plight of quake stricken victims and devoted effort of rescue teams have kindled people’s patriotism and sympathy and helped much in raising money for disaster relief. The widely broadcast clips on how premier Wen Jiabao boosted the morale of the rescue teams and pacified the victims trapped under the rubble have strengthened China’s international reputation.

It was not only the dedication of top officials that touched peoples’ sentiment. The story of a junior civil servant as reported by Newsweek has a more far reaching impact on the impression of China long perceived by the West. The junior officer told the reporter about the casualties of the earthquake. He burst into tears while responding to the reporter’s questions because his family members were killed in the quake. The interview was then interrupted by a call from a senior officer who needed him to resume rescue promptly. The officer put his emotion under control and reported duty without hesitation. The reporter was moved into tears by his professionalism and realized that China has really changed. The touching story of a devoted junior officer caught the eyes of the media much more than could be done by any political propaganda.

Free information flow is a double-edge sword. Media coverage conducive to polishing the image of the government strengthens the legitimacy of the ruling party. On the contrary, comments about possible collusion leading to the sub-standard school buildings that killed hundreds of thousands of school children might shaken the authority of the ruling party. Would the government stay on the right track leading to more room in political openness or merely allow selective information flow for sake of favoring party’s ruling?

Free flow of information is the foundation of a civil society. People from myriad interest groups get organized via information and communication technology. Being swift in action and mosaic in organization, civil groups are beyond the grip of the government. A diversified society has come along with the economic reform in China. With the help of information technology, the emergence of a civil society is an irreversible trend and people will expect more freedom in information flow and political participation. Under this premise, the ruling party must be brave enough to reform the political system and make it more responsive to the demand of people. Failing to do this will only widen the disparity between social development and economic reform and may inevitably push people to the verge of social unrest.