China protects our citizens' freedom of expression and the normal rights and the interests of media organizations in accordance with law. On the other hand, media outlets need to obey China's laws and regulations. When a car breaks down on the road, perhaps we need to get off the car to see where the problem lies. And when a certain issue is raised as a problem, there must be a reason. In Chinese, we have a saying: The party which has created a problem should be the one to help resolve it [literally, “Let he who tied the bell on the tiger take it off”]. So perhaps we should look into the problem to see where the cause lies.
President Xi Jingping, on November 12,
2014, responding to this question from New York Times reporter Mark
Landler: “Several news organizations from the United States have
had issues with residency permits in China being denied, including
The New York Times. I’m wondering in the spirit of these
reciprocal visa arrangements that you’ve agreed to this week with
business people and students, isn’t it time to extend that sort of
right to foreign correspondents who seek to cover your country?”
Article 1, Clause 1 of the Constitution provides that "The socialist system is the basic system of the People's Republic of China. Sabotage of the socialist system by any organization or individual is prohibited." Now we must further strengthen ruling the Internet in accordance with the law, operating the Internet in accordance with the law, managing the Internet in accordance with the law, going online in accordance with the law, and using the law to regulate behavior in Internet spaces.
SIIO Director Lu Wei, on October 30,
2014, in response to this question from an Asahi TV reporter: “In
recent times there has been a clear increase in the degree of website
deletions and account closures in China, and there is information
indicating that the SIIO will issue administrative measures on mobile
applications, does this mean that China wants to restrict online
speech? In the future how will you balance Internet regulation and
free speech?”i
Because Gao Zhisheng is not well known in Chinese society and his name is blocked on the web, there is very little public information about him.
Global Times, August 8, 2014, “Why Is
the West All Hot Over a Released ‘Rights Defense Lawyer’”ii
In the pursuit of so-called "free speech," radical liberals cannot take a swipe China's political cohesion or publicly challenge China's political system. . . . If a few radical liberals want to continue bumping against the line and being antagonistic, then that is their political and personal choice. They must bear the consequences of doing so, and its not something worth grousing about.
Global Times, July 8, 2014, "@Lichengpeng
Account Vanishes, It Was Bound to Happen Sooner or Later"iii
It was reported that Pu [Zhiqiang] was detained after he attended an anniversary event to commemorate the June 4th incident. Whether there is a connection has not been officially confirmed, but it is obvious that such an event, which is related to the most sensitive political issue in China, has clearly crossed the red line of law. . . .
[T]hese lawyers themselves have lost the ability of self-introspection. They must regain self-awareness and realize that they are not the commandos or authoritative forces to improve China's rule law.
Global Times, April 8, 2014, “‘Die
Hard Faction’ Lawyers Should Not Over-Estimate Their Political
Clout.”iv
The fundamental reason for China's success today is its political system is more democratic than Western ones.
Global Times, May 19, 2014, “Chinese
Political System Better Represents Broad Essence of Democracy”v
What has driven rich Chinese and the middle-class to migrate to the West? Does a lack of freedom and democracy in China's society make them feel insecure both physically and financially?
Global Times, February 13, 2014, “Wealthy
Migration Shouldn’t be Politicized”vi
Occasionally the Global Times will publish articles on on extremely sensitive topics, but will not put them online. The reason for this is that that the online public opinion ecology will intensify their sensitivity, and this acts at cross purposes with our intent to desensitize these issues.
Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times,
February 12, 2014, personal Sina Weibovii
I met an old friend, very wealthy, opened his own medium-sized company. The kind of guy who will spend 20, 30 thousand on a vacation to Hainan, but who has nothing but complaints about the country. I asked him why, and he said the most important reasons were unhappiness, air, and food safety, no right to speak, not to mention the country's politics. He said a man has aspirations, but there is no way to have any impact in this country. Today, everyone in China feels unhappy, and feels they're not getting what they should be getting. This truly is a problem.
Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times,
February 13, 2014, personal Sina Weiboviii
For reasons known to all, Hu [Yaobang] is rarely mentioned in the Chinese media. . . . Avoiding controversy shows not only respect for Hu but also a responsibility for the course of the Party and the country. This is also the case with judging other late Chinese leaders, one of the prerequisites to ensure Chinese society keeps moving forward. . . . Those who oppose the leadership of the Party and who trumpet that China should copy the Western political model had better keep away from Hu's name.
Global Times, April 16, 2014, “Tribute
to Hu Veils Value Differences”ix
iv http://opinion.huanqiu.com/shanrenping/2014-05/4989954.html
(subsequently deleted).
