What exactly is a regime that cannot tolerate even criticism afraid of?
Observing the attitude of the Chinese Communist Party toward political dissidents, we can discern a behavioral pattern that warrants vigilance: it rejects public questioning, suppresses differing opinions, treats political criticism as a challenge to authority, and, through punishment and fear, compels people to remain silent.
This behavioral pattern is reminiscent of certain narcissistic personality traits: excessively defending one's own authority, understanding criticism as an offense, regarding differing opinions as a threat, and even attempting to preserve its own sense of control by suppressing critics.
Of course, political behavior cannot simply be equated with a clinical personality diagnosis. But when a system of power displays a high degree of rejection toward questioning, and continually compresses society's space for expressing differing opinions, we must press the question: why does power so crave obedience, yet so fear accepting oversight?
When one person cannot accept criticism, interpersonal relationships may consequently fall into conflict; when a political system holding enormous power cannot tolerate criticism, the consequences may extend to the whole of society.
People begin to worry about what consequences voicing their true thoughts might bring; they begin to weigh the risks over and over again before expressing themselves publicly, and they may even gradually give up the courage to raise questions.
This is what is most alarming about political fear: not only can it suppress the voices that have already been raised, it can also make the voices not yet spoken disappear in advance.
When people keep silent because they fear punishment, silence no longer signifies assent; it may signify fear.
A truly mature political system should possess the capacity to accept criticism, to correct errors, and to accept oversight. The government may be questioned, the ruling party may be criticized, different political positions may be publicly discussed, and citizens should also be able to express their discontent by peaceful means.
The government is not a god that cannot be questioned, and a political party is not a master standing above the people.
Political power must answer the people's questions:
Where, in the end, does power come from?
Who is to oversee those who hold power?
When those in power commit errors, can the people point the problems out publicly and demand that they bear responsibility?
If none of these questions can be freely discussed, then is this so-called authority built upon trust after all — or is it built upon fear?
The foundation of civilized politics has never been to demand that everyone hold completely identical thoughts; it is to acknowledge that differences exist between people, and to resolve disagreements through law, institutions, public debate, and peaceful competition.
A government of genuine confidence should not treat critics as enemies; it should regard criticism as an important avenue for discovering problems and correcting errors.
A political system that truly respects the people likewise should not demand the people's unconditional obedience; it should accept the people's oversight and respect every person's basic rights.
Today, we call upon China to bid farewell to a political culture that suppresses dissent through fear, to bid farewell to hostility toward peaceful critics, and to let free expression, the spirit of the rule of law, the oversight of power, and the dignity of citizens become the political foundation of China's future.
What we need is a rebirth of political civilization.
Let power learn to accept criticism; let the government accept the people's oversight; let differing opinions receive respect; let every ordinary person be able to express their own thoughts freely, without having to live in fear for speaking the truth.
A society's progress should not be measured by how many of its people keep silent, but by whether it can accommodate different voices.
And a regime's true strength does not lie in how many people it can make shut their mouths, but in whether it has the courage to face questioning, admit its errors, and accept the people's oversight.
Farewell to political terror!
Defend freedom of speech!
Respect citizens' rights!
Rebirth of civilized politics!