Unirule always resided on the fringes of Chinese policy discussions
devoted to the rule of law, the end was fitting. Drawing on patchwork regulations that appear to violate the Chinese constitution, local authorities in Beijing at last found a pretext to ban the Unirule Institute of Economics, that rarest of things in China, an independent think-tank known for criticising the government. For years Unirule had faced pressure, including evictions from multiple offices, to quiet down, and yet had managed to go on functioning.
Founded in 1993, , bringing together a collection of liberal economists who were strong believers in free markets. It published a series of books about institutional reform, including on how to slim down state-owned firms. It delved into topics such as the design of China’s health-care system and land-ownership rules. It also convened forums every two weeks; its last, the 600th, was a theoretical discussion about network effects in economics.
Over the past few years, as Mr Xi has tightened his grip, Unirule has been increasingly boxed in. Its website was shut down, although it later reopened, hosted abroad. In the past its members could publish articles in more liberal newspapers such as; these days their submissions are rejected. Their accounts on Chinese social-media platforms such as WeChat are frequently blocked. The authorities have also stepped up harassment of the institute.
Sheng Hong, Unirule’s director, maintained his stubborn belief in rules-based governance even as his think-tank met its end. The ban, he says, is a violation of article 35 of China’s constitution, which promises freedom of speech and assembly. But he is under no illusion about what truly lies behind Unirule’s woes. “Leaders today don’t believe that different voices are good for society and good for government,” he says. “That will really come to hurt China.
Tellingly, though, he was still more guarded than scholars outside China. “Xi’s tolerance for independent voices and criticism is absolutely zero. It’s non-existent,” laments Minxin Pei of Claremont McKenna College in California. “Forty years after the Cultural Revolution, this is absolutely the worst period.” It is a wonder that Unirule survived as long as it did."Ghost at the feast"
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Can Costco Succeed In China When Other Western Retailers Have Not?The big American membership club opened its first store in China to wild crowds, but it's still unexpected timing in a market that has not been particularly kind to other big-box chains.
Leer más »
China, U.S. to collect additional tariffs on each other's goodsChina and the United States will begin imposing additional tariffs on each other...
Leer más »
Why American Farmers Won't Need China AnymoreIt's time American farmers move Beyond China. This is their chance.
Leer más »
China, U.S. kick off new round of tariffs on each other's goodsChina and the United States began imposing additional tariffs on each other&039...
Leer más »
China starts to impose additional tariffs on some U.S. goodsChina on Sunday started to impose additional tariffs on some of the U.S. goods o...
Leer más »
China, U.S. kick off new round of tariffs in trade warChina and the United States began imposing additional tariffs on each other&039...
Leer más »