The question that has arisen out of the big Shanghai demonstration – and those leading up to it over the past few weeks in Chengdu, Shenzhen and Beijing, among others – concerns whether it is on the Chinese government’s agenda to allow anti-Japan protesters to voice their opinion publicly. But the bigger question is this: in a new era of online petitions with 22 million signatories and of public demonstrations of 20,000 organized primarily by SMS (short message service) and e-mail, in what ways will Chinese citizens be able to shape future government agendas?
See also: “Why Beijing May Be Playing With Fire” from Business Week.