From Under the Jacaranda Tree blog:
Wang Dan, a Chinese dissident and student leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests, has published an article at the Independent Chinese Pen Centre in which he discusses the political implications of the Tigergate Incident, the Yilishen Scandal and the Chang’e Moon Photograph Saga.
… The following is my translation of Wang Dan’s article:
“Two incidents have captured the attention of netizens in China lately. They are the Fake South Tiger Photograph Incident, and the Yilishen Scandal. The fake photograph is obviously a part of a scam. I do not intend to speculate about the political powers behind the scenes. I only want to point out that the Chinese authorities’ reaction to the Tigergate incident is surprisingly open; to date, the ‘Imperial Guard Against Public Opinion‘ has made no attempt to curb open discussions. It is as if traditional mass media and the Internet in China have suddenly been granted a right to freedom of speech. This opportunity for open discussion is the reason why the Tigergate Incident has had such an impact on Chinese society. As the Tigergate Incident was unfolding, a protest broke out among ant farmers in Shenyang. Tight information control over this scandal serves as a solemn reminder that the CCP has no intention of relinquishing its control over public opinion.” [Full Text]
