Xi Jinping’s statement that the Chinese Communist Party “should be able to put up with sharp criticism” has met with serious doubt. A February 7 Weibo post from Xinhua Viewpoint quoting Xi became the target of criticism:
@XinhuaViewpoint: [Xi Jinping: CPC should put up with sharp criticism] At a February 6 Spring Festival event with non-Party members, Xi Jinping said, “We must continue to strengthen democratic supervision. The CPC should be able to put up with sharp criticism, correct mistakes if it has committed them and avoid them if it has not. Non-CPC personages should meanwhile have the courage to tell the truth, speak words jarring on the ear, and truthfully reflect public aspirations. We must reach the point where people say everything they know and speak without reservations.”
@ 新华视点：【习近平：对中国共产党而言，要容得下尖锐批评】习近平6日下午与党外人士共迎新春时说，要继续加强民主监督。对中国共产党而言，要容得下尖锐 批评，做到有则改之、无则加勉；对党外人士而言，要敢于讲真话，敢于讲逆耳之言，真实反映群众心声，做到知无不言、言无不尽。
While known liberals left comments, CEOs, professors, and other people with more to lose have also criticized Xi. Journalist Xia Youzhi (@夏佑至) suggests an end to “entrapment,” while property developer Ren Zhiqiang (@任志强) recommends “not sending those who offend you to re-education through labor.” The government’s penchant for punishing its critics leaves many questioning Xi’s motives for this call for “sharp criticism.”
For now, dissenting comments left for Xinhua Viewpoint have simply been silenced. Only praise and thumbs-up emoticons remain:
Via CDT Chinese.
