The Sydney Morning Herald’s John Garnaut interviews liberal economist Mao Yushi, who has been the target of a vicious hate campaign for his public criticism of Mao Zedong. Despite this, he is still optimistic about prospects for political reform in China, Garnaut reports:
Mr Mao lamented China’s backsliding on economic reforms and its recent surge of political repression.
He dismissed the country’s incoming leaders as being beholden to the current ones and for being focused only on protecting the Communist Party regime.
And he said officials and wealth have fused together into formidable vested interests that resist reform.
But he is nevertheless convinced that the country is on the brink of democratic change. ”I don’t know how it will happen but I feel confident,” he said. ”We will witness reform in the next five to 10 years.”
Read more about Mao Yushi’s essay about Mao Zedong which sparked such controversy:
* “Forces of Darkness” Bring Down Nationalist Chinese Website
* Boundlessly Loyal to the Great Monster
* Mao’s Legacy Still Divides China
