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The New Trinity: The Political Consequences of WTO, PNTR, and the Internet in China
By Liu Junning
Introduction
China is undergoing a fundamental transition from a closed society founded on a command economy, state ownership, and communist dictatorship, to a semi-open socialist society with Chinese characteristics. The benefits of an open society are readily apparent. In fact, an open society based on a market-liberal order takes on a political dynamic of its own. And a market-liberal order can only be created in an open China. An ethos of liberty is best spread by keeping China's market and society wide open. What is needed is to open China's door not only to foreign products but also to the ideas and practice of democracy and individual freedom. In China, openness has always been more important than internal reform. Reform without openness will lose its momentum and direction. If it is our hope that China should move toward a liberal regime, the most effective strategy is to encourage as much openness as possible.
The influence of openness on the common people in China is more important than it is on China's leaders. Openness will provide a frame of reference to the Chinese people to help them choose a rational regime that will be good for them. Chinese intellectuals now have greater access to the world through the Internet, publications, conferences, travel, and conversations. Their experiences in the new, open global order have made them aware of the existence of different political, economic, and social systems. Exposed to alternative systems, they can and do make comparisons and judgments about what is best for China. Such intellectuals share their thoughts in both conversations and writings. Students and young people would know nothing about democracy and human rights if they were only exposed to communist textbooks. Therefore, openness introduces change and reform in a "bottom-up" pattern, thus solidifying the transition. Openness implies more freedom to choose, and further opening brings about more liberalization.
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