Responsible Modernization in 2007

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FAITHFUL readers will remember our special 2002 year-end publication entitled, "The Power of Change", where we reported on the personal stories of several dozen Chinese citizens. The great majority of them were promoters of and participants in China's transformation from a planned to a market economy, and brought employment and wealth to society, thus contributing to its social stability.
   
In light of nimble economic policy, a national attitude emphasizing the pursuit of wealth, and an environment still ripe for foreign investment, we were confident: we concluded that 2002 was a year where the speed of socio-economic transformation in China picked up, indeed a year with transitional significance. We were even more optimistic about 2003.
    
In the foreword of that issue, in discussing fairness, efficiency, the market, and government, we quoted Alain Peyrefitte of the French Academy of Science and Government, who said, "The miracle of religion is faith in god, likewise, the miracle of economic development lies in people's trust." As we pointed out then, trust is a property exclusive to what we call "responsible modernization".
    
As we look back over the past four years, at the process of China's dazzling socio-economic transformation, we are still shocked. The economic achievements are notable and the nation is stronger. But at the same time, there are more and more paradoxes and elements of society that stand in stark contrast: The East and the West, the urban and the rural, the poor and the wealthy, migrant workers and greedy officials, compulsory education and the legions of illiterate...
    
Today, in estimating the success or failure of reform, in weighing the forks chosen on the path of development, there is an unprecedented amount of debate and controversy. Certain things are more salient-- the blind adoration of the wealthy that we saw in 2002 has evolved into a distrust, even enmity, towards the entrepreneurial. Many of those "people of change" we reported on, with unbound fates, are sailing forward with the tides of change. But some are lost within them, and others have drowned entirely. Discontent can be sensed everywhere.
    
This year, author Yu Hua discovered in Copenhagen that Henrik Ibsen's image was painted on Norwegian airplanes. Yu said that it reminded him of a quote by Ibsen, "Each member of society is responsible for that society; if the society is ill, they also possess that illness." Yu told us that in his latest work, "Brothers", he mentions so many societal illnesses only because he is, in part, ill himself. We agree with his assertion that if problems emerge in society, everyone is responsible. In order to solve them, we must all cooperate.
    
As we did in 2002, this year we continue our tradition of searching and reporting on the driving forces of and participants in China's economic and social transformations. These are entrepreneurs, bankers, economists, jurists, authors, filmmakers, government officials, and, unlike in 2002, also include ordinary citizens. All are forces in a changing society.
    
But just as we should not oversimplify the forces within society, we cannot oversimplify the struggles between them, and between the masses and the bureaucracy. Benefit to society cannot be viewed solely through a lens of economic and market forces. Government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, families, and individuals are all members of society, and thus all should be participants in its transformation. All have the right to enjoy the fruits of change and progress.
    
The people that we report on here are "quintessential" examples of those who ardently support society's progress. Yes, they are believers in and benefactors of reform and the market economy. But more importantly, they are also passionate, persistent, knowledgeable, responsible, and accomplish great things. They approach problems scientifically. They look forward to society's movement in a positive direction. They are compassionate, honorable, and superior citizens. In a sense, they are ideal. And thus they should be considered the thrust of "responsible modernization". Conversely, those who are corrupt and degenerate can never be called "quintessential".
    
With all of this diversity and change, it is clear that we are in a new stage of societal integration. But societal integration does not mean forced assimilation or the arbitrary mixing of people. Instead, it means a balance between both poles, compromise that exists in an intermediary region.
    
Within this process of integration, society's interest lies in all parties striving for rights, not power. Conflicts in society should be solvable through dialogue where absolutely no one is free from criticism. As this intermediary region becomes larger, the poles will become smaller, and society will become more stable and harmonious.
    
We must take notice that in the previous phase of transformation, parties-- including individuals-- oftentimes sought to secure their own interests through the execution of power. Many hoped to seize actual rights from their adversaries. The widespread acceptance of this practice could not possibly lead to a civil society.
    
The use of power snaps the bonds of society and only fractures it further. Power in the resulting, atomized society will only further be monopolized. We should consider how to follow the road of understanding and cooperation in order to change traditional economic and social structures to make power-monopolies impossible. Genuine human beings are interested in fair compromises and cooperative solutions. The prerequisite for a compromise between two parties is mutual understanding and trust, which in turn requires the assumption of responsibility. Responsibility and freedom should be directly proportionate.
    
Thus, we hope that the "quintessentials" of society will continue to work hard to reform the government and to establish a system to protect the weak, and also to guarantee the efficient discourse of society. We hope that they both continue to aid private firms as they mature and continue to be the keepers of the growing middle-class.
    
History teaches us that all great changes in society were the result of daring politicians. We need officials who are not only responsible, but accountable. But more importantly, they should be individuals of special conviction, solid morals, and have the courage to implement reform.

Entrepreneurs, although faced with new opportunities for business, are also operating in an environment of distrust. They too cannot abandon their responsibilities to society. Although the primary concern of a business is its contractual obligations to workers, lenders, shareholders, and customers, it must do all in its power to help those in distress. It cannot ignore those groups who they influence. And simply running to a faraway place to plant a tree or donate money is not enough.

This past year saw many celebrities steal the attention of the media and the masses. While we are happy to see the flourishing of popular culture, we also must continue to embrace our purpose and the task at hand; that is to seek out and report on the "powers of transformation" that are acting on Chinese society. The phrase "harmonious society" is not just a slogan, but represents the sum goals of a generation. Similarly, "responsible modernization" is not some distant utopian ideal, but rather, something entirely within our grasp. 

Welcome, 2007