Editorials

Concrete changes

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-17 08:01

This should not have happened in a society where harmony is the official goal. From what information is available to us, it is more like a brutal episode from a gangster movie:

The doors were smashed open. A crowd of men, uniformed and helmeted, swarmed in. Finding that they were about to demolish his home, the owner, who was still living in fear after a recent attack by unknown men, spilled gasoline on himself.

But that turned out to be a vain attempt. Instead of intimidating the demolishers, it pushed him to a dead-end. With the intruders shouting "light up", the poor man set himself on fire, his wife recalled.

Poor Xi Xinzhu remains in intensive care. His house is now rubble.

Only a month ago, a middle-aged woman in Chengdu set herself ablaze in a similar setting. This time, it occurred in suburban Beijing.

Concrete changes

We are almost sure similar incidents will occur as long as the current pattern of forced demolition is not put to an end. But that entails thoughtful revision of existing rules on demolition and relocation of urban structures.

The State Council has made a welcome gesture that in many eyes indicate at least the willingness to make a difference. Yesterday, the five Beijing-based scholars who appealed for such a revision in the wake of the Chengdu incident were invited to a symposium on demolition and relocation.

For the unusual respect for different opinions, and in this case, an outright challenge to a major decree carrying the official seal of the central government, the gesture itself is important. The leadership's proclaimed commitment to "scientific and democratic decision-making" needs the support of an atmosphere that is tolerant of, if not friendly to, different ideas.

But once that apparent willingness to embrace dissenting voices stops at formalities and descends into sheer posturing, it does no good to any party. Right in our face is a very real threat not only to societal harmony, but to stability.

If the Chengdu case had some questioning the appropriateness of the evacuees' attacks, or counter-attacks, against demolishers, the Beijing story was particularly illustrative of the more or less stereotyped less-than-human nature of demolishers.

Since demolishers are known for close association with the authorities, their acts are a permanent stain on the latter's face.

The current rules are in obvious conflict with the law, and most tragedies are attributable to them, so there is no excuse to let them stay. And the changes should be concrete, not cosmetic.

(China Daily 12/17/2009 page8)