In the ongoing discourse surrounding China's political landscape, two figures represent starkly contrasting visions for the country's future: Xi Jinping and Xu Zhiyong. Xi, who has been General Secretary since 2012, has presided over an era marked by increasing authoritarianism and a significant deterioration of human rights conditions in China. Under his leadership, the government has cracked down on civil society, stifling dissent and promoting a totalitarian regime [13b88a0b].
Recently, Xi Jinping has also embarked on a revival of Confucianism, aiming to define China's future through traditional cultural values. This initiative includes the Ruzang project, which seeks to compile Confucian classics and has involved nearly 500 scholars with a budget of approximately 150 million yuan (US$21 million). The project's first phase has been completed, encompassing 510 writings in 282 volumes, with a second phase planned to add 160 more works. This cultural renaissance is seen as a response to ideological competition with the West, positioning Confucianism as a source of legitimacy for the Communist Party [f868b8d1].
In contrast, Xu Zhiyong, a civil rights advocate and founder of the Open Constitution Initiative, has become a symbol of hope for a more democratic China. Born in 1973, Xu has long championed civil rights and government transparency through movements like the New Citizens Movement, which he launched in 2012. His activism, however, has led to severe repercussions; he is currently serving a fourteen-year sentence for state subversion and is on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment [13b88a0b].
The historical context of both figures is crucial to understanding their divergent paths. Xi's rise to power coincided with the 2008 Olympics, a time when China sought to project a positive image internationally. Meanwhile, Xu's activism began in the 1990s, advocating for civil rights at a time when such movements were gaining traction but faced significant pushback from the state [13b88a0b].
The authors of a recent analysis argue that Xu embodies the aspirations of many Chinese citizens who yearn for a free and just society, while Xi represents the oppressive mechanisms of a totalitarian regime. They call for international support for Xu's vision, emphasizing the need for solidarity with those who strive for democracy and human rights in China [13b88a0b].
As the global community watches, the contrast between these two visions for China's future becomes increasingly pronounced, highlighting the ongoing struggle between authoritarianism and the quest for civil liberties in the world's most populous nation. Xi's initiatives to promote traditional culture are framed as part of national security, indicating a complex interplay between cultural identity and political control [f868b8d1].