Will Scorpio Man Call

"There is much to do for human rights in China"

currently on an official visit to the United States, the President of the People's Republic of China has launched this little phrase that careful observers will not fail to comment: "There is much to do for human rights in China. " In these few words, one can identify two points: the opening of a debate among Chinese elites on the said issue and secondly, the sign in reality little has changed.

A debate within the Chinese elite.

The position was expressed by Hu Jintao shows one thing: there is a debate within the Chinese elite for a relaxation on the issue of human rights. For the Chinese government, increased social unrest, strikes and repeated suicide in factories like those in the factories of Foxconn, the subcontractor manufacturer for Apple, are a source instability of growing concern. Also, an opening in terms of trade union rights that would allow workers to ease tensions cutting off an important source of instability in Chinese society.

It reflects an increasing openness of Chinese elites to the idea that a relaxation on the issue of human rights might be less problematic for power than we think. An opening would also have the advantage of satisfying the West by diverting his attention from other more sensitive issues such as protection of intellectual property or the existence of practices anti-competitive despite the accession of China to the WTO.

A sign not far from one.

If this sentence is encouraging, we must not forget that far from being a breakthrough, it is a sign that things "could" change. Yes, "could"! Because, in practice, this evolution is far from assured. President Hu Jintao is certainly the head of state but he is not alone decide the destiny of China. The Chinese executive is far from being composed of one person. Hu Jintao is part of a committee that was nicknamed "the seven emperors" who are far from agreeing among themselves. Hu Jintao wants a relaxation but in this committee, others are adamantly opposed. In fact, it is therefore the status quo that apply in the absence of agreement between them.

The Chinese press has also not relayed this little sentence dropped by the Chinese head of state. Should therefore take these words just for what they are: it is a sign, just a sign that the situation on human rights in China is being debated within the Chinese executive.

And then?

Far from being the only hope the advanced West, but not a trivial matter, this evolution is not the fruit of continuous efforts of Western or a turn of events but rather a need to be dictated by the situation inside the country, required to maintain the power of the Chinese Communist Party. As shown by the recent "Jasmine Revolution" is the economy that dictates whether or not the maintenance of a political regime in power whatsoever. Communists Chinese, who have based their growth on an economic model highly unequal, are in the process of awareness. And in particular, that if things continued this way, their days were numbered. However, their only goal is just to stay in power as long as possible. Their actions are based solely on that goal and if that means concessions on human rights; well, so be it.