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Slowly but Steadily, Rights Gaining in China

Dynamic economy means people's freedoms are slowly growing

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 2, 2008 9:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With the Olympics casting an unflattering spotlight on the state of human rights in China, the New York Times takes a longer view, reporting that freedoms have gradually expanded over decades of economic reform. Repression remains in public expression and assembly, but Chinese people can now often live where they choose and travel abroad. Even with heavy censorship, technology allows them far more information than in the past.

A population registration system that restricted people to their places of birth is eroding as the dynamic economy causes huge population shifts. Thousands of once-banned private groups are allowed to address social, economic and environmental issues, and courts now often enforce the property rights of citizens. Journalists are frequently censored or jailed, but publications critical of the government flourish nonetheless, and citizen groups have successfully resisted a number of state initiatives.

A Chinese paramilitary police officer stands on duty near a portrait of late communist leader Mao Zedong across from Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Thursday, July 31, 2008.
A Chinese paramilitary police officer stands on duty near a portrait of late communist leader Mao Zedong across from Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Thursday, July 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Two armed Chinese special police force officers patrol on the square in front of Beijing Train Station in Beijing, China, Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Two armed Chinese special police force officers patrol on the square in front of Beijing Train Station in Beijing, China, Saturday, June 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
A high-speed train arrives at Tianjin Railway Station in Tianjin, China, Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Most Chinese have much more freedom to travel around their country than they did a generation ago.
A high-speed train arrives at Tianjin Railway Station in Tianjin, China, Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Most Chinese have much more freedom to travel around their country than they did a generation ago.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A Chinese child looks up near the Beijing Olympic Games Countdown Clock across from Tiananmen Square in Beijing Friday, Aug 1, 2008.
A Chinese child looks up near the Beijing Olympic Games Countdown Clock across from Tiananmen Square in Beijing Friday, Aug 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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