5 - The Political Beliefs and Behaviors of China's Red Capitalists

Summary

Since China adopted the policy of reform and opening up, the composition of China's social strata has changed to some extent. There are, among others, entrepreneurs and technical personnel … [M]ost of these people in the new social strata have contributed to the development of productive forces and other undertakings in a socialist society through honest labor and work or lawful business operation…. They are also working for building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Meeting Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” Xinhua, July 1, 2001.

If [private entrepreneurs] are allowed into the party, some of them may even use their economic strength to stage-manage grass-roots level elections and control grass-roots organizations. This will have serious political ramifications.

Zhang Dejiang, “Private Entrepreneurs Must Not Be Allowed to Enter the Party,” Zhenli de zhuiqiu (May 11, 2001), in FBIS, July 3, 2001.

WILL the emergence and growth of private entrepreneurs lead to the transformation of China's political system? This is the hope of many observers of Chinese politics, and also the fear of the remaining leftists within the CCP. The former group wants to encourage the continuation of privatization in China, expecting that privatization will lead to the formation of a civil society which in turn will lead to eventual democratization. Advocates of increased trade with China and the integration of China into the international economic system often make such claims.