Some people around the world are surprised at the unprecedented protests across China, having bought into an idea – one echoed by Chinese government policy – of a “social contract” in which people in China have somehow agreed to have their rights suppressed in exchange for economic growth.
But what if this idea is wrong?
“We never signed anything,” said Yaqiu Wang, HRW’s senior China researcher, in a Twitter Space yesterday, referring to the notional contract.
“My family is entirely from China – nobody agreed to this contract. We had no power, no rights… We never agreed to it. The government imposed it on us.”
Maybe the very idea of this “social contract” should have been treated with suspicion in the first place, smacking as it does of a kind of “racism of low expectations.”
My colleague, Yaqiu, goes on…
“For years, people outside China have been saying, ‘Oh, Chinese people only want material goods. They want economic development. They don't care about rights…’”
“No! They do!” Yaqiu insists.
She explains how China’s draconian “Zero Covid” policy provides a good example.
“The unscientific, unreasonable, abusive Covid restrictions – that everybody who reads knows no longer make much sense – are still continuing because of the political system.”
“You know, people are not stupid. They know the things they suffer are a result of some value issues.”
And when someone courageously comes out, linking the political leadership to the current problem, and says, “we want our freedom,” then, Yaqiu says, “It resonates with people. People are going to respond to that.”
Because here’s the thing…
“It’s deep inside everyone – human rights, freedom – it’s universal.”
The authorities in China have badly underestimated the willingness of people across China to risk all to have their rights and liberties respected. Outside observers should not make the same mistake.