CCP 'Political Reform': How Much Can the Regime Change?

Repeated high-profile statements of "political reform"
have recently been released through Chinese Communist Party(CCP) state-controlled media.
Observers state that from top to bottom, all levels in China
have known that carrying out political reform is imperative.
The public speculated that through the media,
the top-levels of the CCP are releasing information.
That is, it is suggested a breakthrough will be made
in political reform after the 18th Party Congress.
Others hold views that these official assertions
aim to give Xi Jinping an opportunity to show strength after taking office.
The question is how much can the CCP regime change?

People's Daily, the CCP's official state
media, has released a commentary.
It states there is a nationwide consensus to follow reform.

Yet, only indestructible, innovative
willpower can push forward this process.
The People's Tribune, a magazine under the People's Daily,
published a series of "New Political Views" special reports.
These discuss reform of the political system.

CCP Premier Wen Jiabao is known
for advocating political reform.
He was recently reported to be looking 「refreshed」.

Aside from his normal duties, Wen has
given unofficial speeches at universities.
He has also participated in Basketball games.

Informed sources state that this is because Wen has
been unburdened from 「heavy depression」 in his soul.

Sources told the Epoch Weekly magazine that in recent
years, Wen Jiabao repeatedly pushed for political reform.
Wen also proposed the vindication of the 1989
pro-democracy movement, and Falun Gong.
Sources said that Wen was most infuriated by the crime
of live organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners.
These blood-debts, originating from Jiang Zemin, impelled
Wen to seek judicial independence, and political reform.

Liu Yinquan, Chair of Social Democratic Party of China,
says that social conflicts in China have peaked.
It is like the CCP regime is sitting on a volcano.

Liberal CCP factions represented by Wen Jiabao and
Wang Yang intends to take the road of universal values.
Liu Yinquan thinks that after undergoing earlier
struggles, the liberal faction has gotten the upper hand.

Liu Yinquan: "We democrats and dissidents should ally
with the liberal CCP factions to promote political reform.
The purpose is to finally and completely
change the CCP, turning it into another party.
With that, we shall embrace a multi-party system in politics.
That will finally help China get on the path of universal values."

Liu Yinquan thinks that China still has
a long way to go before realizing democracy.
Democratic forces in China have been under a crackdown
by the CCP Central Political and Legal Committee.
Overseas democrats are being disintegrated
by the CCP, and lack cohesion, says Liu Yinquan.

Liu Yinquan: "People who promote reform
haven't yet formed an organized force.
Instead, they have been divided up, have internet
posts removed, and are marginalized and isolated.
They have lost right to speak,
so it's hard to push forward reform.」

Guo Yongfeng, founder of 'Chinese Citizen Watchdog',
discusses the CCP's official commentaries.
These articles just serve to 「maintain stability on thought」,
and promise some dreams for Chinese civilians, he says.
Therefore, there will no 「political reform」
in a real sense, Guo Yongfeng believes.

Guo Yongfeng: "Now there's a high appeal
for political reform from Chinese civilians.
Social conflicts have intensified, which
has made the CCP's rule more unpopular.
What's more, various official policies
and measures are not working in practice.
A variety of issues have emerged, forcing
the regime to consider political reform.
But how can they do it?
They have to axe their own being.
They are certainly very reluctant to do that,
but they have to. So, they are doing it by playing tricks."

Political observers suggest Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao
have set the scene, waiting for Xi Jinping to 「draw his sword」.

Guo Yongfeng: "I think that when civilian forces
and pro-reform forces push the CCP to its limit, it will have to face a complete change.
Firstly, it will have to cancel the CCP one-party rule.
Next, it must lift bans on political parties and on the press.
Without these changes, other reforms will be pointless.」

Guo Yongfeng states that Xi Jinping is still thinking
about "political reform" under the CCP regime.
Guo believes that only sufficient
pressure can help end the tyranny.
Guo hopes that real political reform will occur,
in a way that is similar to Wang Yang's assertion.
Wang previously claimed the need
「to put an axe in the head of the CCP.」