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Bobby Yip / Reuters
A villager shows off his ballot before dropping it into the ballot box beside an election worker at a polling station at a school in Wukan village in Guangdong province on Feb. 1.
BEIJING – Wukan, a village in Guangdong province in southern China, is making headlines again – this time for taking the first steps toward open and transparent elections, which 7,688 villagers participated in on Wednesday.
Wukan was in the spotlight late last year for a high-profile protest by villagers against local officials believed to be illegally selling public land to developers.
The 11-day rebellion was defused peacefully in late December after senior Communist Party officials reached an agreement with Wukan’s protest leaders – promising free elections and an investigation into the murky real-estate deals. They also promised to investigate the death of a protester who had died in police custody.
In another surprise, the local Communist Party appointed Lin Zuluan, one of the well-respected leaders of the defiant revolt, as the village party secretary. So Lin served as the chief in command for the first balloting that took place in the Wukan Elementary School Wednesday.
Villagers gathered in a festive scene to cast votes, for many the first time ever, to select an independent election committee to oversee upcoming ballots.
Initial steps
Dozens of aluminum ballot boxes were placed around classrooms at the elementary school and students were mobilized to help count the ballots before they were distributed. Teachers helped elderly villagers who could not read or write. A media counter was set up outside the school, and journalists were allowed in after registration.
“My biggest impression here at Wukan is that the atmosphere here is very different from any other Chinese villages,” one Chinese reporter at the scene wrote on Sina Weibo, the Chinese microblog. “The people here are very used to foreign journalists walking around filming. The village committee is open to everyone. Every family invites you to go to their house to stay, to eat or to drink tea. Brave and lucky Wukan villagers made their home different than any other Chinese villages with the same problems.”
Str / AFP - Getty Images
Residents register before casting their votes during the first-ever open democratic elections for the village committee in Wukan, in China's Guangdong province, on Feb. 1.
The election lasted nine hours (with a two-hour break). It began at 9 a.m. with the national anthem playing and fireworks being set off – a Chinese tradition during the new lunar year.
The final results came at 11 p.m.: Out of the 50 candidates, 11 (including one woman) were elected to be on the election committee.
The new members will be responsible for organizing an upcoming election for the Wukan Village Committee. They will devise a plan for the election process; mobilize and familiarize the villagers with the new plan; scrutinize and publish the candidate list; and, most importantly, organize the villagers to vote. The election is due to start in early March.
Not a new idea
Village-level elections are not a new concept to Chinese people, but seldom are they transparent or democratic. The Communist Party still maintains single-party authority across the government – from Beijing to the smallest village – and has absolute control.
There have been experiments with grassroots elections since the 1980s – the outcome is usually just pre-determined from above. Representatives are often appointed by higher-level government officials and the process is usually murky or manipulated.
In Wukan, the former village head had been in power for 40 years without ever being properly elected. He was accused of misappropriating public land and embezzling compensation money that belonged to villagers.
So many are hopeful Wukan’s experiment will spread.
“Wukan is a start of China’s local political reform! I hope to see a real self-rule in the countryside,” wrote a Weibo user going by the name “Orient leaping towards wealth."
Str / AFP - Getty Images
A Chinese man fills out his voting form as residents cast their votes during the first-ever open democratic elections for the village committee in Wukan, China on Feb. 1.
The user added, “Villagers that have both traditional legal culture and modern citizen spirit, they are the hope of China’s democracy.”
‘An experiment in democracy’
But others are not so sure about declaring a democratic victory in Wukan.
Chang Ping, a veteran journalist based in Hong Kong who has been closely following events in Wukan, is not so optimistic about its future.
“Their path is not going to be very smooth. The Guangdong government was smart about not cracking down with violence like other local governments, but that doesn’t mean they agree with complete self-rule. They will try to absorb Wukan into their old system, which they can still control. If that happens, the election will be the same election happening everywhere else,” Chang told NBC News in a phone interview. “Wukan’s protest has no end. Democracy doesn’t arrive just because you had three months of protest.”
However, Chang agreed that the event is revolutionary – if only as an exercise in how elections are supposed to work.
“Most of the elections we see are usually manipulated or the villagers don’t really know what their vote means. But Wukan villagers have their own understanding of voting, after their protest to finally obtain this right,” said Chang. “It is an experiment in democracy, and it will affect other places in China.”
Related stories on Wukan:
Photo Blog: Chinese village takes halting democratic step
Rebellious Chinese village under siege by police
Leave a Comment:
Be careful what you wish for..... Democracy isn't at work here in the United Corporations of America....
Manifest your discontent! Punch your local Congressional representative in the face today!
Don’t underestimate the Chinese people that’s why they Chinese government fears it’s people and the US doesn’t, the US knows it can toss the hot potato back and forth between both parties and baffle it’s people with bull. China may be the worlds last best hope for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Hopefully if they do get freedom they will learn that freedom is never free,it must be fought for, sometimes died for and vigorously defended because the wolves will always be waiting to take it away.
Your free to move to China.
With a population of 1.3 Billion people, a lot of them unhappy with their living conditions, it is only a matter of time before communist China falls, replaced with something more democratic. However, it is only a matter of time before big corporations have their corrupt hooks into the Chinese government the same way they do the US government.
In USA: corporations run the government.
In China: government runs corporations.
2 versions of the same crooks.
The USA is a republic, not a democracy. In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group.
For example, a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting for what's for dinner.
Hey, the system isn't perfect, but it's the best we've got.
And I'd rather have the corporations running things than the military or Communists. Or the unions, for that matter. Lazy jerks.
For those that say "move to China if you don't like it here", do some research, that is not an option. Other countries do not allow foreigners into their country without a reason. It is not like America were you can move here and get away with it. You end up in prison in other countries. In the US, we will give you food stamps, free housing, educate your children, and provide you a path for citizenship even though you entered the country illegally. If you are already an American, you're screwed. No other country wants you.
Fed Up:
Really? Last time I checked we have an African American President, elected by popular vote. He took office peacefully. We have a representative congress who are elected by their state or district every 2 or 6 years. Turnover is constant. Democracy works here in the US better than anywhere in the world. Now, the work they are doing ... (Clearly well below any reasonable expectation).
John Robert: I appreciate your vision, but I think you're wearing beer goggles. America and its democracy belongs to the highest bidder. Ever hear of lobbying? Insider trading? War profiteering? etc.
Exellent post Mark, and very accurate for sure. We need to do as our forfathers wrote in one of the founding documents, where is tells us to rid our selves of a government exactly like we now have. However over the last 40 years, the American people have been dumbed down so badly they will never fight back. There are a few who will stand and fight to the death to see our country restored, but with the new law that was just passed, they will now be terrorists.
To all you pacifists out there, which of the 3 most powerful countries in the world, try forcing their will, and idiology on others. Russia, China, or ???
Well you can always go to China when you've had enough.
Why go to China when we got us a real live Newton LeRoy Gingrich? Under his rule he will bring China to us.
Uh Oh ....
Now we all know the central Communist Party is not about to let democracy run rampant through the land. But they are verrryyy clever - they can control this little episode and use it in their global p.r. campaign. And I have to say - the people look so happy and pleased in the photos,you really wish it were the start of something good.(who knows -miracles..)
The Chinese Central Gov't will scrutinize every detail, wait for even the most insignificant problem, and blow it out of proportion as an example of why a democratic national election will never work in China.
LOL- this is a win-win for them!
come on!!! let's try to think positive! It has to start somewhere...right?
Nahh. They're much more subtle than that. They'll give them a little rope, then start tying it in knots, and before you know it, they'll be good little shee... um, I mean, citizens, once again. And they won't even know what happened.
Hah! We are so bad. Actually in my heart of hearts I am rooting for the villagers.
Something like the communist party in the US is doing as we speak. We are being manipulated badly and most of you do not even know it. From outside the US, it is like watching "Professional Wrestling" as they call it, and you know the outcome before it starts. You are being played for suckers bigtime.
It isn't democracy that is the problem - or even the corporations. It is the greed. At what point is making yourself some money and living comfortably from your hard work too much?
That is where the line is murky. Democracy is great as long as the people are educated on what they are voting for and they aren't packed full of empty promises.
What kind of education do you need to choose between a Republican Crook and a Democrat Crook?
Just enough to manage a coin toss.
ZING!
Chris: Good question... I was thinking a large caliber something....
The U.S. should take encouragement from this shining example and follow their steps to Democracy!
(c) 2012
yea, if 1.5 billion more people do this, china might have a legitimate govt.
Careful!!
These poor little pan-faced Chinamen will only end up donating their organs for the 'cause.'
Apparently, these poor souls missed the part in Chinese History about their glorious rise through Communism. They also, apparently, didn't read Chairman Mao's "little red book" and failed on their book report. This little non-event in China's history will soon be forgotten and so will those smiling faces in the pictures. As for us.....I think we should have a 're-try' at Democracy. The one we have has been corrupted and bastardized by our Representatives (term used loosely) with help from Corporate Lobbyists and other "Nair-do-wells."
What the @!$%# are you babbling about? Go take your meds you idiot.
Look.... they even have actual voting booths and everything.....
Better reach democracy SOON or the villagers & low paid workers will RAID the GOLD reserves & cause a PEOPLES REVOLUTION OF CHINA!
A " Chinese Spring" if you will .....
thought you said chinese spring roll. :)
Ha ! pretty good peanut .....
This is really good stuff.
Any Super PACs?
Dead man walking. Thanks for your courage but I don't think this will bode well for you now that it has gained publicity.
This reminds me of city and county level elections here in the US,the only level at which we as a society still have anything resembling true democracy.
I agree with Fedup. What America has today is not a Democracy, it is a Plutocracy and Citizens United is just speeding the process along.
At the federal level, it was never supposed to be. The founders knew it could never work and we're proving it now. Its a republic which is supposed to leave most of the power at the state and local levels which are small enough for democracy to have a chance and limit the damage when it screws things up.
Which is why Ben Franklin said we had......... " A Republic if you can keep it."
Any Super PAC?
Not much of a democracy when the Communist Party still control it.
Mouzie....Yeah, but if that village leader is found to be guilty of what the villagers accuse him of, punishment will be swift and severe, unlike here where you can keep your posititon and nothing happens especially in T'Faux land world from the look of things.
One could even suggest if their financial guys had wrecked their economy, I doubt any of them would be alive or free to spend anything anywhere anytime soon....LOL
By the way, China has quite a few millionairs to say the least and apparently growing.
Perhaps the difference between our Congress and China's is that it looks like their folks cannot hold up their congress or possible progress, by trying to fillibuster anything or work only 2 weeks per month from the look of things. LOL No one would dare write or say publicly anything insulting or disrespectful about the leader of their country - even if they are thinking it- like many T'folks have done in our country toward our own President and First Family.
They may want to keep their culture, but that does not mean to say their eye isn't firmly on the country making money, while many folks here seem to keep their eye on religiousity and a womans uterus while thinking only the top 1-10% should be allowed to make money. LOL
It appears that they give their people enough lattitude to prosper, but step too far out of line to harm the 'face' 'honor' of the country and you will be picking up bolders with your teeth. LOL Many a factory owner have found that out on their way to hard time if you are lucky or death if you are not...or should one say.... on their way to death if they are lucky and hard time if they are not. Hmmm LOL
China is far more capitalist than T'folks here would ever imagine. Why wage a conventional war when it so costly financially and cost lives, when you can wage economic war, which is far more subtle and cost effective and you can or could actually get a return on your money? LOL
It is the old walk softly but carry a bigaws money stick as well as the massive size of people's military. LoL One could say that N. Korea wouldn't dare threaten their neighbor to the north..... even in their most secret of wishful dreams at the dead of night, when no one is around, living in a cave in the bowels of the earth on the 31st day of February in the year 2000zed, or said threatener dreamstate would probably have a squish crunch splatt moment.... LOL
Perhaps that is why they do not have to spend anywhere near the amount as we do on defense. In their region.. who would try anything with them? And it is not as if they are sending their military all over the world so to speak. Unfortunately while we are busy propping up and defending everwhere else, leaving our own infrastructure and people to crumble, they are busy building up their own financial portfolio. It is like some folks clear the land while others are busy making arrangements to plant the seeds and harvest the crop..... Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa anyone? LOL
By time some of our leaders and people have finally awaken to our need to get away from our selfish selfcentered greed and succeed, China will be firmly owning land, doing business etc including making things and such, in factories that they have built in Africa and even here in the USA, for example..if they havent already.
And their people are willing to relocate as they will go anywhere in the world to work from the look of things. Did anyone see that there were Chinese workers in the oilfields in Libya? LOL Plus their wealthy citizens (and other folk through their govt,) can afford to pay for their children to attend the most expensive Ivy League unis here in the USA, without going into debt to do so....
Wonder how many of our young people are over there , studying in China's unis? Hmmm Seems like they know us more than we know them or they know more about us and our ways than we know about them and their ways..... hmmm
Peace... prosperity ...wisdom...
China is very capitalist, some people even said they are more than us.
Whoa! it can be happen and easy for small village as everyone knew each other mean no cheat but tough if it is at metropolitan area. It is amazed that state police didn't arrest them. I bet spies will have hard time sneak around in small village as locals will spot them easy. I wish them for peace and better for their people.
I wish the very best for the village of Wukan and for all the people of China - democracy in China? !! - take that, communist party!
You have my blessing people!However watch out for the BIG BAD CORRUPT WOLF,he'll chew you up and spit you out.
GOOD LUCK YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT!
The problem with Democracy... is you get what you vote for.
And then sometimes you are forced to admit you were a total moron.
At least being a "total moron" is within your rights
Why are we not hearing from any of the Nuevo Marxists living here in the US on this issue... shattered dreams I suppose.
It's mostly the idea that it isn't democratic in sense. The party still control 100% of everything. Most (maybe some, I hope) don't know how the election system works. The Communist Party WANTED it, there IS a 'democratic system' already in China, but it favors the country/Community Party. It's not a change/revolt against the government which is why they didn't crack down hard on it. It's an anti-corruption revolt/election which the government supports as long as it doesn't go against the party or China itself, they will support and try and work things out.
Marxism sucks.
Socialism ftw!
I give Beijing less than a few weeks to conveniently make this "disappear".
And then the chinese government will demolish entire village to make way for the three gorges damn! Yup democracy will most definitely flourish in china!
The first step to keep our freedom, is to pass a constitutional amendment that Corporations are Not People, so they don't have the right of freedom of speech "AKA Super Pacs" this will go a long way in protecting our liberties and help to prevent our elections from being bought by big corps.
Also, if corporations are considered to be people, and they fund Super Paks for election ads, aren't they liable for slander if what they are telling millions of people "untruths"?