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Letters | Why China should support – not fear – the freedoms of speech and religious practice
- Fostering constitutionally guaranteed rights will only boost the government’s credibility, keep the public content and promote national stability
I’m writing in response to the letter from Sean Macdonald (“China under Xi Jinping is ignoring the people’s constitutional rights”, February 14). The contradictions between the stance of the government and the rights protected by the Chinese constitution have caused some unhappy voices to be raised.
The constitution allows the citizens of China to have freedom of speech. However, people in China normally do not tend to speak up or are not allowed to criticise the government as they fear they may be penalised.
Moreover, there are more rights conferred by the constitution that are not reflected in the daily lives of citizens, such as the freedom of religious belief. Discrimination against many of China’s Christians and Muslim Uygurs in Xinjiang is a serious problem.
In my opinion, listening to citizens’ requests or opinions cannot harm the government or become a threat to its power. Giving people more freedom will definitely increase the government’s credibility and national stability as people would be more satisfied with their lives. Therefore, open dialogue would help the Chinese government and the country to move forward.
Ivy Fung, Kwai Chung
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