China Must Shed Light on its Cultural Revolution

Sun Xi

Politics, East Asia

Fifty years later, the Communist Party needs to learn from its mistakes.

Fifty years ago today, the public release of the May 16 notification marked the start of the Cultural Revolution, a ten-year nightmare for the Chinese nation, in addition to being one of the most disgusting periods of evil demonstrated in world history. Recently, the non-official debates among general public have been largely focusing on whether there will be another Cultural Revolution. Those who are optimistic think it is impossible for China to see another Cultural Revolution. Since the reform and opening-up in 1978, China lost the ideological, political and economic soil as well as the authoritarian leadership to mobilize the modern-day masses, who have better education, a broader outlook and independent thinking. Moreover, most Chinese leaders, vested interest groups and emerging middle classes will not allow another Cultural Revolution to occur.

By contrast, pessimists warn that the Cultural Revolution could happen again, as the soil for the Cultural Revolution is considered still fertile, citing many re-emerging Cultural Revolution-style activities such as the “red songs” gala, strict propaganda and political movements, as well as growing personality cults since Xi Jinping’s coronation.

It is hard to imagine another Cultural Revolution on a similar scale in a modernized and globalized China. However, the seeds of Cultural Revolution have yet to be fully eliminated. Just four years ago, the then-Chinese premier Wen Jiabao warned another Cultural Revolution could happen again without successful political reform. Without valuing the rule of law, democracy and human rights, the risk of another Cultural Revolution remains. A more dangerous risk than another Cultural Revolution, however, is how China has been trying to deliberately cover up the Cultural Revolution.