“Ordinary Chinese workers, homeowners and farmers have emerged as unlikely activists in a quiet revolution that is filling the gaps between central government law-making and the rights violations and corruption of local governments,” according to analyst Ching Kwan Lee. Although this grassroots citizen activism, which invokes “the protection of lawful rights,” or weiquan, demands specific rights prescribed by Chinese law, such as labor, property and rural land rights, it is creating the potential for broader social change.
“Attention may shift away from China after the 2008 Olympic Games,” she suggests, “yet the struggles between economic growth and social stability; between authoritarian rule and a more responsive state and involved citizenry; and between local and central governments will continue to shape and define China for the long-term future.”
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