Bring It On!

For once, a column by Timothy Garton Ash that I agree with; its topic being the necessity of profound reform within China's government and institutions.

The sooner the Chinese start to reform, the sooner Chinese Communism will fall. When they do implement reforms that are needed now and which cannot be postponed indefinitely, they will once again prove the truth of Tocqueville's maxim that oppressive governments are at their weakest when they try to reform themselves. Gorbachev proved its truth with 'glasnost' and 'perestroika'; the Chinese will prove it all over again.

And after the Russian experience of 'shock therapy', there will be no legions of no-think economists giving the Chinese best advice on how to beggar themselves. Bring on the reforms, and set the Chinese free.