🇨🇳 Is democracy wrong for China? | Head to Head

Head to Head - Is democracy wrong for China?
Mehdi Hasan challenges Chinese scholar Dr Zhang Weiwei on whether China can afford Western-style democracy.
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Website - aljazeera.com/headtohead

[@TPerm-hj4sf]

I can not stand this host, just such a moron, let your guest speak!!! That is why he is here for.

[@Blahblahblah14898]

the show is quite literally called head to head. The guest wasn't invited to speak at free will, the whole point of the show is that the guest gets grilled.

[@thailandretirement3681]

The interviewer is ignorant of China and extremely rude and confrontational. What a missed opportunity to hear from Zhang Weiwei, who is neither.

[@z76776]

What a funny guy who believe in democracy but ask others to shut up.

[@alanyang1536]

Ke Zhong however, China killed many Chinese this year because they believed differently.

[@thailandretirement3681]

Can you name one? Give us a link? That would be swell.

[@D1Trini4u]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_harvesting_from_Falun_Gong_practitioners_in_China?wprov=sfla1

[@D1Trini4u]

Oh, and that has over 100 supporting links. Let me know if you're ready for me to start discussing other minorities...

[@AtheosNous]

One speaks in a calm, educated, rational demeanor, the other in prejudging, accusatory, interruptions. This was not an intelligent exchange, but sensationalized television. Good job, Al Jazeera English! You're not only presenting it in English; you've copied Western corporate media well.

[@chaoma621]

As a Chinese, I spent a lot time try not to pronounce "th" as "s", and this guy destroyed half my effort within an hour.

[@Amelia-xc9gw]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@lovegreen4931]

LOL!

[@spenserkao]

Have you heard the term "accent"? While there are so many accents out there, which one are you referring to?

[@milkandbread1279]

😂😂

[@anantikamehra1694]

I love this show, but I fail to understand why the moderator has to keep cutting people off. Like can you please let them finish what they are saying?

[@miaking8390]

+Anantika Mehra He doesn't want to know the answer, He just want to show off his criticize and speed of speak.

[@saintNsinnerrr]

+Anantika Mehra - Watch Arnab Goswami , Hassan is still an angel :P

[@spartacus9960]

+Y Liu he is of indian origins and a british citizen , so I failed to understand what "dictatorship country" are you talking about?

[@a.nahari380]

aljazeera-style tactic if you understand arabic and watch aljazeera qatar, you'll see a fish market rather than a constructive conversations

[@huangzb8060]

+spartacus9960 This racist Indian is not qualified to host event, he is extremely rude and uncultured like most Indians

[@jasonlee148]

The interviewer is very unprofessional. Your job is to ask questions and listen, not to express your opinions and argue with the guest let alone adding insults and condescension to your speech for a subject that you do not fully understand.

[@Mohamed-zo6so]

this is not an interview it's debate

[@ronysarker6456]

Then what is your job, Mr/Mrs perfectionist?

[@CTFlink]

I totally agree, this time he interrupted too much and did not listen enough.

[@alanyang1536]

I guess u r right, after all, China killed so many innocent people, www.google.com.tw/search?q=64+坦克压人&client=ms-android-asus&prmd=ivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5rf3TubvOAhVFJ5QKHXz5C-YQ_AUIBygB&biw=360&bih=559

[@qwertyyau]

ignore this alan yang. he is posing as a Chinese but I think he's a Bot

[@peng7211]

It's one chinese professor against the whole room, i got to say he is a very brave man.

[@HariMehtaKarunesh]

So many people defending Zhang Weiwei in the comment section, and saying Mehdi didn't let him complete. Two possibilities: Either they did not get what Head to Head means, or they are watching it for the first time...

[@solipsist9115]

Mehdi constantly interrupts his guests. I have been watching Head to Head since day one he does that a lot. May be because he wants his guests to give him the answers that he wants to hear and not their point of view hence the constant interruptions. The skills he uses are either being snide, sarcastic or brushing off their answers (unprofessional to me) so that he gets applauded by the audience. May be this is why your previous guest, the former French FM Bernard Kouchner snapped at you and gave you a slapped on the wrist. Give your guests some bloody minutes for God sake.

[@tanxiao1007]

very well stated!

[@wcw47800]

Spot on. For a guy watching him for the first time, I wondered how did mummy handled fair conversations with him, or they were never civil nor fair?

[@murphychris314]

It honestly seems like he has a series of prepared attacks which are in fairness often quite interesting, but he deploys them whenever there is something tangentially related to one of them. The problem is they very often miss the core of what the person is saying, this catches them of guard making them look stumped by the question, when in reality they are stumped by how this is related to what they just said.

[@tanxiao1007]

Christopher Murphy very well put!!!

[@mrpizzaandpasta]

and tariq ramadan described the final editing as turning his words into 'incoherent babble'

[@HaoweiYao]

This man is so rude. He don't even give the guest a chance to speak.

[@wxin7318]

Harvey Yeahwo

[@amitkrishnani3160]

Harvey Yeahwo you should see arnab goswami in pakistan, ism sure you'll love it

[@prathammishra4945]

Harvey Yeahwo that's because the guest is talking utter nonsense.

[@user-ut5kt1cr7f]

what this guest is defending, it's the same regime that are cracked down on the minorities this days

[@prateekkumar4295]

If someone doesn’t make sense no point listening to them, gotta interrupt to bring them back to reality

[@beyondschool]

Hassan makes himself look bad by not letting Zhang have time to answer his questions.

[@nomeremannthetameruinkhan]

I really enjoy this program. Being a comic I will call this superb show, " Political Roast ". The Program that corners those in politicians with real questions they have to face. I'm lovin It. Thanks

[@zjz19900621]

Democracy is just an excuse. Compared to Saudis and other middle east countries, Iran probably has the most stable democracy. Still, they gets a lot of criticism.

[@nameless592]

Justin Zhang any country that's not doing what America wants gets criticism but I mean we aren't they suppose to take democracy to those places I mean the big revolution that happened in the 70s was initiated by the United states. Iran was democratic all along but you know believe what you want. and honestly isn't it kind of silly to think one model fits all . I am not backing communism or dictatorship of any kind but when has a one size fits all a logical solution to anything

[@MDUmairKh]

True. I like Iranian political system.

[@aminahmed6482]

@@MDUmairKh Iran pretends to be a democracy. It is in fact a theocracy. I agree. The United States sucks.

[@alihaiderali1742]

Chinese are amazing people, they work hard, and are doing everything to improve their country. Long live Pakistan-China friendship! ;)

[@zhouzhibin]

Allah bless Pakistanis.

[@siebenarcher]

Best blessing Pakistan from China

[@wodeqiangne]

Long live friendshup

[@YalamberHangRai]

Let’s go get India together brother

[@bestinjames3518]

@@YalamberHangRai lol

[@misganatessema1060]

As an African man I understand what this China man is saying. Liberal democracy, free media and uncensored Internet is costing Ethiopia. It drawing us back to stone age. Now war, ethnic hatred and civil unrest becomes our norm. We African shall study our context culture and problem and need to have our own style of Democracy, economic model and school system like China!

[@abdirahmanmohammed4641]

Since the Birth of Ethiopia It had all the things you said, the Only problem of Ethiopia is the Highlanders who still think that they can colonize other nations under the black Colonizer in east Africa which is use to call Abbasiniya, death of that is the Simple Solution, which is already had started.

[@cathrynxiang1912]

Exactly. Every people who is worrying about where their next meal is will take economic development, education as the first priority.

[@TheMinimumPC]

This Tiananmen chick talks about "Why is human rights all about Economics". Because China's economy was destroyed by the country you're comfortably sitting in. Talk about Human right sand freedom of speech to people who struggle to feed themselves in India. Democracy allows the control of the system to be handed to a rich few and it leads countries into a perpetual poverty trap.

[@user-ti4yy9bn8h]

真难为张维为这么耐心给一帮自大狂搞科普，中国一直很耐心地强调中国的制度和模式只适合于自己，而每个国家都应该依据各自的国情选择不同的制度和模式而不是被动接受别国强加的制度和标准或者简单地照搬别国的制度和模式。这个世界有70亿左右的人口，200个左右的国家，数以千记的不同民族和文化，人们在自己的文明范式和发展模式上应该有更多的选择，而不是被动的被西方划分为所谓先进民主阵营的西方模式和落后非民主的非西方模式，企图再像十字军东征一样简单判定另一群人为异教徒，采取野蛮和残暴的方式迫使其归化。2000多年前，上帝仍未诞生，但中国已经存在千年，同样的，哪怕2000年后上帝消亡，我相信中国仍会存在，每个国家都具有自己的特质，每个国家都应成为自己的主宰，每个国家都应有信心和能力照看好自己，而不必担心成为别人嘴里的异类，哪怕这一过程和际遇会艰辛和曲折。如果说中国的模式和经历确有可供借鉴的地方，我想那也应该是：自信地做自己，采用不同于西方的模式，你依然可以成功|

[@zhousophie9866]

红袖添香 对极了，西方人都是些 没文化的暴发户，偶尔赢了一次，当自己是永远的霸主

[@amazinghello4749]

Zhou Sophie 现在，人家认为中国是暴发户好不好，中药丸，中药丸。

[@zhousophie9866]

Amazing Shan 谁都想当暴发户，因为暴发户就是赢家，世界赢家轮流当，中国的特别之处是历史上已经当过好多次赢家了，事实上在历史长河中，中国多半时间是最强的，可以算作 经典暴发户，也就是最有文化的民族。

[@zyd079]

红袖添香 舌战群“熊”。

[@owlmanchan659]

不行啊....人家就是要你躺在地上喊 投票最棒棒啊

[@Caius1930]

Let us look at the facts and statistics, many of which were carried out by INDEPENDENT and even WESTERN BASED organizations: 600 million people lifted out of poverty, more than 10 million people still being lifted out of poverty every year, more than 8 million people graduating from universities, and, indeed, serious pollution. Funnily enough, the pollution CANNOT even be compared to that caused by the already rich Western countries during their own industrialisation. The argument that China is failing due to pollution, and that the government destroyed the country forever just for some economic growth is so unbelievably hypocritical it almost always threatens to make me go berserk. Such pollution troubles were so much worse in the UK, and, most certainly, the UK has been industrialising for hundreds of years. China has been doing so for barely 40 years. How incredibly unknowledgeable must you be to insult China based on that? In terms of democracy, the UK parliament has always been terribly, terribly biased and in favour of the rich all throughout history. Lately, the trend has diminished, of course, but it's still present. Regardless, the UK was experiencing very modest economic growth and crap improvements in living standards, while China has managed an incredible leap. Even nowadays, THE USA IS NOT EVEN CONSIDERED A DEMOCRACY/REPUBLIC IN ANY WAY. It's now labelled as a PLUTOCRACY by MANY TOP US UNIVERSITIES. Not only would you think that if you only just glanced at the legislation only recently passed, but all you'd have to do is simply follow the trend. 'Democracy' has been worsening in the US for ages now. Regardless, China is indeed a bit too autocratic, but considering how the Chinese culture puts very serious emphasis on public order and long term safety and stability, as well as discipline, what's so hard to imagine that the government would not want to experience even more problems than it currently is, while it's trying to industrialise in such an incredibly short period of time. At the moment, the Chinese government is in a precarious position; it could be said that it's vulnerable, and despite the government's control over the media and the economy, it is all still volatile because of industrialisation. The main reason why the Russian Empire had fallen to Communism was because of an industrialisation initiative that was poorly implemented. China has been liberalizing over the past few decades more than people would want to notice/acknowledge. There are so many more human rights at the moment. There is no question that China will continue liberalizing once it is in less danger of entirely collapsing to then be gobbled up by the US and divide in between the West. Just take a God damn look at how much more freedom the Chinese people have now. Who is anyone to say that China will not continue extending human rights as it has for decades now? People have a misconception that the second you say something that is mildly anti-government you're going to spend ages being abused in a jail. You see, I've spoken to more than a few people living in China; businessmen or not. None of them noticed government officials abusing their powers. As long as people respect the law, and the officials themselves, there are absolutely no issues. Likewise, the idea that China is colonising Africa may hold some truth. Chinese SOEs have been buying huge swathes of land in China. However, look at what centuries of Western colonisation left Africa: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Western powers really did want Africa to remain underdeveloped and simply a continent from which cheap commodities could be extracted by their companies. Since the Chinese started investing, Africa saw a very significant increase in GDP and living standards, while there was also something left over from the Chinese: actual infrastructure and industry! How hypocritical is it that anyone would dare say anything about how China is extracting raw resources and selling back manufactured goods, when that is exactly what the Western countries have been doing ALL OVER THE WORLD, not just in China, while not even giving back in ANY WAY, like China has in terms of schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Why is it that China is supposed to donate every cent it has to Africa and want absolutely nothing in return? Maybe the Western countries did do some projects in Africa with African labour, but they only used unskilled labour. Almost each and every skilled individual was imported. Moreover, people criticize China for being 'corrputed'. It's still a developing coutry! How about you compare it to other developing countries? Why is it that China must be perfect for it to not be liable to imbecilic criticism?! Do people have any idea how much influence corporations have in the West, and how little independence the states have compared to the Chinese state's? What, is that not considered corruption? Oh, excuse me, that's lobbying! Silly me.... right? *Sarcasm*

[@maxshen1152]

Indeed!!!

[@libenzhuo]

This guy gets it.

[@kanzteo]

Love your comment, wise man!

[@tenzinthutop1228]

You said China has huge amount of human rights outthere but hongkong which has more liberty and right than mainland Chinese rally in millions street showing anger against central government,

[@r3fus32d13]

I was like you man. But we should save our energy to convince the people that CAN be convinced. KZbin people dont want to listen and just say their piece. In the real world there are people who will listen more to us. Good luck

[@user-tt2vu6sk6c]

My suggestion as a regular Chinese citizen...Think twice before challenging the rising nationalism among common Chinese people nowadays by talking about sovereignty related topics like Tibetan, Uygur, Hongkong,Taiwan self determination... Chinese government do want a controllable nationalism which reflecting on the citizens...do not necessarily have too much negative views towards western civilizations... coz Chinese government is interested in making big fortunes together rather than political & ideology confrontation, like professor Zhang said "You can learn from us if want, but if you are not interested in 'China mode', we don't care" , this part I think is something foundamental....

[@hassu2149]

It's just funny to me that Chinese people can't critique their government, there's corruption and nepotism in your elites, average person lives in such terrible conditions, no rights at times like we saw during covid yet Chinese people don't care about these things at all? Maybe they will eventually once they have enough middle class becuase I understand Chinese was very poor and people were hungry but surely once everything is stable for most people they must care about these things?

[@TheMinimumPC]

43:13 That's a ridiculous statement. One could ask the British how many people have died in Scotland

[@TheMinimumPC]

@James Khoo Read my comment again (it was Pro China), I'm not a Brit.

[@TheMinimumPC]

@James Khoo Cool

[@johnroberts8233]

@James Khoo I think the USA has now taken over Great Britain's role as the biggest provider of illicit drugs but, yes, in its day Britain was the major drug dealer.

[@thomassissay5719]

the reporter is childish wont even allow him to speak. we in africa admire china

[@r3fus32d13]

Respek from China

[@sidneywilson-nai4253]

@ Thomas Sissay fast forward 2020. Hope you still there

[@yaxyanothing4752]

Just wondering you do know that they don't see us a lest then humans.

[@isaacakomea-frimpong6170]

You and who in Africa? Speak for yourself!

[@kiborstefangideonkemboi3818]

Speak for your self not for africa

[@jxguy]

This is a demonstration of how DIRTY is the Western Media. Enlarging a pin try to hit with a huge hammer but still missed the point and the pin it trying to hit. Mehdi's impatiently trying to tip the scale towards issues that benefited a few, while the Chinese scholar trying to provide his insight on China's preferred way of tackling any issue for the benefit of the majority, rather than dwelling on issue that waste time and resources, which could put to good use, like lifting over six hundreds million of chinese out of poverty. That's the pin that democracy choose to ignore. NO wonder US's top 1% is screwing the 99% of American into poverty. Democracy is working magnificently well for just the top 1%, may be that 1% is too small for concern.

[@dantechersi6056]

China copy paste western world is wrong both of them folowers are blind because western country have regime call demokracy but is false no real freedom is just ilusion and controling people live ...Just atain buda nature make planet free of poison ..become Buda mind is no army no pesticide and chemical produkts no force childe araund planet to be vacinate and vacine are death and demage for children but China do Europe force america and india force to vacination program so all of them is just slave of farma narko mafia ne free of become slave to folow interest of profit no interest of natural healt organismus

[@bensonfang1868]

Medhi works for a Qatari news agency called Al Jazeera

[@sourabhdas615]

Hey Copy cat products (CCP) ...your whole group obsession towards west had lead to blind hate😂... anything happens just blame west it's not west news it's a middle East Qatari news channel 😁😁

[@henryng9406]

@@dantechersi6056 WTF are you trying to say ?

[@bobhan6395]

Four years after this panel discussion, we can see who were telling the truth, who were lying, and who were ignorant.

[@coreycox2345]

They have made progress on economic human rights.

[@islamic_thirdposition9466]

@@coreycox2345 Human rights are a sham. In any country the interests of the State and Faith should come first, not some minority who's only contribution is leeching off the government.

[@historyandconspiracy6173]

We've really seems who was saying the truth thanks to Corona

[@coreycox2345]

@@islamic_thirdposition9466After the virus was acknowledged, they did an efficient job. It doesn't make me long to be under a totalitarian government, though. The Chinese government is not faith-based, but a religious government is not required to explain any of its actions. One would have to be of the faith to view that as ideal. Western democracies have become a veneer of human rights because much of the truth is never shown on the news, and people are apathetic.

[@islamic_thirdposition9466]

@@coreycox2345 Human rights are for those who are weak and can't fight for themselves. lmao if it was up to me I would model the world around Saudi Arabia.

[@kaze7840]

The thing that Westerns don't understand is China is far different from them. Lee Quan Yu told this way back in the day.

[@johnroberts8233]

Western elites (the people who own and rule western societies) don't want the people of their societies accepting difference because it's a very real threat to their power. Just look at the monotheistic religions that they've forced those under their control to live under for the last two thousand years -until only recently totally intolerant of diversity. No, the elites of the West want sameness, standardisation; only fake diversity and multiculturalism is allowed for show.

[@samkeyho4200]

The more propaganda against China by BBC, CNN & now Al jazeera, the more I admire China. With love, from India.

[@yilihamujiangyimiremizi9369]

I am from China, you could not believe how much Chinese dislike India, and look at 1949 to 1979, we did too many stupid people.

[@fhxak2004]

i think we can talk between chinese people and indian people，not only your elits，most of the elits only think about their money

[@abhinavmishra4939]

you all three are not indian. why you fool other in the name of india

[@ErtixPoke]

I am from Poland and I don't like India too. There are too homophobic.

[@abhinavmishra4939]

Ertix ,i think you must be a gay so plz maintain distance with indian!!! Ha ha

[@fuaogo3950]

i have been to twelve provinces in china, people's desire to improve their lives is stronger than participation in politics.

[@cristianruberti9164]

Us for example, People believe that they are in democracy. We are all saying what we want on internet, and this Is what we think as democracy. But none listen us, democracy could be directed by medias that could make you chose by fear or hope. And so i Guess, china Need a fake democracy like us or india?

[@87aggietim]

@@cristianruberti9164 What do you mean by fake democracy?

[@cristianruberti9164]

@@87aggietim every democracy can be controlled by media and papers. Take the italian example, our problems are far than immgration, but mafia, heavy corruption and inefficencies overall the system. It's a real problem but After a long immigrate fear campain by medias people still choose declared corrupted politicians Who promise the end of immigration whitout a real Plan. It's a fake democracy, you are Always pushed to chose what someone else want

[@87aggietim]

@@cristianruberti9164 Here in the US the people can see through the lies of the leftest fake news media. That is how Trump got elected. The fake news media was saying that Hillary Clinton would win with a 95% majority. The people did not listen so they got out and voted in Trump and they will again in 2020.

[@Alpspermaculture]

I cant agree more. A

[@tounsifiras7210]

Why is everybody in the comment section angry with the interviewer??? That's his job! To ask annoying and trap questions, and it's up to the guest to make his arguments!

[@ginargent5077]

yeah Mehdi Hasan does that, he takes the opposite position.

[@daweeb69]

Cuz it is annoying to not let the guests finish his sentence. You can’t tell?

[@tounsifiras7210]

@@daweeb69 Well sometimes guests try to divert from subject and not answer the questions ... It's fair game

[@daweeb69]

Tounsi Firas We have something called respect for others in Canada. If you know how to respect.

[@christianevanherck6023]

@@daweeb69 The professor doesn't know how to respect Mehdi Hasan! Several times the professor deflected, didn't give straight answers or said "that's not true" without backing up his claims with facts.

[@johnhoy1101]

It is now more than two and half years since this Head to Head interview. In view of recent developments, it appears appropriate to pose two questions: (a) Is democracy wrong for the United States of America ? and (b) Is democracy wrong for the United Kingdom ?

[@cyberanon2463]

Yes is the answer for both questions.

[@IrradioMan]

True, democracy might not be the right way to go. The problem with democracy is it’s not meritocratic. People get voted in not for their successful previous history of delivering results, but based on their promises. Then they’re not held accountable. China’s system of governance is superior: you start out at the bottom of the party after rigorous exams to get in. Then you get promoted and take on bigger responsibilities if you are successful, and you get demoted if you’re not. I support Chinese governance of action over American dialogue that acts as governance.

[@cccb2878]

Time traveler from 11.14.2016,American election just gives us a perfect result of this question：whether China can afford Western-style democracy？Even western can't afford the "western-style democracy".

[@Graham6761]

That's a terrible thing to say. Trump will be the greatest president ever and reduce China to poverty god willing.

[@daithuan]

At least they had a say who their next president will be, do you? They had the freedom to exercise that right, do you? Ask your communist dictatorship about Mao's murderous purges & tiananmen square masacre, land grabs & let's see what will happen to you. Lets see if the frog in the well will still be alive. news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/4/newsid_2496000/2496277.stm?first=3

[@Graham6761]

王文川 So what kind of government do you advocate?

[@cccb2878]

Graham6761 A working one, rather than a talking one. Ask any chinese on the street, most of them are happy with the current situation，so why it's necessary taking a huge risk to shut down the current government?

[@Graham6761]

王文川 A working one? That isn't a type of government. China has a technocracy. You are under state mind control.

[@luvonglobe]

Can the interviewer or moderator of the talk be removed? He speaks more than the invited guests, and he is very disruptive!

[@barbarbarbar2]

luvonglobe he should give time for answers

[@jimmychoo6341]

He is on some kind of stuff during the interview. I can smell marijuana.

[@FatherOf1450]

can't imagine these "So-called experts who well know China" speaks in Chinese and be interviewed and questioned in China, most of them even never been to China and they call themselves a "China study expert" lol

[@rexlin6245]

Why does China need the western type of democracy??? The western system itself has a gigantic space to improve and I don't see western politician trying to do that. Free voting? with your very limited knowledge and attention of the professions needed to manage whole country? I don't see Chinese government is good enough neither western countries.

[@shutian_666]

I quite agree with you. No country is perfect. If you are rich, you can enjoy life freely in western countries. If you are poor, you will live safer in China, at least you won't go hungry.

[@paxdriver]

Mehdi has to slow down, I actually want to hear the guest's argument

[@fishysnake1]

I'd like to hear him ask Western government representatives EXACTLY the same questions.

[@paxdriver]

fishysnake1 he's usually pretty good about grilling anyone that sits in front of him, imho. often unfairly but i guess it serves its purpose in discourse.

[@fishysnake1]

Kris Driver He is, but he doesn't accuse Western government representatives of outright misinformation, propaganda and/or using them to oppress the people. He doesn't really accuse them of human rights abuses, either, but our governments are just as guilty of all of the above just more subtle and covert. We live under a global capitalist plutocracy with democratic forms only, after all, not a transparent, majority rules democracy.

[@paxdriver]

fishysnake1 i think he's pretty good at attacking everyone that sits in front of him. he's pretty tough on colonialism and america's war machine in most cases i've seen.

[@fishysnake1]

Kris Driver He's pretty good, Kris, I agree. I just wish he'd really attack the oppression capitalism imposes on the people. It's probably because I don't believe any of us truly live under a democracy. We all live under an oligarchy - just as the Chinese do - and our oligarchies are also oppressive. Wherever you have extreme inequality and that inequality gap is widening, you have opppression. Freedom of speech, worship and association means sweet FA without affordable housing, health care, education and dignified gainful employment. My country, Australia, is increasingly incarcerating the poor. So is the US. There are now more African-Americans incarcerated for minor offenses because they are poor than there were slaves. And these incarcerated poor are put to work at call centres and things - it's a new form of slavery. Feeling other countries abuse human rights more than we do might be comforting and help us sleep better at night, but we'll never insist on change for the better if we are permitted to think our country is somehow better and more moral.

[@aakash26159]

I want to criticize China..but I can't coz given the economic development, China is rich and we are not...I want China model in India..so that we can also alleviate our poverty....that's what a developing country like India wants....so love China from india

[@hsiehman]

+Aditya Khunteta Bud, If you are not the wealthy 1% in China, your life will be just as bad, if not worse. "China is rich" is a misconception. High GDP means jack with such a wide wealth distribution gap like in India and China. All governments are corrupt due to the nature of humanity, but the corruption in china is rampant. Ask yourself, why are all the rich Chinese people immigrating outside of china and living abroad? China also boasts that they have the longest and riches history, yet they are still a developing nation? Say what you want about America, but in it's short 300 year history, it has become a world superpower.

[@lenomali]

+hsiehman America is fast becoming second class, while you are still asleep. Selfish people will migrate to richer nation to enjoy their life, especially like america where land were looted free from the aboriginal people. They will not leave for the largest democracy India for sure.

[@eshsundar8476]

+Aditya Khunteta For a moment, consider we are communists. How do feel when you feel scared to comment on youtube on willingness of democracy ? Democracy may be slow but it is the best way to grow. Whats life without freedom buddy ?

[@aakash26159]

thats one point i aceept sir...

[@hsiehman]

lenomali I am not American, I am Taiwanese-Canadian. Taiwan exists because there was a group of people who refused to live under the chinese communists. Aboriginal peoples are abused in almost every country, to varying degrees. How are the Adivasi treated and viewed in India? Btw, India is listed as 25th in the world democracy index. Norway is first.

[@jjd112777]

As an American I wanted to learn about China. What I got was argumentative, inflammatory, and bigoted toward the Chinese.

[@colinyuan5404]

Al Jazeera doesn't like pork, but Chinese like, so Al Jazeera told Chinese "why do you like pork so much? in our Muslim world, no one like pork, we eat beef and mutton". so in this case, could anyone told me should we Chinese to give up pork eating to fulfill Al Jazeera's standard for correctness?

[@unclesummeri]

SIMPLE QUESTION: how many years did it take for western democracy come to today. and how many years did CHINA actually just start developing. hypocrisy so it is. It's like : western: now im developed , and I am looking down on you, criticizing you, cos, i'v started like hundreds years earlier than you! IS IT FAIR?

[@shawnsheep5141]

+Noel Scully Good point. China developed naturally through thousands of years but it never had democracy, if without western interference it would be constantly self sustained and it is doing well now, then why bother democracy?

[@bluebloodXX]

我是香港人。他試圖拿印度來說明民主制度優越性我就笑了，google一下原來是個印度裔 :p

[@gary3155]

那也就是不是所有民主都能优越咯 香港如果完全民主 黑社会啊大 一早做区长啦

[@katewoolford5094]

Interviewer is so patronizing... let him answer the question ffs

[@mannansalam]

Mr Mehdi had been in the game a long time. He knows what and whose interview to press hard and to stay mellow to get a more precise answers.

[@SHAM129]

I read the comment's and very disappointed. I think Mehdi Hasan is good well skilled journalist. and weiwei showed how shameless Chinese government is I think. I hope China will get better in future and let there people live freely as western counties. I miss my home one day I could go back to China.

[@wcw47800]

Go home. Be a change agent. Do not be shamelessly hiding in a foreign country.

[@murphychris314]

wcw47800 Honest question, how does an ordinary Chinese citizen be an agent of change? Say they wanted youtube to be unblocked what would be the steps they could take to enact change?

[@eijikenji7149]

hamed, did you exercise new political right in the western world ? challenging the govt in power and overthrowing democracy system

[@SHAM129]

I am not politician and I don't really know what system is what . One thing I know is people in west live and work treatet equally. But in China we always afraid of government why can't we have society like west that we can express our meaning create competition and fear system we could come much further if we could work and treat our self equally.I only think that is my personal meaning.

[@zeiitgeist]

Christopher Murphy In order to be an agent of change in China is to join the CCP an climb the ranks to the top while getting more connections like everywhere else in the world.

[@najeebputhiyallam]

I REALLY LIKE THIS CHINA GUY HE HAS A VERY CLEAR IDEA WHAT HE DOING IN CHINA AND HE HAS A GREAT ANSWERS TO ALL QUESTIONS BY MEHDI !!!

[@jiyeren7550]

+Najeeb Puthiyallam The interviewer was just furious throughout the talk , I've no idea why......It happened many times during the talk that when the chinese guy had just started to make sence of his words and he was immediately cut off by the interviewer with his biased mindset......

[@yangzhi9734]

+Jiye Ren Exactly !!!

[@alfredloomis5051]

it is the custom to use lower case, as a signifier of good manners, and humility.

[@nameall2808]

Will you happy to give up your religion? Then you have a space in china

[@isoldel9313]

this is not an intellectual debate, the host is extremely rude and unintelligent and do not let the guest to finish his thoughts. extremely disgusted by the MSM

[@vivringsardaimari7009]

Is democracy wrong for Qatar??

[@joshtep6784]

I loved how Dr. Weiwei concluded the debate by saying the interviewer was aggressive but not aggressive enough. Mehdi is a couple notches down from being completely belligerent. At the end, Medhi made the entirety of the guest speakers uncomfortable and unable to really take a stand. This is a "GOTCHA" argument which is no place for high profile talks.

[@jkojkojkojk]

This must be the only episode of this show you watched.

[@wangxs]

Given Weiwei's lesser English fluency, Mehdi was actually softer on him. Check out his other "head to head" shows over many years, you'll get a better idea.

[@syedmajazulhaque1915]

Well... That's a fact... India is way behind China

[@psanju61]

And Pakistan is overtaking China with the help of CPEC....Chutiya sala..

[@Raja-hg9hq]

TIME HAS COME TO UNIFY PAKISTAN AND INDIA....TO BIGGEST MUSLIM POPULATION......TO GET SHERIA WORLD WIDE....FIRSTLY IN CHINA.... INSYAALLAH.

[@coshyno]

@@sssssfgr you sir is what is the definition of a cancer. You have no idea of the issues the Arab people face because of American intervention. Do you know why most Arab countries really on foreign aid ? You don't. If these countries were allowed to be prosperous and rich, they would be. But they are constantly destabilized by the US who is constantly arming and funding opposition groups and mercenaries to overthrow alleged ''dictators'' only for the country in question to end 1000 times worse then it was before the US intervention !

[@yuzhousong3494]

@@Raja-hg9hq 老哥别闹，中国对于绿教来说很危险，还集中营啥的，千万别来。相对来说美国欧洲这种皿煮自由的地方比较适合贵教教徒

[@dykidk9401]

@@coshyno LOL arabs have consistently tried to intervene within India, all throughout history and even till today, but islam will never have a place on Hindu land.

[@alanwang4961]

Three takeaways: 1. Please let Weiwei finish his tallking. He didn't interrupt you. 2. You can't make everyone happy. Don't try to be a saint, nor should you be. 3. Please support your agruments. Stop making accusations. Weiwei backed up his claims with evidence, something interviewers and guests should learn.

[@dand4075]

He was speaking of Taiwan as a model of democracy. Taiwanese are getting a raw deal because each time a new government comes into power, policies of the previous government are overturned. A good example is the construction of the MRT in Taichung. Eight years on, and work is still at a standstill today. All you get out of democracy is the false sense of empowerment every four years at the ballot box, then for the rest of the time, you get screwed. And the government cannot have a long term vision because they cannot see beyond the next four years. China is taking a page from Singapore’s playbook. Top efficiency. The same can be said of Trump. Trump is out on a limb to destroy all the good works Obama had done. Democracy in America serves the rich. Congress is infested with special interest groups from NRA to big pharma. Think opioid, mass shootings. Politicians are complicit. Seriously, the Chinese are getting a better deal.

[@yimingyang8244]

The key point is at 44:20, "the way you look at China is almost the same to how China looked at west during China cultural revolution"....I have lived in the west for many years, watched a lot of these kind of debets, and I have to say it is true.

[@yimingyang8244]

+Yiming Yang A strong proof to my comments above, 46:10, you can not imaging how hard the Chinese people criticize the officials and gov. In almost every single news on every single website, you can find millions of people comment the most critical negative comments you can every think of....And yet, you think China in the same old way where you can not speak a word........

[@theunprofessionalleon2470]

I think the cold war mindset still exists in the west whereas in China people are more focused on working on infrastructures and economic developments.

[@SylviaEBerjasMoralesNov]

@@yimingyang8244 most westerners are several decades behind about China. They repeat what the media say, they don't try to find the true This discussion was a bit one sided, the Chinese guy could no place a word, not very fair.,.

[@Best-bw4xr]

Is it not interesting that China is constantly claiming the are unique in their rise but the guest constantly draws parallels to western corruption and atrocities in their historical progress. You are hardly unique if you just divert the answer to ... "look at the west ... same thing".

[@Best-bw4xr]

@@SylviaEBerjasMoralesNov The guest a lot of times was not even answering the question. How many times was he reminded that is not what I asked.

[@TheAllen501]

Before I moved abroad, I used to hate China and think China was a mess. After I moved to North America, I have discovered a lot of good sides about China, and I'm shocked and annoyed by the western society's general ignorance about China, not only their ignorance about China, but also about the entire Asia. Asia is very complicated.

[@chandrakumar-ne7ru]

If one can notice that Mr. M challenges or attacks the interviewer before he has a chance to form his or her own opinion on a subject. Once he pointed out some logical claims, Mr. M is quick to use another way to poison the well. Once Dr. Zhang states the logical validity of his argument, he is quick to make another alternative that encompasses the other to refute the argument.

[@cheongsujen]

Seeing so many prominent guests invited, I was expecting a very good sharing of ideas on the topic n it's ruined by the rudeness and constant interruption on the interviewer.

[@Patrick.Edgar.Regini]

I wish he'd let the man speak ! -

[@jermsbestfriend9296]

He did. You're a liar.

[@Patrick.Edgar.Regini]

@@jermsbestfriend9296 Relax, I was saying it in jest

[@xjoe5650]

The interviewer is so rude.

[@huangzb8060]

Yes, he is extremely rude and racist.

[@aneesniazi7918]

It's not an interview. It's a head to head debate.

[@spankstar]

To be honest, if i received the amount of dishonesty from the guest, I would have been even more rude. He's just flat lying to his face.

[@gohanblanco5641]

@@spankstar Nope he isn't and mehdi made a fool of himself

[@2012slik]

I think the host should speak less and listen more. What a joke of interview

[@ageofemini9798]

It's not an interview it's a debate hence head tot head, i agree that he shouldn't interrupt as iften however you have to change perspective

[@md.khalid.hasan10]

In this particular episode, there was a noticeable absence of applause throughout, except for the concluding clap. This observation highlights the cautiousness and apprehension of the people towards their government. It signifies how individuals are being vigilant and mindful of their actions, possibly due to concerns or fears regarding the government's actions or policies.

[@yumoshen6019]

when a interviewer has prejudice first already, why would he like to interview.

[@yumoshen6019]

and he ask some questions and just want to get the answer with yes or no

[@yumoshen6019]

@Introverto 83 good journalist should not just ask questions，they should aslo listen. The one who want to listen just yes or no,is too navie. Most of problems in the world are too complicated to explain just using yes or no.

[@seanluo2309]

because he's the only type of interviewer with specific interest and agenda to interview, others don't care

[@induacharyaregmi9869]

This moderator is absolutely bias and prejudice. should be polite not arrogant. .

[@niamatullahnasar623]

Impressed

[@davidwu1125]

This just shows that you can NOT have a dialogue with a uncivilized and closed mind person. Let them believe whatever they want to believe. The truth will prevail eventually.

[@ichupichu5569]

problem is, even if the truth is sitting right in front of there faces, through years of having there heads up there asses, drinking the biased westernamerican koolaid and pretty much indoctrinated to think everything china does is bad evil and wrong, they still won't admit it, they'll still find every petty way possible to prove that china is in the wrong and they are in the right these types of people, you can't deal with them with logic and politness, you gotta be even more aggressive with them

[@pinyang7361]

Ichu Pichu I dono, but i think chiese government went wrong before and did well in recent years, whether it is the good way to keep is a key question. Point been if china just happen to have a bad leader for 10 years, under the corrent political system it will be quite difficult to correct itself. Deng Xiao Ping is dead unfortunately and i cant ensure there are any one in china can step up if things went south again

[@ichupichu5569]

PIN YANG right right, because western styled democracy has worked so well right, it worked so well that all the poor countries who adopted it, are still poor and shitty and (with some) wartorn as ever. As for the countries in europe and north america, who had the luxury to steal, plunder and prop up there economy to afford a democratic system, they aren't that much better off then china, people in america often quiestion and criticize politicians and there president, people often wander why they even got elected in the first place. Hell even japan is recently wondering why they even elected someone like Abe as there PM, most of the time he is in the news, they just criticize him for everything.

[@pinyang7361]

i see democracy as a system which is build on a western style society and they had planned and tried themselves for many years to make it work. Wrong adaptation of democracy is just going to be a dictatorship of the majority to me.

[@calvinblue894]

What truth?? Your truth or my truth?? Whose truth??

[@pietrobeltrame8560]

Remember that what the majority of the people want is a better life/health/wealth for their children. Not the right to speak at hyde park corner about things the people will NEVER DEEPLY KNOW. Not in China, nor here. The US citizens are for example since 20 years denied to know the truth about 9/11, where 3000 of them died, but they will go to the street only when there will be no more bread for their children!!!

[@lamcso]

No country want their citizens to suffer from malnutrition, lack of medical care and illiteracy. The West is doing a good job by their continuous criticism as a check and balance This will keep the Chinese government mindful of their policy making. The final answer will depends on the people's hearts. China keep up the good job and continuous improvement.

[@heavenbright2342]

Zhang Weiwei owned him. This should go without saying considering that the proponents of democracy argues from an ideological and quasi-religious perspective and pays no real attention to facts and pragmatism.

[@harryni2162]

如果你不是像这位带有色眼镜来看中国，中国人和中国政府包括中国历史，文化和文明的话，提供的数据不是西方媒体和政治团体捏造出来的，可能会帮助西方普通人比较平等，公正地理解真实的中国，特别是现代中国。 西方人对中国及中国人的看法，尤其是西方的所谓中国专家在谈论中国及中国人时基本上所有观点观念预测预言都是100%被证明是错误的，首先他们並不真正了解博大精深的中国文化和传承，他们根子里总是用他们西方的立场观点概念来解读看待中国并试图改变中国，这种根深蒂固的近乎于种族偏见的角度和方式只能或容易将他们了解到的中国一些皮毛问题造成以偏概全。举两个简单的例子说明西方人根本不了解中国，中国几千年来至今的历史是有一定的传承性的，即凡是稳定繁荣期都是在国家大一统中央集权制度下产生的，与现在的一党统治中央集权没有本质区别，这也是在吸取了多党共和军阀混战的惨痛教训下再生的，中国的现行制度被西方人列为所谓专制独裁不民主不自由反人道类型，他们不明白为什么专制独裁不民主不自由的国家怎么可能比民主自由国家的人民生活进步还快，因而不断唱衰，不断找出衰亡的根据和理由，当然预言也不断夭折。殊不知中国历史上中央集权的稳定繁荣时期是西方式民主体制的稳定繁荣的期的几十上百倍。中国当然有民主自由人权，中国也有很多问题，西方一味把民主自由人权理解为一人一票制，事实上一人一票的美国政府在被少数利益集团控制，一人一票的发展中国家印度政府为了本国脱贫做了什么贡献？还有西方根本无视中国历史上绝大多数政治精英的士大夫传统包括共产党精英对中国社会的献身精神，还有根本不了解中华文化的核心价值观是中庸之道，因而错读错判中国在国际上国家行为，把中国与邻国的领土纠纷上升到或解读为西方自己血液里自己拥有的扩张主义殖民主义是可笑的，如果不是故意的。 中国传统儒家学说强调天下民为先的士大夫理念，而科举制度提供了全国性不论出生背景的人士参政从政的制度。这种择优举贤的制度根深蒂固地延续迄今在中国的体制内，一百个省部级官员九十九个出自最底层出生于普通家庭，一百个富人九十九个是草根能够证明社会竞争是有公平渠道的。中国面临的问题是如何将权力关进法治的笼子，如何监管权力，创造透明公开，平等公平的社会，这样的社会才可能是长治久安的社会。抛开国际政治中意识形态之争什么主义什么主义，其实只剩下两个形态的政府即好政府和坏政府，这两种政府在任何制度下都会产生。我相信在好的政府领导下，中国一定会解决各种自身的问题。

[@MOVE32]

看了这些恶心 的老外 让我更加肯定 爱国 中国加油

[@LoveHWH]

只不过现在明事人还是太少了 很多中国人也被西方价值观洗脑了

[@weihuashi7069]

This interviewer is the rudest I've ever seen in my life, can AI Jazeera hire a politer guy to replace him?

[@simonyang9266]

As a native English speaker, the interviewer appeared so confident and obviously felt so content with his linguistic superiority! Whereas Prof Zhang was calm and polite but not diffident.

[@jeff27]

Nice interview, made my day. And the interviewer is guaranteed a warm welcome in China, because of your knowledge and attitude, we have the best hospital food, you should try it.

[@5433D]

Nicely done, sir! :D

[@nottydagreatmann3750]

An Africa here, i would say China is building Africa, this people are kind, friendly and easy going people. Western world is the reason why Africa is like this today, exploitation, genocide and racism is all that the West did to Africa.

[@unclesummeri]

+Notty Da GreatMann and after westerns have done those, they start criticizing China : no, dont do it, it's not right (meanwhile they'v done it way worse)

[@druppada]

This discussion is very good. I appreciate the compere who organised this.

[@228217338]

Should have this argument again in 2019 lol

[@user-ut5kt1cr7f]

yes lol 😂.

[@Stellar_Insights_]

What happened in 2019m

[@jiaoziren]

wow - this guy is so rude...I want to hear what Zhang says but Mr. Hasan just keeps interrupting. It's so annoying.

[@Sipho_Thenjwayo]

Well that is what terrorists do.

[@nadinigominato2957]

the interviewer almost dont let zhang wei talk I llmost didn't get the answer of zhang because hes one the talking and talking he don't don't even let zhang answer finish is there no other more skilful interviewer there?

[@tomxu1561]

Obviously it is a sort of western ignorance and arrogant. They will never listen to others as long as their illusion about the superiority of the so called democracy system has not busted.

[@user-zq4pf7bk4u]

western media dont want u know too much ！

[@ahkoy973]

that's his british atitude

[@fengtang678]

Interestingly noticed that if there is anything bad happening in China, let's blame on the one party system, because it is not 'democratic'. But, if bad things happen under the western 'democratic' system, do people every criticize the 'democratic' system? Do people agree that neither of the systems are perfect, and both have made many mistakes. God, democracy believers, can you stop imposing your ideology to others before you actually achieve the democracy. Everyone is unique, So is every country. Last words to the interviewer. Cut off your arrogance. Learn some decent manners.

[@allenchilekw5698]

Democracy does not equal development, economic freedom is more important than political freedom, economic freedom is the foundation on which all freedoms must begin from and stand upon.

[@gumpye5536]

what a funny joke,yet they are talking about democracy,but the host almost give no time for the guest to explain ,this is sick! this is not democracy!

[@phebeewhite1889]

The host is so rude, interrupt Mr. Zhang consistently, I am disgust。

[@yonghuawu2596]

Phebee White he did a good job actually.

[@Den99973]

Phebee White he did a very job....

[@stevefromsaskatoon830]

Awwww , chop sticks

[@igor_patrick]

It's called free press. You are probably not familiar with the concept. He wasn't being rude, he was exposing cracks in his guest's narrative.

[@SabbirAhmed-vs6ph]

I watched a great show and after reading most of the comments, now I understand why the audience didn't applause during the whole show. Mehdi Hasan not that rude to be a host. This interview named head to head cause there only be asked problems of their country. Guests are not here to share their regular thoughts. You're asking the world's best leaders, you must be honest and brave enough to ask the questions. For your kind information, this type of show always fixed. Guests know which question will be asked also those three people are part of this show. One or a couple of them will be against the guest. That doesn't mean it is fake. It's a very serious show. Overall what I get as an online audience, Dr. Zhang Weiwei is very confident that what are they doing. They don't care about the rest of the world's opinion. Thank you.

[@jermsbestfriend9296]

The world's best leaders! Lol. 2 million interned. You're patting Hitler on the back.

[@sangaydhondup6888]

very interesting show.

[@osmanjerry3272]

" Give us the Chinese system, .... " will slowly come.

[@longdragon3]

@sneksnekitsasnek I think when you read his comment you missed out the "slowly."

[@osmanjerry3272]

@Ismael Barrera On the same line of thought, is socialism wrong for America? Nope. Democracy or socialism or communism for the matter are very much mystified by politicians. Just think about this: can there be half of this and a quarter of that put together? Can democracy have some socialist elements and that communism include some liberal marketing flavour? Do you see this is exactly the circumstances happening because they know the good and bad of the government running. Still you condemn China because it’s communism? But the fact is there are many liberal elements in China system. I am of the opinion America introduced many socialist elements too. Some of the best liberal west are socialist tilted. Don’t ask me to illustrate or pin point. You got to find out yourself.

[@MichelleSuiComedy]

@Tian Wong I don't support them learning from us. if they fail, they will blame us. They should just stick to western democracy.

[@najeebputhiyallam]

CHINA IS AMAZING AND ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRY . PEOPLE OF CHINA DON'T LET WEST ALTER WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW !!!!

[@syedalishanzaidi1]

I agree with most of the comments given below. This was not an interview, it was an interrogation.

[@ChrisWillow111]

If you don't listen to others with respect, how can you learn and grow... I admire the guest who sit there for such a long time

[@czg2012]

the host had too much caffeine before the show.

[@highandmightyqueen79]

Its his personality and his way of interviewing.

[@sanelevv3285]

@@highandmightyqueen79 And it's what makes him one of the best out there. He is unique.

[@highandmightyqueen79]

@@sanelevv3285 I agree he truly is good at what he does

[@fengchang123]

看看中美领导人履历对比，美国大都是文科生（奥巴马etc.），而中国大都是理工科治国（江，胡等），所以智商上就已经差了一个档次，文科生善于煽情，耍嘴皮，玩概念，道德批判等，理工科则要务实，深入本质，解决实际问题，文科领导自以为是，形而上学，唯心造世界，理工科领导实践出真知，先调查后结论，辩证通达。基于这样一种对比，美国政治体制不输才怪。看看美国真正的精英，像比尔盖茨，库克这样的，人家关心的事是什么？消灭贫穷，开发非洲，新型避孕套（消灭艾滋），粪化水，新能源等等，都是关乎人类生存的意义重大的事，而这些文科领导呢？整天搞什么同性恋平权，堕胎合法化，人权什么的，这些破事的重要性远不如人比尔盖茨关心的事重要，但是为什么他乐此不彼地搞？因为这些事最能挑动媒体和群众神经，虽然实际意义不大，但是炒作效果极佳，而且你还如果批评他，他反而看起来还站在道德制高点

[@peterxie7739]

这些文科生就是欠抽。等有一天我们掌权，把这些只会逼逼的寄生虫们全部消灭。

[@notmyname6484]

The questions they ask are too simple, sometimes naive.

[@foowah07]

The interviewer already has a mindset that democracy is right for China. Let China govern their own without outside interference.

[@ml8727]

the interviewer is playing judge roll and keep interrupt the speaker. I want to hear what the speaker but not a repeated judgment mindset. negative feedback.

[@caojing62]

民主当然有其优越性，比如避免文革这样的极端情况，比如穷人的福利，避免重大灾害和疾病后在高度竞争的社会中无法生存。虽然过去几千年中国就是这样不断淘汰下来的，但是以现代价值来看，穷人最起码的生存权力应该被保障。（平行类比美国：黑人相比华人都是智力低下者，但是美国的平权法案就保护了弱者的受教育权，剥夺了华人的平等受教育权。有利有弊。） 必须要梳理人们纠结的几个问题： 一：民主制度≠国家发展。 二：国家经济发展，多数人收益的情况同样是人权的改善。当然不能回避少数人痛苦的人权状态。 三：正如张维为所言，绝大多数发达国家在发迹的过程中都不是民主制度，或依托民主制度起家的。欧洲靠殖民掠夺，美国靠战争财以及建立金融霸权，台湾，韩国都是军政下做低端制造业起家的，新加坡建国至今都是人民党一党独裁。除了靠石油，旅游这样的先天资源发达起来的国家，几乎没有一个国家经历了民主制度而发家的。 那么，中国是否需要民主制度。 我认为这个问题等同于中国是否应该在现阶段牺牲发展速度和面对分裂危险，换来少数群体的人权状况的改良。至于多数人的生活水平，我认为民主化后短期内必然是下降的。国际政经环境很可能不会允许你再次崛起。这是一个两难的选择。穷人当然会直接收益于民主化，不过穷人往往是最不关心则个议题的人，而且国家陷入停滞的长期后果，穷人也可能福利会下降也未可知。 再说穿一点：西方并不关心中国穷人的人权状况。NO NO NO他们并不关心。 他们真正关心的是： 一，崛起的中国会挑战西方在过去200年划定的势力范围。 二，西方价值不再是普世价值，他们的文明价值和生活方式受到挑战。实际上，很多西方人一直妄想民主等同于繁荣。而实际上法治加高智商的人民才等同于繁荣。 拙见勿怪

[@jieli2830]

赞同，感觉西方很恐惧中国崛起对他们模式带来的挑战。不明白为什么他们觉得民主比吃饭比生存还重要，有了经济基础才能有选择的自由，在哪里都是这样子的。

[@aodr9356]

jing cao 很赞同

[@John5mith]

jing cao 国家和民族 之间的竞争，是整体和族群的竞争，牺牲少数人的利益，或者多数人做出妥协，换来整体和国家的利益，说实话是有得有失的交换。谁都不愿意自己沦为牺牲者，但是确实有人必须做牺牲者，换来整体的发展和进步，对沦为牺牲者的个人，应该给予同情，但是如果国家也确实发展了，更多的人也确实得到利益了，那么也应该肯定。先物质，后精神，这是客观规律，也是马克思的唯物论，痛，还是得忍受着，这是没办法的事。

[@ximingfu1426]

jing cao 你好，我只是想说最好的做法就是坚持中国特色社会主义的道路，坚持党的领导，人权是建立在繁荣的基础上的，是先有繁荣再有人权。一个没有强大军事，经济，人文的民族是脆弱的，所建立的人权也是没有意义的。如果大家都有你这样的脑子，中国辛甚！！

[@owlmanchan659]

希特勒还是民主选出来的。。。。今天去中华不就是台湾民主选出来的垃圾搞的

[@freefallappz]

Would love to see a new debate about China today

[@vd9866]

The interviewer: support democracy, then repeatedly interrupt people when speaking. lol

[@zyd079]

I just want to say most Chinese politician can be the best president in West countries.

[@dante8674]

quancheng zhou That makes literally zero sense.

[@zyd079]

Dante haha， you won't understand that by your brain.

[@dante8674]

quancheng zhou Yeah, you need to work on your English buddy.

[@zyd079]

Dante 那是因为你个白痴不动中文

[@dante8674]

quancheng zhou I'm not trying to speak Chinese though, am I.

[@Chinarushonline]

Mehdi Hasan clearly does not respect his guest and provokes argument intentionally to push his views. Very rude and unprofessional. This was painful to watch as he kept interrupting his guest speakers.

[@petagonkyi]

He forgot the history that Chinese were in chaos like Afganistan, Syria, Iraq from 1911 to 1949.

[@andrewg.1148]

When Liang gave up her academic post in 2006 to write full-time, she decided to stop speaking Standard Mandarin to her children. 'I had to stop speaking Chinese. Otherwise, I felt my English would deteriorate as well. My husband is upset that our children won't learn Chinese.' She shrugs, lightly: English is a language on the ascendant in China anyhow, she says, so it's not that much of a loss to the children. She's certainly no sentimentalist. They don't bother with Chinese festivals or rituals at home, not even New Year or the special 'long life' birthday noodles that she writes about so evocatively (however, her children love her glazed spare ribs and tomato fried with eggs and dumplings). When she goes back to Beijing to visit her sister and widowed father, she finds communication difficult. Nowadays she even dreams in English. This women is really some thing special, we chinese call it jingmei( American in spirit). LOL

[@leecris4311]

For the Taiwan case: 1) its GDP per capita is now only 3 times, not 5 times. 2) It is much better off than mainland China before 1949 3)when the nationalitst party was defeated by Communists' party and fled to Taiwan, it took a lot of gold and top elites from Mainland 4) it is a coast area, which is far more easier to develop than China's vast hinterland 5) it develops under one-party system, after its first presidency election, its averages salaries stop growing.

[@shensam]

So what it's only 3 times! At least we've better air can breath.

[@leecris4311]

沈偉峰 that is because Taiwan develops earlier. in the 1980's Taiwan was also very polluted. Besides, the gap is constanly shrinking between China and Taiwan. And you know smaller population tend to have higher GDP per capita.

[@eijikenji7149]

沈偉峰 of course, the air in taiwan is much cleaner because you dont have much factory. your economy growth is low. your population is small yet, the level of discontent against the govt, political system , party is among the highest than other nation.

[@fffffi1188]

insightful

[@shensam]

life isn't just economic growth, pathetic people who living on of the worst place in the earth! good luck！！

[@tanxiao1007]

I guess the very reason the show host acted so aggressively is because he and others wanted so desperately to disguise all those weaknesses that they know too well would jeopardise their fundamentals of ideology:) So they simply don't give the guest enough time to respond, or they'd edit out what they don't like to hear anyway.

[@patrickvernon4766]

China is a democracy but it’s not a liberal democracy and that’s okay we don’t need to fix them

[@Plus255studios]

being disrespectful is another pillar of democracy..

[@miaking8390]

the interviewer is annoying. I can't hear the guest's answer. He asked question, but don't gave guest time to answer. Instead of knowing the answer, he was more interested to show off his speed of speak. LET GUEST FINISH HIS TALK-_- “” ... Lots of interesting questions, I want to know the answer, not interviewer's criticize which could be heard everywhere. Boring.

[@miaking8390]

+MrFrotier half baked lies? They r half answered facts. yes, there's lots of troubles in China, blabla. But there r definitely great part too, just the host is not brave enough to listen it...

[@ncchew3356]

This Mehdi Hasan is a very ill-mannered creature who shouldn't be conducting such a show. He speaks more than the invited guests and he rudely interrupts non-stop, not giving his main guest to finish even a sentence. AJ should come up with a replacement and get rid of this Mehdi who really is disgraceful besides making a big fool of himself in trying to show the world how clever he is. He is absolutely disgusting.

[@isgc1384]

Whenever there’s a question about democracy and the rule of law all pro-China guests felt the need to point at the economic growth including this guy.

[@kieranwu6543]

Why the interviewer was so rude? Is this how the American act like in daily life?