Commonwealth Policy Center

China just celebrated 70 years under communist rule. But considering the lack of freedom afforded to the average Chinese citizen, one wonders what is there to celebrate? NPR correspondent Ailsa Chang reported that foreign reporters were not able to access the festivities at Tiananmen Square or interview citizens on the street. But should we be surprised? Communism is opposed to a free press. In fact, its opposed to any ideas that might threaten its power, including freedom of religion which might lead to belief in a higher authority above the government. The same time communism was being celebrated, Chinese forces were suppressing protests and shot a teenage protestor in the streets of Hong Kong. Now that Hong Kongers are under communist control, their freedom is in jeopardy and instead of celebrating communism, they’re fiercely opposed to it.