internet - What works and does not work in China

Andrew Lih, who is currently working on a book on Wikipedia from Beijing, used the happy occasion of the unblocking of Wikipedia in China to write up some thoughts on what works and what does not work in China.

What doesn't work? Pushing China solely on issues of freedom of speech, civil liberties for the sake of human rights. It's just too easy to dismiss these as meddling, imperialistic Western viewpoints used as wedge issues. Do not forget, China was the victim of imperialistic designs which still have a deep effect on the psyche of Chinese leaders and issues of trust.

What does work? Asking China to join the community, because China's knowledge workers are missing out on the best resource in the world and a resource that US and Indian engineers, scientists, academics and citizens are already using to increase their economic competitiveness. That's the economic argument.

Hear, hear. This argument might still not be popular amongst some of China's critics. But unless self-satisfaction is your target (and the funding of quite some NGO's is still based on China-bashing) it does make sense to develop a strategy that works.