Tony Abbott has a hide lecturing the Chinese about democratic reform while he is reducing government transparency and rolling back anti-discrimination in Australia.
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While indulging him publicly because they want Australia's resources, the Chinese must be privately amused and annoyed at our inarticulate Prime Minister.
Although the internet has lifted the political and economic aspirations of Chinese young people, China remains an unstable union of many ethnic groups held together only through strong central government.
Moreover, the Chinese have no tradition of western democracy.
Any democratic reform must be slow and controlled so the economic gains of the last 20 years are not lost through political and economic turmoil.
Many older Chinese will remember the deprivation of the past.
To them, the human right to a full belly, warm clothes adequate housing and hot water is more important than a right to vote in a multiparty democracy.
Many Chinese people may have to wait a while yet to achieve their political aspirations.
Abbott's ignorant comments are unhelpful in the situation.
