[em3rgent0rdr]

That is interesting. Yeah it can be a wise move to allow limited criticism, since (1) I think they realize some criticism can be beneficial to fix faults of the government, and (2) it helps provide the appearance that the people are in control of the government. There is also strategic ambiguity in not having to obey a "hard and fast law as to how they censor", since the government can censor in what it deems the most pragmatic manner.

"They know that 99% of their population will not be able to read it". But in my experience in China at summer programs in universities, I found that almost all university students (at least in Beijing & Shanghai) can read English. I suppose they will of course prefer to read Hànzì.

[vidarh]

The more extreme example of the benefit of allowing criticism was Mao's Hundred Flowers campaign, where the government actively encouraged criticism, only to abruptly change course, and arrest many of those who took the opportunity.

In other words: Encourage a little bit of criticism, and you will be able to observe those who join in - even if they don't go too far - and be able to obtain a handy register of people to pay extra close attention to.

[arjo1]

But the common person cannot. Also you are looking at the best universities of the country in Beijing and Shanghai. And as you stated, they still will prefer to communicate in their own tongue.

[em3rgent0rdr]

Of course. And I'm aware that the best universities are in Beijing and Shanghai. But still that is a sizable population of intelligent English-reading Chinese. I'm sure the government would be concerned about them being exposed to ideological influences in english media.

[czep]

The government doesn't fear intelligent people, who are by definition smart enough not to risk their career or physical safety to openly criticize. This "sizable population of intelligent English-reading Chinese" are primarily focused on exploiting Party connections to help them build wealth, and then expatriate the money beyond the government's reach.

Nobody is talking about a revolution, that would be suicide. The intelligentsia are far more concerned with using government to their advantage, which naturally responds very well to money exchanged for favors (like how baidu got rid of Google).

It's poor people that government worries about. Because when poor people rise up, that's bad news for anyone in power who hasn't yet fled the country. And if most poor people don't read English, well then there is not much harm in allowing some printed criticism of the Party, as long as it's in English.