From the editor’s desk

Let Chinese Christians be free

The Beijing Olympic Games symbolise China's arrival in the front rank of the international community. Barring a major mishap, the Games are set to be an impressive organisational triumph as well as a shop window for China's own sporting prowess - it confidently expects to win more medals than any other nation. But amid all the glory there has to be one serious reservation about China's success story. The Chinese people are not yet free, intellectually or spiritually. They do not enjoy freedom of speech, freedom to organise politically or freedom to access information the Government does not want them to have; and their freedom of religious belief and worship is heavily circumscribed by government regulations. Those who cross the limits of what is allowed can expect to be arrested and imprisoned. This partly stems from a culture where social or collective rights traditionally predominate over individual rights, which is where the West places its emphasis. But to a large extent it simply reflects the fact that the Government does not trust its own people.

The Olympics were awarded to China on the basis of the Government's promises that human-rights guarantees would be honoured. But according to Amnesty International, human rights have actually deteriorated in the run-up to the Games, possibly because the authorities do not want anything to detract from China's international image as a nation at peace with itself. Paradoxically, the crackdown has sent the opposite message. Still, there is one easy move the Government could make that would polish its international reputation immediately, a move surely inevitable sooner or later. It should allow the Catholic Church to operate freely within the whole country, as it is already free to do in Hong Kong. The Catholic Church in mainland China is at present split in two: an official part the authorities recognise, which is technically not in communion with Rome, and an unofficial part recognised by Rome but not by the state. Recently the line between the two has become blurred, and the majority of Catholic bishops are now recognised by both authorities. But the prospect of arbitrary arrest still hangs over those loyal to Rome, and there are still Catholic bishops and priests in prison or under house arrest.

Chinese Catholics can be as proud of their nation as anyone. And there is much to be proud about. The freeing of 400 million Chinese from poverty is a success the whole human race can admire. But the ruling Chinese Communist Party, having dispensed with central control of the economy, has tried to retain that control over people's minds. Most Chinese human rights violations are of this type. It suggests the Government is still not willing to see the emergence of a true civil society, to unleash the Chinese imagination, to let ideas circulate freely. Most Chinese are probably somewhat unaware of what they are missing, being familiar only with Communist Party autocracy. But the number who yearn for this missing freedom is growing. As we report on page 6, Chinese Christianity in all its forms is attracting a phenomenal number of converts. They are searching for something deeper than the pursuit of wealth to make their lives worthwhile. The Chinese Government could earn itself the applause of the whole world by recognising this ultimate freedom. In doing so, it would strengthen rather than undermine its own position.