The Evolution of Chinese Thinking on Human Rights in the Post-Mao Era

Abstract

In the post-Mao era, the evolution of an orthodox Chinese line on human rights has taken place. The past decade or so has seen a considerable increase in Chinese academic literature on the subject. In an effort to fortify the government position and thereby silence its numerous foreign critics, Beijing has carefully expanded the boundaries of legitimate debate to encompass scholarly discussion of this notoriously sensitive area. Although most Chinese academics have duly endorsed and in many areas elaborated upon the government stance on rights, a handful of scholars have published ideas that are indifferent and even hostile to the official approach. This bears testimony both to changes in official policy, to the influence of scholars in shaping a new, more subtle and complex official line on human rights.