Free Speech Protests in China Are a Test of New Communist Leadership

Impact

In November 2012, China's Communist Party unveiled its new leaders to the country. At the time, speculation surrounded whether it would be a watershed moment for the country as it potentially moved away from its Maoist past.

The free-speech protests over the last few days, that continued through Tuesday, could offer a clear indication of which way the winds are blowing inside China.

The Chinese media are supervised by "propaganda departments" that sometimes alter content to be more in line with Communist Party wishes.

The Southern Weekly, the newspaper at the heart of this controversy, is set to publish again on Thursday. Its editors are currently engaged in negotiations with government officials over the circumstances under which journalists will agree to continue publishing.