Dissent Is Not Their Cup of Tea

The law is to punish those who break the law. Did I break the law?

We are just reminding you not to. . . . We will be frank with you. First, this trip to Beijing: Be careful and don't go to places you are not supposed to go to. If you get into trouble, we will be there and it won't be good for you. Second, we heard that you are attending a writers' association meeting. This is an illegal organization. You should be careful.

Not much to say about the first one. A citizen has the freedom to go anywhere he wants. As for the second one, as far as I know, this association is [a non-governmental organization] under the United Nations, a global organization that has a branch in China. As to whether it's illegal or not, I don't think it's up to you to judge. I am not sure of its legality, but if the relevant authorities deem it illegal, then I will make my own correct decision about it.

All right, that's it for business. Let's now just chat about some unimportant things. According to your understanding, our political system has problems. Does the U.S. political system have any problems?

I have never thought that the U.S. political system was perfect, but it is the best system that has been created in human history. Will there be a better system than America's? Theoretically speaking, it is possible. But I have no idea what it will be like, and I am afraid I cannot prove it theoretically either.

But we still can say, as far as political systems are concerned, that both the U.S. and China have problems. Do you agree?

Yes.

Good. Another question: Chinese people, just like people in other countries, can be divided into good people and bad people, right?

Yes.

The U.S. has both good and bad people as well. Right?

Sure.

That's it. Whether in the U.S. or China, all systems have problems. All people have problems as well. Therefore, the key here is obviously not about the system, but about the problems of people. Therefore, one should not blame this and that problem on the system. Is this right?

No. You are really confused.

Translation provided by China Digital Times, www.chinadigitaltimes.com