At this CECC Roundtable, a panel of experts will discuss the various meanings of "democracy" in China and consider China's progress toward stated democratic goals, addressing the issues of accountability, political participation, and responsiveness, as well as the relationship between economic development and democratic reforms. Chinese leaders state that China needs to improve its institutions of democracy, but how do Chinese leaders define democracy? What "democratic" practices have leaders instituted in society? Have Chinese politics "liberalized" and what are the implications for U.S. policy?

Panelists:

Cheng Li, Director of Research and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution

Melanie Manion, Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Liu Yawei, Director, China Program, The Carter Center

Bruce Dickson, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, The George Washington University

A complete transcript of this CECC Roundtable is available on-line in PDF or TEXT.

Click here to download a copy of the Commission's full 2008 Annual Report.

CECC Roundtables are open to the public. No RSVP is necessary.