China is not simply wealthier; it is also a far more open place politically than it was during the Mao era. Civil society is growing; there are now more than 300,000 NGOs. Official statistics show that more than 85,000 public protests occurred in 2005 (and probably more each year since) over issues such as corruption, public health, the environment, and land use.
中国不仅仅是更富有了；它也是一个比在毛泽东时代时的中国在政治上更开放的中国。公民社会正在成长；现在中国有超过30万个非政府组织。官方统计显示在2005年有8.5万起对诸如腐败、公共卫生、环境和土地使用这样的问题进行的公开抗议（可能此后每年更多）。即使最近的四川地震也显示出中国的政治观念正在发生变化。中国允许记者到灾区进行拍摄报道；能够看见中国高级官员出现在灾区并能听到他们的讲话。