Open Constitutional Initiative
The Open Constitutional Initiative (OCI) is an organization in the People's Republic of China that advocates the rule of law and greater constitutional protections. On 8 June 2004, Chinese internet authorities shut down its web site without specifying a precise reason. Since 2002, online independent media and tabloids have played an important role in political discourse within Chinese society. Many Chinese intellectuals have used the Internet to discuss the possible evolution of Chinese politics. The OCI is a group of such intellectuals whose website contained essays about constitutional issues and the protection of citizen's rights. The crackdown came during a time of heightened political tension regarding the Taiwan Straits and the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, and also during events symbolic of China's increasing international interdependence, such as the visit of the Greek Olympian envoy.
|
