good observation.
having lived in China for a few years post 911, I can tell you with some certainty that the Chinese government is in complete control.
Sharia law is something the muslims in this area would openly push for if A) they wanted their mosque bulldozed and B) wished to be spirited away in the night. Any hint of terrorist sympathizing would bring the same.
China don’t play. It is a model we should adopt with regards to Islam.
I’ve been following the developments in China and I see a tilt towards democracy. One important influence is Hong Kong, which has held onto its freedom and exported to the PRC.
Another major influence has been Christianity. Today there are millions more Christians than Communists. Many new Christians do not belong to “official” churches that are controlled by the government, but belong instead to “home” churches that meet in homes, caves, and so forth. It is estimated that Christians in China number about 150 million. Experts estimate that by 2050 China will be a majority Christian nation.
Here is a blog article I did on China. We may see the fall of the CHICOMs within the next ten years and a return to power of the Chinese Nationalists who have a viable party structure on Taiwan and who favor Christianity and democracy.
http://ronbosoldier.blogspot.com/2006/02/collapse-of-communism-in-china.html
What’s your opinion? I know you have said the CHICOMs are pretty much in control, but what about the views of the average Chinese? I’ve met a few Chinese businessmen in this country who wish the CHICOMS would disappear...”Very bad for business” said one Chinese guy.