Posts by Wang Dingnan

Thoughts on revolution and reform by a Chinese student in Cairo

Ongoing uprisings in Arab countries have led policymakers, journalists and investors to speculate about China’s potential for instability. They try to identify indicators for the country’s elusive future and reach conclusions that waver between two extremes. Some observers emphasise the regime’s vulnerability, positing that social and political movements in Arab countries will spark unrest among Chinese youth.

Emerging tensions as a nation tries to finds a united voice

“We are creating an era of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Alyaa told me with a smile as the second round of parliamentary elections came to an end in Egypt [at the close of 2011]. A year after the so-called Arab awakening, Muslims are rediscovering their religion. In Tunisia and Libya, voters put their hopes in Islamist parties. In Egypt, at least one in every eight Egyptians voted for the Brotherhood. Without a doubt, the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis will emerge as winners in post-revolution elections.

An eye-witness account of swiftly changing attitudes in Egypt

After more than ten days of upheaval, downtown Cairo was quiet again. Walking across Tahrir Square on my daily commute this past month, I soon got used to turbulent crowds and the sound of gunfire. Tear gas was like fresh air. Then, all of a sudden, Tahrir fell silent on 28 November. People were queuing in front of poll stations and eager to play a part in the first round of parliamentary elections since the fall of Mubarak.