ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 1997               TAG: 9704020046
SECTION: EDITORIAL                PAGE: A-8  EDITION: METRO 

ELECTIONS, OF SORTS, IN CHINA

China is experimenting with democracy. But don't look for anyone who's challenging the system.

DEMOCRACY in China? Of sorts, anyway.

In villages throughout rural China, reports The Christian Science Monitor, multicandidate elections are under way for seats on local committees that manage villages' budgets and their day-to-day administration.

In some places, the balloting is even secret and the counting in the open.

But just in case you're thinking a million flowers are about to bloom, a few restrictions do apply.

Local Communist Party branches whose leaders are appointed by party higher-ups, and not the elected committees, retain control of overall policy.

The elections are only in parts of China where the populace is believed to support the ruling regime. There are no elections, for example, in the cities, where political dissent has been centered.

And oh, yes, the village elections have multiple candidates - but none are allowed who oppose the Communist Party leadership or the communist system.

But where you keep things so low-key, at least the campaigning is cost-free.

No spinmeisters to put on salary. No polls to pay for. No ads to produce, or air time or newspaper space to buy.

Which frees up Chinese political money for other purposes ... like political contributions in other countries?

LENGTH: Short :   35 lines