52. On the Xinhai Revolution：A Revolution That Has Yet to Conclude

For over two millennia, China has witnessed only one genuine revolution: the Xinhai Revolution. Yet its objectives remain unfulfilled to this day, compelling the Chinese people to continue this revolution.

Between the Qin Dynasty and the Xinhai Revolution, China did not experience a genuine revolution in the true sense. From the Qin to the Qing, while political power changed hands repeatedly, the fundamental structure of Chinese society remained unchanged. What shifted were merely the emperor's surname and the dynasty's name. If a peasant had fallen asleep during the reign of Qin Shi Huang and awakened during the Guangxu era, he would not have felt he had entered an alien society upon waking, for everything remained the same.

The Xinhai Revolution was different. It used the ideas of democracy and civil rights to challenge imperial authority, thoroughly rejecting the imperial ideology that had shackled the Chinese people for over two millennia. This was the greatest achievement of the Xinhai Revolution and the greatest contribution of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. After the revolution, although some sought to emulate Yuan Shikai in aspiring to imperial power, no one dared to openly proclaim themselves emperor as Yuan Shikai did.

Although the supreme leader was not truly elected, anyone aspiring to that position must undergo an electoral process to establish legitimacy. This seemingly hollow electoral process, though ostensibly ineffective, actually signifies the complete demise of imperial authority. He could plainly declare himself the lifelong supreme leader, yet why does he dare not do so? Because democracy has become a vital lifeline; he dares not openly challenge this lifeline, lest he provoke public sentiment and be swiftly ousted.

The Xinhai Revolution successfully rejected imperial ideology but failed to establish democracy in China. While Taiwan, under the great leadership of Chiang Ching-kuo, embraced democracy, mainland China remains an authoritarian society to this day. As Sun Yat-sen stated in his final words, "The revolution is not yet complete; comrades must continue to strive." Thus, the unfinished mission of the Xinhai Revolution must be carried forward by the Chinese people today.

This is a monumental mission. Every Chinese person advancing this revolution is fortunate, for they will witness firsthand a system that enslaved the Chinese people for over two millennia being swept into the dustbin of history. They will witness China embarking on a new chapter under democratic governance. In this process, a cohort of Chinese individuals will inevitably become the founders of China's democratic system—an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carve an indelible mark in history and be remembered for generations.

If the current leader of mainland China possessed such historical vision, he would seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance without hesitation to establish a viable democratic system for China, transforming it into a fully democratic nation. For a leader who guides China toward democracy would not only surpass Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han in historical stature but would become an unparalleled figure for future generations.

Why did Yuan Shikai, Chiang Kai-shek, and Mao Zedong all fail to lead China toward democracy? Because imperialist ideology had permeated their very bones. Regardless of their public rhetoric, their inner convictions fundamentally rejected democracy. Moreover, their contemporaries were similarly eroded by this imperialist mindset, viewing their role as subjects as a natural order of things. Thus, even when these leaders ruled with autocratic authority akin to emperors, the Chinese populace generally accepted it. It is precisely this pervasive imperial mindset that has prevented China from breaking free from autocracy and embracing democracy.

Yet this very moment represents China's most promising opportunity for democratic success in over a century. By 2030, those born after 1965 will be 65 years old, meaning individuals whose worldviews were shaped after the Reform and Opening Up era will dominate society. They possess a clear understanding of what democracy looks like and what autocracy entails. Their widespread rejection of autocracy and support for democracy signifies that the Chinese mindset is now capable of embracing a democratic system. No matter how stubbornly China's authoritarian rulers resist, those who absolutely support democracy in their convictions will eventually steer the nation's course. Once those who unconditionally support democracy come to power, China's democracy will arrive. Based on this, China is bound to transition toward democracy around 2030.

Transitioning from an authoritarian system to a democratic nation is an inevitable historical process for China. How can China achieve democracy? How should China's democratic institutions be structured? How can China's democracy exert global influence? These represent the most significant historical challenges facing contemporary Chinese people. Whoever resolves these issues will be the pioneers of the era. This monumental achievement clearly requires the participation of every Chinese citizen. As the saying goes, "Every commoner bears responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation." A democratic society is one where every person has rights and responsibilities. Therefore, all Chinese people have both the right and the duty to continue the revolution and complete the unfinished tasks of the Xinhai Revolution. Let China completely break free from the autocratic system that denies freedom, rights, fairness, and justice, and let China become a truly democratic nation.