Direct democracy

Conditions are extremely cramped in Beijing's old city, which Zheng Wei calls home. The retired worker lives in a traditional courtyard house, but these days she is not allowed to receive visitors. A uniformed policeman guards the entrance to her house, making sure foreign journalists don't get close to her.

She is under surveillance, although there has been no official order. However, Zheng Wei is an independent candidate and she planned to hold a campaign meeting at home, which the authorities prevented her from doing. The next day she gives a speech at a teahouse explaining why she is running for local people's congress. "I am retired and I am capable of helping people who come to me with problems," she explains.

City issues

There are quite a few problems in Zheng Wei's area, where many people still use coal for heating, the kindergartens are underfinanced and the elderly are increasing need of help. "I want to help these people," says Zheng. "I want to serve the people!"

With her neat hair and light makeup, the 52-year-old has the air of a businesswoman. She is part of a growing group of Chinese citizens who are taking advantage of the constitution to run as candidates for local people's congresses. Theoretically, anyone with 10 signatures or more can run for office.

The next elections in Beijing are in November and there are 20 independent candidates running for office in the 16 local assemblies, says democracy advocate He Depu.

"I think there is more demand," he says. "That's why we have so many candidates. It has not been a planned development - it is proof that the needs and demands of a developing society are growing."

Growing market for democracy

China has been trying out direct democracy at district level since the 1980s. But even though the district governments do have some symbolic value they have very little influence and often the party puts pressure on independent candidates.

The authorities have also tried to intimidate Zheng Wei and undermine her campaign; she was once held for hours by the police after a campaign meeting. "They have not put pressure on me personally, but on other people I know. If people want to vote for me, they have to decide whether or not it is worth the risk."

Though there are no real statistics on China's independent candidates, it is clear that the number is small, perhaps numbering a few hundred at most but now that they are using the Internet and China's version of Twitter, Weibo, they are reaching more people.

Far reach of the internet

Xu Yan is one candidate who uses the Internet regularly. He is from the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou and has posted a number of videos to get his message out. Li Fan, the head of an independent Chinese think tank explains that people are finding ways to get around censorship online.

"In the last elections, in 2006, there were also independent candidates. But we didn’t know what was happening in other parts of the country;" he explains. "The media are not allowed to report on the topic. But now Weibo and other social media are offering a platform for the candidates to get their information out to the public. And the candidates see they are not alone - it gives them the opportunity to come together and support each other."

The government has responded to the recent trend by launching a massive attack on independent candidates, arresting some and making sure that others lose their jobs.

In the southern province of Guangdong, two independent candidates managed to win the elections, but experts doubt such a victory for direct democracy is possible in Beijing.

Author: Ruth Kirchner / sb
Editor: Anne Thomas