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A mainland Chinese friend has asked me what I thought about the "nationalist mania of amongst the entire (or almost entire) Chinese community [on October 1st]" /1 
I replied along the following lines /2
Under Xi Jinping we have seen a militarisation of state and society. It is deeply worrying. But I also think that Chinese citizens actually have some choice /3
They can decide to ignore or forget the CCP's historical mistakes and crimes against humanity (think of the Civil War, the Great Leap Forward & Cultural Revolution). They can also be willingly seduced by CCP-led ethnonationalism. Yet they could also choose a more liberal path /4
I personally don't think that everyone can be controlled. Many liberal-minded Chinese may be silent right now. But that does not mean they do not exist /5
In my time in mainland China I have met countless liberal-minded people, both on the elite and mass level. That's why I have faith in the Chinese people's ability to outgrow authoritarianism /6
In my view Xi Jinping's militancy puts mainland China's future at risk. It will likely lead to intense domestic conflict and/or war with China's neighbours /7
I am of course against such violent upheavals. I wish Chinese citizens could live in peace and prosperity. But just like a human being, a country may have to learn from experience /8
Alternatively, Chinese citizens with a political and social conscience could also take a stand and say 'enough is enough' or 'not in my name'. It never too late to change course /End
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