Although the Communist Party retains much of its influence, many non-party members have been chosen as village leaders in relatively free village elections, held every three years since 1987. The Carter Center and other Western NGOs have observed these contests. The nation has been opened to outside interests and influence, with almost all areas of China now welcoming foreigners. In fact, until 1985, no outsiders were permitted to enter Zouping, the rural county we visited and in which village leaders are trying to expand their 45 joint ventures with foreigners. Shortly before our 1981 visit, Deng Xiaoping increased from 7 percent to 15 percent the land from which peasants could retain the profit.
Farmers now plant crops and retain profits on practically all land, and pay taxes on what they earn.
To some degree, the rule of law is replacing the former arbitrary relationship with citizens, but enforcement is often lacking. The populace is becoming more familiar with the laws, and lawyers are being licensed, who represent some clients in lawsuits against government agencies. The commitment to free enterprise is startling. Even villages smaller than Plains have at least one commercial enterprise, and almost every family has its own small business. Particularly in my meeting with Jiang, we described the reasons for some of the public criticisms he is likely to face and how he might address them.