All of this has occurred in a politically-charged atmosphere in China, which makes these successive events curious, if not highly intriguing. For one, Beijing is drafting the next five-year plan, China's twelfth, that is aimed at laying the foundation for China's economic growth for the next decade and beyond. A plan of this magnitude, that seeks to transform China's growth model, is inevitably political and will likely step on the toes of entrenched interests who will stake their defense of the status quo. Second, China just concluded a crucial CCP plenum in early October that finally promoted Vice President Xi Jinping to a top military post. Now that Xi has a foothold in all three bases of power--the party, the state, and the military--the presidency in 2012 is his to lose. Xi and a new generation of younger Chinese leaders will oversee the execution of the new five-year plan, which will only have started in 2011. Finally, the Nobel award to Liu Xiaobo can be deployed smartly by both Chinese progressives advocating openness and the hawks suspicious of western intentions. It's just that the hawks and conspiracy theorists scream louder in China [think Glenn Beck and Tea Partyers in the US].  

Within this context, what exactly is Wen's intention behind his rhetoric? I can't recall the last time a senior Chinese leader sat down with a western journalist to speak so candidly about the ailments of his country. Informed opinion generally resides in two opposing camps (yes, I'm generalizing). One camp consists of "This is the same tune we've heard before...all talk, no walk. Wen is preoccupied with cultivating his legacy as reformer rather than actually being one". Another is "Wen is sincere about inheriting the reformist mantle from his mentor Hu Yaobang. The premier just sent a clarion battle cry to all reformers within the party to take up the cause. Victory or not, this is Wen's Last Stand." 

Regarding the first view, Wen has arrived at the twilight of his career, does he really intend to spend the remaining two years in office championing political reforms? And his comment above about "strong wind and harsh rain" is a political forecast of the domestic resistance that will surely rail against any drastic reforms. Indeed, official editorials in party press and journals have already answered with their own stark warnings about never moving toward "Western-style democracy". 

Yet there is also evidence to support the second view. Reformers may indeed be taking the premier's cue and cranking up the decibel too. As the venerable reform-minded Caixin magazine weighs in (see Evan Osnos' excellent profile of Caixin editor and gadfly Hu Shuli):  

Reading closely, this editorial makes a compelling argument I haven't really heard before, and it works on several levels. It essentially argues that the "grand bargain" the Chinese government struck with its people--delivering economic growth to lift the entire nation to prevent social instability--has largely been achieved. Therefore, the notion that the "country will fall apart" because the economics are not ripe no longer has as much resonance. In fact, the argument implies that the enormous "cost" of economic development is what risks tearing apart the social fabric now. And political reform is the necessary remedy to mitigate those costs and repair the vast cleavages. It then pivots to an even more interesting point: That from grassroots to the top echelons of political power, an alignment of interests exists. Even the Chinese elites are on board with this agenda. Why is this important? Because the Communist Party has evolved into a party of the elites by co-opting them into its ranks. Your constituency is in agreement, what are you afraid of then?

Of course, Caixin's reputation as a progressive rag means few on the other side of the spectrum will be won over. If anything, they may harden their positions and hunker down for a pitched battle. But whatever lies behind Wen's rhetoric, it has spurred a spirited offensive by those who sense the moment may be upon them.

The outcome of this unfolding drama may again prove the pessimists' case and up the dose of cynicism. But anyone proffering claims of certainty on what will become of this moment is an exercise in futility. The diagnosis is overwhelmingly inconclusive at this point; more evidence is needed and likely forthcoming.

An interesting moment indeed...