There is a public debate about the mission of Chinese intellectuals. Some believe they should be committed to carrying forward Western democracy, playing roles as critics against the government. Driven by this thought, many political dissidents have emerged. Among them, some took illegal political actions and ended up in prison.

There is no doubt that the mission of Chinese intellectuals should include promoting democracy and criticizing the government. But this is just part of their fundamental mission. Democracy is not the top priority of their agenda. Rejuvenation of the Chinese nation should be the ultimate goal.

Chinese society is far from ideal yet. It has to deal with all kinds of complicated situations. The entire nation gallops ahead with various issues that all serve as a burden during the process of transformation. There is no easy task in endeavors such as fighting corruption, addressing social inequality, developing social well-being, protecting the environment, advancing the rule of law and promoting democracy.

The ascension to the second-largest economy makes China a strategic rival of the US, which fundamentally determines the external environment China has to face. It is not alarmist that China has to defend itself as the strategic risks continue rising, because some Western countries never cease to take China down.

When all these challenges are put together, the difficulty China faces in achieving its goal of modernity increases to a high level. This fact requires Chinese intellectuals to play constructive roles to facilitate their country and people to overcome difficulties.

The development of the Internet and the increase of social intolerance are making it easier to launch criticism. Populism, once it is unleashed, poses great difficulties to society when reaching a consensus.

Western democracy is agreeable to some Chinese intellectuals, but it is far away from what Chinese people really desire. Chinese people want to live a better life, so what they need is optimal approaches to realize this goal. The pursuit of complete political Westernization puts the future and destiny of the entire nation at stake.

Democracy should have been put back in the right position of state management instead of being hyped up in the public discourse. Chinese intellectuals must know that they should share their destiny with the country and the people.