it's a mind transition not just for prof. shi, but also for many many students-scholars, like me. it's not duplicity, every1 changes as time goes by.

most of those went to the usa or other western countries. democracy blessings actually made them more conservative about changes in china. you may disagree, but you have to realize it's a common belief among overseas chinese.

now go back to the two quotations:

1. i also participated in 89 movement, thought not in BJ

2. i agree with shi: the present way of putting economy ahead of politics (buzheteng). of course i hope one day china's democracy like, or even better than, america. but i saw too many negative examples that i would rather put stability and peaceful living ahead of anything, including democracy.

prof. shi has many things to blame, but i don't think his political belief among those.