In a huge simulation that we just ran at Wikistrat (and in several previous ones), this issue of hyper-transparency keeps popping up as a magnificently powerful shaping dynamic in future politics - as in, you can corrupt but you cannot hide (for long).
NYT reporting here that the paper's networks have been subjected to massive hacking efforts directed from China and that these repeated assaults were timed in response to the paper running that nasty expose on how Chinese political elites (and particularly the family of Premier Wen Jiabao) made - literally - billions on an insider deal involving what is now the world's largest insurance company.
Naturally, the Chinese government thinks it's sending a signal big-time - as in, don't mess with our political crooks. Like any mafia, the Chinese Communist Party believes intimidation will always save its skin. And when the masses of Chinese were too busy starving or struggling through their lives (see, Mao), there was no question that it worked.
But things changed with Deng Xiaoping, who knew that what he set in motion would both make China a powerful economic giant and eventually cost the party its dictatorship. This is why Deng is a personal hero of mine - a great and wise man who changed world history for the better.
No, his legacy is not yet complete, and Deng, who was one of those who approved the Tiananmen Square massacre, knew full well that timing was everything. So, no illusions on his part about how long this would take.
But that hyper-transparency is arriving already across China. What the Party wants hidden is getting far harder to hide. Bravo Times!
So yeah, the CCP remains fearful of its citizenry and now it needs to fear the NYT as well, because it is all one vast conspiracy called globalization and connectivity and transparency and markets and democracy and super-empowered individuals. It is a conspiracy hatched over 200 years ago by a far-sighted bunch of genuine revolutionaries.
And it's coming for you, Mr. Apparatchik - and your little (running) dog too!
As always, when in doubt, resort to nationalism - the last refuge of scoundrels the world over. So the Party justifies this as America's doing/meddling/etc.
But rest assured, when they come for the Wens and his relatives and everybody else who stole from the Chinese people, they'll all be wearing Chinese faces.
The real "virus" has already infected too many Chinese to be stopped now. These people are among the most rabid capitalists in the world, and you've got to respect everything that goes into that.
But capitalism unbound is one nasty creature, which is why democracy is the only antidote.
And that's why the Chinese Communist Party is totally screwed, no matter how big a fight it puts up.
The clock is ticking, my friends.