作者：邓丽英 编辑：刘双源 责任编辑：刘双源 罗志飞
在今天的中国，说“在野”是一件不容易的事。这个词原本意味着监督、质疑、提出不同的意见，是现代政治中很正常的一部分，但在一党专政的中国，“在野”却变成了危险的代名词，意味着你要被监视、打压、封杀，甚至坐牢。可也正因为如此，“在野”的存在，才显得特别重要。在中国大陆，中共的政治体制几乎不给不同声音留下生存空间。不管是想组建真正的在野党、办一份独立的刊物、成立一个民间组织，甚至只是说几句和官方不一样的话，都会面临各种打击。网络封锁、媒体审查、举报制度、国安法——这些不是为了“稳定”，而是为了让人闭嘴。
可这个国家真的稳定吗？表面看上去一切井然有序，但内心的压抑、信息的不通、思想的僵化，其实早已让社会陷入僵局。普通人连了解真实的历史都成了奢望，公共空间几乎没有真实的声音，年轻人只敢在饭局小声吐槽，大多数人宁愿装睡，因为害怕代价太大。
就是在这样的背景下，我们更需要“在野”的声音。不是为了反对而反对，而是因为如果没有人指出问题，问题就永远不会被解决。如果没人说出真话，那真相就会被永久掩埋；如果没人去想象另一种可能，那国家就只能在原地打转。
“在野”代表的是另一种视角，是敢于说“不”的勇气，是不愿放弃希望的人在发出微弱却坚定的声音。哪怕这个声音微小，哪怕被屏蔽、被污蔑、被误解，它依然不能被彻底消灭。因为它是真实的，是来自那些不愿放弃思考、拒绝服从谎言的人。
在野不是一种身份，而是一种态度。它不靠权力，也不靠资源，只靠对真理、正义和良知的坚持。这种坚持，在当今的中国，尤其显得珍贵。因为我们面对的是一个不允许异议、不接受批评、不容忍不同意见的体制。而在野者，就是要打破这种“只能有一个声音”的荒谬逻辑。
办一份像《在野党》这样的刊物，是困难重重的。不仅要面对现实的审查压力、海外的孤立环境，还要克服资金短缺、技术障碍、传播限制等等问题。有时候文章写好了，却找不到合适的平台发布；文章传出去了，又被墙封锁；读者读到了，可能还要担心是否“被喝茶”。但我们不能因此放弃。正因为难，所以更有意义。
我们也知道，在海外继续坚持做这样事情的人，并不多。但哪怕只有十个人在坚持，说出的真话也比成千上万的沉默更有分量。《在野党》的存在，为中国社会守住了一隅不肯屈从的思想阵地。
是给未来留下另一个可能性，是告诉墙内的人：你不是一个人在承受。
或许有人会问，这样的刊物有什么用？既不能推翻体制，也无法改变现实。但我们可以留下记录，可以启蒙民众，可以把还在坚持的人聚在一起。更重要的是，我们能提醒人们：这个国家的未来，不一定只能有一种声音、一个政党、一条永不改变的路。
我们也知道，在野的声音可能暂时不会被主流听到，但我们更相信，历史最终不会忽视它。每一次坚持，每一篇文章，每一个不愿沉默的人，都会在未来留下痕迹。也许正是这些看似微不足道的努力，才会成为那个真正改变未来中国的重要火种。
《在野党》的复刊，就是一次重新点燃火种的尝试。在这个充满封锁与控制的时代，它愿意发声、坚持独立、说出真话，这是非常难得的，也是非常值得支持的。
我们希望这份刊物能越办越好，不仅坚持发声，也能让更多人听到；不仅记录现实，也能启发思想。我更希望它不仅是一本杂志，更是一个象征——象征着哪怕在最黑暗的日子里，也总有人愿意站出来，去守护那一点点光。
祝《在野党》复刊顺利，越办越好，越走越远，如星火不熄，愈燃愈烈！
In Opposition: An Indispensable Voice and Force
By Deng Liying Editor: Liu Shuangyuan Chief Editors: Liu Shuangyuan, Luo Zhifei
Translator: Lu Huiwen
In today’s China, saying the word “opposition” (zaiye, 在野) is no easy matter. The term originally referred to those who supervise, question, and offer dissenting opinions—a normal and vital part of modern politics. But under China’s one-party dictatorship, “in opposition” has become a dangerous label, associated with being watched, silenced, repressed, or even imprisoned. Precisely because of this, the presence of opposition is more crucial than ever.
In mainland China, the Communist political system leaves virtually no room for dissenting voices. Whether it’s trying to form a genuine opposition party, launch an independent publication, establish a grassroots organization, or simply say something that deviates from the official narrative—all of these actions can invite severe consequences. Internet censorship, media control, mass surveillance, the National Security Law—these tools are not about “maintaining stability,” but about silencing people.
But is this country really stable? On the surface, everything may seem orderly, but beneath lies suppression, blocked information, and mental stagnation—conditions that have already led to a societal deadlock. For ordinary people, even learning true history has become a luxury. Genuine public discourse is all but extinct. Young people dare to vent only in private gatherings or WeChat circles. Most people would rather pretend to be asleep, too afraid of the cost of waking up.
It is precisely in this context that we need the voice of the opposition more than ever. Not for the sake of opposing itself, but because if no one points out problems, they will never be solved. If no one speaks the truth, the truth will be buried forever. If no one dares to imagine another future, then this country will never move forward.
Being “in opposition” means offering a different perspective, the courage to say “no,” and the resilience of those who refuse to abandon hope. Even if this voice is faint—even if it’s blocked, smeared, or misunderstood—it cannot be erased, because it is real. It comes from those who continue to think critically and refuse to submit to lies.
Opposition is not a status—it is an attitude. It doesn’t rely on power or resources, but on a commitment to truth, justice, and conscience. Such commitment is especially precious in today’s China, where dissent is unwelcome, criticism is banned, and differing opinions are not tolerated. The role of those in opposition is to shatter the absurd logic that only one voice is allowed.
Publishing a journal like The Opposition Party (《在野党》) is immensely difficult. We face state censorship, isolation abroad, limited funds, technical challenges, and strict restrictions on information flow. Sometimes the articles are ready, but there’s no platform to post them. Sometimes they get out, but are blocked by the firewall. Even when readers do access them, they may worry about being “invited for tea.” But none of this means we should give up. Precisely because it’s difficult, it is even more meaningful.
We’re also aware that very few people continue this kind of work from abroad. But even if only ten people persist, their truthful words carry more weight than the silence of tens of thousands. The existence of The Opposition Party helps preserve a space of independent thought in Chinese society that refuses to surrender.
It offers an alternative for the future. It tells people inside the firewall: You are not alone.
Some may ask, what’s the point of such a journal? It won’t overthrow the system or change reality overnight. But it can record the truth, awaken the public, and bring together those who still believe. More importantly, it reminds people: the future of this country doesn’t have to be confined to one voice, one party, or a single unchanging path.
We know that opposition voices may not reach the mainstream right now. But we believe that history will not ignore them.Every act of persistence, every article written, every person who refuses to stay silent will leave a mark. Perhaps it is exactly these seemingly insignificant efforts that will become the sparks that ignite real change when the time comes.
The relaunch of The Opposition Party is one such attempt to rekindle that flame. In this era of control and suppression, its willingness to speak out, remain independent, and tell the truth is both rare and worthy of deep support.
We hope this journal will thrive—not only speaking out, but also being heard; not only documenting the present, but also inspiring thought. I hope it will be more than just a publication. I hope it becomes a symbol—a symbol that even in the darkest times, there are always people willing to stand up and protect that last flicker of light.
Wishing the relaunch of The Opposition Party great success. May it continue to grow, to go further and reach more people. May its sparks never die out, but blaze ever more brightly.
