Liu Xiaobo—-The Spirit that Cannot Be Imprisoned
An interview with Yang Jianli
On December 10th, 2010, The Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee gave the Nobel Peace Prize to famous Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. A year has passed. We have heard nothing from Liu Xiaobo, and his wife Liu Xia is cut off from contact with the outside world as well. Some rights groups are organizing events to bring attention to Liu Xiaobo and his wife’s plight. Well-known dissident Yang Jianli is heading to Europe to attend a conference on China’s human rights situation. He will discuss Liu Xiaobo’s rescue with other attendants, including Václav Havel, the Dalai Lama and Shirin Ebadi. A journalist from Canyu, an online Chinese journal, has interviewed Mr. Yang.
Reporter: Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a year ago. What effect has that award had on China?
Yang: It is hard to estimate the effect of Liu’s Nobel peace prize on China since China is not a country that allows freedom of speech. Liu Xiaobo’s name is very sensitive there, so it is almost impossible to
get people’s real thoughts on it. However, I do believe that Liu’s award marks a historic moment in China. Liu Xiaobo represents China’s democratic force. His Nobel honor indicates the international community’s acknowledgement of that force. It can have a positive impact on people at large. It may even trigger subtle changes in the minds of Chinese communist leaders and officials. I am convinced that more and more people will realize the value of Liu Xiaobo’s ideas and beliefs.
Reporter: But China’s human rights record during the past year is dismal.
Yang: That is true. In the long run, Liu’s Nobel honor will encourage democracy. In the short turn, it has made the Chinese government panic. Since last October, the government has tightened its control of dissidents. Right after Liu’s award was announced, many friends were put under surveillance. After the Jasmine Revolution broke out in North Africa this spring, the Chinese government also arrested a lot of people.
To date, some of those victims are still in prison, including Chen Wei, Ding Mao, Zhu Yufu and Wang Lihong. The Chinese government’s suppression of rights defenders like Chen Guangcheng and Ai Weiwei shows it has no intention to promote human rights. However, human rights and democracy have never been bestowed by those in power. We should not be intimidated by the government’s iron fist
attitude. In fact, Chinese civil movements have never stopped. It has evolved into a movement on a larger scale with more effective methods.
Reporter: Could you elaborate on the changes you can feel and expect?
Yang: Apart from the Chinese government’s infringements upon human rights, we should also notice that China’s civilian resistance has grown stronger under the difficult circumstances. In the case of Chen Guangcheng and Ai Weiwei, citizens are getting increasingly involved. On the other hand, Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel award has focused more western attention on China’s human rights issues. During the past year, I have keenly noticed that the international community is voicing more support for human rights in China. This kind of support provides an indispensable condition for future change in China.
I am particularly touched by the strong support for Liu Xiaobo and Charter 08 from world human rights leaders such as Havel, the Dalai Lama, Lech Wałęsa and Desmond Tutu. They have more than once discussed Liu Xiaobo’s situation with me. I hope to have better and deeper discussions with them this time in the Czech Republic. The U.S Congress is also going to hold a hearing on Liu Xiaobo. I had originally been invited to testify during the hearing, but due to a conflict of schedule, I won’t be able to attend. We thank them for their efforts. International support like this is very crucial. During my visit to Europe, I will also meet with some European officials and human rights activists to discuss ways of better supporting Liu Xiaobo.
Reporter: The Chinese government has locked Liu Xiaobo away in prison. We hear nothing from him. Will that stifle his influence?
Yang: I don’t think so. As a famous Chinese intellectual and dissident, Liu has long been a strong dvocate for human rights and democracy. His charisma, political ideas and moral image cannot be stifled. Imprisoning him will only help people realize how serious China’s human rights situation is. It will only attract more attention to Liu’s plight. Besides, Liu Xiaobo is not alone in his struggle during the past two decades. He has a lot of like-minded friends and supporters. They are continuing Liu’s work. When Liu’s moral image is combined with his supporters’ endeavors in the future, it will have a great impact on China. Liu Xiaobo is a symbol of a force that cannot be erased from China’s future social transformation.
Reporter: The Chinese government has sentenced Liu Xiaobo to 11 years in prison. Is it possible that he will be released in advance?
Yang: That is our dream and I don’t think it is entirely unlikely. Liu is the world’s only Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is still in prison. Keeping him there is not good for the Chinese government’s reputation. Although it already has a terrible human rights record, I don’t think the Chinese government will hold out much longer on that path. Of course, it will also depend on how effective the civil struggle is and how much pressure the state faces. Today, social conflict in China is becoming increasingly acute.
The economic model that benefits the rich and powerful is experiencing a significant crisis. As a dictatorship, China’s interaction with the international community is changing too. The Chinese government has to evaluate the effects of its internal and foreign policy. The issue of political reform has to be addressed.
China’s stratification and class confrontation are already severe. What Chinese society needs is unity, not further division. As a rational and moderate democracy activist, Liu Xiaobo will play a very positive role in China’s future transformation. I have full confidence in a better future for China. For that, I hope Liu will be released from prison soon. This is a step China has to take. We are making every effort to secure his freedom.
Reporter: Thank you for the interview. (Xiaoyu Zhao)
