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Courtesy Of Li Wangling / Courtesy of Li Wangling
A recent photo of Li Wangyang, a former labor activist and Chinese dissident, with his sister Li Wangling. He who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on June 6, two days after the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown and an outspoken interview he did with a Hong King based TV-network aired.
BEIJING – Li Wangyang, a former labor activist and Chinese dissident jailed after the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, was found dead in a hospital ward under what his family says were suspicious circumstances, just two days after the 23rd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
His sister, Li Wangling, and brother-in-law, Zhao Baozhu, found his body when they paid a routine visit to the Daxiang District Hospital in Shaoyang, a city roughly 1,000 miles south of Beijing, on the morning of June 6.
They found him dead in his hospital room, hanging by a security bar in a window with hospital bandages around his neck. (Disturbing photos of Li circulating on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, show Li’s feet on the ground, something that puts in doubt the idea that he hung himself).
Security and hospital authorities said that he had committed suicide.
But his family is not buying that.
"I'd never believe Li killed himself,” his brother-in-law Zhao said during a rushed phone interview with NBC News on Thursday.
When asked what he thought was the true cause of Li’s death, Zhao said, "I don't know. But the government has agreed to our request to do an autopsy at a lawyer's presence. No matter what, we want justice."
Li had done a controversial interview with a Hong Kong-based TV channel that aired on June 4, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, in which he detailed the torture he underwent during the more than 20 years he spent in Chinese prisons.When Zhao was asked if he thought that interview had something to do with Li’s death, he said, “Yes.”
Zhao then quickly hung up the phone, saying someone had entered his hotel room, "It's not convenient now, let's talk later."
Over 20 years in prison
Li, 61, had worked as a glass factory worker before he took the position of Chairman of Shaoyang Autonomous Workers Federation in 1989. He was a supporter of the student protests in Beijing in 1989 before they were brutally suppressed by the government with hundreds, if not thousands, of people killed by the army.
Li was first arrested on June 9, 1989 for the crime of "active participation in a counter-revolutionary group.” He spent 11 years in a local prison.
Vincent Yu / AP
Protesters mourn the death of Chinese labor activist Li Wangyang, seen in picture at center, during a protest outside the Chinese central government's liaison office, in Hong Kong on Thursday.
When Li was released from that prison term in 2000, he was suffering from severe heart disease, hyperthyroidism, and cervical vertebra diseases, according to family and friends. He was extremely weak and lost most of his hearing and sight in his left eye.
His second arrest, just one year later, made him one of the longest-serving political prisoners in China.
In September 2001, Li was sentenced to 10 more years in prison for the crime of "subversion of state power.” That sentence was a result of a 22-day hunger strike by Li as an effort to protest the continuous persecution he had been subjected to after his release. His medical treatment was terminated and his house had been demolished, leaving him in frail health with nowhere to go, according to media reports.
After he went back to prison, his sister, Li Wangling, was put in a forced labor camp for three years for accepting interviews with the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
Li was finally released from that prison sentence on May 5, 2011. Huang Lihong, a local teacher and Li’s friend, told NBC News that Li’s health was greatly damaged at the time.
"He had lost his sight and hearing. He couldn’t walk, and suffered from diabetes and heart disease, due to longtime torture. His muscles contracted and he was in bed all the time,” said Huang.
However, Huang believed Li had been doing better in the past 12 months. "His health was improving and he remained hopeful. He was happy when we told him we believed the 1989 movement would be redressed soon."
Too outspoken: ‘I’m not afraid of death’
But Li may have been too confident that past wrongs would be righted soon. In an interview on June 4, the 23rd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, with i-CABLE, a Hong Kong based news channel, Li was extremely outspoken in his description of his torture during his various prison terms.
"The prison had their own tailored handcuffs, smaller than your wrists,” Li explained. “They used pliers to handcuff me, and that was almost like clamping my wrist bones with pliers. When they did that I almost lost consciousness and couldn’t see anymore."
In the two-minute-long video interview, Li, who appeared physically deteriorated, said he didn’t regret what he did. "Every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. I’m not afraid of death, if that would fasten China’s process to enter a multi-party and democratic society."
When asked about the candle vigil on the night of the anniversary in Hong Kong, Li said, "I hope Hong Kong’s memorial will spread all over China," with his arm waving firmly in the air and a very thick Hunan accent, "I hope it’s remembered by all Chinese people."
Two days after the interview he was found dead in his hospital room.
‘Everything seemed fine’ two days before
Another longtime friend of Li’s also expressed disbelief that he would ever take his own life.
"Everything seemed fine when I visited him on June 4," Zhu Chengzhi, a long-term activist and former school mate of Li’s, told NBC News in a phone interview Thursday.
"We talked about many things, like Syria deporting foreign ambassadors. He was in a good mood, and seemed to be more open minded since last May,” said Zhu. “As a close friend, I don’t believe he would commit suicide."
Zhu also said in another interview that just one day before his death, Li asked his sister to buy him a radio so he could listen to the news.
Zhou Zhirong, a local leader of China’s legal, but powerless, "Democratic Party", is organizing a "committee of investigation into the death of Li Wangyang," under the risk of being arrested himself for doing so.
"I have no evidence whether [Li] was killed, but I think the long term persecution by the authorities led to Li’s death," said Zhou in a phone interview with NBC News Thursday. "Li Wangyang is Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela in China. I don’t believe our investigation will come to any fruition, but it will wake up the citizens and make them fight for their rights."
NBC News calls to Shaoyang and Longhui police for comment on Li’s death went unanswered.
As of Thursday afternoon 2,700 people, including prominent Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, scholars, lawyers and writers, had signed an online petition to step up pressure on China to investigate Li’s death, according to Reuters.
Horace Lu contributed to this report.
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When communism finally falls in China, unemployment won't be a problem. The making and erecting of monuments to those who lost their lives in pursuit of freedom and human rights for the Chinese people, will keep thousands employed for years.
As China's economy tanks --- more similarly to Japan in the 1990's that many think --- the government is being put into a serious bind. The modern "capitalism operated by communists" form of government is not very well thought out. But their economic success as a low-cost labor provider and levelplaying field tilter has enabled an economic miracle. But the miracle has eclipsed the plain facts that China's government is incredibly corrupt, inefficient, and personality rather than principle-driven. As the economy stalls, the government is having to pour more and money into keeping the people content. But China needs to create 14 times as many jobs as the US each month just to keep even. And they are failing.
So the government is anticipating a huge amount of discontent as their economy tightens and the economic miracle grinds to a halt. Discontent on that scale has always resulted in the ouster of the current government and the current government well knows it. But the crackdown on dissidents is just another sign that they see the handwriting on the wall and will thrash and spin to avoit what is most likely a certainty.
It is very strange. I lived there for over 4 years just a few years ago. It is hard to reconcile stories like this with my experience there. When I was there, people just went about their business. Lots of shops and stores. Everyone working hard, going shopping, going out to dinner, visiting with family and friends. You really do not see anything like this while living there. It all goes on without anyone really seeing it.
The whole time I was there, I saw only one protest by a group of people. My wife ushered me away pretty quickly because she did not want to get caught in the middle of it.
Granted I spent most of my time in the richer, more well off parts of the country. Seems like most of these things happen in more of the rural and less developed parts of the country.
Lets hope their economy does not "tank". Their government holds about $2 TRILLION in US Treasury notes, I would hate to see what would happen if they tried to "cash" them in!
The US is getting every day more like Communism, if you disagree with what the Republicans are doing to this country, they have their ways to take care of the matter. How many times do you see in these forums, "if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the "butt" when you leave!" Freedom in the US is dying!
There's a group in Seattle that is trying to make it against the law for any organization such as churches, hospitals, and so forth to refuse to hand out free birth control and give free abortions.
It's great tobe charitable and inspire others to see the benefit of donating. When I have a liberal waiter\waitress bring my dinner I like to ask them what their charity and helping others. Then when I pay my bill without tipping and leave. They look a bit sad but I email the manager and tell them how great the service was and how wonderful my server had been. I then take 20% of the meal price and donate it to a the Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Community services, Sex Selection Abortion firms and other noble causes. Normally I wouldn't support sex selection abortions however now that obama and the democratic congress have helped me see the good in it by passing the bill to allow it I have seen the light and I know killing unborn girls is a good thing.
Afterwards I return to the restaraunt and provide a reciept for money I donated in their name. I can't even begin to describe the good feelings they express when I perform this service in exchange for the service they provided to me. It really touches a person when they see how much they have helped others with their gifts.
When you see all the good works of demonstrators round the globe, here in Seattle especially, it is hard to imagine why anyone would feel the need to harm another. I'm sure he noticed the railing was beginning to separate and selflessly used his own bandages to make the repair and some unfortunate accident befell him during this act of goodness. Probably was worried sick that a piece of the metal had worked free, hanging precariously with the potential to harm another, and since he couldn't raise a new tax his insticts kicked in to protect others from harm. Tragically his efforts failed. The bottle is not always half empty folks!!!
Sing it with me
Bravereeeeeey was his shield, honor was his code
He saw another in harms way, and and bore the heavy lode.
His health it was a failing, thinking gauze was all he'd require.
He climbed up high to save a life, the result turned out quite dire.
(Chorus)
He's a hero, Not a zero as he others life did hail
He's a hero, Not a zero he dangled from the cloth as he fell
So in his name drink the a beer Ooooooohhhhhh!!!! And curse his name not.
For if the gov'ment had done the job surely he'd have been shot.
.. B4 .. a very kind gesture to give to those less fortunate ... one in which we also participate ... but I do pity your server ... as you are giving their income to others without their consent ... to make a point about taxation, perhaps? ... and to us this seems ... at the least ... inconsiderate ... as most servers are not that well remunerated ... just a thought .... perhaps you might consider a donation of the same amount while actually giving them their gratuity ...
... of course such a modest opinion would depend upon the .. uh ... veracity ... of the action ... and I know you understand that word ... it is akin to 'verily' ... a most important word to someone you obviously know very well ... and one wonders if you understand their words at all ...
Suspicious ? Is that what they call it when China murders its people ?
The main suspect here is the Chinese government.
Seriously, his feet were touching the ground. How does that even make sense in a hanging death? Of course, when it comes to quality of goods, human rights, weapons, just about everything under the sun - all I expect from China is a cheap (and lower quality) imitation.
It's not that unusual for the feet to be still on the ground. You tie something around your neck and lean over so the weight of your body is on your neck and you will expire either by strangulation or loss of blood supply to the brain. I would imagine you would really have to "want" to kill yourself by going this way just because there is so much opportunity to change your mind. That said, did the government do it? I wouldn't put it past them, or maybe he was murdered by some zealot, who knows.
I am surprised they took so long to kill him.
@ Nikolaus20
You are probably correct but until then remember they own a huge portion of U.S. debt. That translates into they own a huge portion of the U. S.
Perhaps this explains some of the "land sales" that have been going on largely under the radar to China et. al.
I understand your point. My initial comment was metaphorical. Thanks.
China still owes the United States for loans from WWII - the amount is greater than what we owe them. Last year Great Britain finally got China to start repaying the debt owed to them. Shouldn't we be doing the same?
Which govt lent money to who??? Get a clue before snipping at people around you. USA never lent money to People's Republic of China during WWII.
Haha Lexiwords-1135913, there's a saying that goes along the lines of: when you owe $100,000 to the bank the bank owns you, when you owe $1,000,000,000 you own the bank.
By the way, I heard this from a friend of mine who works as a manager for US Bank so I'd say the idea behind the saying is pretty credible.
I disagree. They own a claim to debt, not us, not our lives and not our land. With unfair trade practices, which I remenber president Clinton tried to work on since the early 90's, we don't owe them that much.
There already has been talk in China about seizing national assets until we pay up, and yes they own vast amounts of US property and business holdings. Currently American companies are dumping coal due to the very strict restrictions coming out of EPA and the Chinese are only too happy to buy up the American coal mines and equipment for pennies on the dollar..
@ Sam, you're so full of it... seizing assets!!! Name your source!!! Only TeaPartier believe some BS as such.
http://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/2011/10/18/who-owns-the-greek-debt-anyway-a-list-of-banks-and-institutions/
This is a list of Banks that holds Greek debt notes. So according to your arguements, these banks and security firms have the right to seize Greek assets???? So what happens when Greek file for BK???? btw, coal mines are privately held and in addition treasury notes are not asset based or base upon collaterals!!! FREAKIN CLUELESS!!!
In fact, they do own some of our our land. Many parts of the U.S., including a section of the waterfront in Toledo, Ohio, have been purchased by the Chinese. And they are encroaching farther and farther into Africa. They've also tried to purchase land in Iceland, but that country turned them down.
suicide?? doubtful, China's govt. wont mess around with dissidents.
dissidents get tortured or murdered
Physically deteriorated? I've had bowel movements bigger around than him. Because his feet were on the floor doesn't prove anything other than a slow hanging, and a will to get it over with.
Ain't it great to have "most favored nations" like this to partner with? Unfortunately, every time you buy some Chinese crap, we are all helping to make this possible. If we cut off the Chinese junk and went back to making it ourselves or doing without, the Chinese government would have to start facing its own evil instead of having the power and money to keep on doing to its people.
I find it difficult to accept that after all he suffered Li committed suicide - most definitely "assisted", probably by China. For all their happy media face, the regime is still extremely totalitarian. We'll never know the truth of how many died in Tianamen Square and how many are in forced labor camps because of their political activity. We need to remember that when we buy products made in China, we're probably supporting slave labor. I saw a report that the people in Tibet are agitating again for separation from their Chinese oppressors - let's see how the Beijing gov't responds to that.
Oh just wait, Sec. of State Clinton will be all over this one. When will these people learn - this is China - obey the laws and you live - don't, and you die. real easy to follow
Even when the mayor of your town rapes your grand daughter.
Come on! China's government KILLED him! Just like they murdered the students.... The Chinese people NEED to revolt! It will happen one of these days. But it's hard to get rid of the government elites. They don't want to miss their pay-backs, fine wine and women,etc.
He dead because he failed to be one with everyone else.
Oh well, To Bad, look like he was on a hunger strike.
interview most likely had something to do with his murder by the gov.
It's too bad Chang Kai-shek was such an egotist. The Chinese people need to revolt as do the North Koreans and Cubans to have real democracy there. They are not rag-head Iraqis or Afghanis. They are educated, intelligent people. They could do better without the totalitarian state.
Americans, greedy bastards that they are, will continue to think of China as part of their market and a trading partner equal to any peaceful democratic nation. Get out of China, U.S.!
China is still a COMMUNIST nation - don't be so gullible McFly!
Another example of the Great Leap Forward! Some other Political examples with "Forward" in various languages:
Vorwarts, Publication created by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles
Avante!, of the Portuguese Communist Party
Avanti!, organ of the Italian Socialist Party
Vorwärts!, 19th century journal of the Communist League
Vorwärts, the central organ of the Social Democratic Party of Germany published daily in Berlin from 1891 to 1933
Adelante, a Communist-party organ in Cuba.
Now in 2012 the Campaign Slogan of Obama .... Forward ... in honor of those "Forward" Communist and Socialists of the past in the list above
So now forward is a bad word? I suppose that's because the ROP would actually like us to go backward. To what, laissez-faire 1890's capitalism? Hmmm, sounds kind of like China.
But one more reason I still call them THE COMMUNIST RED CHINESE! (Not that we dont kill our own people, but somehow when we do it its OK. Hmmmmmmm.
When we kill our own people here especially our youngest ones, it is called "pro-choice" rather than calling it correctly as genocide
Watch this:
http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/war-is-a-racket-1/when-false-flags-dont-fly.html
stop buyimg junk made in china, lets hit them the only place we can ,the wallet.
the big chain stores support this government
The next time we complain about the raucous, endless, often pointless political fighting here we need to remember the alternative. The right to speak your mind is critical to your pursuit of happiness and mental health.
A hero of the human race ... murdered.
And American capitalists and investors continue to support a government that is contrary to American ideals and principals; Thank you Richard Nixon for accepting Communism into our social and economic system.
Communism? Hello?
This is why people want to limit the size and power of government.
Hey leave China alone, I have to go to Wally World tonight, need to buy toys for sons birthday, small price to pay to save me a few bucks, besides Obamas will make it all worth IT. At least I didn't waste my money when I bought Rosetta Stones Manderin, it'll come in handy soon.