Press Conference
On the 3rd Anniversary of Yang
Jianli’s Detention
2220 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington,
D.C.
Christina Fu
"In every heart, there is goodness, and there is knowledge
of right and wrong. That is where our hope comes from. Let me ask you, my
dear friends. Let our eyes penetrate the danger of today to the light of
hope of tomorrow. Let us look beyond the freedom we enjoy outside China to
envision the freedom in the future of China. I long for the day when all
of us are free; I long for the day when we can live together in peace." --
Yang Jianli
2005.4.26
Thank you all very much for being here on this, the third anniversary
of my husband’s detention in China. As you know, Jianli was apprehended on
April 26, 2002 for having entered China on a friend’s passport, since the
renewal of his own was denied, due to his participation in the Tiananmen
Square student protests of 1989. My husband went to China three years ago,
solely as a researcher to monitor the labor unrest there and to help de-fuse
a potentially violent situation among the workers. My husband is a man of
peace who abhors violence and his mission there was completely humanitarian.
His burning passion has been to, one day, hear the bells of freedom
ringing throughout his beloved homeland of China. He believes that since
we are all creatures of God and share a common humanity, we should treat
one another as brothers and sisters, irrespective of social class,
religion, ethnicity or race, and not be denied our basic universal rights
and freedom.
For the past 13 years, my husband has been devoting his time and
energies to helping make this dream a reality for the people of China, and
through peaceful means alone -- through education, negotiation and
diplomacy. My husband, who received a doctorate from Harvard in political
economy and government, has traveled to more than 20 countries and 30
states to meet with government officials, human rights groups, university
students and with his Holiness the Dalai Lama – advocating for democracy
and peace.
Yet now he sits, languishing in prison, three years later, having
already more than paid the price for that one illegality.
As you know, Jianli suffered a minor stroke in July of 2004 and is
still experiencing numbness on the left side of his body; in addition, his
vision is deteriorating. Therefore, we are hopeful that our petition to
have him released on a medical parole will soon be granted.
I am grateful that China is honoring her laws by having allowed our
son, Aaron, and me to visit Jianli in China this past January. It was the
first time since he was seized on April 26, 2002 at Kunming airport on his
way back home to America. Our visit has meant the world to Aaron and to
me. Although it broke his heart to see his father imprisoned, Aaron was
very excited that he got to see Dad. In fact, in the week of his return to
America, Aaron kept saying before going to bed each night, “I want to go
back to China to see Daddy, again. I want to go – NOW!”-- and would then
burst into tears.
I am thankful also to the Chinese government for opening up the lines
of written communication between Jianli and our family. It has brought us
happiness beyond words. We recently received his first letter dated
January 18 of this year after our visit with him in Beijing. The letter
was addressed to Aaron, and I would like to share some of its contents
with you, so you may come to know my husband better.
Aaron, Son,
Papa was surprised and very happy to see you yesterday. Your uncle and
aunt told me earlier that you might accompany Mama to come here to see
Papa. Since then there has been a struggle in me, and the struggle is tormenting.
Papa is such a proud person that he did not want his son to see him in
prison, so destitute and helpless. However, you still came. A much grown
and handsome boy came. Papa was pleased and grateful.
Yet, Papa’s old habit is hard to change. Just like before when Papa’s
work kept him from spending enough time to play with you, yesterday, during
your visit, Papa was too busy speaking with Mama and Uncle about serious
matters. So there was almost no time left for Papa to speak with my Aaron on
the subject that he was interested in, or to hear what he wanted to say. . .
Although, you could not comprehend the contents, your sensitive and intuitive
heart must have sensed its seriousness. So you understood, and all the time
sat there quietly wiping away your tears. In your special way, you showed
your care and support. I know that you do not blame Papa. However, Papa
cannot forgive himself. Papa is extremely sad. Your bitterly crying tears,
upon leaving, soaked Papa’s heart. I almost could not bear the pain. Papa wants
to talk to you.
So this morning, I got up early to write to you so that this letter could
take off at the same time your returning flight took off for America. . . Papa
also wants to hear from you. I especially wants to read letters from you and your
sister. I want to learn about your events in school, your sport activities,
your music lessons, and your friends . . . I wrote you a letter on your 8th birthday
(July 24, 2003). Since you did not receive it, I will now try to write it from memory.
Aaron,
When you first came into this world, Papa wrote a poem for you and in
it I promised that you would “stand on Papa’s shoulders to reach for any
star you want in the sky.” With this promise in my heart, Papa tries very
hard to take as much time as possible to exercise to keep physically fit
and healthy, because I fear that my strength and wisdom might slip away
from me – and I wish to be ready for that day when you will plead with
Papa, “Papa, I want to reach that star…”
Every day Papa has been tormented by the past, which cannot be changed,
because Papa shared too little time with you. How can I make it up to you?
Papa only wishes, though filled with anxiety and vain longing, that Aaron,
Son, would slow down in growing and would wait for Papa, and that Papa
would also slow down the pace of life to taste and enjoy every moment of
being with you.
However, you are always the main character in the drama that God has
written for you. Your life will unfold from the very center that is you,
not from anyone else’s. Whether or not Papa is with you, you should enjoy
and cherish every aspect of your life. Someday, you will leave home, leave
Papa and also leave Mama and become your own person. You need to prepare
yourself for such a time.
When some people talk about being a father, they say that, “the best
way to love your children is to love their mother.” I promise you that I
will always love you in this way. What I want to say to you today is that
the best way for you to love me is to love your Mama. I know that my Son,
Aaron, will not disappoint me.
Papa
7.24.2003
Aaron, Son,
I miss you.
Papa 1.18.2005
In closing, I implore the leaders of my beloved homeland of
China to please release my husband as soon as possible, if only on
humanitarian grounds, so that I may take care of him and so that he may be
a father, once again, to his son. Aaron needs his father’s love and
guiding hand now more than ever. He is truly lost without him.
Thank you.
God Bless You.
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Source: "yangjianli.com".
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