Chinese democracy activist releasedLeslie Friday  A welcome note to Rep. Barney Frank hangs by the portrait of Yang Jianli, who was released from prison in China this week, at a fundraising dinner in favor of his defense at the First Parish Church of Brookline in 2004. Photo by Zara Tzanev  GateHouse Media Fri Apr 27, 2007, 05:30 PM EDT Brookline - Dr. Yang Jianli, a pro-democracy activist and Brookline resident, was released after serving a five-year prison term in China on accusations of illegal entry into the country and spying for Taiwan, according to a family friend. Organizers had been planning a gathering at All Saints Parish to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Jianli’s arrest on April 26, 2002. Now, the event will celebrate his release. “Up to a couple days ago, we had no assurance of [Jianli’s release], said Susan Cleaver, a family friend and All Saints parishioner. “I’m extremely pleased, but I’m also still in shock. You don’t want to hope for something too much.” Cleaver said Jianli is staying with his two sisters and one brother in Beijing while he awaits his travel documents from the Chinese government. No date has been set for his return. Jianli, a mathematician who holds degrees from Harvard and Berkley, visited China in 1989 to bring funds to Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protestors. Since then, the Chinese government banned Jianli from visiting the country. Yet Jianli returned to China in 2002, using his friend’s passport, to research labor unrest in a northeastern province. The activist was captured while trying to leave the country. Despite pleas by the United Nations and U.S. government, Chinese diplomats refused to budge on Jianli’s five-year sentence. The protestor’s release came without warning to family or friends. “Up to a couple days ago, [his wife] had heard nothing, nothing,” Cleaver said. “I had given up.” Christina Fu, Jianli’s wife, lives in Brookline with their two children — Aaron, 9, and Anita, 12. Fu did not immediately return calls for comment. Cleaver was relieved by the Chinese government’s release of Jianli. “If they hadn’t, there would’ve been a lot of screaming,” Cleaver said. The service at All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St., will be held at 6 p.m. -------------------------- |