HRIC Executive Director Speaks At White Paper Commemoration in D.C.
On November 29, 2023, HRIC Executive Director Zhou Fengsuo spoke at a demonstration on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the victims of the Urumqi Fire on the first anniversary of the White Paper Movement. Below, watch the speech or read the transcript:
(Transcript edited slightly for clarity.)
Thank you all for coming today. I’m Zhou Fengsuo, Executive Director of Human Rights in China. We are proud to be a sponsor of today’s event, in conjunction with Uyghur Human Rights Project, Free Uyghur Now, and Athenai Institute. I just came back from Paris and London, because there are similar events there, and in fact, there are events in Tokyo, in Los Angeles, in San Francisco Bay Area, in Toronto, in New York City, in Boston, everywhere. Why? Because of what happened a year ago. We are here because more than ten Uyghur people were burned to death in their own homes because of CCP’s senseless zero-COVID policy. We are here because in Shanghai, the most prosperous city in the world, the middle class for the first time realized they have no freedom; because when they are hungry they cannot cry out, they cannot be heard. That’s why I know a number of people were starved to death in Shanghai. And guess what? The leader of Shanghai was promoted because he was so loyal in following Xi Jinping’s order—this inhuman, strict order of zero-COVID.
For the first time in history after 1989, Chinese people who benefited from the economic development realized that their life, their property, means nothing if there is no freedom. It is also important to remember that for a long time, the United States and other democratic countries ignored the human rights situation in China because it’s not their problem, it’s Chinese people who are suffering. And the pandemic reminded the world that a China without freedom means a disaster for the world. If CCP is in power, that will happen again.
We are here because for the first time after 1989, there were such protests in many cities in China. It was the first time that “End CCP was shouted out, reverberated, in China. As a survivor of the Tiananmen Massacre, I was in tears when I heard ‘End CCP’ from the young people in New York City. I realized there’s a hope for a free China. And that’s why we need to remember today.
We are here because Kamile Wayit is in prison. She was sentenced to three years in prison simply for posting a video about the protest. Largely because she is a Uyghur, she was sentenced to three years in prison. We are here because Wu Yanan, a professor at Nankai University, was sent to a psychiatric hospital, and nobody has heard from her since then.
Of course, we are here because of this great hero, Peng Lifa. He started this revolution on Sitong Bridge with smoke, and with a loudspeaker, even under all the tight police control. He was able to spread out his message in Beijing, when there were so many cars, so many people around, for about forty minutes.
It is the first time in China’s history that women take center stage in the protest. In China, and overseas, they are leaders of the activities. They are also the main group of political prisoners after the protest. Most of the names we know today are women.
We remember this because we have to face the reality. China will be free. It is a duty for us all, standing here at this place of power, of policy, and of legislation. We must remind the United States that only a free China can be a partner of the United States. It is self-defeating to engage with Communist China.
We were a little bit relieved, the last few years, when there was some action, from the last administration to now, against the CCP’s transnational repression. But what happened in San Francisco a few weeks ago, again seems to be going back to the old norm. That is, the United States is willing to appease Xi Jinping, the dictator, at the expense of human rights. Dozens of protestors of CCP were attacked, more than ten bloodied, more than three sent to the hospital. And guess what? The only person that the San Francisco police arrested is a protestor of Xi Jinping. What kind of message is the United States government sending by doing this? That’s why we appreciate the CECC and the Select Committee for taking a clear stand on this.
Of course, the democratization of China will be mainly the duty of Chinese. And we have to act, just like last year, when so many people took to the streets and found their strength in solidary, in speaking out. For those who are still suffering, we respect you. We remember you. Even for those who are disheartened, disillusioned, and want to stay away, we appreciate your contributions. You did nothing wrong. But, it’s an honor to stay on this narrow path. I believe, with our efforts, China will be free. Thank you.