Chen Guangsheng: NYU still a turning point - Zhang Lijia

Zhang Lijia

Despite the nasty twist the blind activist Chen Guangcheng's stay at NYU got, his flight from China to the US was still a turning point, writes author and his long-term friend Zhang Lijia from Beijing in  medium.com.

+Lijia Zhang:

Whatever happens in the wake of the NYU debacle, he describes the past year as the “turning point” in his life. “From living in an authoritarian society to a democratic one; from a prisoner to a free man: Can you imagine a more dramatic shift?” he asks. 

A dramatic shift, and dramatic changes. He has never before met with so many people from different walks of life or such a variety of organizations; he has never traveled so intensively or visited so many countries — six so far — and neither has he ever received so many invitations for interviews, speeches, and appearances. 

He also has never sampled so many diverse cuisines: He makes a conscious effort to not just eat Chinese food. He still can’t stomach cheese, but he has become fond of other Asian cuisines, especially Thai. Once, a Jewish friend of mine took him to a kosher restaurant in New York. Chen commented that the beef in his pastrami sandwich, which he enjoyed, tasted very much like soy sauce beef. 

The best change of all is that now he can work. 

Chen keeps in touch with rights groups in China via Internet and phone, and advises individuals about how to approach their cases and where to find lawyers. “I don’t think the distance between China and the U.S. poses as a great obstacle, thanks to modern technology,” he says. 

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So, what next? After leaving NYU, Chen is planning to set up a foundation aimed at pushing for democracy and the rule of law in China.

Chen Guangsheng

Apart from providing legal consultation to those in need of it in China, he hopes to work with international organizations, because, he says, even democratic countries sometimes place trade over human rights. 

These are still the early days and the challenges remain: Chen will have to reinvent himself, improve his English, emerge into mainstream American society, and navigate the unfamiliar American political landscape — which can be treacherous. In the long run, it may be his resolve that keeps him in the game and allows him to create the meaningful changes he desires. 

 More in Medium.com

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

China Weekly Hangout

+Steve Barru and +Fons Tuinstra discussed in the +China Weekly Hangout of April 4 what they expect from the political change in the upcoming ten years under Xi Jinping; agenda: Hu Jintao, austerity, poor-rich divide, and more.

The upcoming cyber war is the subject of the +China Weekly Hangout on Thursday 27 June. The revelations by Edward Snowden showed that the US is preparing a military shake-out, as both China, Russia and other countries are building up their cyber war capacities too. Joining us are former security consultant +Mathew Hoover and media en communication lecturer +Paul Fox of the Hong Kong University. Moderation by +Fons Tuinstra, president of the China Speakers Bureau.

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Chen Guangcheng: far from fading away - Zhang Lijia

When Chinese dissidents moved in the past to the US, whatever influence they had in their home country would fade away. But the blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng is different, discovered author and friend Zhang Lijia in visits to his home town and in calls to the US, she write in the New York Times. Zhang Lijia was the first journalist to write about Chen.

 Zhang Lijia:

During my recent video call with Chen Guangcheng himself, he told me that he keeps in touch with people from all over the country. Before our conversation, he had been talking to a blind man from Inner Mongolia who runs a grocery store but also devotes much of his energy to helping other disabled people with their rights issues. Chen was planning to video-chat with a group of activists in Sichuan and give them his pitch about the importance of protecting their rights. 

“How do people find you?” I asked. He replied with a laugh. “In this Internet age, if you are willing to be available, people can find you easily.” 

Part of Chen Guangcheng’s ongoing appeal here in China may have to do with his focus on practical matters that have an impact on the lives of ordinary people — like forced removals from homes — rather than on abstract principles that appeal more to a few high-brow intellectuals. 

On the international stage, Chen is also far from fading away. In the past year, he has been honored with many awards, including the annual award of the New York-based organization Human Rights First. In January, he received the Lantos Human Rights Prize, presented by the Hollywood star Richard Gere. And the next day, he gave a keynote speech called “In Search of China’s Soul” at the Washington National Cathedral to a standing ovation.

More in the New York Times.

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

+China Weekly Hangout 

What political change can we expect under Xi Jinping? The China Weekly Hangout discussed the first signs of political reform under the new government, with +Steve Barru and +Fons Tuinstra of the +China Speakers Bureau; agenda: Hu Jintao, austerity, poor-rich divide, and more.

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Chen Guangcheng, still making his mark in China - Zhang Lijia

Zhang Lijia

Chen Guangcheng, the blind activist who left last year for the US, is still making his mark in his old village Linyi, Shandong province, his friend and author Zhang Lijia discovered when visiting his family during a recent trip, she reports on her weblog.

Zhang Lijia:

 During the 90 minutes drive, the talkative Lu told me all about her story. In May 2010, her house close to town center was forcefully demolished. They had a ground floor flat about 150 square meters and a yard. Altogether, Lu’s family was paid 340,000 yuan’s compensation, which would only allow the family to buy 34 square meters on the same spot. Before the demolition, the residents were told that public projects such as a parking lot and a park were to be built on the spot but Lu is convinced that the new development was purely for commercial purpose. During the demolition, conflicts occurred. Lu was beaten up, which caused her miscarriage. Ever since then, Lu has devoted herself to get compensated properly. When she heard about a blind lawyer who was willing to help people to fight for their cases, free of charge, she went to Dongshigu village to see Guangcheng, only learnt about his house arrest. Slowly she met other petitioners who introduced her to Guangfu and they became friends. When she saw how the well-known lawyer lived in poverty, she was touched. Since last autumn, Lu has been in regular skype contact with the man himself, as he encourages her to fight for her case and trying to find a lawyer for her. 

Wow, I find this fascinating. When Chen left China, there was a debate if he would fade away and become irrelevant. But he hasn’t, obviously. “Are you really in touch with Chen Guangcheng?” I asked. She replied that quite a lot of people in Linyi are in touch with him. “We Linyi people are more aware of our rights, partly because of him. Guangcheng is our inspiring model.”

Much more about her visit at Zhang Lijia's weblog.

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

How are China's media doing in Africa, discussed the China Weekly Hangout at March 14 with HKU-lecturer Paul Fox, Beijing-based journalist Lara Farrar, moderated by Fons Tuinstra, president of the China Speakers Bureau.

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My meeting with Chen Guangcheng in NY - Zhang Lijia

Zhang Lijia

The author Zhang Lijia was one of the first journalists who introduced the blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng to Western media, now 12 years ago. After his daring escape, they found now time to meet at NYU in New York, Zhang Lijia tells on her weblog. 

Zhang Lijia:

Chen never fails to surprise me. When I told him that although we have not seen each other, I’ve been following his movement, he replied: “I’ve been following you, too. Even I was in jail, I’ve heard you about your memoir. Socialism is Great, right?” My eyes widened. How? A smiled blossomed on his face. “I told you that there are only things you dare not thing about. Nothing can’t be done.” He then summarized the book for his wife. 

Turning to her, he said:“I’ve always told you that meeting Lijia was the turning point in my life.” He said I dared to think, dare to act and I wasn’t frightened of anything. I felt extremely flattered by his comment. I think my articles had helped to introduce him to the western media and expanded his contact with the outside world. “It was you who introduced the idea of NGO to me,” he said at one point... 

Chen asked me what kinds of advice I would give him. I said probably not granting too many interviews to journalists.  I were you,” I said, “I’d take this opportunity to study law and to get to know American society.” Another important thing, I said, was to be mindful of the tricky American politics, avoiding to used by American politicians, especially the Republican. In fact, I was very impressed with the way he has carried himself in the US. I know all sorts people, politicians, Falungongers, anti-abortion people and of course, the old generation of dissidents, have all tried to court him and he has stayed cool. I am sure that his mentor Jerry Cohen, a renowned law professor from NYU, has given him plenty of sensible suggestions.

Zhang Lijia and Chen Guangcheng

More on Zhang Lijia's weblog

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in your speakers' request form.

More on Zhang Lijia and China's moral crisis at Storify.

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How to keep Chen Guangcheng relevant - Zhang Lijia

Zhang Lijia

What is Chen Guangcheng's future, wonders author Zhang Lijia, as she recalls her earlier meetings with the blind lawyer and his diligent way to make a difference in China. How can Chen stay China's bright and honest son, she asks in The Diplomat.

Zhang Lijia:

Actually, Chen left with mixed feelings, worrying about the safety of his extended family. And some of his supporters also worry that he might have embarked on a journey that will see him sliding into irrelevance. The Chinese authorities will, most likely, prevent him from returning, the same way they’ve treated other dissidents. 

With his departure, will his voice still be heard in his homeland?... 

I totally understand that Chen has to put his family interests first, and he is absolutely entitled to have a “leave of absence” from his work as he put it. I also have no doubt that his study in the United States will enrich his life and develop himself further.  But I do hope that he will be allowed to return to China. If he stays abroad for too long, Chen risks slipping into obscurity like so many dissidents before him, especially in light of his limited English and his blindness. Chinese farmers, most vulnerable to social justice, won’t be able to reach him easily. 

A few years ago, I interpreted for dissident writer Ma Jian during a talk in London. When asked if living in a free country had been good for his writing, Ma replied: “I’ve gained a free sky over my head, but lost the soil I stood on.” 

I know Chen isn’t, strictly speaking, a dissident. He isn’t even a licensed lawyer. Chen won some of the cases he represented but lost others. However, in a broad sense, each case was a victory regardless of the result because, in each situation, the rule of law was practiced and extended; and the rights awareness of those involved increased.  Unfortunately, his very success also saw him fall victim to local officials’ obsession with weiweng – maintaining stability. And they were all too willing to break the law in order to silence him. 

Our leaders have repeatedly talked about building a modern society, which can only mean a more democratic society ruled by law. Chen has been an inspiration and a driving force in implanting the rule of law. Why can’t China tolerate someone like him? He shouldn’t be treated like an eyesore to be rid of. China should be proud of having produced this bright and honest son.

More in The Diplomat.

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

Zhang Lijia and China's moral crisis in Storify.