Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition News and Article Release Number: A1125-O303

中国民主运动海外联席会议新闻与文章发布号：A1125-O303

Release Date: July 15, 2018

发布日：2018年7月15日

Topic: Dr. Thomas Weyrauch's Speech at the "Commemorating the Heroes Striving for Democracy and Freedom Against Communist Tyranny" Symposium in Düsseldorf, Germany

标题：中国近代史专家韦唐仕博士在德国杜塞尔多夫市举办"纪念反抗中共暴政,争取民主自由的勇士们"研讨会上的发言

Original Language Version: Chinese (English at the beginning, Chinese version at the end)

此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）

Note: Please use "Simplified Chinese (GB2312)" encoding to view the Chinese parts of this release. If this mail does not display properly in your email program, please send your request for special delivery to us or visit:

http://www.weijingsheng.org/report/report2018/report2018-07/WeyrauchTspeech180715inDusseldorfA1125-O303.htm　which contains identical information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Written Speech of Dr. Thomas Weyrauch, scholar and expert on Chinese Modern History, at the "Commemorating the Heroes Striving for Democracy and Freedom Against Communist Tyranny" Symposium in Düsseldorf, Germany on June 3, 2018

Dear friends,

I regret that I can't attend the symposium in person today, so I wrote down my thoughts about June 4th to share with you.

On June 4, 1989, the wave of protests in China for the previous three years was intercepted and ended. The protests were first focused on China's colleges and universities and economic reforms. In the process, the root cause of all the malpractices in China was discovered to be that the Chinese people could not participate in politics. "Democracy" is the highest level of political participation.

"Democracy" was not a new concept in 1989. As early as the 19th century, "the supporter of the monarchial political system" Kang Youwei and "the revolutionary pioneer" Sun Yat-sen had already cited this concept. Even Mao Zedong claimed that the terrorist regime he established was the "new democracy."

University students who participated in the protests from 1986 to 1989 shouted "If you want to know what democracy is, ask Wei Jingsheng". Thus we know that their concern of the so-called lack of democracy in China meant China lacks "true" democracy. At that time, our good friend Wei Jingsheng could not enjoy democracy and not even personal freedom. Since 1979, he had been in jail. What was his crime? It was his promotion of human rights, citizens' rights, and the concept of freedom and democracy.

On June 3 and 4, 1989, the Chinese government planned and suppressed the democratic movement. The crackdown took a consistent violent and bloody approach. The same approach had caused more victims to die in other political movements since 1949. Although it was equally suppressed, it was different from other movements: the democratic movement of 1989 has flourished despite high pressure and persecution. Whether they are underground in China or in exile, there are many Chinese dissident groups around the world nowadays.

The leadership of the People's Republic of China seems to be unprecedentedly strong. China has also become an important global player both politically and economically. Despite this, the possibility of Chinese people participating in politics is still remote.

Does the Chinese leadership believe that as long as they maintain economic growth, expand the Chinese consumer market, and allow freedom of travel, it will guarantee political stability?

Related photos:

1. Dr. Thomas Weyrauch:

http://www.weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2018/newsletters2018-3/WeyrauchTphoto.jpg

2. "Commemorating the Heroes Striving for Democracy and Freedom Against Communist Tyranny" Symposium in Düsseldorf, Germany, on June 3, 2018:

http://www.weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2018/newsletters2018-3/64symposium180603inDusseldorfDE.jpg

3. Protest in front of the Chinese Consulate-General in Düsseldorf, Germany:

http://www.weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2018/newsletters2018-3/64protest180603inDusseldorfConsulate.jpg

-----------------------------------------------------------------

This is a message from WeiJingSheng.org

The Wei Jingsheng Foundation and the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition are dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democratization in China. We appreciate your assistance and help in any means. We pledge solidarity to all who struggle for human rights and democratic governance on this planet.

You are welcome to use or distribute this release. However, please credit with this foundation and its website at: www.weijingsheng.org

Although we are unable to afford to pay royalty fees at this time, we are seeking your contribution as well. You may send your articles, comments and opinions to: HCP@weijingsheng.org. Please remember, only in text files, not in attachments.

For website issues and suggestions, you may contact our professional staff and web master at: webmaster@Weijingsheng.org

To find out more about us, please also visit our websites at:

www.WeiJingSheng.org and www.ChinaLaborUnion.org

for news and information for Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition and human rights and democracy movement as whole, especially our Chinese Labor Union Base.

You may contact Ciping Huang at: HCP@Weijingsheng.org or

Wei Jingsheng Foundation office at: 1-202-270-6980

Wei Jingsheng Foundation's postal address is:

Wei Jingsheng Foundation, P. O. Box 15449, Washington, DC 20003, USA

You are receiving this message because you had previous shown your interest in learning more about Mr. Wei Jingsheng and the Chinese Democratic Movement. To be removed from the list, simply reply this message and use "unsubscribe" as the Subject. Please allow us a few days to process your request.

*****************************************************************

中文版

Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition News and Article Release Number: A1125-O303

中国民主运动海外联席会议新闻与文章发布号：A1125-O303

Release Date: July 15, 2018

发布日：2018年7月15日

Topic: Dr. Thomas Weyrauch's Speech at the "Commemorating the Heroes Striving for Democracy and Freedom Against Communist Tyranny" Symposium in Düsseldorf, Germany

标题：中国近代史专家韦唐仕博士在德国杜塞尔多夫市举办"纪念反抗中共暴政,争取民主自由的勇士们"研讨会上的发言

Original Language Version: Chinese (English at the beginning, Chinese version at the end)

此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）

如有中文乱码问题，请与我们联系或访问：

http://www.weijingsheng.org/report/report2018/report2018-07/WeyrauchTspeech180715inDusseldorfA1125-O303.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------

中国近代史专家韦唐仕博士（Dr. Thomas Weyrauch）2018年6月3日在德国杜塞尔多夫市举办"纪念反抗中共暴政,争取民主自由的勇士们"研讨会上的书面发言

亲爱的朋友们，

今天我很遗憾无法出席，因此写下对六四的感想和大家分享。

1989年6月4日中国一波为时三年的抗议浪潮被截住而画下句点。抗议首先聚焦于中国高校及经济层面的改革，过程中进而发现国家一切弊端根源在于人民无法参与政治。“民主“正是政治参与的最高阶层。

“民主”在1989当年并非新创概念。早在19世纪“君主政治拥护者”康有为，“革命先驱”孙中山即已引用此一概念。甚至毛泽东也自称他所建立的恐怖政权是“新民主”。

1986至1989年参与抗议活动的大学生高喊“要想知道什么是民主，去问魏京生”，由此可知他们所谓国家缺乏民主是指国家欠缺“真”民主。当时，我们的好友魏京生却无法享有民主更无人身自由，自1979年起他便身陷囹圄。究竟是触犯何罪？原来是因为宣扬人权，公民权以及自由民主概念。

1989年6月3日及4日两天中国政府有计划地对这场民主运动进行镇压。镇压行动采取一贯的暴力血腥手段，同样的手法自1949年以来已在其它政治运动中造成为数更多的受害者死亡。虽然同样遭受镇压，但不同于其它运动的是：1989年的民主运动在高压迫害下反而茁壮开花。不论是在中国隐身地下或流亡海外，今天全球各地存在许多中国异议团体。

中华人民共和国领导阶层目前似乎空前强势，中国也已成为全球政治经济要角并持续扮演此一角色。尽管如此，人民参与政治的可能性依然不足。

中国领导阶层难道相信只要维持经济成长，扩大人民购物消费市场，允许旅游行动自由，如此便可保障政权稳固？