Voice for Chinese freedom arrives

By Andrew Stone

The fight for political freedom in China yesterday joined the crowded agenda at Apec when a prominent democracy activist brought the cause to Auckland.

Dr Wang Bingzhang arrived from New York ahead of a 200-strong Chinese Government delegation led by President Jiang Zemin.

His reputation appeared to precede him. His hosts at the New Times Weekly, a local Chinese newspaper, yesterday received a visit from Apec police inquiring about protest plans.

Dr Wang suggested that Beijing was uncomfortable about his presence because he was a challenge to communist rule.

One of the first Chinese to gain a PhD abroad, Dr Wang has since quit a medical career to promote democracy in China.

The 49-year-old last ran foul of China's rulers in January last year when he was arrested by authorities after sneaking back into his homeland to promote democracy and free speech.

Freed and sent back to the United States, Dr Wang tested Chinese patience a second time when he tried to enter Hong Kong. He was detained again and sent packing.

During his clandestine trip to China he defied authorities by setting up the Chinese Democracy Party.

China's rulers ban new political parties.

Though Dr Wang was expelled, three colleagues paid a heavy price - jail terms totalling 36 years.

He insists the goals of the Democracy Party are peaceful, and argues that Beijing ignores democratic challenges at its peril because long-term Chinese economic stability rests on political reform.

Dr Wang says party members have not stopped meeting: "They're not scared."

"China cannot solve its problems by locking up and silencing dissidents," he said.

"The country has too many problems and too many people now challenging communist rule.

"It will not be easy to succeed but we have never lost hope. Eventually we will succeed."