Author: Hu Ping
“Liu Xiaobo’s Political Legacy.”
Hu Ping, a renowned theorist of the Chinese democracy movement and honorary editor-in-chief of Beijing Spring
Liu Xiaobo passed away under the strict surveillance of the Chinese Communist Party. He couldn’t even leave a final message to the public. Fortunately, we still have Liu Xiaobo’s “Final Statement” from the courtroom years ago. Among them, Liu Xiaobo uses the language of prose poetry to tell of his dreams and expectations.
Liu Xiaobo said: “I hope my country is a land where free expression is possible, where every citizen’s speech will be treated equally well; Here, different values, ideas, beliefs, and political views …… They compete with each other yet coexist peacefully; Here, majority and minority opinions are equally protected, especially those whose political views differ from those in power are fully respected and protected; Here, all political views will be exposed to the light and accepted by the people, and every citizen can express their views without fear, never suffering political persecution for expressing dissenting views; I hope that I will be the last victim of China’s endless literary inquisition, and from then on, no one will be punished for their words. ”
Reading Liu Xiaobo’s statement, one can’t help but think of Martin. Luther. King’s famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” Among them, Martin Luther. King said, “I dream that one day this nation will stand tall and truly realize the true meaning of its creed: ‘We believe that truth is self-evident, and all men are created equal.’” I dream that one day, on Red Hill in Georgia, the son of a former slave will be able to sit with the son of a former slave owner, sharing brotherly bonds. I dream that one day, even Mississippi—a place where justice is absent, oppression is rampant, and desert-like is everywhere—will become an oasis of freedom and justice. I dream that one day my four children will live in a country where their character is judged not by their skin color, but by their character. ”
Whether in termsof thought or written expression, Liu Xiaobo’s final statement can be compared to Martin Luther. King’s speech is comparable to, and even more substantial. In the future, it will surely be with Martin. Luther. Jin’s speeches were also included in middle school textbooks, passed down through generations.
In “My Final Statement,” Liu Xiaobo wrote: “Freedom of expression is the foundation of human rights, the origin of human nature, and the mother of truth.” Suppress freedom of speech, trample on human rights, suffocate humanity, and suppress truth. To uphold the constitutionally granted freedom of speech and fulfill the social responsibility of a Chinese citizen, my actions are innocent, and even if I am accused of it, I have no complaints. ”
As early as his university days, Liu Xiaobo had already developed the ideal of fighting for freedom of speech in China and was determined to put his belief in freedom of speech into public deeds. Indeed, at first glance, freedom of speech seems mild, but it is deadly to communist autocracy. Liu Xiaobo said: “Whether for officials or the public, promoting news openness and freedom of speech on the mainland is truly the primary goal for advancing China’s social stability and transformation. The ban on the Party can be lifted, but the lifting of the ban on speech is urgent.” But as long as freedom of speech exists, autocratic rule collapses. Liu Xiaobo said: “Once the ban on speech is lifted, a free China will surely arrive.” Based on this, Liu Xiaobo proposed that civil rights protection should be fought for freedom of speech as a breakthrough.
It should be noted that fighting for freedom of speech does not require everyone to fearlessly express their entire viewpoints. It only demands that whenever freedom of speech is violated, we should stand up.
At the end of 2009, Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to a heavy sentence. Professor Cui Weiping from Beijing Film Academy sent inquiries to her colleagues in the intellectual and cultural circles, asking them to share their views on the Liu Xiaobo case; Some people did not respond, and almost all respondents expressed opposition to Liu Xiaobo’s sentencing. Some respondents stated that they do not agree with Liu Xiaobo’s views and even strongly oppose them, but clearly stated that they cannot accept Liu Xiaobo being punished for his words. Some even quote Voltaire’s famous saying—”I firmly oppose your views, but I swear to defend your right to speak.” I don’t know if these people truly oppose Liu Xiaobo’s views. Perhaps some people originally agreed but dared not say it outright, or even pretended to disagree to avoid causing trouble. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he defended Liu Xiaobo’s rights and maintained freedom of speech.
This is the secret to fighting for freedom of speech—low risk. Because you haven’t expressed your support for such dangerous “reactionary views,” and you even said you’ve “drawn a clear line” with reactionary speech. How can the authorities deal with you so easily? Most people can afford this risk, and it’s easy and simple to do. And as long as more people stand firm on this stance, freedom of speech will be defended and will be close to being realized.
Treat the fight for freedom of speech as the first step to defeating authoritarian rule, and continue to fight for it. This is the political last message Liu Xiaobo left us.
July 17, 2017