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Beijing Olympics and Human Rights in China Forum in Taiwan

August 10th, 2008 · No Comments

August 9th Issued by Initiatives for China

Contact: Jim Geheran Tel: 202-290-1423
Email: initiatives4china@gmail.com

Continuing their focus on the human rights situation in China, Chinese democratic activists and political groups held a forum entitled “Beijing Olympics and Human Rights in China”. The Forum was held at Taiwan University. Mr. Zeng Jianyuan, a Taiwan University professor and a leader of Bei She, a Taiwanese think tank, presided over the forum. Mr. Wang Min and Ms. Sheng Xue were guest speakers. On behalf of Dr. Yang Jianli, Sheng Xue delivered greetings to the participants and praised Taiwan democracy. Dr. Yang was unable to attend because the Chinese government blocked his entry into Hong Kong and subsequently forced his return to the United States. (Photo: Ms. Sheng Xue speaks in the Forum)

Tags: Human Rights Abuse

Introduction to the Founder

Dr. Yang Jianli

Founder and President of Initiatives for China, Dr. Yang Jianli was born in Shandong Province in northern China. A graduate of Beijing Normal University, Dr. Yang holds a PhD. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD in Political Economy from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In 1989, at the age of 26, his fellow graduate students at Berkeley selected him to go to Beijing in support of their counterparts in China who were demonstrating for democracy in Tiananmen Square. He arrived in Tiananmen Square in time to witness the massacre of thousands of peaceful demonstrators by the guns and tanks of the Chinese government. This event fundamentally changed young Jianli's future. He narrowly escaped capture and returned to the United States where he committed himself to studying democracy. Read more...