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Dr. Yang Jianli marks first anniversary of freedom with visit to Congressman Barney Frank

August 14th, 2008 · No Comments

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

This month marks the first anniversary of Dr. Yang’s return to the United States after serving five years as a political prisoner in China. August 13, 2008, Dr. Yang took the occasion to visit with and thank Congressman Barney Frank, who was the Congressional “spearhead” for promoting Dr. Yang’s case in Congress.
“I am always grateful to Congressman Frank’s unswerving support for securing my freedom and his untiring encouragement he gave to my family while I was in prison”, Dr. Yang said. During the meeting Dr. Yang and
Congressman Frank talk of his recent trip to Asia where he participated in a Forum on Democracy held in Japan as well as his denial of entry and forced expulsion from Hong Kong. The Congressman and Dr. Yang also
discussed issues of interest to both of them, including the evolving U.S. policy toward China with regard to its continuing abridgment of civil and political rights to its citizens.

(Dr. Yang Jianli and his wife Fu Xiang Meeting the Congressman)

Tags: Activities of Dr. Yang Jianli

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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...