China frees Tiananmen students
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WUHAN - China has unexpectedly released three leading dissidents from prison, including two prominent student activists who were imprisoned after Peking's suppression of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in 1989, writes Teresa Poole.
Wang Dan, 23, and Guo Hai Feng, 27, were both serving four- year sentences and were due to be let out this summer. But their early release yesterday will be seen as a concession by China to international pressure over human rights amid concerns in Peking that US policy on China will be tougher under Bill Clinton. Zhu Hongsheng, a 76-year-old Roman Catholic bishop, was also freed. His 15-year sentence led to international calls for China to allow more freedom of worship.
China's human rights record will be under the spotlight this year. As well as the question of whether the United States will renew its most favoured nation trading status, China is negotiating to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and is lobbying to host the Olympic Games in the year 2000. It is embroiled in a row with Britain over plans for democratic reform in Hong Kong.
In recent months Peking has allowed a number of early releases. The official Xinhua news agency yesterday said all students imprisoned after June 1989 had now been released. But many other dissidents remain in jail. While China's economic reforms are proceeding apace, there is no sign of any political relaxation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments