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>From: Ignatius Ding <ding@hpsdxs7.cup.hp.com>
Message-Id: <9405022244.AA29502@hpsdxs7.cup.hp.com>
To: ding@hpsdxs7.cup.hp.com
Subject: A Message From Wang Juntao
Status: RO

The following is a message from political dissident Wang Juntao to the 
participants at the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation's 8th Annual Award
ceremony.  The Foundation recognizes the most distinguish persons contributing
to the advancement of democracy in China each year.  This year's event took 
place in San nFrancisco on April 30th.


Ignatius Y. Ding
SVDC Communications

===============================================================================

			A Message From Wang Juntao



Dear friends and fellow Chinese,

     On the occasion of the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation s annual
award ceremony, I ask Mr. Frank Wong to convey my sincere congratulation to the
conference and the recipients.

     I wish that I could have been at this momentous event myself.  As one who
just concluded several years of prison life, I first want to stress that it is
vital to have organizations, such as the Chinese Democracy Education
Foundation, to push, promote, encourage, and support the advancement of
democracy in China.  It is essential for supporting the people who are
struggling for China s democratization as well as keeping their spirit alive.
As a democracy fighter once honored with this precious award, I can testify
that it was unquestionably an exciting and memorable moment when I learned
about my own award.  The news was one of few lights I saw in the dark jail
cell.  I must thank the Foundation and apologize for not being able to attend
this award ceremony due to my health conditions.  This ought to be my most
regrettable decision since I arrived in the United States.

     However, I am not simply express my personal gratitude to the Foundation
because the Foundation, its annual awards, and recipients like myself are only
few meaningful episodes of the entire process of Chinese democratization.  I
should, instead, express the sincere appreciation to the overseas pro-democracy
forces on behalf of mainland China, my country and my homeland, and all those
warriors who have fought and are still fighting for democracy at home.	In
order to bring our country modernization, democracy and freedom, and to make it
a well respected nation in the international community, we must play different
roles in different places and different environment.  Currently, people in the
world have become caring, understanding and supportive of the freedom fighters
inside of China, but are still unaware the activities and significance of the
overseas movement.  This has led many difficulties to the individuals and
organizations overseas.  Today, I would like to salute the overseas democracy
organizations.	I also want to thank the Chinese Democracy Education
Foundation.

     China s democratization must depend on the development and growth of the
democratic forces domestically.  Nevertheless, the overseas movement has three
indispensable roles:  first, the overseas democracy organizations preserve a
large school of valuable talents, thoughts, and experiences for the entire
movement.  It would have been extremely difficult to thoroughly and
methodically cultivate these forces under the high political pressure in China.
In addition, the overseas movement offers a safe heaven for those persecuted,
reduces many unnecessary sacrifice, and gives those struggling souls a sense of
security.  Every warrior who has experienced five years of the great movement
knows these facts by heart.  While the persecution rages on and reaches its new
victims in China, we cannot possibly afford to ignore or weaken the overseas
operation; otherwise, it would have caused great harm to the entire movement.

     Second, the overseas organizations provide the domestic forces the
desperately needed resources, especially the financial backing.  With
development of the market economy, the domestic organizations could find a wide
range of opportunities and possibilities to pursue and expand, but they do not
have means to raise funds in China to support their projects for various
reasons.  The overseas organizations have provided many effective channels and
contacts to them.  Regardless some shortcomings, we should not overlook the
importance of these resources.	We must improve our organization and managerial
skills, and establish reliable process to raise capitals.  We could not
disregard its necessity and refuse to continue our support; otherwise, the
freedom fighters in China would lose many opportunities and face more
complicities, and the democratization would be delayed as the result.

     Third, The overseas organizations have obtained the utmost critical
support of the international community for the activists in China.  The last
hundred years of Chinese history clearly indicates that Chinese problems must
be solved by Chinese.  However, the true modernization of China would be hard
to materialize without outside help.  The movement inside of China lacks means
to directly gain international support because of the on-going persecution and
dominance of opportunities.  The overseas movement has served as an agent in
the process.  My own release from prison is a living proof of the vital
importance of the overseas organizations and the international support.

     My fellow Chinese, we all wish our motherland to advance, prosper and
become strong.	We must not forget those who are still suffering from political
persecution in our land on the other side of the Pacific.  Some of us might
have a hard time to return home, but we should continue to work together to
speed up the democratization of our country so that those being persecuted will
not suffer any more, those in exile can return home, and those who choose to
stay aboard can witness the changes.  Our country would gain true global
respect only when it becomes democratic and free.  And, only a respected China
will enable all Chinese and those of Chinese descent to have more opportunities
and better life.

     I would continue my lifetime devotion towards this goals and wish to stand
shoulder to shoulder with the colleagues in the Chinese Democracy Education
Foundation fighting to achieve it.

     Again, I thank Mr, Wong for the opportunity to say a few words at the
ceremony.  I wish the best of everyone.

								 April 30, 1994


