Yang Hengjun: Apologies to the friends around the world for lying in March 2011

【According to Feng Chongyi , Yang Hengjun was kidnapped by the Chinese police department in 2011. After being released, he endured contempt and lied upon mutual agreement, saying that he could not be reached by others because he was admitted to hospital and his cell phone battery was dead. He wrote this apology letter to avoid involving his friends into trouble if anything untoward happened to him again. The full text is very long, and the whole kidnapping process is detailed. Feng thinks it is not the right time to fully disclose the letter. Therefore, he makes public the last part of Yang’s letter for Yang’s friends from all circles.】

According to the principle of not lying, I really should tell the truth, not to mention that so many netizens and friends are so concerned about me when I disappeared. However, the most important reason that you care about me, is because I have been persistently pursuing my own ideals and doing what I can do for China’s modern democracy. If I tell the truth after being released, it may embarrassed the Chinese authorities for a while, but I can no longer return to China, and I cannot continue my journey of propagating the concept of freedom and democracy. I want to ask my readers, I choose to “lie”, let myself being insulted, and insist on being able to do my own thing, can you forgive me?

This choice still makes me very sad, especially because of those friends and netizens who care about me. As you can imagine, with the global concern caused by my last disappearance, if I make a living in Australia, it will be much easier and more relaxed. On the other hand, when I return to China, I almost rely on my own meager savings and income to promote my ideas, and constantly let my family worry about my safety. Under this circumstance, I still chose to “lie”. I really feel that spreading the ideas in China is not the only but the most effective cause. I can’t bear to leave anyone, and I must continue to use my own way to make contributions to China’s democracy and nomocracy.

However, when you read this letter, it means that they are insane again, and I was kidnapped again. I think to deal with such a government, everyone must first learn to protect himself. I personally, from starting the first job for the country, I have to leave everything out of consideration, even my own life . Moreover, I am 46 years old and I know you guys, so don’t take any risk for my release. Thank you.

But I am not seeking for nothing. I beg you, continue to maintain confidence in China’s democratic future, and to promote the modernization of democracy as soon as possible, without bringing yourself and your family dangers, and let the universal values of freedom, human rights, the rule of law, fairness and justice to happen earlier. What I left for you are only my articles, and my trust and love for you.

Thank you. If I become free, I will continue my work. If I can’t be free again, or I herefrom disappear, please remember my articles and let the children read them.

Yours,

Yang Hengjun

Original letter in Chinese: https://www.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2019/01/201901281006.shtml
More Details:

Australian writer Yang Hengjun arrested in China