Chinese dissident and official trade barbs at UN human rights meeting

Dissident Yang Jianli was disrupted seconds into his remarks by Chinese agents
Associated Press in Geneva

Yang Jianli gives a speech at the UN human rights council in Geneva, Switzerland. 

A Chinese diplomat repeatedly interrupted a speech by a prominent Chinese dissident to block him from addressing the UN human rights council, in a failed attempt that bared China’s sensitivity on human rights.
Yang Jianli, a dissident in exile in the United States, was disrupted seconds into his remarks as he questioned the Chinese Communist party’s right to represent China at the UN body. 

Yang was invited to appear before the human rights council meeting by UN-accredited advocacy group UN Watch.
Chen Cheng of China’s diplomatic mission stepped in and insisted that Yang’s intervention “seriously affected the reputation of council, and it should be firmly opposed”.
Yang went on to cite events from decades of recent Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and the crackdown on the Falun Gong and democratic movements.
“Millions of people have died,” he said.
Chen interrupted again, appealing to the chair to “rule against his speaking”.

Invited to continue speaking instead, Yang warned that China “will return to the road of personal dictatorship” to control speech and crack down on activists, churches in Xinjiang and Tibet. 

He did not elaborate in the time-limited address.
Chen insisted that Yang was speaking outside the topic of the session. 

Both spoke in Chinese, and their comments were translated.
Yang participated in the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and served five years in prison in China.
Tuesday’s conflict came during debate about the Vienna declaration and program of action, which says non-governmental organizations “should be free to carry out their human rights activities, without interference”.

Chinese dissidents urge Trump to press China on human rights

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON

Wei Jingsheng, who spent 18 years in Chinese prison for his democracy advocacy, urged the Trump administration to follow through on threats to impose trade tariffs on China, saying that the U.S. would win a trade war as China cannot risk losing its U.S. market.

Rebiya Kadeer, exiled leader of the Muslim Uighur minority, told the hearing: “Any sign that the United States is ready to relinquish its commitment to raising human rights concerns in favor of achieving policy gains elsewhere will be a victory for China.”

Yang Jianli, a veteran of the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square that were crushed by China, said Trump should focus on American values and “strike directly at the vulnerable spots of the regime to force China’s democratic transition.”

Rep. Chris Smith (R) said the new administration should “shine a bright line” on China's abuses, a sentiment echoed by Sen. Marco Rubio (L)

WASHINGTON — Exiled Chinese dissidents on Wednesday urged President Donald Trump to champion human rights in China and recognize self-governing Taiwan as “a full democratic country.”
Several former political prisoners spoke before at congressional commission days after Trump spoke by phone with Taiwan’s president in defiance of decades of diplomatic convention. 

That has fueled speculation Trump could adopt a tougher American policy toward China although he has shown little interest in advocating for civil liberties in the communist-ruled nation.
Rebiya Kadeer, an exiled leader of the Muslim Uighur minority, told the hearing: “Any sign that the United States is ready to relinquish its commitment to raising human rights concerns in favor of achieving policy gains elsewhere will be a victory for China.”
Yang Jianli, a veteran of the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square that were crushed by China, said Trump should focus on American values and “strike directly at the vulnerable spots of the regime to force China’s democratic transition.”
Yang advocated modification of U.S. policy on Taiwan “to reflect a full democratic country status and affirm its legitimacy by allowing Taiwan to be a normal member of the international community.” 

That would imply a shift in the “one China” policy adhered to by Washington since it switched diplomatic recognition of China from the self-governing island of Taiwan to Beijing in 1979.
He also urged U.S. support for more democracy in Hong Kong, where China has moved to erode the city’s semi-autonomous status.
Yang has previously criticized Trump on China human rights issues.
In March, he co-authored a newspaper commentary faulting Trump for saying during a Republican presidential debate that “a strong, powerful government” had put down the Tiananmen Square protests. 

Trump said he didn’t endorse the crackdown, but he did liken it to putting down a “riot.”
Two Republican lawmakers also urged Trump to prioritize human rights in his China policy. 

Rep. Chris Smith said the new administration should “shine a bright line” on abuses, a sentiment echoed by Sen. Marco Rubio, who was a rival of Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.
Rubio appeared to criticize Trump’s pick for ambassador to China, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has known Xi Jinping for more than 30 years and has long promoted his state’s trade with China. Rubio said the ambassador should reflect human rights priorities, “not simply someone who is going there to catch up with old friends.”
Wei Jingsheng, who spent 18 years in Chinese prison for his democracy advocacy, urged the Trump administration to follow through on threats to impose trade tariffs on China, saying that the U.S. would win a trade war as China cannot risk losing its U.S. market.