The Global Internet Freedom Consortium's five leading anti-censorship programs puncture the 'internet blockade' (centre). The five characters (top-left) read: 'Five swords bring righteousness to the world'.

- Falun Gong anti-censorship software opens door to freedom

- ‘Tiananmen Mothers’ under watch while paying respects

- 115 survivors rescued from Wangjialing mine collapse

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Falun Gong anti-censorship software opens door to freedom

The Chinese communist regime has blocked information from China to the rest of the world since 1999. The year the suppression on the Falun Gong meditative practice began. Enormous materials and manpower have been expended on the blockade. To give Chinese people access to information, computer experts amongst overseas Falun Gong practitioners have developed various tools to penetrate the block. As of today, the ‘five musketeers’ of anti-censorship software have become indispensable tools for Chinese people longing for true freedom.

Jiao Guobiao, Associate Professor of Communications at Peking University and human rights advocate, uses the software. He spoke to reporters about its benefits saying (recording):
“I use this technology to get on the Internet; I do not browse Chinese websites. As a habit, when I go online, I cross the firewall and visit overseas websites. This is because those sites have information that we can’t see from inside China, either through television or newspapers.”

Jiao obtained the software in 2004 from his friend. He most often uses Freedom Gate, Ultrasurf, and FirePhoenix. He stated (recording), “I have nothing else to use, just these. I have all three of them on my desktop and I use them all.”

Liu Shihui, an attorney in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, became a loyal user of the software two years ago. He found Freedom Gate by accident when browsing online. Since then, Liu has made frequent use of Freedom Gate and Ultrasurf. He told reporters (recording):
“The one I use most is Freedom Gate and occasionally I use Ultrasurf. I usually switch between the two. Recently, Freedom Gate has become more useful – very useful. Because it uses many proxy servers, as long as you get on it, websites promoting universal values and ideals all become within your reach.

“Last year when it was the Communist Party’s 60th anniversary, the blockade was very strict. This could be due to the major meetings occurring in spring. The software updates itself very fast, so we feel it is quite useful.”

Liu further told reporters (recording):
“Without any anti-censorship software, there wouldn’t be a way to visit websites such as the BBC, VOA, RFA, and Reuters. Also, when one has a problem getting through the firewall or if you need software, just say it loud in the chat room and someone will provide it.”

Anti-censorship software has been very welcome in China. Freedom Gate, Ultrasurf, GTunnel, GPass, and FirePhoenix have been called the ‘five musketeers’ of anti-censorship. At present, this type of software has become very popular in China. Many users have thanked Falun Gong practitioners for devoting their time, money, and efforts into developing the software and providing it free of charge all over the world.

Fu Ming and Kai Di of the SOH Radio Network.

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‘Tiananmen Mothers’ under watch while paying respects

A mainland Chinese reporter has revealed that Communist authorities have sent police to monitor the tombs of the victims of the June 4th, 1989, Tiananmen Square massacre. Every year on the 104th day after the winter solstice, or April 5th on the Gregorian calendar, falls on the Qingming Festival.

The festival is to honour ancestors by tending to the graves of the departed and by going outside to enjoy the greenery of spring time. For Chinese mothers it is a day to remember their children whose lives were ended by order of Communist officials 21 years ago.

The ‘Tiananmen Mothers’ say they are not afraid of this kind of unreasonable and illegal tracking and monitoring. They also say they firmly believe that justice will return to China one day.

Zhang Xianling sweeps the tomb of her son every year on his birthday; April 3rd. She said that her annual tribute is monitored by local authorities despite never making arranging a formal gathering.

Zhang Xianling said: (recording):
“When we went to sweep the tomb yesterday, the police came with us. It is also a form of monitoring. It was us that went and they followed behind us. After getting there and when we were in the memorial service, a plain clothed [policeman] watched us.”

Another Tiananmen mother, Xu Jue, told a reporter that on June 4th in 2009, she was obstructed for sweeping the tomb for her son. This year she planned to sweep the tombs of her husband and son in Beijing, at Mt Babao on the Qingming. One day before she left, the police called her and told her that they would be going with her while she swept the tombs.

Xu Jue said (recording):
“I will go to sweep the tombs this year regardless. They said they will come with me. If they want to come; they come, I will sweep my tombs. If they do not followed me they will not be at ease. Since the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress up until now, their people watch me attentively from downstairs. Really, as an old lady like me, to sweep the tombs of my son and husband, what crime did I commit? Why do they watch me so attentively? It is already 20 years later and they are still like this.”

Two Tiananmen mothers indicated that this kind of unreasonable behaviour is proof of a guilty conscience, and [the Communist Party’s] fear. The women say they are not afraid at all.

Zhang Xianling said (recording):
“It is just like with no fears of the unknown, they always monitor like this. Because we are not afraid of them, so they have become afraid of us; I think they are afraid of me. If they are not afraid of me, what do they monitor me for?”

The ‘Tiananmen Mothers’ believe their persistence will gain the support of the world’s people and they will one day receive justice.

Zhang Xianling said (recording):
“We will disregard whether they change or not, we will be persistent. Moreover we are convinced that our persistence, and with the support of people from the world, and each aspect of the forward force of democracy, the change will come sooner or later.”

Fu Ming and He Wencai of the SOH Radio Network.

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115 survivors rescued from Wangjialing mine collapse

115 survivors have been found at the flooded coal mine of Wangjialing, according to Chinese state media. At present the miners have been taken to hospitals for treatment with the help of rescue workers. Thirty-nine miners remain unaccounted for.

At 12:30am the first batch of nine were rescued. They were conscious and still clear headed. The conditions of those later rescued remains unclear.

When interviewed, Gao, the director of Hejin Aluminium Factory’s employee healing ward, said his hospital accepted thirty-six survivors from the mining accident. He told reporters that most are stable with a few in serious conditions with possible heart issues. Forty-seven others were sent to different hospitals.

Local residents were not happy about the delayed rescue efforts. Local media, however, praised the Chinese authorities. Since the accident, police have sealed off the mining area, and villagers aren’t allowed near (recording):
“They declared martial law due to presence of national leaders. Nobody was allowed in. There were five or six cars full of police.”

According to villagers, the developers of the mine purchased much of the surrounding farmland. The majority of the proceeds from these purchases ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials. The villagers in turn were left with next to nothing (recording):
“My employers left after they made their money. The mine is the largest in the country and nationalized. The land cannot be farmed. How do they expect the villagers make a living? They don’t want to become thieves or robbers. So they risk their lives as miners.”

Drinking water has also been polluted (recording):
“We used to drink water from the mountain creeks. While the mountain was being mined, the water flowed deeper underground. Then the creeks dried up. The water flowing from the mine is our main source of drinking water.”

On March 28th, the Wangjialing coal mine became flooded trapping 153 miners. Five days later, rescue workers detected survivors 251 meters underground. They were found due to the knocking sounds of drills. The whereabouts of 39 miners still remains unclear.

Tian Xi and Xin Yi of SOH Radio Network.

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Gao Zhisheng now resides on Wutai Mountain and says he wants to live in 'peace and quiet for a while...' This has raised suspicions from fellow human rights lawyers that Gao is still under pressure from the regime.

- Gao Zhisheng alive on Wutai Mountain
- ‘Water Splashing Festival’ causes hot debate
- Mainland activists applaud Google’s example

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Gao Zhisheng alive on Wutai Mountain

Gao Zhisheng is in Wutai Mountain according to Reuters. Reports state Gao was set free half a year ago, and now wishes to live quietly. He only resumed contact with the outside world two to three days ago. Later the same day, two human rights lawyers, Teng Biao and Li Heping, were also able to get in contact with Gao.

Teng Biao, when interviewed by reporters, said he felt Gao wasn’t completely free (recording):
“A friend got his number through media, and I called him. Yes, it seems he talks normally, but based on my analysis of his answers, we feel that he isn’t completely free.”

Jiang Tianyong, a human rights attorney, claimed he had spoken with Gao, and was quite sure it was indeed Gao speaking with him. The identity of the person was one major concern, other concerns include whether Gao was actually free (recording):
“When will we be able to see him? Gao said not any time soon. He said he needed to go to his mother’s grave to commemorate her. I asked him what he’d do next; he said he would go somewhere and maybe elsewhere. I asked if he was free. He said he is free. Then I asked him, suddenly, how long would he be like this. He said it would last for some time. I think, when I asked him how long he would be like this, he should have known what I really meant.”

According to Mr Jiang, Gao Zhisheng’s conversation with Li Heping revealed similar things (recording):
“When Li asked him sensitive and critical questions, Gao said he would only talk about it when he returned. He seemed to want to hang up, and said he had a few friends with him. What kind of friends would there be that are more important than talking to us at that moment? I believe the so-called friends are police officers following him, these would be the people we all refer to as friends in such a situation.”

Jiang Tianyong and the other attorneys suspect another reason why Gao Zhisheng has been missing for so long (recording):
“The reason it took them so long, was ever since last June and July, before he was allowed to contact the outside world. Based on my experience in other cases, including cases involving Falun Gong practitioners there were instances where defendants were beaten. With injuries and bone fractures, they would take them somewhere to wait and until they recovered from their injuries they wouldn’t be seen. Later they would be brought back to court. Hearings are often suspended beyond statutory limitations. Because of this, the authorities didn’t want him seen under such huge international pressure; it could be they were waiting for him to recover from his wounds.”

Before this latest report, the authorities had made various claims on Gao’s whereabouts. In January this year, Mao Chaoxu, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in a press conference that Gao was ‘where he should be’. A week later, Ma stated he didn’t know where Gao was. On March 16th, Foreign Minister Yang Jieci said, when being asked of the whereabouts of Gao, that Gao had been sentenced for ‘subversion of state power’. Later on during a press conference on Tuesday, Qin Gang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Gao has been sentenced to three years in prison and five years on probation for ‘inciting and subverting state power’. Another account saw the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC tell Kang Yuan, the Chairman of Dialogue Foundation, an America based human rights organization that, attorney Gao was in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Now on March 28th Gao is reported to be in Wutai Mountain, the interesting thing is, Gao first made contact with Western media and not with his wife or daughter who both live in the United States.

Li Yifei and Xi Wen of Sound of Hope Radio Network

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‘Water Splashing Festival’ causes hot debate

The Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan is usually a time for fun, renewal, and saturation. (三色人/Wikimedia Commons)

The severe drought in southwest China continues to devastate the region. So far, water levels have dropped substantially in major waterfalls and rivers at famous tourist attractions in Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou. Despite the dry conditions, Chinese authorities have announced that the annual ‘Water Splashing Festival’ in Xishuangbanna, a tradition of the ethnic Dai people, will continue on April 15th.

Mr Zheng from the Kanghui Travel Agency in Kunming City said that because of the drought, Yunnan’s famous lakes and rivers are suffering. The scenic ‘Stone Forest’ of the Shilin Yi Autonomous County has almost dried out. The drought is affecting tourism, as peak seasons usually run from April 10th to the 20th in Xishuangbanna. From April 8th air ticket prices for flights to Yunnan continue to rise.

He told reporters (recording):
“The scenic areas inside the ‘Stone Forest’, including ponds, still haven’t dried out. There is still a bit to be seen. The prices will increase for those going to Xishuangbanna between April 8th and 20th. It can increase by 20% to 30%, after including meals and accommodation. This is because of the ‘Water Splashing Festival’. It’s one of the most important festivals for the Dai ethnic group and is the equivalent of Chinese New Year.”

On April 15th there were suggestions the Water Splashing Festival be cancelled. However Yunnan provincial authorities responded saying the festival wouldn’t be cancelled, instead water conservation will be promoted. The Xishuangbanna Culture and Sports Bureau have decided to cut down the amount of time allowed for participants to splash water. In previous years, participants spent an entire day spraying water at each other. This year however there will be a time limit of two hours, and only small buckets and pots can be used.

Ms Li, a tour guide from the region said that because Xishuangbanna’s situation wasn’t severe, the festival wouldn’t need to be cancelled. She said (recording):
“The Water Splashing Festival is the Dai’s Chinese New Year and Xishuangbanna is not in a drought. Currently there isn’t a lack of water. The festival covers three days. Water splashing occurs on April 15th. The festival starts on the 13th. On the 13th there will be dragon boat racing, and on the 14th Dai families will prepare stalls and visit the markets, and on 15th there will be a big gathering for splashing water.”

A staff member from the Kunming Tourism Bureau spoke to reporters (recording):
“The drought is affecting the surrounding regions of Yunnan, the drought is affecting Yunnan’s crops, and it’s too absolute to say it’s not affecting tourism.”

Tourism around Yangshuo’s famous landscapes in Guangxi Province, is suffering due to a drop in river water levels. Staff from Yangshuo Guangxi’s Tourism Bureau said because of the drought, tours down the famous Li River have been shortened. She said (recording):
“The water level is very low, and we’re changing routes. Before we could tour from Guilin downstream for about 90 kilometres, now we can only tour a 10 to 20 kilometre section.”

Another famous natural wonder suffering from the drought is the once mighty Huang Guoshu waterfall. The waterfall, in Guizhou Province, has been gradually shrinking and now is only a quarter of its size from previous years. Upstream, authorities have been forced to open the reservoirs to ensure there is enough running water.

Liu Fang and Kai Di of the SOH Radio Network.

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Mainland activists applaud Google’s example

Google’s decision to withdraw from China in response to the Chinese government’s internet censorship policy has been widely praised by mainland activists. They hope other overseas enterprises will be brave enough to resist tyranny. Mr Pu from Sichuan believes free information is the basis for freedom and democracy. Censorship is a despicable crime of the totalitarian regime.

He told reporters (recording):
“Google set an example and sounded a warning to businesses in China. ‘I refrain from doing evil.’ Others can follow and can achieve well. Everyone knows Google’s withdrawal is not about business, but rather about a company upholding its own business ethics. However, the Communist regime launched a campaign on TV to criticise Google.”

Ms Wei from Kunming said China is now full of corrupt officials. She hoped other American internet companies, such as Yahoo and Microsoft, would learn from Google and stand together to fight against repression. She told reporters (recording):
“Google went to Hong Kong. In recent days the Communist regime launched an all-out campaign to attack Google via the internet and other media. Isn’t this a confession? It used to deny there was internet censorship or firewalls, etc. Now it jumps out like a mad dog to defend itself like crazy.”

Others praised Google’s withdrawal as inspiring and hoped other companies would follow suit. Mr Zhao from Yunnan said (recording):
“I feel the withdrawal inspires us commoners and also sets an example for other western companies, such as Yahoo. The American government should make relevant laws to prevent companies from colluding with totalitarian regimes. Do not lose your dignity or value for temporary economic gain.”

Mr. Liu from Hunan also believes Google wouldn’t be the only case. It could set off a chain reaction. He said (recording):
“Google has its own value system. Its courageous withdrawal will set off a chain reaction. Other foreign investors might also withdraw. I think most Chinese internet users are waking up to this fact.”

Google made an announcement in January that its client mailboxes had been attacked by hackers from China. As a result, it would no longer censor its internet search results according to the requirements of the Communist regime. On March 23rd, Google formally decided to shut down its mainland operations.

Lin Li and Yu Hang of the SOH Radio Network.

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Banner reads: "Strong Protest. HK Govt and CCP harming Shen Yun Performing Arts."

- Hong Kong public condemns disruption of Shen Yun
- Politicians rebuke Hong Kong government for defying cultural freedom
- Government corruption leads to poverty in China

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Hong Kong public condemns disruption of Shen Yun

The New York based Shen Yun Performing Arts has been forced to cancel shows in Hong Kong due to interference from the Hong Kong government. The news has disappointed and outraged people in Hong Kong, who’ve condemned the government for yielding under the pressures of the Chinese Communist regime.

Many supporters and patrons of Shen Yun who had already purchased tickets arrived outside the Immigration Department’s Immigration Tower, awaiting news of the situation. When local presenters announced the Shen Yun performances in Hong Kong were forced to cancel, many expressed anger and resentment.

Senior Hong Kong media worker Mr Cheng Xiang said (recording):
“I hope our citizens come together and pay attention to this matter together, and protect freedom in international cooperation for the sake of the Hong Kong people and Hong Kong society.”

Hong Kong resident Mr Huang Haodong who works in cultural promotions said (recording):
“I feel shocked and outraged! Shen Yun Performing Arts is a perfectly fair, reasonable and legal performing group. This time, their planned visit to Hong Kong has been intervened with in such an unreasonable manner by the Immigration Department. I feel the Hong Kong government is disgraceful.”

Mr Chui Pak Tai, Council member of Hong Kong’s Wong Tai Sin District said (recording):
“These moves and actions really make us feel ashamed as people of Hong Kong, so I feel extremely resentful. Throughout this ordeal the Hong Kong government has only carried out particular orders, and we see these orders have come from Beijing. Beijing is so narrow-minded, what reason does it have to censor the performance of such arts?”

Former Sai Kung District council member Mr Lam Wing Yin said (recording):
“We’re here to express our dissatisfaction, and voice our protest. Does this mean from now on the people of Hong Kong cannot enjoy such high class, high calibre artistic performances like people in other cities? Does this mean such cultural programs need to be verified by our government before our people can enjoy it without interruption? That is a definite no. Strictly speaking this has already violated the freedom that our people are entitled to.

At the conference, many Hong Kong citizens also spoke of the Chinese Communist regime’s efforts to prevent their friends and family in mainland China from seeing Shen Yun in Hong Kong, through suppression.

Hong Kong citizen Ms Zhang said (recording):
“The police in Shenzhen tapped their phones, and dispatched police officers to search their home. They then threatened to take my mother away, all for wanting to see an ordinary show.”

Ms Yang, also a citizen of Hong Kong said (recording):
“My friend was kidnapped by authorities on January 19th for his plans to see Shen Yun in Hong Kong. The Chinese Communist regime has mobilized a lot of police power. They dispatched police officers to search for the ticket to Shen Yun in his home, but could not find anything after searching the entire house. Yet they still kidnapped him, and he is currently held at Tianhe detention center.”

Many foreign tourists who planned to see Shen Yun in their visit to Hong Kong also expressed their disappointment.

Lin Xiuyi in Hong Kong, of the SOH Radio Network

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Politicians rebuke Hong Kong government for defying cultural freedom

The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has been forced to cancel seven sold out shows in Hong Kong due to intentional hindrance by the Hong Kong government. The news was received badly by many in Hong Kong. Giving their opinion, politicians criticised the government for giving in to pressure by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to suppress cultural exchange; a violation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.

The president of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, Mr. Situ Hua, pointed out the driving force of the CCP’s interference. According to Mr Situ, the totalitarian regime is on the verge of collapse, and it was apparent that many in Mainland China long to see Shen Yun Performing Arts.

He added that the CCP has been sabotaging traditional Chinese culture. As such it regarded Shen Yun’s efforts to revive traditional Chinese culture as a threat.

Mr Situ said (recording), “Take Confucius as an example. During previous political movements, Confucius was a target of attack. But now, Confucius Colleges are being set up around the world as a unification tool. These things have some artistic aspects to them but serve purely political purposes. In such a context, the authentic traditional arts will be taken as hostile and something to be stamped down.”

The League of Social Democrats’ Legislative Council MP Liang Guoxiong criticized the Immigration Department for abusing power by denying seven key Shen Yun production staff their entry visas. The aim was to prevent Shen Yun from putting on a show in Hong Kong. These actions violated the ‘freedom of culture exchange’ as laid out by the Basic Law.

Mr Liang said (recording), “Tensions are very strained as there is a lot of political pressure. This is a cultural affair. Even though we did not sign the United Nations’ International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 39 of the Basic Law has these provisions. Therefore it is illegal to restrict Hong Kong residents or others’ freedom of cultural exchanges. The Hong Kong government bows to Beijing, which was the reason for many instances of immigration control in the past. As an international city Hong Kong does not have these concepts. The more, the merrier. If a regime uses its political preferences as a yardstick, it naturally is disconnected with human rights standards.”

The President of the League of Social Democrats, Huang Yumin, strongly condemned Hong Kong government’s supporting role in suppression.

Many MPs promised to raise inquiries at the Legislative Council, demanding a response from the government.

Huang Yumin said, “In my opinion, members of the Legislative Council should raise the query at the Security Committee as well as raising inquiry at the Legislative Council assembly and following it through.”

Perry Luo; and Lin Xiuyi of the SOH Radio Network.

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Government corruption leads to poverty in China

Chinese government officials are amongst the highest spenders of public funds in the world. China’s administrative expenses surpass those of the United States, France and Japan. In contrast, over 150 million Chinese people live in extreme poverty and earn less than one dollar per day. Some scholars have said the fundamental reason for this is China’s social system.

According to economics Professor Yeliang Xia of Peking University, the large number of people living in poverty is a reflection of China’s current social system.

Xia stated, (recording)
“According to the World Bank, those whose daily consumption is under one U.S. dollar are considered in extreme poverty. If under two dollars, they are in poverty. As of today, at least 150 million people, which is over ten percent of the population, live in poverty and extreme poverty. This is a reflection of the irrational social structures and wealth distribution system.”

Professor Xia further said, real statistics on the wealth disparity should be made public and government expenditures should be cut as well (recording):
“We should reveal these facts, and get the attention of people both inside and outside of China…we should be economical and cut government spending, especially personal spending with public funds, whether they’re for food or transport, or funds for ‘studying abroad’. Those three factors account for over one trillion Chinese Yuan. This is such a huge number! I think we can cut it by at least half. We could really use that half of the money to support the lives of the poor.”
Another scholar from Heilongjiang Province named Liao Cheng, said people earning less than one U.S. dollar are abundant where he lives. Because of employment difficulties, many people between the ages 40 and 80 make a living collecting garbage. They earn less than 200 Yuan after collecting litter for three months.

Liao told reporters (recording):
“The officials can do whatever they want. The anger and resentment from the masses means nothing to them. There is no independent press and the officials ignore what the general public wants. The officials are far worse; worse than the invaders of China seen in the past. To be honest, there is nowhere else in the world where you can find corruption to the extent in China today. This is the result of an imbalance of power within the system. They can continue without stopping.”

Craig Richter; Fu Ming; and Yu Ming of the SOH Radio Network.

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