They discussed the importance of recognizing individual identity within the Chinese community, the connection between the 1989 protests and current resistance in China, and their efforts to support political prisoners. Zhou also shared stories of dissidents who have been separated from their loved ones for decades due to their activism. The speakers emphasized the need for financial support and media awareness to help political prisoners survive and potentially secure their early release.
They also discussed the Chinese military's strict control over information leading up to the massacre and China's influence on the current administration in the United States. The tense relationship between China and the United States was also addressed, with Zhou expressing concerns about China's impact on American policy and society. Overall, the speakers highlighted the importance of international support in the fight for freedom and democracy in China.
- 00:00:00
In this section of the YouTube video titled "The (CCP) Exiles" at Anthem
Film FreedomFest '23, Fengsuo Zhou and Ms. Li Schoolland share
their experiences during the Chinese democracy movement leading up to
the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Fengsuo Zhou, a student leader,
recounts watching his classmates die on the streets and being surprised
to find himself on the Chinese government's most wanted list. He felt
proud of his new identity as the voice of the movement and was the first
to arrive and last to leave Tiananmen Square during this historic time.
The courage and dignity displayed by the Chinese people during this
period shocked the world, and voices were heard for the first time from
their own hearts.
- 00:05:00
In this section they
discuss the importance of recognizing individual identity within the
Chinese community despite widespread indoctrination. Zhou shares his
experience of the US government's complicity in the Tiananmen Square
massacre, as former President Bush sent a special envoy to comfort the
Chinese government leader, D, acknowledging guilt and collusion. This
year, the Biden administration sent a high-ranking official to Beijing
on the anniversary without mentioning human rights, normalizing the
massacre. Zhou condemned this and was censored in both Chinese and
English media, but Reuters reported on his comments. The documentary
also highlights a message of hope, as one of the main characters, the
founder of a famous Chinese private company, started a protest on Suon
Bridge last year, which lasted only 30 minutes but was broadcasted
worldwide, demonstrating the power of individual action.
- 00:10:00
In this section they discuss the connection between the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests
and current resistance in China. Zhou shares his surprise that the Su on
Bridge, a symbol of the protests, still exists and recounts the heroic
protest of an individual student during the event. He also mentions the
inspiration young protesters draw from the past, with many calling
themselves "my duty groups." Zhou then shares the story of an unnamed
woman who climbed a tower in Beijing on the anniversary of the Tiananmen
Square Massacre, holding an American flag and distributing flyers
advocating for China to be a country where people want to stay. Despite
the risks, there is growing resistance in China, and organizations like
the one Zhou works for have been providing support to political
prisoners for decades. The speakers express the privilege and
inspiration they find in working with these courageous individuals.
- 00:15:00
In this section they shares stories of dissidents,
including War Ki and Li, who have not seen their loved ones for decades
due to their commitment to fighting for freedom and democracy in China.
War Ki's last encounter with his father was the day before the June 4th
Massacre, when the Chinese government forced his father to beg him to
give up his fight. Both War Ki and Li, along with many other freedom
fighters, have paid a high price for their activism and have not seen
their loved ones for 30-36 years. Fengsuo Zhou, the Executive Director
of Human Rights in China, which was founded in 1989 to promote human
rights in China, also mentions his other organization, Humanitarian
China, which supports political prisoners in China by providing them
with financial assistance and raising awareness of their situations.
- 00:20:00
In this section, Fengsuo Zhou discusses his humanitarian work in
supporting political prisoners in China. He mentions his involvement in
the Tiananmen Museum in Manhattan, which showcases items with personal
stories, and invites visitors for a tour. Additionally, he introduces
Liberty Liberty Sculpture Park in Southern California, where the first
and only CCP virus sculpture was erected, which was later burned down in
a direct attack by the CCP. Zhou emphasizes the need for financial
support for these projects and explains that political prisoners in
China are subjected to torture and lack basic necessities, so
contributions help provide them with essentials.
- 00:25:00
In this section filmmaker Ben Klein and the activists
discuss their efforts to support political prisoners in China. Zhou
shares his personal experience as a political prisoner and the
challenges faced by families of prisoners, including job loss and
inability to send children to school. He emphasizes the importance of
both media awareness and financial assistance to help prisoners survive
and potentially secure their early release. The group also shares
stories of soldiers who refused to go against students during the
Tiananmen Square protests, with one famous general refusing to carry out
orders and facing consequences as a result.
- 00:30:00
In this section they
discuss the Chinese military's strict control over information leading
up to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Li, a journalist, was
beaten and outstretched her badge to identify herself to soldiers, but
she preferred to die than be identified as a dissident. The military had
been isolated from news and propaganda for a month before being ordered
to confront students at the square. Soldiers were told the students
were anti-communist and damaging China, and they were forbidden from
watching TV, listening to radio, or reading anything but the military
newspaper. American entrepreneurs have been reluctant to financially
support dissidents due to fear of endangering business opportunities,
especially in industries like the NBA, Nike, and Hollywood, which
heavily rely on the Chinese market. Despite this, Zhou believes more
help is needed from the American business community to support
dissidents.
- 00:35:00
In this section they discuss the influence of China on the current administration in
the United States. Zhou points out that the presence of the National
Guard around the capital for months, reminiscent of Chinese-style
control, raises concerns about China's impact. He believes China's
authoritarian model, which prioritizes control over individual freedom,
has appeal to many people around the world. The COVID-19 policies of the
Trump Administration were also influenced by China's approach,
according to Zhou. He emphasizes the need to change the US policy
towards China, with bipartisan support, and mentions the newly formed
CCP committee in the US Congress as a positive step. Zhou also questions
what the American policy should be towards China, suggesting peaceful
coexistence while addressing human rights abuses and avoiding collusion
through investments.
- 00:40:00
In this section they
discuss the tense relationship between China and the United States. Zhou
explains that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views the United States
as a top enemy and openly educates children to hate the US. He shares
personal experiences of being beaten by CCP supporters while American
authorities looked on. The CCP's influence extends to the Chinese
community in the US, with police stations reportedly being used to
intimidate Chinese citizens. The protesters were initially mobilized
during the collapse of communism globally in the late 1980s and early
1990s, with their goal being to form a national solidarity against the
CCP. Despite the challenges, Zhou applauds the FBI for recent efforts to
address these issues.
- 00:45:00 In this section ,dissidents Fengsuo Zhou, Li Schoolland, and Ben Klein discuss the global context of the student movement in China, inspired by the Solidarity Union in Poland. Zhou shares his belief that the communist regime is against human nature and highlights the importance of international organizations in bringing change. He mentions the significant number of VPN users in China, who follow messages from the free world and represent a free channel, leading to protests. Zhou emphasizes that the fight for freedom is not just for the Chinese people but for everyone, as China poses a significant threat to the human race. The speakers express their appreciation to the audience for their support in the fight for freedom.
