Chinese college student Wang Qianyuan is in fear of her life due to threats she has received since supporting justice of the people of Tibet.
Wang Qianyuan is a Chinese student at Duke University, Durham, NC. Wang expressed her support for Tibetans' rights to freedom at a public event and was widely condemned by her countrymen.
Twenty-year-old Wang became a traitor in the eyes of CCP supporters. Her family in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China has reportedly been harassed and threatened also.
On April 17, Wang told RFA that it was no longer safe for her to go to class and she is under the protection of local police.
Wang: Right now I worry mostly about the safety of my parents in China. I send them emails twice a day telling them I am alright.
Reporter: How are your parents?
Wang: They do not talk to anyone now. Basically they are fleeing for their safety now. I don't know where they are and they wouldn't tell me (in their emails) either; most likely because the Chinese government traces emails. Based on what they told me, I think they are safe."
Reporter: You can't go to school now, what are you going to do with your studies?
Wang: I can make it up later. I want to balance my mind first. I couldn't have done well in class if I had to go to school unsettled. I want to wait until I get used to it and can think rationally before I go back to school."
Reporter: Do you think Tibet is part of China and do you support independence of Tibet?
Wang: Tibet is absolutely part of China and it is exactly because of that we need to treat Tibetans like our brothers. We can't treat them like they are outsiders and ignore them or use tough approaches against them. We need to be more rational and communicate with them carefully. We need to take into account that we have a long history together and it will continue. We can't try to fix things like we are only going to deal with them for a few days or years.
Reporter: How do you look at the slanders and attacks that came down on you after your statement? Are you surprised?
Wang: I am surprised, but they would do this to anyone, I am just an easy target. It's a kind of twisted patriotism. These people (who attack me) didn't do it for the love of the country but trying to show off by attacking others.
Reporter: Why do you think they act this way?
Wang: I am not a sociologist. In my opinion, in a society, when people's rights were not well protected and they became dissatisfied, a strong trend of ideology would emerge to help these people vent their anger. As Internet use gets popular, the anger transfers from a vague idea to solid targets.
When tens of thousands of these unhappy people met on the Internet, they feel they can attack others while protected. This is so much like the Cultural Revolution. I have done some study about that history, because I did not believe it at that time.
We don't believe things in the past or that the Cultural Revolution really happened, but right now we are experiencing it.
Reporter: You grew up and were educated in China, how come you have such independent thinking and are willing to speak what you think, while your countrymen are unable to?
Wang: I like to read and to think for myself. In fact, there are a great number of people in China who are silent but have in depth observation and are capable of critical thinking. We only hear those who get agitated easily.
Reporter: Did you read the open letter your parents wrote to apologize to the public?
Wang: They did not write that letter. My parents clearly told me they did not write that letter.
Reporter: Do you know who write that letter then?
Wang: I don't know. I only know my parents did not write that open letter. They explicitly told me they support what I did. They understand that I would not insult the country. They are waiting for the situation to get better in silence.
Reporter: I am in shock.
Wang: Those people even wrote large signs with slogans and threw feces at them—this is virtually the Cultural Revolution. The worst part is the people started it, not the government.
Reporter: Thank you (for the interview)
Wang: Thanks for calling me. People in China need to hear different voices. I wish people in China would be powerful, and not be silenced by the government. We have a tyrannical government now like in the Qin dynasty. I worry that the tyranny now not only comes from the government, but also from the people. It is terrible.
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