China: Pro-democracy activities in Guangzhou (Canton) in and prior to 1986

Detailed information on pro-democracy activities in Guangzhou (Canton) in and prior to 1986 is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Several sources confirm that the 1978-1980 democracy movement, most often associated with the Democracy Wall in Beijing, also extended to Guangzhou (Nathan 1986, 24; Wang 1998, 30). One Guangzhou activist during this period, who reportedly distributed newsletters, was Wang Xizhe (Nathan 1986, 40). In a 1980 report, three "unofficial" Guangzhou publications - Upsurge, People Street and Life reportedly issued a call for unity among activists (AFP 28 Jan. 1980). A 4 May 1980 report by Reuters makes reference to an unofficial publication supportive of the democracy movement that it translates as The People's Road. In September of the same year it was reported that two Guangzhou editors of unnamed "underground journals" were among four editors arrested (New York Times 6 Sept. 1980). Another Guangzhou publication referred to as having been active during this period is the People's Voice (Nathan 1986, 23).

In 1981, Wang Xizhi, co-author of a 1974 publication called the Li Yizhe manifesto was arrested in Guangzhou in what was described as a "crackdown" on the democracy movement (UPI 11 May 1981). In August of the same year, Huang Yifei, another dissident was arrested in what was suspected to be a reaction to his attempts to protest Wang's arrest several months before (AFP 10 Aug. 1981).

There are no further references to pro-democracy activities in Guangzhou until 1983 when it was reported that a Hong Kong-based human rights activist had been arrested while trying to visit the families of activists arrested in Guangzhou (New York Times 16 May 1983). Two years later he was reportedly still imprisoned (UPI 5 Mar. 1985). The practice of Hong Kong-based activists making contact with pro-democracy groups in Guangzhou was apparently common at that time (ibid.).

The only reference to pro-democracy activities in Guangzhou in 1986 that could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate is a reference to student protests held in mid-December (UPI 22 Dec. 1986). However, there are no details provided in the report.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Response.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 10 August 1981. "Other Reports on Law and Order; Political Activist Arrested." (BBC Summary 17 Aug. 1981/NEXIS)

_____. 28 January 1980. "Other Reports; Dissidents Appeal for Unity." (BBC Summary 2 Feb. 1980/NEXIS)

Andrew Nathan. 1986. Chinese Democracy. London: I.B. Tauris.

The New York Times. 16 May 1983. Richard Bernstein. "Editor Role Was Useful to 2 Sides." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 September 1980. Fox Butterfield. "4 Underground Journal's Editors Reported Seized in China." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 4 May 1980. Richard Pascoe. "International News." (NEXIS)

UPI. 22 December 1986. Jane Macartney. "China Toughens Stand on Protests." (NEXIS)

_____. 5 March 1985. James Miles. "Campaign to Free Jailed Dissident Gains Momentum." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 May 1981. "International." (NEXIS)

Wang Juntao. 1998. "Democracy Wall The Roots of a Movement." China Rights Forum. Summer 1998.

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International. 1986. Annual Report.

Asia Watch. February 1994. Detained in China and Tibet: A Directory of Political and Religious Prisoners.

Country Reports. 1986.

China Rights Forum [New York]. 1993-1998.

One oral source contacted did not provide information on the requested topic.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, Keesing's Record of World Events (online edition), NEXIS/LEXIS, REFWORLD, WNC.