Hong Kong: Information on a Chinese language publication called China Spring, its contents, whether it is produced in Hong Kong and if possession of it in China could lead one to being branded a "counter-revolutionary," 1994 to present
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HKG26829.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Hong Kong: Information on a Chinese language publication called China Spring, its contents, whether it is produced in Hong Kong and if possession of it in China could lead one to being branded a "counter-revolutionary," 1994 to present, 1 May 1997, HKG26829.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac980.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Articles in South China Morning Post and The San Francisco Chronicle state that the periodical China Spring is published by the Alliance for a Democratic China, a California-based dissident group (14 Apr. 1997; 16 Oct. 1996). According to South China Morning Post, the alliance plans to open a branch office in Hong Kong with the New-York-based human rights organization, Human Rights in China (14 Apr. 1997). The San Francisco Chronicle article reports that renowned Chinese dissident, Wang Xizhe, who served a 12 year sentence for committing counter-revolutionary offences, wrote regularly for China Spring following his 1993 release (16 Oct. 1996). For additional information on China Spring, please consult the attached documents and Response to Information Request CAN20203.E of 29 March 1995.
According to the publication's website, China Spring is identified as "the first overseas Chinese pro-democracy periodical" and was founded on 17 November 1982 (China Spring 25 Jan. 1997). The same source indicates that its publisher is Bangtai Xu and its chairman is Chris Wu (ibid.).
In a letter sent to the DIRB by electronic mail on 6 May 1997, a project officer with Human Rights in China in New York, stated that his organization was of the opinion that the mere possession of the periodical China Spring could lead to an individual to be branded a "counterrevolutionary" given the publication's dissident character and the wide range of "counterrevolutionary" non-criminal activities identified by the Chinese authorities. The project officer stated however, that they were unaware of specific cases of individuals being branded "counterrevolutionary" for possessing China Spring in the period since 1994. Additional and/or corroborative information could not be found among the sources by the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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 Information Request.
References
China Spring. 25 January 1997. [Internet] [Accessed on 2 May 1997]
Human Rights in China (HRIC), New York. 6 May 1997. E-mail sent to the DIRB by a project officer.
The San Francisco Chronicle. 16 October 1996. Pamela Burdman. "Chinese Dissident On The Run Arrives in S.F." (NEXIS)
South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]. 14 April 1997. Joice Pang. "US-Based Dissidents Ready to Set Up Office; Rights Group Aiming to Defy Proposed Curbs." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The San Francisco Chronicle. 16 October 1996. Pamela Burdman. "Chinese Dissident On The Run Arrives in S.F." (NEXIS)
South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]. 14 April 1997. Joice Pang. "US-Based Dissidents Ready to Set Up Office; Rights Group Aiming to Defy Proposed Curbs." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. 1995-1996.
Amnesty International. February 1996. Gross Human Rights Violations Continue.
Benn's Media Vol. 3: World 1996. 1996.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1994-1996.
The Europa World Year Book. 1994-1996.
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports.
Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties 1994-1995. 1995.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1995-1997.
Human Rights Watch (HRW)/Asia. January 1995. China: Enforced Exile of Dissidents.
_____. October 1994. Use of Criminals Charges Against Political Dissidents.
The International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses. 1995.