Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun is said to be one of the most influential and productive bloggers in China.
His articles are read by millions around the world in more than ten blog sites.
Recently, his 48 hour disappearance in China sparked wide international attention.
Many speculate his sudden disconnection from the outside world was another attempt by the Chinese government to crack down on outspoken rights and democracy activists following the recent Jasmine Revolution.
Reporter Amy Chien-Yu Wang spoke to Yang Hengjun in an exclusive television interview that will be aired on Wednesday April 13 at 5.30pm on SBS TWO.
Read the full transcript of the interview with Yang hengjun here:
A: What is your motivation to write your online social and political commentaries?
Y: My motivation for writing is, to put it simply, introduce to China some beautiful things of the world, including philosophy, including some values and ideas that we Chinese have been pursuing for the past 100 years, which we have not yet gained.
A: How do you wish to influence present-day China through your writing?
Y: I can't cause much impact on China, but I think on a small scale, I have a major influence on the readers who have read my articles. Through me, they gain an understanding of what is human right, some concrete actions in the United States and in Australia. What is the legal system? What is freedom? I introduce to my readers my various stories and experiences abroad, and influence a small group of people.
A: Speaking of human rights and freedom, in China, to write on such a topic is actually quite sensitive. So where does your courage come from?
Y: This courage should be related to one's ideal and pursuit. As all people from Mainland China would know, we were educated as children to be patriotic to our nation. But how does one practice patriotism? We are confused as to how to go about it. So I think what I am doing is being patriotic and doing good for my comrades, family and friends. So I have courage because I am doing the right thing. It is sensitive, but everyone will understand me. As long as you are doing the right thing, nothing will happen. That's where my courage comes from.
A: But choosing China as a base to write about such a sensitive topic, have you ever thought that you may also experience the same thing as those activists who have gone missing following the Jasmine incident?
Y: It makes sense to choose China because needless to say its our home country with a population of 1.3 billion. That place needs us to be there the most. Why do I choose this place? I think I will have some sort of concern that one day a problem may rise. Because pushing democratic ideas in China, not only now, in the past 100, even 150 years, has always been the most dangerous and lonely work. I can only say that I wish this day will never come.
A: Liu Xiaobo and Ai Weiwei are both internationally renowned Chinese rights activist. Are you in pursuit of the same kind of China?
Y: I maintain a more progressive process, shangxia, neiwai, switch on, China can't continue to…its better to avoid bleeding and revolution. We need the government and people to work together and push the areas from political reform and economic reform to the forming of a civil society. So I am a more moderate kind of advocate.
A: So looking at the current state of China, how far is it from your dream of a democratic society?
Y: If we look to the long term future, the arrival of democracy is inevitable. Exactly how long it will take, I don't have the answer. This will depend on how much we've done. People always ask me this question: how far is democracy? This question is perhaps asked by many awakened Chinese people. Sometimes I want to ask them: what have you done for the arrival of democracy? I think we need to do something. As long as we act on it, it will soon happen. This is something no-one can stop. How many countries are still not democratic in the world? Moreover, we Chinese are so smart. Democracy will surely happen. But if we are all waiting, then I don't think democracy will happen.
A: Ai Weiwei has been arrested for economic crime. What is your response to that?
Y: As far as I know he hasn't been arrested yet, we just don't know where he's gone to. So I am calling on our authorities that after 62 years, we must return to the rule of law, we must engage the rule of law to handle this. That is, if he has committed a crime, issue a notice and notify his family, don't let him vanish.
A: After the recent Jasmine incidents, there have been a series of incidents with people going missing, involving rights and democracy activists. Do you think it will become a popular trend?
Y: I think this will not become a popular trend, because this form of vanishing should be condemned. That is to say, you must return to a legal society, with a focus on procedures, if you need to arrest someone, make the arrest based on the national law. If you think one should be arrested, then make the arrest. But I don't think this should not become a trend.
A: Earlier when you lost touch with family, some people say you were lost with some girls, some say you were arrested by the secret police, there are also some who claim you deliberately went missing, which version is closer to the truth?
Y: All of these versions cannot be argued or admitted. Some people speculate I am making the whole thing up for fame, but in fact, what I am doing in China is a very dangerous and lonely work. I won't cause trouble for nothing, nor will I ever use this as a way to gain fame. I think what's in the past is in the past.
A: Earlier when you lost touch with your family, you received wide attention from the Australian government and media, how do you feel about the level of concern you've received from everyone?
Y: I am very moved. The Australian government from the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, to the MPs, have all responded in a very short time. I think they truly represented a people-oriented society. During my time of disconnection I suddenly felt very connected to Australia.
A: You mentioned you are planning to return to China at the end of April, the end of the month. What is your main purpose of returning to China? Are you planning to stay in China in the long-term?
Y: Going back was part of my plan, even coming out here this time was part of the plan. I've booked the ticket from half a year ago. I am just back to spend some time with my son. After going back I will keep pursuing my work. That is to say, as a blogger, I will continue to tell some stories, promote some ideas, universal values and concepts, in a very moderate way that will quickly be accepted by the people, without causing concern from the government.
