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In quotes: Dissidents react to Zhao's death BBC News In quotes: Dissidents react to Zhao's death Chinese dissidents inside and outside the country are mourning the death of purged Chinese Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang. Here are some key quotes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The conditions under which Zhao Ziyang was living at the time of his death... is a showcase of shame for Chinese justice and for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) itself. [The leaders'] attempts to conceal the truth about the past only serve to reveal their weaknesses and their shamelessness. But there is one thing that they can never change: Zhao Ziyang remains with us still, in the on-going struggle for rights and democracy for the Chinese people. Bao Tong, Zhao's former secretary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zhao had the courage to stand up against the bloody crackdown though he knew that he would lose his own political future... Zhao will be remembered as a true democrat and a man with principle. Shengde Lian, head of Free China Movement, New York -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm very sad, today I cry for my leader and for my country. If China had done the things that Zhao Ziyang suggested, then it would be a much better off place and economic prosperity would be shared by more people - as it was in the early 1980s with his rural reforms. Wu Guoguang, former Zhao aide -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ziyang is one of the main founders of China's reform and opening. The Chinese people and history will never forget the contributions he made. Xu Jiatun, Chinese Communist Party defector -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zhao Ziyang represents Chinese Communist Party members with a conscience. Wang Dan, Tiananmen protest leader -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Zhao] decided to stand by his beliefs, to oppose a military crackdown, and for that he paid a very severe price. Wuer Kaixi, Tiananmen protest leader -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the critical moment of history, he made a very important choice. He stood with the people and stood with democracy... He chose justice. The Chinese people will not forget him. Ding Zilin, co-founder of Tiananmen Mothers (01/17/2005 9:16) |