[Translated by R. Zhang from Chinese original which was published on Hua Xia Wen Zhai, Issue #244, December 1, 1995. -- Editor]

Dear Editors:

It is already 2:00 am here. Although a lot of work is waiting for me in the morning, I feel obligated to say a few words to those compatriots at the other side of the Pacific Ocean who are very much concerned about the fates of Chinese people.

After reading discussions carried on HXWZ and CND-Global about Chinese government's charging WEI Jingsheng with "attempt to overthrow the government," I feel that some of those who portraited themselves as fair and rational might have very limited knowledge about and are far too remote from the reality of today's China. If not, they might be the actual beneficiaries of the autocratic regimen.

1. Democracy and the Development of the Country

Given the reality in today's China, democracy and human rights are not only valuable as an ideology, but also as a means to promote progress of the society. A strong China must rely on a fair balance between human and material resources. In the past, there had been a great deal of such resources embezzled and wasted as a result of corruption and mistakes made in policy making processes; today, there are still a great deal of resources being embezzled and wasted for the same reason. It is caused by the lack of a democratic system to control and to correct. When someone in power embezzles one cent of a nation's property, the nation will lose ten cents of profit. Nowadays, who knows how many expensive yet useless equipments, paid for by foreign currencies, are rusting at ports or in workshops.

Are those uncovered criminal cases involving CHEN Xitong and WANG Baosen (amounting funds of hundreds of millions of yuans) only accidental? In tonight's News Broadcast, it again made public a case of illegal fund raising involving 3.2 billion yuans--two culprits were executed, although the government/party officials charged for the crime were merely at the lowest administrative (Ke1) level.

On the second page of Guang Ming Daily on November 27th, it was said that "...in the countryside...the monthly wage of a teacher is only 60 yuans (appox. $7); to survive, one after another they (the teachers) left teaching for business, became workers or farmers..." This is a report that had even passed the government's strict news censoring. On the other hand, fleecing of public funds by government officials through paid travelling, eating and drinking is astonishing. It's estimated that hundreds of billions of yuans are spent this way. I often witnessed luxurious meals discarded without even being touched. In recent years, pornographic services have developed rapidly in China; receiving pornographic and quasi-pornographic services with public money have spreaded widely. Not too long ago, when I declined an offer of quasi-pornographic services, the host persuaded me, with a tint of reproach, saying that "theory should be put into practice!" It disgusts me every time when I think about this. A few days ago,

a businessman told me that he once spent more than 30 thousand yuans a night for a governmental bank official's pornographic services. I do not think that the magnitude of pornographic services in today's China is comparable with that in the West, but the major portion of such pornographic consumption is paid with public money. Perhaps this was what's called "the Chinese characteristic"?

Every day, watching those few individuals with low IQ representing China to put up those low-grade "shows", as a Chinese, I feel ashamed. China has a rich pool of talented ones among its 1.2 billion people. What's missing is the mechanism to discover and use those individuals. Democracy will allow human resources in China be exploited properly. Those who are capable may come to power because of their talents instead of their social connections. This mechanism will only facilitate the development of China.

2) Human Rights and Stability of the Society

Not too long ago, in a TV news report of rescuing abducted women, the head of a special police force in Beijing said: "Everytime when we went to rescue an abducted woman, we were like Japanese troops entering a village -- we must move furtively. We ought to escape as soon as we found the woman, otherwise we would be attacked by the villagers." Today, no one knows how many abducted women out there yet to be rescued. I am very surprised to see that those in power had been so cruel when facing non-violent students yet become so weak and lenient when facing the villagers who violated laws publicly because of their selfishness and ignorance.

As a matter of fact, in today's China, human rights of criminals behind the bars are mostly ensured. Not only are their rights ensured, these criminals are often protected and tolerated. The violation of human rights is only used against those most distinctive, conscientious, and responsive intellectuals who love their country and people the most.

Human rights is not linked to the stability of the society.

3) "Democracy" Fighters Don't Love Their Country?

"Democracy" fighters may have their shortcomings and even misdeeds. But their compassion towards China and Chinese people is no less than any of those who pretend to be rational. Before 1989, Mr. WANG Juntao had already told the author about his view on the Western superpowers' attempts to suppress the industrial structures in China for their own benefits. Even then he had already had a clear understanding about conflicts between nations in international politics.

I did not know CHAI Ling in person. In fact, for various reasons I did not like her after the June 4th. But a true story told by her teacher had changed a great deal of my view about her. During the hunger strike, CHAI's teacher went to visit her. She told CHAI: You have already passed TOEFL test, you can go abroad to study very soon. Don't distroy your own future because of this. CHAI said: If we don't have a strong country, what happiness shall I have? Her teacher cried.

As I know, many "democracy" fighters could have had a "bright future" if it was not for their love for the country. In their own research fields, they would not be any more inferior than those "post-doctors" who seemed fair but are indeed indifferent.

4) Thanks to the People in the United States

We can't deny that there are conflicts of interest between China and U.S. However, since 1989, for the protections of shared mantality, for the surpressed Chinese people, the United States suffered economic loss. Some markets were taken by the Japanese or western European countries. For this, we should thank American people. I believe that at least there are some politicians in the U.S. who are concerned about the long-term interest of their country.

5) The Price of Prosperity

China has indeed developed. But the price paid for such development is enormous. Take education for example, the problem of owing teachers' wages has been wide spreaded since 1992. This had never happened in the 40 years prior to 1992. The Compulsory Education law is only nominal. The number of school drop-outs is increasing, not only in the impovished but also in wealthy areas. The young nanny at my home comes from countryside, illiterate. My daughter is now teaching her how to read. In the farmer's market there are children of 11 or 12 years of age who are helping their parents selling vegetables. I am truly concerned about their future.

Besides this, prices are also paid in the area of resources and environment.

If there is more democracy in the society, can such price be reduced?

Have those nations with more democracy paid higher prices than we have?

JI Shu Yuan 95/11/29 in Beijing