Image Caption: A reference image: Dr. Li Wenliang’s death sparked public outrage on Weibo, where users demanded freedom. (Weibo screenshot composite/New Tang Dynasty)
[People News] January 3 marks the fifth anniversary of Dr. Li Wenliang, the Chinese whistleblower of the COVID-19 pandemic, being reprimanded by the police. Years later, the causes of the outbreak and the state of freedom of speech in China have once again become focal points of public discourse.
"A healthy society should not have just one voice," said Li Wenliang in a media interview before his passing. Known as the "whistleblower" of the COVID-19 pandemic, his words still resonate five years after his death. Chinese netizens noted that such a simple and ordinary statement continues to be remembered, highlighting the critical importance of freedom of speech to human society.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), on Friday, independent overseas media commentator Heng He noted in an interview with RFA, “Freedom of speech is essentially the freedom of information flow, which is vital for any society. Without this incident, people might not realize how crucial freedom of speech truly is.”
Heng He emphasized that while the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims that the right to survival is paramount, modern society equally needs human spirit and aspirations.
Freedom of Speech: A Fundamental Human Right
An article on the United Nations website for World Press Freedom Day states that freedom of speech and access to information are among the most important fundamental human rights, explicitly recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Jie Lijian, a California-based activist and vice chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party National Headquarters, told RFA, “For a doctor to simply state a fact and then be treated by the government in such a manner, he must have realized how precious freedom of speech truly is.”
Jie pointed out that Li Wenliang was a member of the Chinese Communist Party. However, after being suppressed for speaking the truth as a doctor, Li likely began to question the state of freedom of speech in China.
Li Wenliang Battled Both Illness and Government Censorship
Li Wenliang was an ophthalmologist at a hospital in Wuhan. At the end of 2019, he used Weibo to share information about a coronavirus outbreak and warned others to take precautions. His actions led to a reprimand from hospital authorities and an official warning from the police.
In a 2022 article, The New York Times revealed that it had obtained internal documents from Li Wenliang’s hospital in Wuhan, as well as details of his medical condition. These documents showed that during the final month of his life, Li had to battle not only a deadly virus but also government censorship.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Li Wenliang’s death, yet messages on his Weibo page remain unceasing. Some netizens greet him there, others express their remembrance, and some even pour out their hearts to him.
As the new year begins, commemorations of Li Wenliang and related activities have reignited discussions around his statement, “A healthy society should not have just one voice.” This phrase is no longer merely a slogan but has become a central focus of public opinion in Chinese society.
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