Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookseller who fled to Taiwan in 2019 after being detained by China in 2015 for selling content deemed critical of Beijing, died Thursday at the age of 70. Taiwan's semi-official Central News Agency reported that Lam had died at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei after a battle with cancer, citing an unnamed source.

Hong Kong dissident Lam Wing-Kee passes away at 70

Sweden on Sunday condemned the death sentence confirmed by Iran's Supreme Court against a Swedish-Iranian dissident and said it was seeking further clarity on the matter, reported AFP news agency.&nbsp;

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom wrote to AFP in an email that the death sentence is an "inhumane" punishment and the nation along with the European Union condemn the action taken by the judiciary.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The death sentence is an inhumane and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemn its use in all circumstances," Billstrom wrote.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/saudi-oil-giant-aramco-reports-record-profit-of-1611-billion-in-2022-571141">Saudi oil giant Aramco reports record profit of $161.1 billion in 2022</a>

Iran's Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the Iranian-Swedish dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab's death sentence for alleged terrorist activities. The court also hinted that he would be executed soon.

Chaab was found guilty of heading an Arab separatist group that was suspected of carrying out assaults as the one on a military parade in 2018 that left 25 people dead and close to 250 injured. Without disclosing his location or method of capture, Iran claimed in 2020 that its security forces had detained Chaab in Turkey and brought him to Tehran.

Iran’s judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported, “Chaab was sentenced to death after several court sessions with the presence of his lawyer... The Supreme Court confirmed his death sentence."

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-visit-us-in-june-engagement-with-india-to-counter-china-571114">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit U.S. in June; engagement with India to counter China</a>

The incidents of Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-Swedish scholar detained in Tehran on espionage allegations, and Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official imprisoned in Sweden on suspicion of violating human rights, have contributed to the deterioration of ties between Sweden and Iran in recent years.

A court in Ahvaz executed six other individuals who were said to be part of the group last week. The individuals were sentenced on charges&nbsp;of executing separate "terrorist" activities between 2017 and 2019.&nbsp;

It included the killing of&nbsp;two members of the Basij paramilitary organisation in Abadan and a law enforcement member and a military conscript in Khuzestan.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sweden on Sunday condemned the death sentence confirmed by Iran's Supreme Court against a Swedish-Iranian dissident and said it was seeking further clarity on the matter, reported AFP news agency.

Sweden on Sunday condemned the death sentence confirmed by Iran's Supreme Court against a Swedish-Iranian dissident and said it was seeking further clarity on the matter, reported AFP news agency. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom wrote to AFP in an email that the death sentence is an "inhumane" punishment and the nation along with the European Union condemn the action taken by the judiciary. "The death sentence is an inhumane and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemn its use in all circumstances," Billstrom wrote. Also Read | Saudi oil giant Aramco reports record profit of $161.1 billion in 2022 Iran's Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the Iranian-Swedish dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab's death sentence for alleged terrorist activities. The court also hinted that he would be executed soon. Chaab was found guilty of heading an Arab separatist group that was suspected of carrying out assaults as the one on a military parade in 2018 that left 25 people dead and close to 250 injured. Without disclosing his location or method of capture, Iran claimed in 2020 that its security forces had detained Chaab in Turkey and brought him to Tehran. Iran’s judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported, “Chaab was sentenced to death after several court sessions with the presence of his lawyer... The Supreme Court confirmed his death sentence." WATCH | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit U.S. in June; engagement with India to counter China The incidents of Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-Swedish scholar detained in Tehran on espionage allegations, and Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official imprisoned in Sweden on suspicion of violating human rights, have contributed to the deterioration of ties between Sweden and Iran in recent years. A court in Ahvaz executed six other individuals who were said to be part of the group last week. The individuals were sentenced on charges of executing separate "terrorist" activities between 2017 and 2019. It included the killing of two members of the Basij paramilitary organisation in Abadan and a law enforcement member and a military conscript in Khuzestan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Inhumane': Sweden condemns Iran for upholding death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident

A blind Chinese dissident, who had escaped from his home country to the United States in 2012, has finally received American citizenship.

Born in China in 1971, Chen Guangcheng is a civil rights activist who gained the spotlight after he started raising issues related to poor human rights in the rural areas of China.

Popularly known as a "barefoot lawyer", Chen gained international recognition when he exposed China’s forced abortions and harassment of parents against China’s controversial 'one-child policy'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-43-people-killed-by-heatwave-found-along-us-mexico-border-in-arizona-report-397790">Remains of 43 people found along US-Mexico border in Arizona: Report</a>

After he organised a class-action lawsuit against the officials in Linyi, Shandong province, he was prosecuted for several weeks and was then placed under house arrest from September 2005 to March 2006.

His house arrest was followed by a prison sentence of four years. However, after serving his full time, he was once again put on ‘soft detention’, which was yet another house arrest.

This time, however, reports started emerging of him and his wife being beaten up by authorities, a little after some human rights activists released a video online of his house being managed under police surveillance.

As the torture, reportedly, increased, Chen escaped house arrest in 2012 and took shelter in the Embassy of the United States in Beijing. He was allowed to leave the embassy for medical treatment in May 2012, and a few days later his wife and children were also allowed to leave for the US.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/china-claims-to-have-70-of-global-5g-stations-amid-international-security-concerns-397786" hreflang="en">China claims to have 70% of world's 5G stations amid global security concerns</a>

The 49-year-old has been vocal in raising concerns about the poor human rights in the country. He has also supported former US President Donald Trump in his fight to "stop China's aggression".

"The human rights situation is getting worse and worse," he said. "As people in China are more aware of their rights as they get more information online, and have more demand for their rights, the Communist Party is becoming more and more worried about losing their control and power, and that results in them using more and more force to suppress the people to protect the control of the power."

Now, after almost 15 years of citizenship battle, Chen has managed to become a permanent resident and citizen of the United States. Chen said he is "very grateful that America, this free country, has welcomed us".

A blind Chinese dissident, who had escaped from his home country to the United States in 2012, has finally received American citizenship. Born in China in 1971, Chen Guangcheng is a civil rights activist who gained the spotlight after he started raising issues related to poor human rights in the rural areas of China.

A blind Chinese dissident, who had escaped from his home country to the United States in 2012, has finally received American citizenship. Born in China in 1971, Chen Guangcheng is a civil rights activist who gained the spotlight after he started raising issues related to poor human rights in the rural areas of China. Popularly known as a "barefoot lawyer", Chen gained international recognition when he exposed China’s forced abortions and harassment of parents against China’s controversial 'one-child policy'. Also read | Remains of 43 people found along US-Mexico border in Arizona: Report After he organised a class-action lawsuit against the officials in Linyi, Shandong province, he was prosecuted for several weeks and was then placed under house arrest from September 2005 to March 2006. His house arrest was followed by a prison sentence of four years. However, after serving his full time, he was once again put on ‘soft detention’, which was yet another house arrest. This time, however, reports started emerging of him and his wife being beaten up by authorities, a little after some human rights activists released a video online of his house being managed under police surveillance. As the torture, reportedly, increased, Chen escaped house arrest in 2012 and took shelter in the Embassy of the United States in Beijing. He was allowed to leave the embassy for medical treatment in May 2012, and a few days later his wife and children were also allowed to leave for the US. Also read | China claims to have 70% of world's 5G stations amid global security concerns The 49-year-old has been vocal in raising concerns about the poor human rights in the country. He has also supported former US President Donald Trump in his fight to "stop China's aggression". "The human rights situation is getting worse and worse," he said. "As people in China are more aware of their rights as they get more information online, and have more demand for their rights, the Communist Party is becoming more and more worried about losing their control and power, and that results in them using more and more force to suppress the people to protect the control of the power." Now, after almost 15 years of citizenship battle, Chen has managed to become a permanent resident and citizen of the United States. Chen said he is "very grateful that America, this free country, has welcomed us".

Blind human rights activist who escaped China in 2012 gets American citizenship

Dissident Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara vowed on Monday to 'continue the struggle' after spending almost a month in hospital following a hunger strike.

Otero Alcantara, 33, was released earlier in the day from the General Calixto Garcia university hospital, which announced 'his complete recovery'.

Associates had claimed he was forcibly taken to hospital after starting a hunger strike that lasted eight days.

"After a month in the hands of the beast, we'll see how things go in the streets to continue the struggle," Otero Alcantara said in a video published by opposition media Cubanet.

He said state security forces had taken his mobile telephone and left him "literally a month without communication and with little access to my family," adding that he would soon "recount everything that happened to me."

Otero Alcantara is the leader of the San Isidro protest movement (MSI) of artists and intellectuals pressing for free speech and other rights in the communist nation.

The Cuban government accuses Otero Alcantara of being financed by the United States, which has had sanctions in place against Cuba for decades.

He went on hunger strike last month to protest against authorities seizing several of his works when he was arrested during a demonstration.

He was admitted to hospital on May 2.

His release was announced by the Havana public health authority.

Otero Alcantara "reiterated his gratitude to the personnel that looked after him at every opportunity," said the hospital.

In the early days of his hospital stay, authorities released videos of him appearing in good health but those close to Otero Alcantara said they had been unable to communicate with him.

Amnesty International described him as a 'prisoner of conscience' while the US demanded his immediate release.

After his arrest last month, he was freed but rearrested several times for trying to leave his home, which had been surrounded by police.

During his hunger strike, his internet service was cut off and police prevented people, including two priests, from visiting Otero Alcantara.

The MSI claimed he'd been taken to hospital by force and that official medical reports on his condition were 'confusing and contradictory'.

In a sign of solidarity, last week around 20 Cuban artists asked that their works in Havana's Fine Arts Museum be hidden from public view.

The museum rejected the request, saying it wasn't in 'the public interest's

Painter Tomas Sanchez, 73, wrote on Facebook: "Cuban art is going through dark times ... the criminalization of difference is not -- and never will be -- a path towards coexistence."

(With inputs from agencies)

Dissident Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara vowed on Monday to 'continue the struggle' after spending almost a month in hospital following a hunger strike.

Dissident Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara vowed on Monday to 'continue the struggle' after spending almost a month in hospital following a hunger strike. Otero Alcantara, 33, was released earlier in the day from the General Calixto Garcia university hospital, which announced 'his complete recovery'. Associates had claimed he was forcibly taken to hospital after starting a hunger strike that lasted eight days. "After a month in the hands of the beast, we'll see how things go in the streets to continue the struggle," Otero Alcantara said in a video published by opposition media Cubanet. He said state security forces had taken his mobile telephone and left him "literally a month without communication and with little access to my family," adding that he would soon "recount everything that happened to me." Otero Alcantara is the leader of the San Isidro protest movement (MSI) of artists and intellectuals pressing for free speech and other rights in the communist nation. The Cuban government accuses Otero Alcantara of being financed by the United States, which has had sanctions in place against Cuba for decades. He went on hunger strike last month to protest against authorities seizing several of his works when he was arrested during a demonstration. He was admitted to hospital on May 2. His release was announced by the Havana public health authority. Otero Alcantara "reiterated his gratitude to the personnel that looked after him at every opportunity," said the hospital. In the early days of his hospital stay, authorities released videos of him appearing in good health but those close to Otero Alcantara said they had been unable to communicate with him. Amnesty International described him as a 'prisoner of conscience' while the US demanded his immediate release. After his arrest last month, he was freed but rearrested several times for trying to leave his home, which had been surrounded by police. During his hunger strike, his internet service was cut off and police prevented people, including two priests, from visiting Otero Alcantara. The MSI claimed he'd been taken to hospital by force and that official medical reports on his condition were 'confusing and contradictory'. In a sign of solidarity, last week around 20 Cuban artists asked that their works in Havana's Fine Arts Museum be hidden from public view. The museum rejected the request, saying it wasn't in 'the public interest's Painter Tomas Sanchez, 73, wrote on Facebook: "Cuban art is going through dark times ... the criminalization of difference is not -- and never will be -- a path towards coexistence." (With inputs from agencies)

Dissident Cuban artist to 'continue the struggle' after hospital release

Cuba's government put an end on Sunday to a week-long hunger strike staged by a leading dissident - the head of a group that has protested state censorship of artistic works - and was reported by authorities to be in stable condition.

A note published by the Havana Department of Public Health said Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara was 'referred' to a local hospital early on Sunday for "self-imposed food deprivation" and arrived by ambulance "and walking without difficulty."

He had spent seven days without food or fluids.

The San Isidro Movement led by Otero Alcantara, a performance artist, is a dissident group that includes a few dozen artists, writers and activists.

The health department said the hospital had found no sign of malnutrition or other chemical imbalances but said Otero Alcantara had been admitted, was in stable condition and was being attended to by physicians.

Members of the San Isidro movement said state security had forced Otero Alcantara from his home and that he was in custody, presumably at the hospital. They questioned the report and demanded more information.

"How is it possible he has no signs of malnutrition or dehydration after being on a hunger and thirst strike for more than 7 days" the group asked in a Twitter post.

Otero Alcantara's home had been surrounded by police for days with no one allowed in or out during his hunger strike.

The US&nbsp;State Department in a Twitter post on Saturday had expressed concern over Otero Alcantara's health and urged "the Cuban government to take immediate steps to protect his life and health."

People can survive more than a month without food, but rarely more than 10 days without food or fluids.

Members of the San Isidro Movement in November had staged a hunger strike against censorship and harassment of independent creators and activists by the Communist government. Police ended the hunger strike, prompting a rare protest by around 300 people in front of the Culture Ministry in Havana.

Authorities since then have vilified members of the group as outside agitators working with the United States. Its members repeatedly have been temporarily detained and often told they cannot leave their homes, with communications cut.

Otero Alcantara was arrested a few weeks ago as he protested a Communist Party congress by sitting in a garrote. Authorities seized or destroyed some of his art.

In his hunger strike, Otero Alcantara was demanding a return of his art, compensation, freedom of expression and an end to police harassment.

The dissident group has been appealing for support since his hunger strike began, gaining little traction in Cuba but notice some abroad including from human rights organisations and the US&nbsp;government.

Cuba's government put an end on Sunday to a week-long hunger strike staged by a leading dissident - the head of a group that has protested state censorship of artistic works - and was reported by authorities to be in stable condition.

Cuba's government put an end on Sunday to a week-long hunger strike staged by a leading dissident - the head of a group that has protested state censorship of artistic works - and was reported by authorities to be in stable condition. A note published by the Havana Department of Public Health said Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara was 'referred' to a local hospital early on Sunday for "self-imposed food deprivation" and arrived by ambulance "and walking without difficulty." He had spent seven days without food or fluids. The San Isidro Movement led by Otero Alcantara, a performance artist, is a dissident group that includes a few dozen artists, writers and activists. The health department said the hospital had found no sign of malnutrition or other chemical imbalances but said Otero Alcantara had been admitted, was in stable condition and was being attended to by physicians. Members of the San Isidro movement said state security had forced Otero Alcantara from his home and that he was in custody, presumably at the hospital. They questioned the report and demanded more information. "How is it possible he has no signs of malnutrition or dehydration after being on a hunger and thirst strike for more than 7 days" the group asked in a Twitter post. Otero Alcantara's home had been surrounded by police for days with no one allowed in or out during his hunger strike. The US State Department in a Twitter post on Saturday had expressed concern over Otero Alcantara's health and urged "the Cuban government to take immediate steps to protect his life and health." People can survive more than a month without food, but rarely more than 10 days without food or fluids. Members of the San Isidro Movement in November had staged a hunger strike against censorship and harassment of independent creators and activists by the Communist government. Police ended the hunger strike, prompting a rare protest by around 300 people in front of the Culture Ministry in Havana. Authorities since then have vilified members of the group as outside agitators working with the United States. Its members repeatedly have been temporarily detained and often told they cannot leave their homes, with communications cut. Otero Alcantara was arrested a few weeks ago as he protested a Communist Party congress by sitting in a garrote. Authorities seized or destroyed some of his art. In his hunger strike, Otero Alcantara was demanding a return of his art, compensation, freedom of expression and an end to police harassment. The dissident group has been appealing for support since his hunger strike began, gaining little traction in Cuba but notice some abroad including from human rights organisations and the US government.

Cuban government ends leading dissident artist's hunger strike

Yang&nbsp;Jianli&nbsp;is a Harvard fellow and president of the Washington-based&nbsp;Initiatives for China.&nbsp;Yang, who is a Chinese citizen with permanent resident status in the United States, was part of the 1989 pro-democracy Tiananmen Square protests. The protests were student-led, but had massive support from citizens. The protesters occupied Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing for seven weeks until the government ordered a military crackdown on June 4.&nbsp;Martial law had been imposed earlier. Tanks and soldiers armed with assault rifles marched on the protesters. When the protesters tried to stop their advance, the soldiers opened fire. Estimates vary, but between hundreds and thousands of people were killed in what came to be known as the Tiananmen Square massacre.&nbsp;Yang tells&nbsp;Ramesh Ramachandran&nbsp;that a repeat of 1989&nbsp;is probable should public disenchantment with the Chinese government&#39;s policies grow.&nbsp;Edited excerpts from an interview:&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
((use photo of Tiananmen Square massacre victims here; Getty has good photos))&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

What is your take on contemporary India&ndash;China relations? Does India&#39;s China policy satisfy you?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I can&#39;t say I am very happy with it, but I understand the concerns of the Indian government about its territorial dispute with China&nbsp;and the threat of terrorism from Pakistan, which has a good relationship with China. India is a large democracy and a&nbsp;neighbour&nbsp;of China. I wish and hope that India will take a more proactive role in propagating the ideas of universal values such as democracy to China and also be more forthcoming in supporting us when it comes to visas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

What is your position on Tibet?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Historically and contemporarily the situation in Tibet is very complex. Three principles guide us to work with Tibet:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* First, respect for the Tibetans&#39; right to self-determination and that the future of Tibet should be decided by the Tibetans themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* Second, we should be united to change China.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* Third, we should achieve our goal with non-violence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Arab Spring happened in 2011. Similarly, we have seen people&#39;s movements in Hong Kong (the Umbrella Movement) and Taiwan (the Sunflower Student Movement) in 2014. You&nbsp;participated in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Do you think a Chinese Spring is probable?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is, of course, probable. Ever since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the collapse of the erstwhile USSR, it has never been far from the Chinese leaders&#39; minds. They have learnt from the experiences of dictators, be they Right wing or Left wing, to prevent people from coming together, to control society. With such high degree of control in China, people may not be able to do much, but I don&#39;t think they will continue this way for very long. Social unrest, people&#39;s resentment against the government, sickening pollution, glaring corruption, public disgust with information control, blatantly unjust detentions... all these things I think will get people to try to do something, to demand change. Eventually I don&#39;t think the Chinese government will be able to control such a society forever.&nbsp;So&nbsp;(a repeat of)&nbsp;1989 is very possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Did the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 add to your disillusionment with the government of the day?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I was already disenchanted with the regime and the Communist party before the students&#39; movement broke out in the spring of 1989.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&lt;iframe width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; src=&quot;https://www.youtube.com/embed/0lGyZpbA_tY&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;

How do you view the intersection of the foreign policies of India and the US vis-a-vis China?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Indian government is leaning towards the US more than before. It is a good sign. The US is reflecting on its decades-old China policy. China might be the second largest economy in the world, but in terms of democracy it remains at the bottom. The US thought trade with China will bring about prosperity and democracy, but it did not happen. What went wrong? Decades of economic prosperity saw the Chinese middle class join the ruling elite class, but the economic and political elites are beginning to turn their back on President Xi Jinping. I think in five or 10 years China must have some big opportunity to change and I really hope that India, the US, and other democracies will not lose the opportunity to help the Chinese people to change China. When China becomes democratic, its government will become more responsible, more predictable. Therefore in terms of security a lot of countries such as India, the US, Japan, and the Philippines will become better off for sure.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<h5>?Social unrest, people&#39;s resentment against the government, sickening pollution, glaring corruption, public disgust with information control, blatantly unjust detentions... all these things I think will get people to try to do something, to demand change. Eventually I don&#39;t think the Chinese Government will be able to control such a society for ever, not for a long time. So 1989 is very possible.</h5>
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How are contemporary domestic politics affecting the power dynamic in China?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A personality cult around President Xi has met with strong resistance within the party. His days will not be so easy. Four factors need to be present at the same time for real change in China:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* A&nbsp;general dissatisfaction with the government&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* A&nbsp;viable democratic opposition&nbsp;which is not yet there&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* A&nbsp;power struggle or cracks within the leadership (cracks will not be meaningful until some factions have different political views from others),&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

* International recognition and support for the movement for change when it happens&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

We had almost achieved a revolution in 1989,&nbsp;but the international community did not&nbsp;recognise&nbsp;or intervene or give support to it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

How do you see the US-China relationship evolving under the next US President?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Republican or Democrat, the US can be expected to have a different foreign policy towards China. Whoever wins, the US will take a stronger position on security, trade and human rights.&nbsp;Compartmentalisation&nbsp;of policies did not work in the interest of the US. There is a need for an integrated approach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In April&nbsp;you&nbsp;organised&nbsp;the&nbsp;InterEthnic&nbsp;InterFaith&nbsp;Leadership Conference at&nbsp;McLeodganj,&nbsp;India &ndash; the home of the Dalai Lama&nbsp;--&nbsp;to which members of China&#39;s ethnic and religious minorities were invited. A few days before the conference, the visas of a few participants&nbsp;whom China sees as separatists&nbsp;were revoked. It is thought India cancelled the visas under Chinese pressure.&nbsp;How do you view India&#39;s refusal or cancellation of visas to people like&nbsp;Dolkun&nbsp;Isa, chairman of the executive committee of the World Uyghur Congress?&nbsp;

I am disappointed, but I understand that India is trying to find a balance between Chinese pressure and hosting the conference. One can&#39;t overlook the fact that India allowed the conference to be held without any incident. The criticism that the Modi government is weak is not fair. Policy-makers and the Modi government understand that advancing human rights and democracy in China is in the national interest of India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

China calls&nbsp;Dolkun&nbsp;Isa a terrorist.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dolkun&nbsp;Isa is a peaceful person. He is not a terrorist. He is a citizen of Germany, which is a strong democracy. He travels freely to many countries, including the US. Any country can send a list (of persons it designates as terrorists) to Interpol but it does not mean that every country should accept it. India reacted to pressure from China which is understandable,&nbsp;but perhaps it overreacted. However, in the end, India allowed us to hold the conference which is very positive. We don&#39;t accept violence in any form. Some Uyghurs may have engaged in some kind of violent attacks, but those Uyghurs we work with are peaceful. We try to engage with some young people who have not abandoned violence. For example, some student leaders from Hong Kong were invited to the conference and spoken to about the principles of non-violence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

1989 may repeat if disenchantment with government policies grows in China, feels?Yang Jianli, president of Initiatives for China. Yang was a part of the pro-democracy protests and now lives in the US. He spoke to Ramesh Ramachandran.

Yang Jianli is a Harvard fellow and president of the Washington-based Initiatives for China. Yang, who is a Chinese citizen with permanent resident status in the United States, was part of the 1989 pro-democracy Tiananmen Square protests. The protests were student-led, but had massive support from citizens. The protesters occupied Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing for seven weeks until the government ordered a military crackdown on June 4. Martial law had been imposed earlier. Tanks and soldiers armed with assault rifles marched on the protesters. When the protesters tried to stop their advance, the soldiers opened fire. Estimates vary, but between hundreds and thousands of people were killed in what came to be known as the Tiananmen Square massacre. Yang tells Ramesh Ramachandran that a repeat of 1989 is probable should public disenchantment with the Chinese government's policies grow. Edited excerpts from an interview: ((use photo of Tiananmen Square massacre victims here; Getty has good photos)) What is your take on contemporary India–China relations? Does India's China policy satisfy you? I can't say I am very happy with it, but I understand the concerns of the Indian government about its territorial dispute with China and the threat of terrorism from Pakistan, which has a good relationship with China. India is a large democracy and a neighbour of China. I wish and hope that India will take a more proactive role in propagating the ideas of universal values such as democracy to China and also be more forthcoming in supporting us when it comes to visas. What is your position on Tibet? Historically and contemporarily the situation in Tibet is very complex. Three principles guide us to work with Tibet: * First, respect for the Tibetans' right to self-determination and that the future of Tibet should be decided by the Tibetans themselves. * Second, we should be united to change China. * Third, we should achieve our goal with non-violence. The Arab Spring happened in 2011. Similarly, we have seen people's movements in Hong Kong (the Umbrella Movement) and Taiwan (the Sunflower Student Movement) in 2014. You participated in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Do you think a Chinese Spring is probable? It is, of course, probable. Ever since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the collapse of the erstwhile USSR, it has never been far from the Chinese leaders' minds. They have learnt from the experiences of dictators, be they Right wing or Left wing, to prevent people from coming together, to control society. With such high degree of control in China, people may not be able to do much, but I don't think they will continue this way for very long. Social unrest, people's resentment against the government, sickening pollution, glaring corruption, public disgust with information control, blatantly unjust detentions... all these things I think will get people to try to do something, to demand change. Eventually I don't think the Chinese government will be able to control such a society forever. So (a repeat of) 1989 is very possible. Did the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 add to your disillusionment with the government of the day? I was already disenchanted with the regime and the Communist party before the students' movement broke out in the spring of 1989. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0lGyZpbA_tY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> How do you view the intersection of the foreign policies of India and the US vis-a-vis China? The Indian government is leaning towards the US more than before. It is a good sign. The US is reflecting on its decades-old China policy. China might be the second largest economy in the world, but in terms of democracy it remains at the bottom. The US thought trade with China will bring about prosperity and democracy, but it did not happen. What went wrong? Decades of economic prosperity saw the Chinese middle class join the ruling elite class, but the economic and political elites are beginning to turn their back on President Xi Jinping. I think in five or 10 years China must have some big opportunity to change and I really hope that India, the US, and other democracies will not lose the opportunity to help the Chinese people to change China. When China becomes democratic, its government will become more responsible, more predictable. Therefore in terms of security a lot of countries such as India, the US, Japan, and the Philippines will become better off for sure. ?Social unrest, people's resentment against the government, sickening pollution, glaring corruption, public disgust with information control, blatantly unjust detentions... all these things I think will get people to try to do something, to demand change. Eventually I don't think the Chinese Government will be able to control such a society for ever, not for a long time. So 1989 is very possible. How are contemporary domestic politics affecting the power dynamic in China? A personality cult around President Xi has met with strong resistance within the party. His days will not be so easy. Four factors need to be present at the same time for real change in China: * A general dissatisfaction with the government * A viable democratic opposition which is not yet there * A power struggle or cracks within the leadership (cracks will not be meaningful until some factions have different political views from others), and * International recognition and support for the movement for change when it happens We had almost achieved a revolution in 1989, but the international community did not recognise or intervene or give support to it. How do you see the US-China relationship evolving under the next US President? Republican or Democrat, the US can be expected to have a different foreign policy towards China. Whoever wins, the US will take a stronger position on security, trade and human rights. Compartmentalisation of policies did not work in the interest of the US. There is a need for an integrated approach. In April you organised the InterEthnic InterFaith Leadership Conference at McLeodganj, India – the home of the Dalai Lama -- to which members of China's ethnic and religious minorities were invited. A few days before the conference, the visas of a few participants whom China sees as separatists were revoked. It is thought India cancelled the visas under Chinese pressure. How do you view India's refusal or cancellation of visas to people like Dolkun Isa, chairman of the executive committee of the World Uyghur Congress? I am disappointed, but I understand that India is trying to find a balance between Chinese pressure and hosting the conference. One can't overlook the fact that India allowed the conference to be held without any incident. The criticism that the Modi government is weak is not fair. Policy-makers and the Modi government understand that advancing human rights and democracy in China is in the national interest of India. China calls Dolkun Isa a terrorist. Dolkun Isa is a peaceful person. He is not a terrorist. He is a citizen of Germany, which is a strong democracy. He travels freely to many countries, including the US. Any country can send a list (of persons it designates as terrorists) to Interpol but it does not mean that every country should accept it. India reacted to pressure from China which is understandable, but perhaps it overreacted. However, in the end, India allowed us to hold the conference which is very positive. We don't accept violence in any form. Some Uyghurs may have engaged in some kind of violent attacks, but those Uyghurs we work with are peaceful. We try to engage with some young people who have not abandoned violence. For example, some student leaders from Hong Kong were invited to the conference and spoken to about the principles of non-violence.

Tiananmen Square-like protests may repeat if things don?t change, says Chinese dissident Yang Jianli

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