Professor says he will return to mainland after books on persecution are published
A prominent mainland dissident seeking political asylum in Australia has vowed to return home after publishing and translating his four controversial books.
Yuan Hongbing said his return would show he was not afraid of the 'autocratic' mainland government.
Speaking from Sydney, Professor Yuan said it would take about five years to complete his mission to expose the suffering of ethnic groups under communist rule.
The professor said he was prepared to make sacrifices for the sake of the improved welfare of his countrymen. 'Everyone loves freedom. But there are times we have to make other considerations for human dignity. I have to use my life as a sacrificial offering for truth and freedom, even though I know it [his return] will be very miserable. My only fear is that they will destroy my books, that's why I had to flee,' he told the South China Morning Post.
He hopes the mainland government will not persecute his 45-year-old wife and daughter, 12, in Beijing, who, he said, were unaware of his intention to defect.