Wuer Kaixi
Mainland dissident and former student leader Wuer Kaixi made headlines in 1989 for going on hunger strike during the Tiananmen Square demonstrations and for rebuking premier Li Peng while wearing what appeared to be pajamas. Talking to Donald Asprey, he relives the June 4 crackdown, and his subsequent exile in Hong Kong, France and Taiwan.
I wasn't wearing pajamas when I met [former premier] Li Peng - it was a hospital gown. I was admitted to hospital that day owing to the hunger strike. When I heard there was to be a meeting, I came straight from the hospital. It created a dramatic effect, I agree, but that wasn't my intention.
We [democracy activists] feel entitled to a fair amount of credit for China's economic boom. Many of the policies the Government has implemented were exactly what we demanded - acknowledgment of private property, a market economy and greater freedom for the people. I think the demonstration forced the Government to rethink its relationship with the Chinese people.
What inspired me to lead the students into protest? Well, I suppose the 21 years I lived in China contributed to the moment. But mainly I longed for freedom. Back then maybe we didn't know what freedom was, but we knew what it was like not to be free.
I don't have any regrets. I don't think what we did was wrong. Would I do it again? I would probably be more hesitant. The movement involved the loss of human life, which was unnecessary and regrettable.
I've been able to travel to many places since my exile from China, places that many Chinese people wouldn't dream of. I was forced to see the world following my exile.
I want to be a part of the development and modernization of China. My exile makes me feel angry and left out.