On August 27, 2024, veteran founder of the Chinese Democratic Party Zhu Yufu arrived in Los Angeles last month. On Sunday (25th), a welcome party was held at the party’s headquarters where attendees expressed admiration for Zhu Yufu and other warriors against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Zhu Yufu pointed out that the CCP knows it has lost the people’s trust and its foundation of rule, stating that “the speed of its collapse may be faster than anyone imagines.”
At 71 years old, Zhu Yufu received warm applause as he appeared at the venue. Despite enduring 16 years of imprisonment and serious illness, including gastric surgery, he appeared even more spirited compared to when he first arrived in the United States, showcasing his unyielding spirit in the face of adversity. During the welcoming party which lasted over two hours, he spoke at length, recalling the risks, suppression, and persecution he faced over twenty years ago in the process of establishing the party in China, displaying sharp thinking and clear memory.
Over a hundred guests, including the Chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party Headquarters Zheng Cunzhu, Vice Chairman Jielijian, Chairman of the Chinese Social Democratic Party Liu Yinquan, and veteran founder of the Chinese Democratic Party Han Wu, congratulated Zhu Yufu on escaping the CCP’s tyranny and shared their views on the domestic situation.
Zhu Yufu reminisced that those who participated in founding the party in 1998 followed the legal procedures in China. Throughout the process, they did not engage in any illegal activities, as even the CCP’s Constitution guarantees freedom of association for the people.
However, on June 30, 1998, while distributing materials on the street, Zhu Yufu was arrested, coincidentally on July 1 – the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover. The news was reported in Hong Kong newspapers, arousing the authorities’ anger as they viewed Zhu Yufu as exposing their facade and warning Hong Kong people not to be deceived. At that time, the CCP was striving to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), creating a facade of openness to deceive the international community; yet they feared that after joining the WTO, they would lose control over the calls for democratization domestically. Thus, the authorities repeatedly arrested and released “Zhu Yufus” until he was arrested again in June of the following year and sentenced to seven years in prison.
When asked about the future of Hong Kong, Zhu Yufu expressed that the city is currently suffering under severe CCP oppression due to the international community’s lack of deep understanding towards the CCP, stating that “the Communist Party’s words are never to be trusted.” He elaborated that the CCP made numerous promises before seizing power, but once in control, they suppressed various social levels through successive movements, having deceived their way to power.
Liu Yinquan, the Chairman of the Chinese Social Democratic Party, addressed the audience, describing the CCP as the epitome of evil from past and present, mentioning their extensive killings, maintaining power through tyranny. He emphasized that while this may be sustained for a period, it cannot last forever.
According to public records, many members of the Chinese Democratic Party who participated in founding the party in 1998 were detained, with their sentences totaling over a thousand years. Han Wu mentioned that he carried his passport with him at all times back then, prepared for escape at any moment. The head of the Chinese Democratic Party in Beijing, He Depu, was subjected to torture and binding on a plank for half a month while in prison.
Han Wu congratulated Zhu Yufu on coming to the United States and expressed his hope that all attendees would persist in the democratic cause on this land of freedom. He emphasized the importance of maintaining faith and participating in China’s movement towards freedom and democracy, overthrowing the authoritarian rule of the CCP to establish a free democratic nation.
Zhu Yufu spent a total of 16 years in prison in China. His second imprisonment by the CCP was triggered by writing a poem titled “It is Time.” In 2012, he was imprisoned for seven years on charges of subverting state power. Even after coming overseas, China’s national security threatened him via phone calls, prohibiting him from attending events or speaking out.
Zhu Yufu’s experience left attendees reflecting on the evil nature of the CCP. Liu Yinquan conveyed that China, as a vast nation, still endures the rule of the evil CCP, which he deemed a disgrace for all Chinese people. He urged for immediate unity using all means to end the tyrannical regime of the CCP, granting freedom, democracy, and human rights to the Chinese people for them to enjoy various rights.
Describing individuals like Zhu Yufu who dare to resist tyranny, Liu Yinquan praised them as the backbone of the nation, anti-CCP tough guys and warriors. Despite the CCP labeling them with various accusations such as subverting state power or disrupting social order, he stressed the importance of recognizing the CCP’s evil and not being swayed by their falsehoods.
Anti-CCP heroes within China have received attention and support from overseas Chinese for many years. Zheng Cunzhu explained that before Zhu Yufu’s departure this time, they tried to launch a rescue operation, albeit unsuccessfully, with one participant still in prison today. He noted the close connection between overseas and domestic democratic parties, stressing their attention to every movement.
Among the democratic party members present that day, many were new Chinese immigrants. They expressed their care and admiration for the veteran party founder.
“Teacher Zhu’s actions are absolutely commendable,” said Chinese Democratic Party member Qiu Liming, expressing heartfelt admiration for Zhu Yufu’s sacrifices and suffering for achieving freedom and human rights for everyone.
Another Chinese Democratic Party member, Chen Lijun, was pleased to meet Zhu Yufu in person. He lauded Zhu Yufu as a fighter for the freedom and democracy of the Chinese people against tyranny, greatly admiring his literary integrity and heroic acts.
Witnessing Zhu Yufu’s “vigorous spirit,” Zhang Luimin from Zhengzhou, Henan province, expressed deep sentiments, praising the veteran activist as someone who possesses a sense of mission even in old age and severe illness. She acknowledged Zhu Yufu’s complete understanding of China’s political reality and vowed to learn from him to bring down the Communist Party sooner.
During his speech, Jielijian marveled at Zhu Yufu’s miraculous escape from China after enduring persecution and serious illness, creating a miracle in his later years. He believed that the CCP is currently in a state of extreme madness, signaling a dark moment, yet he expressed confidence that dawn is approaching soon.
In conclusion, the attendees, including Zhu Yufu, left a lasting impact on the audience with their dedication to the fight against the CCP’s tyranny, emphasizing the importance of unity and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy in China, regardless of the challenges faced.