A young man from Hunan province, Fang Yirong, who participated in the “Blank Sheet Movement” against epidemic control measures, was seen hanging anti-communist slogans in Loudi at the end of July and is suspected to have been arrested by the Chinese Communist Party. On August 3rd, overseas Chinese held a rally outside the CCP consulate to show their support and called for international attention.
Fang Yirong, born in 2001 in Xinhua County, Loudi, Hunan, graduated from university last year and participated in the Blank Sheet Movement in 2022. At the end of July, he hung a large banner with anti-Xi slogans on the Xinhua Tianqiao in Loudi and played it loudly with a sound system, reenacting the scene of the Beijing Sito Bridge incident.
Recently, there have been reports that Fang Yirong recorded a 50-second video confessing that he was the main person behind the Xinhua Tianqiao incident.
Fang Yirong stated that when he planned the anti-Xi dictatorship movement in July last year, he was discovered by Chinese internet police, subjected to detention and torture by the authorities, and was temporarily swayed under high surveillance. However, he ultimately realized that there was “no compromise with the devil” and chose to expose the atrocities of the CCP.
He also said, “After doing this, I may be declared ‘mentally ill’ or even die in prison, but I will not regret it.” He urged the Chinese people, “Tyranny is terrifying, but authority cannot crush people’s spirits. I hope that the Chinese people can break free from authoritarian rule and live a better life.”
It is reported that the CCP authorities are extremely nervous about this, and the Ministry of Public Security has sent personnel to investigate in Xinhua, while stability maintenance measures have been expanded across the country to prevent similar incidents from spreading. There are rumors that Fang Yirong has been arrested.
Overseas anti-Communist individuals have expressed strong support for Fang Yirong’s courage, with solidarity activities held in front of the CCP embassies in Los Angeles, USA, and Iceland on August 3rd.
Zhou Yunlong, a member of the China Democracy Party, stated at a solidarity event in Los Angeles that people’s concessions will not make the CCP relax its control; instead, the CCP will further tighten its grip.
Tian Yongde, a dissenting individual and member of the China Democracy Party, pondered whether Fang Yirong’s strategy of resistance against the CCP was correct. His conclusion was, “In the current environment, this is both inevitable and necessary.”
A young participant in the solidarity activities, Li Guangmang, expressed his shock at Fang Yirong’s actions, saying, “This young man from Hunan chose to confront the CCP in the most dramatic way – the so-called ‘tower charging’ behavior. We see the courage of Chinese youth and that the Chinese people do not lack a spirit of resistance as portrayed by the outside world.”
Chinese nationals in Iceland also held a protest in front of the CCP embassy, calling on the international community to pay attention to Fang Yirong’s situation and China’s human rights issues.
Zhou Feng, a democracy advocate in Iceland, told the Epoch Times, “This brave young man, Fang Yirong, dauntlessly hung protest banners on the Xinhua County Tianqiao in Loudi, Hunan, for the pursuit of democracy and freedom. His courage and determination have deeply moved us and strengthened our belief in the pursuit of freedom and justice.”
“In China, freedom of speech and human rights are severely violated, and young individuals like Fang Yirong are persecuted for expressing their views. This blatant trampling of human rights is a challenge to all who cherish freedom and democracy. Today, we are not just here for Fang Yirong, but for all the brave warriors oppressed in China. They have paid a huge price for pursuing freedom – some are imprisoned, some are persecuted, and some are persecuted to death.”
Fang Yirong stated in a video that he is no longer afraid. He bravely stood up and exposed the atrocities of the CCP, calling for more people to join the ranks against tyranny and for freedom.
Zhou Feng said, “His voice will not be suppressed by the authoritarian regime, and his courage will become the strength for more people to resist. Let us send a call to the world, urging the international community to pay attention to China’s human rights situation, and focus on the fate of conscience prisoners like Fang Yirong. We must work together to end the CCP’s authoritarian rule, allowing the Chinese people to enjoy democracy, freedom, and dignity.”