Los Angeles human rights organization “Visual Artists Association” has called on the Chinese Communist Party to release Peng Lifa (Peng Zaizhou) and stop harassing his family on the second anniversary of the “Four-Link Bridge Incident” in Beijing. In 2023, Peng Lifa, a dissident, was awarded the “Champion of Free Speech Award” by the association for his courage to speak out despite knowing the consequences.
On October 13, 2022, physicist and researcher Peng Lifa drew attention to the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, where Xi Jinping was expected to secure a third five-year term, with the extreme “zero-COVID” policy being implemented for the third year.
On that day, Peng Lifa hung two large banners on the Four-Link Bridge in Beijing. One of the banners read: “We want food, not nucleic acid tests; we want freedom, not lockdowns”, “We want dignity, not lies; we want reform, not Cultural Revolution”, “We want ballots, not leaders; be citizens, not slaves”.
Peng Lifa’s bold action inspired people to respond to his calls, sharing photos and videos of the Four-Link Bridge on social media, despite continuous censorship. Ultimately, this led to the “Blank Piece Movement” that erupted across China a month later, following an incident on November 24 where a high-rise residential building in Urumqi caught fire due to lockdown measures, resulting in at least 10 fatalities.
Peng Lifa has become the “Tank Man” of 21st-century China, symbolizing the spirit of brave resistance against the authoritarian rule of the CCP. The CCP’s “zero-COVID” policy and lockdown measures have resulted in countless famines and tragedies. The younger generation in China, although not having experienced the Great Famine of 1958-1962, is beginning to realize the importance of freedom of speech for their own survival.
As highlighted in the research of Nobel Laureate in Economics, Amartya Sen, democratic countries have never experienced famine because people have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and opposition parties. The ruling party must address local food shortages and serve its citizens.
Since the Four-Link Bridge Incident, Peng Lifa has disappeared without formal charges. His wife and daughter have been under surveillance and restricted in their movements, while his other relatives have also faced harassment.