February 13, 2003 (CSN) -- An outpouring of response has continued to come from every corner of China's far-flung democracy movement, reflecting its universal revulsion, outrage, and condemnation of China for Monday's sentencing of Dr. Wang Bingzhang, one of the tallest, most senior figures among its leadership.

Who is Wang Bingzhang?

Dr. Wang's principled and courageous politics began at the time of China's Cultural Revolution, a 1966 - 1976 period of authorities going to excess, and of enormous misery, suffering, and death for millions of Chinese citizens. Dr. Wang, then a medical student, was jailed twice for his political views, before making his way to Canada, where he completed a doctorate in medical research. In 1982, he moved to New York, where he set up the Chinese Alliance for Democracy, and began publishing a periodical, China Spring. That magazine became popular with pro-democracy intellectuals in China, and among people such as the students in Tiananmen Square. At Tiananmen Square, Chinese college students led an uprising, calling for democracy and freedom, and had a six-week stand off with authorities, before it ended in the Tiananmen Square massacre, seen on world television, on June 4, 1989. In 1998, Dr. Wang snuck back into China to help form the China Democracy Party, also called the Chinese Democracy and Justice Party. He was caught by authorities and expelled from China. No less, the occasion cemented his fame and heroism in this cause.

What happened in the abduction of Wang Bingzhang?

John Kusumi muses, "The meeting may have been a set up." Wang Bingzhang, traveling with two other Chinese dissidents, set out to meet leaders of China's fledgling labor movement. The meeting was to take place in Vietnam, safely across the border from China. The setup of the meeting may have included ruses and lures by hosts with bad intentions. Together, the dissidents visiting from the West (two, including Wang, from the U.S., and one from France) became known as "The Democracy 3."

On the night of June 26, 2002, the Democracy 3 were abducted from their hotel, by men wearing Vietnamese police uniforms, and who spoke Mandarin Chinese. They were taken the 12 miles to the border with China, and placed on a boat which brought them into China. The abduction was well orchestrated, with cars waiting at the hotel and at the border, as well as a waiting boat. These details come to us from Yue Wu, one of the companions traveling with Wang in the Democracy 3.

The Free China Movement, on July 25, accused the Chinese government of kidnapping them. China denied that it was holding them. The Democracy 3 were held incommunicado for six months, until a December 19 report by China's Xinhua news agency admitted that they had the three in custody, "since July 3." The dispute lingers about the June 26 - July 3 period, with the Free China Movement insisting that the kidnappers were Chinese government agents, and with China saying that it rescued the three from a kidnap gang, and found them tied up in a temple on July 3.

China subsequently arrested Wang Bingzhang, and cleared his two companions of any charges. Wang stood trial in China on January 22, for charges of espionage and terrorism. The charges have been termed "ludicrous" by the Free China Movement, and a "yarn" by the China Support Network. Other adjectives have come from many quarters.

What happened Monday?

China announced a guilty verdict, and a sentence of life in prison for Wang Bingzhang.

What happened since Monday?

A rising international uproar is ready to pierce our eardrums. The CSN reported Tuesday about some reaction, and now there is more. The Free China Movement has released its intelligence that the trial's outcome and sentencing were ordained in advance by a "very important communist official in Beijing," who is quoted as saying, "Since he (Dr. Wang) is willing to spend his whole life in jail if that can end our Party's rule, in exchange then let him stay in jail for life!"

Wang Bingzhang himself has weighed in. A letter to his family, dated February 8, was published by a Hong Kong newspaper. Here is what Dr. Wang had to say--

Mom and Dad,

Family members, Hope you are all well,

I am writing this brief note to let you know I am alive and well. Since entering China, my basic living needs have been met, the food and drink have been not bad, with sufficient nutrition, and my health has not failed dramatically. The agencies and officials in charge of my care have been most courteous, so mom and dad, and family, please do not worry.

Also, with regards to the matter of my legal counsel. Both Min Yang and Chao Wen are independent lawyers in Guangzhou in private practice. The head of the Guangdong Province Bar Association, Yunhua Ci, met with me in person, and presented a list of recommended counsel. From among those listed, I selected Min Yang and Chao Wen. They seem to be very responsible in exercising their duties as lawyers, and presented a defense of not guilty before the Court. Please repose your trust in their professionalism, and bring any matters under consideration to their attention for discussion. My legal fees should be paid according to the sums specified in the contract. As to my daily living routine, every day I pray to God. I trust, the Lord will protect us.

Transferred from China Support Network (CSN)