 Xu Wenli is a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University. One of China's most recognized pro-democracy advocates, Mr. Xu spent 16 years in prison for his activities as a dissident. He was a leader in the Democracy Wall movement from 1979 to 1981, edited the samizdat-style journal April Fifth Forum, and played a major role in establishing the Beijing-Tianjin branch of the China Democracy Party. Mr. Xu's health suffered while in prison. In reaction to his declining condition, international human rights groups, the US ambassador to China, and Western officials called for his release. The Chinese government finally relented and released him on medical grounds in December 2002. He and his wife left China immediately for the United States to be reunited with their daughter, Xu Jin, who lives in Rhode Island. Mr. Xu has published a number of books, including most recently A Theoretical Inquiry into the Rational Structure of Human Society (Hong Kong: Greenfield Book Store, December 2008, available in Chinese and English), which recounts his experiences in jail and his thoughts on democracy.
 Xu Wenli and the China Democracy Party is an activity incorporating videos in which Xu describes his time in prison and the democracy movement in China. It also includes suggestions and questions that teachers may adapt for use in their classrooms.
The following videos have been translated into English by Ruo Mei Chua and are provided with an English voiceover. Some information has been added for clarity. These videos are also available in Mandarin with English subtitles.
Filmed in May 2008.
Videos with English Voiceover
Who are you and what do you do? [0:48]
Why were you exiled from China? [0:55]
When did you decide that China's society needed to transformed? [2:32]
You were imprisoned two times by the Chinese government. What were you accused of doing? [1:49]
After you were released from prison the first time, you continued with political activities. Did you fear being sent back to prison? [1:18]
In 1998, you helped form the China Democratic Party (CDP). What does the CDP hope to achieve? [1:08]
Why do you think democracy and human rights are so important? [1:17]
What caused the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and government crackdown? [3:05]
How does the Chinese government manage civil unrest? [2:02]
The Golden Shield Project is an internet surveillance program. What are other ways the Chinese government controls the flow of information? [3:03]
How does the Golden Shield Project censor internet activity? [0:55]
Why are people protesting in Tibet? [2:43]
Should the international community pressure China's government to improve its human rights practices? [2:31]
How would a free press affect China? [0:55]
Why is it important for high school students to understand what is happening in China? [1:25]
Videos in Mandarin with English subtitles
Who are you and what do you do? [0:48]
Why were you exiled from China? [0:55]
When did you decide that China's society needed to transformed? [2:32]
You were imprisoned two times by the Chinese government. What were you accused of doing? [1:49]
After you were released from prison the first time, you continued with political activities. Did you fear being sent back to prison? [1:18]
In 1998, you helped form the China Democratic Party (CDP). What does the CDP hope to achieve? [1:08]
Why do you think democracy and human rights are so important? [1:17]
What caused the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and government crackdown? [3:05]
How does the Chinese government manage civil unrest? [2:02]
The Golden Shield Project is an internet surveillance program. What are other ways the Chinese government controls the flow of information? [3:03]
How does the Golden Shield Project censor internet activity? [0:55]
Why are people protesting in Tibet? [2:43]
Should the international community pressure China's government to improve its human rights practices? [2:31]
How would a free press affect China? [0:55]
Why is it important for high school students to understand what is happening in China? [1:25]
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