Chinese political activist talks at Haverford

HAVERFORD, Pa. -- A standing ovation rewarded Chinese political dissident Harry Wu, the son of a well-to-do Shanghai banker, at the close of his remarks in the Marshall Auditorium of Haverford College Wednesday night. In an hour-long speech to more than 800 students, faculty and community members, Wu described his experience as a prisoner in laogai, the Chinese labor camp system, and his eventual flight to the United States. After 19 years in prison in China for political deviance, Wu was released and left China for San Francisco. "I had only $40 in my pocket," he explained. "I got my first job in a doughnut store." But Wu quickly tired of his new free lifestyle and decided to return to China to expose the corruption in laogai, he said, adding that he founded an organization on this behalf. "I wanted laogai to become a word in the English dictionary," he said. Wu was arrested again, charged with stealing state secrets and isolated in a discreet location. He was interrogated about his espionage for 66 days and was finally freed after pressure from Amnesty International and the U.S. government, Wu explained. He said he wanted to appeal his case and remain in China, but his request was denied by the Chinese government and he was deported from the country over the summer. Wu was welcomed with open arms by his wife and supporters in the U.S. and is presently a research fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University. Still, Wu does not hesitate when asked if he would return to China. "China is my homeland," he said last night. "I don't have the right to choose my homeland, but I have the right to choose my government." Wu's speech was also peppered with light moments -- such as when he described his job in the doughnut shop. "I never want to eat a doughnut again," Wu joked. Despite his soft-spoken nature, most in attendance found Wu's speech very moving. "It was good to hear a personal account of his experience," said College graduate Ronald Wong. "His speech made me aware of a lot of the circumstances in China that I wouldn't have known," added second-year Community College of Philadelphia student Shannon Mazzei. A reception was held after the speech to give people the opportunity to meet Wu and see his video documentary of his experiences. College and Wharton freshman Jeff Shih was able to meet the human rights activist in person and shake his hand. "I asked him what his outlook on the future of Taiwan and Hong Kong in relation to [the People's Republic of China] was," said Shih. The Haverford Student Council's Speaker's Committee invited Wu in order to generate conversation among attendees, according to Committee chairperson and organizer Michael Froehlich. "In my two-and-a-half years working on the committee, this is by far the most successful turnout," he said, referring to the standing-room only crowd.