Putting Their Lives on the Line: Charter 08's Wake Up Call for China and America

The Defense Forum Foundation presents a discussion by Dr. Yang Jianli on the various foreign policy options that Charter 08 presents for the United States and the western democracies.

SPEAKER: Dr. Yang Jianli

Not since the Tiananmen Square Democracy Movement of 1989 has such a clear and compelling call for democratic reform come from the Chinese people as the publication of Charter 08.  Over 300 widely respected professional, academic, and intellectual citizens of China signed and published Charter 08 on December 10, 2008.  The document cited the Chinese Government as a failed system which has "stripped  people of their rights, destroyed their dignity, and corrupted normal human intercourse." Charter 08 went beyond citing the failures of the CCP to propose 19 specific recommendations for constitutional reform for restoring the rule of law and respect for human rights in China. 

The 303 signatories of Charter 08 have put their lives on the line in calling for constitutional reform that puts China on a road to democracy and respect for human rights.  Dr. Yang Jianli, himself a signatory to Charter 08, a survivor of Tiananmen Square, former political prisoner in China, and Senior Harvard Fellow, will speak of the implications of Charter 08 for America and China and for their bilateral relations.  He will also discuss various foreign policy options that Charter 08 presents for the United States and the western democracies.

RSVP REQUIRED (acceptances only):  by email to  rsvp@defenseforum.org or by phone to 703-534-4313 by noon, Thursday, February 28th to attend this forum.

COST: No charge to Members of Congress or Congressional Staff.  For non-Congressional staff, a $30 fee is requested to cover the cost of the lunch and must be received prior to the lunch at DFF, 3014 Castle Road, Falls Church, Virginia.

*DFF's Defense and Foreign Policy Forums were established in 1983 to provide Congressional staff the opportunity to hear from expert speakers in a nonpartisan, collegial atmosphere on important issues facing the United States and her allies.