CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-194158
Feng Congde
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Political Activist
Record ID
CNHRA-P-194158
Visual Records
Feng Congde at the opening ceremony of Tiananmen University of Democracy on June 1, 2014.
Biography
Feng Congde was a Peking University graduate student and an organizer in the 1989 movement and square headquarters.[1]
In spring 1989 Feng researched satellite-image processing at Peking University. After Hu Yaobang’s death on April 15, he joined mourning and protest and assumed student-organizing and square-headquarters roles.[1]
HRW’s interview describes a planned Boston University doctorate, later flight and relocation, and subsequent research in religion and Chinese medical thought.[1]
In a May 2004 HRW interview, Feng discussed the movement’s later influence. He described its goals as both a market economy and democratic politics and argued that democracy and human rights were becoming shared values even when people did not speak publicly. In the same interview, he recalled the lights being extinguished around the square early on June 4 and his role in the students’ decision to withdraw.[1]
Case Summary
HRW records Feng appearing on the wanted list of 21 student leaders on June 12, 1989, followed by hiding and flight with Chai Ling.[1]
In the interview Feng expressed guilt over the deaths of workers and civilians and recounted his withdrawal decision under threat.[1]
Feng subsequently documented the 1989 movement. HRW’s 2004 interview discusses religious studies and computer work; China Unofficial Archives introduces his historical documentation.[1][2]
Timeline
1989-04-15
Joins the student movement
After Hu Yaobang’s death, Feng, a graduate student at Peking University’s Remote Sensing Institute, joined mourning and protests and later held student leadership posts. He studied satellite-image processing, had a Boston University doctoral scholarship and was due to defend his thesis on June 12.[1]
1989-06-04
Participates in withdrawal from the square
Feng later recalled helping decide withdrawal after an urgent voice vote and his assessment of danger.[1]
1989-06
Placed on a wanted list
HRW records Feng’s appearance on the wanted list on June 12, originally his thesis-defense date, followed by hiding and flight from China.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-672578Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Interview: April 1989 participation, student roles, June 4 withdrawal and exile; Opening May 2004 remarks and recollections of the lights being extinguished, voting and withdrawal from the square.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-997305China Unofficial Archives
Evidence location: Biographical introduction and student-movement documentation.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-207102Wikimedia Commons
Evidence location: Photograph, subject description, author and licensing section.