CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-043211
Wang Youcai
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Political Activist
Record ID
CNHRA-P-043211
Visual Records
Biography
Wang Youcai was a Peking University physics graduate student who took organizational roles in the 1989 student movement.[1]
In a May 2004 HRW interview, Wang recalled arriving in Beijing in 1987 when “my main interest was still physics.” He had expected an academic career and described 1989 as the reason he decided to work for democracy. He argued that democratic institutions could prevent another Tiananmen. Earlier, as an undergraduate, he had heard Fang Lizhi speak about democracy; at Peking University he later held student-movement posts including federation general secretary.[1]
After his first imprisonment Wang helped organize the China Democracy Party. HRW describes surveillance, questioning and threats during this period.[1][2]
Case Summary
HRW dates Wang’s detention and return to Beijing to August 19, 1989, followed by conviction over the movement. A further eleven-year sentence over party activity followed in December 1998.[1]
Wang received medical parole and left for the US in 2004. HRW gives May and the Independent Chinese PEN Center March.[1][2]
Timeline
1989
Student organizing followed by detention
HRW recounts Wang’s participation as a Peking University physics student, organizing roles and subsequent detention and conviction. In a 2004 interview he said June Fourth changed his academic plans.[1]
1998-12
Sentenced to eleven years
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-745070Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Profile: student organizing, eleven-year sentence in 1998, medical parole in 2004; discrepant formation year and release month are not adopted; The two opening statements marked May 2004 and the subsequent account of physics studies and student-movement posts.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-007217Independent Chinese PEN Center
Evidence location: Detention, 1998 sentence and 2004 release fields; month differs from HRW.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-848094Wikimedia Commons
Evidence location: Photograph, subject description, author and licensing section.