Liu Xiaobo
Liu Xiaobo
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Liu Xiaobo's full name is Liu Xiaobo, with no common aliases.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: December 28, 1955, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
Died: July 13, 2017, Qincheng Prison, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese dissident, writer, professor, poet, literary critic, and human rights activist. He held dual citizenship of China and the United States.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Jinzhou, Liu Xiaobo's family faced hardship due to his father's imprisonment for counter-revolutionary activities during the Chinese Civil War. This experience would later influence his activism against authoritarianism. Liu Xiaobo received a traditional education before attending the Beijing Normal University, where he became involved in student activism.
Major Accomplishments
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Liu Xiaobo made significant contributions to China's human rights movement and its struggle for democracy. Some notable achievements include:
Helping draft the Charter 08, a document calling for democratic reforms in China.
Being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, which he was unable to receive due to his imprisonment at the time.
Serving as a professor of Chinese literature at Beijing Normal University and later at Columbia University.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by Liu Xiaobo include:
The Power of the Dark Knight (1989): A poem that criticized the Tiananmen Square protests' suppression.
* A Confucian Manifesto (1993): An essay advocating for a revival of Confucian values in China's governance.
Impact and Legacy
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Liu Xiaobo's activism has left an indelible mark on China. His advocacy for human rights, democracy, and rule of law inspired generations of Chinese dissidents and continues to influence the country's ongoing democratization efforts.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Liu Xiaobo is widely quoted and remembered due to his courageous fight against authoritarianism and his contributions to China's democratic movement. His commitment to human rights and freedom of expression serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking to bring about change in the region.
His imprisonment, trial, and eventual passing only serve to underscore the significance of his work. Liu Xiaobo's legacy continues to inspire people around the world, serving as a testament to the power of individual activism in shaping history.
Quotes by Liu Xiaobo
My dear, with your love I can calmly face my impending trial, having no regrets about the choices I've made and optimistically awaiting tomorrow.
In my view, Reform and Opening Up began with the abandonment of the 'using class struggle as guiding principle' government policy of the Mao era and, in its place, a commitment to economic development and social harmony.
I have no enemies and no hatred. None of the police who monitored, arrested, and interrogated me, none of the prosecutors who indicted me, and none of the judges who judged me are my enemies.
In order to exercise the right to freedom of speech conferred by the Constitution, one should fulfill the social responsibility of a Chinese citizen.
I have been obsequious toward Western civilization, exaggerating its merits and, at the same time, exaggerating my own merits.
If there has been any progress in the Chinese society and politics over the last 20 years, it is all because the citizens have been pushing for change.
Appreciation has become my destiny in life. Perhaps it's the instinct of a polar bear enjoying hibernation in the vast snows.
For those of us in the opposition movement under dictatorships, part of our job is confronting police and spending time in prison. So, a dissident not only needs to learn how to oppose oppression but also how to face the crackdowns and time in prison.
From B.A. to M.A. and on to Ph.D., my academic career was all smooth sailing. Upon receiving my degrees, I stayed on to teach at Beijing Normal University.