Wife of Political Prisoner Shi Minglei Reborn Overseas, More Determined to Promote China's Democracy

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Shu-ling, Taipei, 29th) Cheng Yuan, a Chinese NGO worker, advocated for the rights of patients but was accused of 'subverting state power' and imprisoned for 5 years. To pursue a freer and more just life, his wife, Shi Minglei, was forced to move to the United States with her daughter. Previously focused on her career development, she now feels a responsibility to change China.

Changsha Funeng, a Chinese non-profit organization focused on the rights of people with disabilities, saw its director Cheng Yuan and two others arrested in 2019 by Changsha state security for 'subverting state power.' Cheng Yuan was later sentenced to 5 years in prison and deprived of political rights for 5 years.

The Chinese criminal penalty of 'deprivation of political rights' has garnered more attention in Taiwan recently with the sentencing of Fucha, editor-in-chief of Aquila Press, in China. Shi Minglei said that Chinese people inherently have few 'political rights,' and this term is usually interpreted as a prohibition on leaving the country. However, she is not optimistic that she will be allowed to leave even after the term expires, as many lawyers sentenced during the '709 crackdown' had their passports confiscated, were forbidden from leaving the country, and even their children's normal right to education was interfered with after their sentences were served.

## Rebirth Overseas: The Meaning of Life Is More Important Than Making Money

Shi Minglei arrived in the United States with her daughter in April 2021. She now shares the joys and sorrows of life daily via video calls with her husband, who has been released from prison but cannot yet leave the country.

She told the Central News Agency reporter that she was furious after her husband was arrested and experienced great pressure herself: her personal freedom was restricted, bank accounts frozen, mobile phone confiscated, and state security agents threatened her at home in the middle of the night.

She said that the Communist Party's method is to create enough terror to 'make you socially dead,' causing others to be afraid to contact her, and she also feared causing trouble for her relatives and friends. When everything around her was taken away, she faced a choice: compromise for a little space, or firmly refuse to compromise? She decided to pay any price to leave China.

Before leaving the country, Shi Minglei worked in cross-border e-commerce for a company. Feeling that the business environment in China's domestic market was too poor, often requiring illegal means such as bribery, she later found a company in Shenzhen with ideals and rules, founded by a former Google engineer, whose company culture inherited Google's equality, openness, and inclusivity. This helped her adapt to life in the United States later.

Unlike her highly competitive life in China, in the freer, more open, and resource-rich society of the United States, she began to think about the meaning and pursuit of her life, realizing it should be more than just a job.

## Strong Civilian Power in the US; Most Chinese Only Want to Mind Their Own Business

Under President Trump's anti-illegal immigration policies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforced strictly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Shi Minglei resides. Earlier this year, two protestors died, and large-scale arrests of protestors caused unrest.

Shi Minglei herself is an immigrant, and this incident profoundly impacted her. But at the same time, she saw the power of American civil society; there are vibrant non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and people are willing to stand up and participate in public affairs.

In contrast, in China, the government's centralized system is too powerful, leading Chinese people to feel that they cannot change anything and slowly give up. Most of these people, once overseas, only want a 'quiet life.' She believes that more overseas Chinese should be willing to take on social responsibility and strive to change China, 'even if we don't see (a democratic China) in this lifetime, what we do doesn't mean it has no value.'

How can China be changed from overseas? Shi Minglei believes there is much that can be done, for example, as Chinese media lose space, there should be more sufficient and truthful news overseas that many young people who 'jump the firewall' can access. Additionally, using internet technology to continuously break through the CCP's information blockade; and rebuilding Chinese communities overseas to establish a sustainable private fundraising environment.

Many things have to be done one step at a time. Shi Minglei found that when overseas Chinese first meet each other, if not introduced by a familiar friend, they often speak cautiously and find it difficult to trust each other, perhaps related to some people relying on Chinese government resources. However, she communicates with families from Myanmar and Syria who came to the US without barriers and are very friendly.

## Forced Exile: From Isolation to Concern for Chinese Political Prisoners in the US and China

Chinese political prisoners are incarcerated domestically, while their spouses live abroad. Even if they have the ability to earn a living, compared to ordinary immigrants, they face the predicament of severed contact with relatives and friends at home and greater isolation. Shi Minglei said that forced exile is actually very difficult: 'You're not just leaving a government; you're leaving your hometown, your family, friends, all social connections, and local participation.'

For the first two years in the U.S., she took care of her child during the day, not wanting emotional instability to affect her child, but often cried in her dreams at night. It wasn't until the last two or three years, as she started a business and rebuilt her life in the U.S., especially after Cheng Yuan was released from prison, that she connected more with local society and no longer felt like an outsider.

Shi Minglei, 40, has decided to return to school to pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA), which is a significant change in her mindset since moving to the United States. 'If these overseas Chinese still retain the determination and desire to change China, I would greatly respect them. I think this is a manifestation of social responsibility.' (Edited by Chou Hui-ying) 1150429

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