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「八九中国民运」三十七周年纪念研讨会暨新书发布会在纽约圆满落幕

Release Date: June 2, 2026

Location: New York, United States

On the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement, the NAFUS Alumni Research Association (NAFUS), in partnership with Human Rights in China (HRIC) and co-hosted by the U.S.-Asia Law Institute (USALI) at New York University, successfully held a commemorative symposium, the launch of the new book “The Federation of Students and Scholars Abroad (FSSA) and the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement,” and the inauguration ceremony of the NAFUS Alumni Research Association.

The conference reviewed and reconstructed the organizational history of the Federation of Students and Scholars Abroad and discussed future strategies for advancing freedom, democracy, and human rights in China in the era of AI and digital transformation.

Section I: Opening Remarks and Inauguration Ceremony The conference opened with remarks by Zhou Fengsuo and Katherine Wilhelm, who emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory. Zhao Xin announced the establishment of the NAFUS Alumni Research Association and presented the official New York State nonprofit incorporation certificate, confirming its legal status and long-term institutional foundation.

Section II: Book Launch — “The Federation of Students and Scholars Abroad and the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement” The second session featured the launch of a major historical work authored by Wang Xing, one of the core organizers of the 1989 movement. Speakers highlighted the book’s significance in filling longstanding gaps in the historical record. Professor Andrew J. Nathan of Columbia University delivered remarks on the scholarly importance of the work. Messages of support were also received from prominent figures associated with the movement. In his keynote address, Wang Xing explained the motivation behind the book and proposed a framework of “five narratives” of the 1989 movement. He argued that official Chinese Communist Party narratives and united-front narratives distort history, while scholarly research, participant accounts, and organizational histories offer more reliable pathways toward understanding the truth. Wang also described the decades-long process of documenting events, including notes preserved from Qincheng Prison, efforts to collect historical materials during the 1990s, and the final completion of the manuscript during his fellowship at Columbia University in 2024. The book addresses major historical controversies and presents clarifications regarding: • The “48-Hour Change” in Tiananmen Square leadership and allegations that the Federation sought to seize command authority. • The relationship between the Federation and the incident involving the defacement of Mao Zedong’s portrait by the “Three Heroes of Tiananmen.” • Claims regarding the alleged “kidnapping” of Chai Ling. • Allegations that the Federation opposed withdrawal from Tiananmen Square before the June 4 crackdown. The author argued that these claims have often been misrepresented and presented documentary evidence and eyewitness testimony to support his conclusions. The session also included commentary by former participants, scholars, and public intellectuals. At its conclusion, Wang Xing signed an agreement donating all global sales-management rights and profits from the book to the association in support of historical preservation, human rights research, and public-interest initiatives.

Section III: Symposium on the 37th Anniversary of the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement The symposium focused on two principal themes.

Theme One: Fifteen Major Historical Contributions of the Federation of Students and Scholars Abroad Wang Xing presented a detailed account of what he described as fifteen major contributions of the Federation during the 1989 movement, including: • Organizational leadership and operational coordination. • Mobilization of students from outside Beijing. • Organization of student patrol teams during the early days of martial law. • Humanitarian coordination with the Red Cross Society of China. • Documentation of casualties following the June 4 crackdown. • Nationwide assessment of participation and subsequent persecution. The presentation emphasized that participation in the movement extended far beyond Beijing and involved millions of students and citizens throughout China. The speaker argued that the suffering and sacrifices of participants nationwide should be formally recognized in the historical record.

Theme Two: The Relationship, Role, and Significance of Major Student Organizations During the 1989 Movement Former leaders and participants reviewed cooperation between the Beijing Students’ Autonomous Federation and the Federation of Students and Scholars Abroad, including the operation of the Tiananmen Square Command Headquarters. Discussions examined organizational successes, internal disagreements, and historical lessons.

Section IV: Roundtable Discussion and Conference Conclusions The final session featured a roundtable discussion on contemporary China, intergenerational engagement, coalition-building, and strategies for democratic advocacy in the age of artificial intelligence. Participants reached consensus on three broad strategic directions: • Upholding universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. • Preserving and transmitting the collective memory of the 1989 generation to younger generations. • Applying AI, digital technologies, and innovative organizational methods to support future democratic development. The conference concluded with a call to strengthen historical memory, rebuild trust among advocates of democracy and human rights, and develop long-term strategies for China’s democratic future. NAFUS Alumni Research Association (NAFUS) Human Rights in China (HRIC) June 2, 2026