Wu'er Kaixi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wu'erkaixi
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| Uerkesh Davlet | |||||||||||
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Wu'erkaixi in 2013
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| Born | 17 February 1968 |
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| Nationality | Republic of China (Taiwan) | ||||||||||
| Alma mater | Minzu University of China Beijing Normal University |
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| Spouse(s) | Chen Huiling | ||||||||||
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| Uyghur | ئۆركەش دۆلەت | ||||||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 吾尔开希·多莱特 | ||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 吾爾開希·多萊特 | ||||||||||
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Uerkesh Davlet (Uyghur: ئۆركەش دۆلەت; Chinese: 吾尔开希·多莱特), often called Wu'erkaixi, is a well-known Chinese political speaker. He became famous for his important role during the Tiananmen protests of 1989 in China.
While studying at Beijing Normal University, Wu'erkaixi joined a hunger strike. He bravely spoke up to the Chinese Premier, Li Peng, on national television. He was one of the main leaders of the Beijing Students' Autonomous Federation. This group wanted to see changes in the government.
After the protests, Wu'erkaixi moved to Taiwan. There, he became a political commentator, which means he shares his opinions on political topics. He also tried to get elected to the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's main law-making body, but he was not successful.
Contents
Early Life
Wu'erkaixi was born in Beijing, China, on February 17, 1968. His family originally came from a place called Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang.
Student Protests of 1989
Wu'erkaixi became involved in the student movement in Beijing in April 1989. He had already started an independent student group at Beijing Normal University. As more and more students joined the protests in Tiananmen Square, he quickly became one of their most active leaders. He helped organize a very successful protest on April 27, 1989. After this, he was chosen to be the president of the student union.
Meeting with Premier Li Peng
In May 1989, Wu'erkaixi met with Premier Li Peng on television. During their meeting, Wu'erkaixi interrupted Li Peng to speak about the students. He told the Premier that the students in the square were hungry while they were sitting comfortably. He said they were there to talk about serious issues.
When Li Peng said Wu'erkaixi was being impolite, Wu'erkaixi continued. He pointed out that the students had been trying to talk to the government since April 22. He said it was "too late" for the Premier to finally meet them, but still good that he came. Wu'erkaixi explained that the students wanted basic freedoms, like the freedom to discuss ideas and be respected.
Life After 1989
After the protests, Wu'erkaixi was one of the most wanted student leaders in China. He managed to leave China and went to France with help from a secret operation called Operation Yellowbird. He then studied at Harvard University and Dominican University of California in the United States.
Later, he moved to Taiwan. He married a Taiwanese woman and started a family there. For a few years, he hosted a radio talk show. He also often appears on TV to share his political views.
Views on Taiwan and China
Wu'erkaixi supports the growth of democracy in Taiwan. He also believes in a strong civil society, where people can freely participate in their communities. He has sometimes criticized different political parties in Taiwan.
In an interview in 2014, he said that he was not a nationalist. However, if he had to choose, he would support Taiwan's independence. He explained that many Taiwanese people want to keep things as they are to avoid conflict with mainland China. They do not want war.
Efforts to Return Home
Wu'erkaixi has a strong wish to return to mainland China to see his parents. He has not seen them since 1989. He has tried several times to go back to China or turn himself in to Chinese authorities.
In 2009, he went to Macao hoping to be arrested and clear his name, but he was sent back to Taiwan. In 2010, he tried to enter the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, Japan, but he was released without charges. He tried again in 2012 at the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., but he was ignored. In 2013, he tried in Hong Kong and was again sent back to Taiwan.
In 2019, Wu'erkaixi spoke to the United States House of Representatives about the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests. His story was part of a documentary film called The Exiles (2022).
Political Involvement
Wu'erkaixi's political ideas are closely linked to his past as an activist. He supports human rights and progressive political groups. In Taiwan, he has said he wants a stronger approach to Taiwan's relationship with mainland China.
Even though he supports some Taiwanese political groups, he still feels Chinese. He has said, "China is the home of my parents. Taiwan is the home of my children."
In 2014, Wu'erkaixi announced he would run for a seat in the Legislative Yuan. However, he later decided not to run. He felt that the short term of office would not be enough time to achieve his political goals. He tried again in 2015 but was not successful.
In 2019, Wu'erkaixi showed his support for the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. He saw a connection between the Hong Kong protests and the Tiananmen Square protests from 1989. He believes both events show that the government does not want to give its people freedom.
