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Excerpt from Ding Jiaxi’s Final Statement

April 9, 2014

Ding Jiaxi was tried on April 8-9, 2014, for “gathering a crowd to disrupt order in a public place,” in connection with his participation in citizen actions calling for disclosure of officials’ assets as a way to fight corruption since 2012. The trial concluded on April 9 without a verdict.

Ding’s original trial on January 27, 2013 was adjourned following the dismissal or withdrawal of his defense counsel.  Below is HRIC’s translation of the excerpt.


Excerpt from Ding Jia’s Xi’s Final Statement
April 9, 2014

[Translation by Human Rights in China]

In order to promote asset transparency, we distributed 100,000 flyers, made more than 100 banners, participated in two demonstrations, gathered more than 7,000 signatures, and made appeals to the National People’s Congress and the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council to promulgate law on asset transparency. But we have received no response. There are not even one million people with a concept of official asset transparency, not even one in 1,000 among our 1.3 billion people. My actions are insignificant.  But I do not regret them—these are actions following my conscience. I want to be a citizen who has an opinion and a voice. I want to be a butterfly. The incessant fluttering of the wings of butterflies will certainly fan the wind of social transformation. [Our] future society will certainly be one where citizens enjoy freedom of expression, assembly, and association. Justice belongs to us!”

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