Whistleblower’s death ignites calls for political reform in China

BEIJING: The death of a whistleblowing doctor, who was reprimanded for warning about the new coronavirus, has sparked rare calls for political reform and free speech in China.

Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist in Wuhan, ground zero of China’s virus epidemic which has killed more than 800, succumbed to the disease last Friday, over a month after he first raised alarm about the SARS-like virus.

He was among eight physicians punished by Wuhan police for “rumour-mongering”.

But after his death struck a collective nerve, a number of academics have spoken up to demand more freedom in China.

At least two open letters demanding free speech have circulated on social media since the 34-year-old’s death, one signed by 10 professors in Wuhan.

Li’s efforts “vigorously maintained the interests of the country and society”, read that letter.

“Put an end to the restrictions on freedom of speech,” it demanded, and “openly apologise” to Li and the seven other doctors punished for discussing the emergence of the virus in December.

The other letter, signed last Friday by an anonymous group of alumni from the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, called on authorities to “guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens”.

“Resolutely oppose making political security the top priority, that is an extremely selfish goal of a small organisation!” it said.

The letters are a rare call for political reform in China, a country where dissidents are often jailed and criticism of the government is quickly scrubbed.

Many references to the two letters had been removed from Weibo .

While the World Health Organisation and other experts have heaped praise on China, saying it took decisive steps to try to contain the virus, critics say precious time was lost by early inaction from the local government.

Li, diagnosed with the virus on Feb 1, said in a Weibo post in late January that local police had forced him to sign a statement agreeing not to commit any more “law-breaking actions”.

He said police had summoned him after he saw test results from some patients suggesting a SARS-like virus and reminded colleagues in a group chat to take stronger precautions.

Since his death, Beijing has sought to quell public anger by positioning the doctor as a hero. – AFP