Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
A Revealing Conversation with Chinese Consulate PR Head in SF
regarding the July 10 Labor Delegation
Notes on Phone Call with Mr. Hong Li,
Head of Public Relations at the Chinese Consulate
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
On Friday, June 28th, we asked Krista Husar, a volunteer with the OWC
Continuations Committee, if she would call the Chinese Consulate in San
Francisco on behalf of the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO) and the
OWC Continuations Committee to set up an appointment with the Consulate on
Wednesday, July 10. On that date we will be sending a representative labor
& community delegation to the Chinese Consulate -- as part of the July
10 International Day of Action to Free the Liaoyang 5.
Krista, who will be coordinating our July 10 delegation and rally here in
San Francisco, called the Chinese Consulate to make this appointment and
spoke briefly with Mr. Hong Li, head of Public Relations at the Consulate.
I am sending you below the notes Krista took from this call, which -- as
you will see -- reveal a hardline stance by the Chinese authorities
against the Liaoyang 5 and their supporters. Despite the Consulate's
initial refusal to receive our delegation, we will keep calling them to
insist that they receive us.
We urge all unionists and supporters of labor rights in the San Francisco
Bay Area to sign the Urgent Appeal below, which we will submit to the
Chinese Consulate on July 10. Our goal is to submit thousands of
signatures on this appeal. (Please forward this appeal to your contacts
and friends.)
We also urge you to join us during your lunch break at 12 noon on July 10
in front of the Chinese Consulate at 1450 Laguna St. (corner of Geary
Blvd), near Japantown. We especially call on union locals, community
organizations, and labor rights groups to contact Krista Husar at
415-626-1175 to help us coordinate this protest action and to have
speakers and banners at the event on July 10.
One final yet important political note: Contrary to what Mr. Hong Li, head
of Public Relations at the Chinese Consulate, implied in his response to
Krista Husar, our campaign is not marked by any hostility whatsoever
towards the People's Republic of China and the Chinese people. Its aim is
to convey our solidarity with the Chinese workers who are struggling for
their rights. To defend the right of the Chinese workers to organize
independently is not an attack against China. On the contrary, it is a
condition to allow those who create the wealth of the country to defend
themselves.
The multinational corporations are requesting from those in power in China
the unlimited right to exploit the Chinese workers. They do not hide the
fact that their plans and their needs require the destructive
privatization of State enterprises and the dismantling of all systems of
social protection in China. The international financial institutions of
Global Capitalism clearly say that tens of millions of layoffs will be the
result of the agreement through which China became part of the WTO.
As one Chinese worker told the China Labour Bulletin, which is
published by Han Dongfang in Hong Kong: "By defending ourselves and
our rights, we are defending our fatherland. This type of patriotism means
that we are deeply involved in the welfare of the Chinese nation and of
the Chinese people."
Thanks in advance for your support, and hoping you to see you July 10th!
In Solidarity,
Alan Benjamin and Ed Rosario
Co-coordinators,
OWC Continuations Committee
*******************
Notes on Phone Call with Mr. Hong Li, Head of Public Relations at the
Chinese Consulate
Friday, June 28, 2002
Krista Husar: I am contacting you on behalf of the San Francisco Labor
Council. We would like to send a labor delegation to the Consulate on July
10 in response to the five Liaoyang unionists who were jailed in March of
this year.
Hong Li: Which men are you talking about? Where are they
from?"
Krista Husar: They are Pang Qingxiang, Xiao Yunliang , Wang
Zhaoming, and Gu Baoshu. They are from...
Hong Li: We do not believe in the violent actions taken by these
men against China.
Krista Husar: This is regarding their attempt to express their own
voice in China and to form a union of their choice.
Hong Li: The existing union, the ACFTU [All China Federation of
Trade Unions -- the government-sponsored union], is doing the right thing
for the workers. There is no reason for these men to organize separately.
We are not interested, therefore, in pursuing any discussion with you
about the activity of these men.
Krista Husar: I will report this discussion to the SF Labor
Council. We will be getting back to you. Thank you.