5 January 2005
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Dear President Hu:
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the oldest and largest faculty professional association in the United States, has been devoted to promoting academic freedom since its founding in 1915 by John Dewey and Arthur Lovejoy. It is the AAUP’s belief that academic freedom promotes the common good and that the common good depends on the free search for truth and its free exposition.
The common good in today’s global society is an international concern. Accordingly, the AAUP must express its serious concern about the reported treatment of Professor Li Boguang. We understand that Professor Li was arrested in Fujian Province on 14 December 2004, several months after the publication of his article, “Can Citizens Dismiss a Mayor.” It is astounding that a well-established government such as yours would be so frightened by the expression of ideas as to arrest, detain, and try such a prominent intellectual. We cite our own commitment to academic freedom, as well as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as sufficient reason for requesting that you release Professor Li immediately and unconditionally.
The AAUP would be pleased, upon request, to share with the Government of the People’s Republic a copy of the AAUP’s policies and documents that enshrine as well as codify the principles of academic freedom.
Sincerely,
Roger W. Bowen
General Secretary