Student Dissident Chai Ling Surfaces
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HONG KONG — Chai Ling, one of the top student leaders of last year’s pro-democracy movement in Beijing, made a dramatic television appearance Tuesday to announce her escape to the West after 10 months as a fugitive in China.
“I am now safe and sound,” said Chai in a near whisper as her husband, Feng Congde, sat by her side covering his face as he wept. “Please put your minds to rest.”
Frequently pausing to fight tears, Chai said, “The road to freedom was very difficult, very long. Because of that, as I reached the last step toward freedom, I almost ran out of energy. I looked up to see this free world, to breath the fresh air.”
The couple had been on a wanted list of 21 students accused by of leading the Tian An Men Square protests last spring.
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