- Global Voices - https://globalvoices.org -

China: Christians and democrats forced to take sides

Categories: East Asia, China, Breaking News, Disaster, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Protest, Religion, Travel

A small decision in a complicated affair which sent ripples all throughout China's social activist community has now bounced back through the blogsphere (via BBS’ first, of course). The facts are being still hammered out, but when three Chinese Christians—one being prominent legal scholar and veteran blogger Wang Yi—in attendance of the Freedom in China Summit 2006 in Washington, D.C. decided to bar fellow attendee and prominent civil rights activist Guo Feixiong from joining them in a meeting with American president George W. Bush, a crack started to run down between the middle of China's two largest forces for social and political change: Christians and democrats.

EastSouthWestNorth superblogger Roland Soong's near-instantaneous translations aside [1], while the discussion at Wang Yi's own blog paints a clearer picture of the raging debate currently taking place, Sina blogger Wu Zuolai [2] started first:

像布什总统那样可怜余杰

Like president Bush, that poor Yu Jie

不同政见是一个国家的宝贵财富、精神资源,执政党的方针政策经过不同的声音而获得批评,只有经过批评并经得起反对,这样的政策才会更为科学更为合理,能不能爱护、同情余 杰这样的持不同政见的弱者,是我们这个社会是不是走向民主和谐社会的界标。

Different political views are a nation's precious wealth, vital resources, allowing the incumbent party's various policies to undergo different opinions and receive criticism. Only through facing criticism and opposition can policies thus become more scientific and reasonable. Whether or not one can care for or sympathize with Yu Jie, this kind of weakling so unable to accept different political views, is a signifier of this society of ours’ move towards a democratic and harmonious society.

我们这个社会日益没有信仰,余 杰与王怡信仰基 督教是一件大好事,信仰使人向善,信仰使人活得有价值,有目标,一部分人信仰上帝并不妨碍另一部分人信仰共产主义,政府的底线是任何信仰不能妨碍社会其它人生活,不得以暴力方式推翻政府,中国开放基督教对中国人民与中国民间精神生态具有无可估量的价值。

This society of ours has increasingly less faith as day by day goes by. Yu Jie and Wang Yi's belief in Christianity is a major issue. Faith teaches one virtue, to live a life of worth, with goals. The minority of people who believe in God in no way interfere with the other small number of people who believe in Communism. The government's bottom line is that any faith cannot interere with society or peoples’ lives. There's no need to use violent means in overthrowing the government. The importance that freeing Christianity in China will have on the Chinese people and their lives is infinite.

和谐社会讲自我心灵和谐,基督教可以满足。

Harmonious society speaks of harmony of the self and the soul, which Christianity can provide.

和谐社会讲信仰自由,讲各种宗教间的和谐,我们应该尊重余杰的选择。

Harmonious society speaks of freedom of religion, of harmony between the various religions. We should respect Yu Jie's decision.

信仰上帝使人与人之间平等博爱,信仰上帝使社会人生更加充实和谐。

Belief in God leads to equality and universal love between people; belief in God leads to an increased harmony in society.

没有信仰的民族永远是可怜卑微的民族,余杰很可怜,我们也一样可怜,我们漂在漫漫人生的旅途上,找不到精神归宿,我们只有寻找金钱与权力来填充空虚的内心,可无论填充多少,我们的灵魂还是空空荡荡。

A nation without faith will always be a pitiful and inferior nation. Yu Jie is pitiful and we are the same. As we float in the endless journey that is life, we are unable to find spiritual shelter. We only seek money and power to fill the inner void. But regardless of how much money or power we gain, our souls are still empty.

当我们仰望上天,当我们信仰上帝,我们会被自己内心神性所感动,我们发现我们与神在一起,我们无所畏惧,我们拥有内心的充实,我们的灵魂有了真正的皈依。

As we look towards heaven, as we look to the Lord, we are moved by our inner feeling of the divine. We notice that we are one with the Lord and have nothing to fear. We possess inner enrichment and our souls will have truly converted.

中国政府要像布什总统那样可怜余杰。

The Chinese government must be more like the poor Yu Jie that met with president Bush.

我们要像余杰那样,可怜我们自己。

We need to be more like Yu Jie, pitiful us.

And the comments:

既然要做马丁路德金干吗要到国外去呢?,,,也许中国的民众更需要他,一个人应该为了实现自己的理想不惜牺牲一切的,,,
也许,宗教对余杰而言,只不过是一件临时借来的外衣罢了,,,

Even if he wants to pull a Martin Luther King, why does he need to go overseas? Maybe the Chinese people need him; a person should be willing to sacrifice everything in order to realize his ideals. Perhaps, in regards to Yu Jie, religion is just a coat temporarily borrowed.

中国有希望,因为有很多余杰正在成长,呵呵

China has hope, because many Yu Jies are now appearing.

吴同志呀你怎么会对共产党说包容不同政见者呢?你也就是鲁迅,谭嗣同而已,你永远不是毛泽东,毛有一名言,“枪杆子里面出政权”你有这胆吗,为天下人争民主。也许和毛一样权力都会到你的手上的,这是中国文化的结晶

Comrade Wu [Zuolai], how could you say there exist people with political views different from the Communist Party? You're just like Lu Xun [3] or Tan Sitong [4]. You'll never be a Mao Zedong. Mao has one famous saying, “power comes out of the barrel of a gun.” Do you have the guts to fight for democracy for everyone under heaven? Perhaps power may end up in your hands as it did Mao's; such is the design of Chinese culture.

For the first week and a half following the meeting with president Bush, no mention of the growing controversy was seen on Wang Yi's blog, so readers started commenting in his most recent and unrelated post, the text of a speech titled ‘The Civil Rights Movement and the Gradual Increase of Non-violent Protest [5]‘:

以前在国内和海外我都接触到一些民运人士,我有一个很大的体会,就是他们为什么会坚持到现在呢,因为在其中很多人那里恨可能是比一种爱更持久的力量。就是恨共产党,恨使很多人坚持到现在。当然不是所有的。一个政治反对派,他的灵魂的轴心却是围绕着共产党转的。除了这个,他没有更高的盼望,更高的荣耀。如果他明天早上起来突然不恨共产党了,他会就说算了,还是过点小日子算了。甚至还可能陷入更大的虚无感。这是很可悲的,支持他走得更远的力量是怨恨和苦毒,而不是相反的力量。

Previously, in China and abroad, I've met some people in the democratic movement, so I have a pretty clear understanding why they've persisted until now. It's because for a lot of people their hate is stronger and longer-lasting than any sort of love could ever be. That's the hate of the Communist party, hate that's kept people going until now. Of course, it's not everybody. As a political opposition group, its spiritual center revolves around seeing the Communist Party replaced. Other than this, it has no higher aspiration or honor. If they woke up tomorrow and suddenly found themselves not hating the Communist Party, they'd just say be done with it, might as well just go on with life. This might lead to an even greater feeling of nihility. This would be disastrous. The strength which keeps them going further comes from toxic hate, not from opposition forces.

郭飞雄未见小布什一事现在网上传的沸沸扬扬,希望王怡先生能在合适的时机出来解释一下,以正视听。

There's a lot of noise spreading through the internet right now on this matter of Guo Feixiong not meeting Bush. I hope Mr. Wang Yi can in an appropriate time offer an explanation, let us see and hear.

真正做民运的,须具备王先生一般的思想和见地,否则我们的将来还会走和现政权一样的道路

In order for a real democratic movement to be carried out, we must have Mr. Wang's general thoughts and views, or else our future will go down the same road as the current politic powers.

王老师,我历来认为,“文如其人”的要求过于苛刻,甚至有不人道的嫌疑。这次你们的美国之行意义有多重大,我不得而知,但是,期间的“四缺一”事件的确是一家欢乐万家愁的事后结论。
达袼说得好, 我也希望你能在合适的时机出来解释一下,以正视听。

Teacher Wang, I've always felt that requiring people to prove their worth through their writing is too harsh a request, even a bit inhumane. The significance of this trip of yours to America is too weighty. I may not be fully informed, but this matter of leaving one person out while it leaves a few pleased, has left tens of thousands more worried about the consequences. [The previous commenter] said it well; I also hope you can in an appropriate time offer an explanation, let us see and hear.

支持郭先生,不当人家的棋子 !

Support Mister Guo. Don't be other peoples’ pawn!

如果白宫邀请名单确实有郭兄,而王兄你们真以退团做威胁排斥郭兄的话,那么我感觉:其一:你们过分看重布什接见给大陆基督教会的支持作用,其二:你们过分估计郭出席接见可能带来的信息混淆或者担心由此引发的政治冲突。也许我讲的不对,但感觉你们有把信仰当策略之嫌。

If the White House invitation name list really did have brother Guo's on it, and brother Wang if you all really did threaten brother Guo and and exclude him from participating, then I feel: first, that you've overestimated the support and usefulness that meeting with Bush will bring mainland Christians; and second, you've overestimated the political impact that Guo's attendance and the mixed messages or worries he would bring would give rise to. I might be wrong, but I feel you've used faith in a suspect way.

王的态度还是诚恳的。事件的脉络也很清楚了。1,拒绝郭飞雄不是布什的决定,而是余王傅等人作出的。2,作出这一决定的理由是观点与行为之间的差异,差异最终决定了剥夺郭的权利。事实已清楚,人们的猜测被证实,留下的是沉重的思考:爱上帝的人可以宽容的对待自己的敌人,为何不能宽容的对待持不同政见者?

Wang's attitude is still sincere. The event's details are very clear. 1. The decision to refuse Guo Feixiong was not Bush's, it came from Yu, Wang, Fu and company. 2. The reason for this decision was based on differences in viewpoint and behavior, and in the end these differences decided to deprive Guo of his rights. The facts are already quite clear, and people's guesses have been confirmed. The decision to leave him out was pondered heavily. Those who love God can tolerate facing their enemies; why not with those of different political views?

看完了余高王主郭的全部内容,知道了事情的前因后果,感觉王先生还是欠妥!中国不只是一个基督徒的中国,为了一部分人的利益,却牺牲大多数人的利益,真的为你们的用心?

Having finished reading all the content on Yu, Gao [Zhisheng [6]: human, civil and religious rights lawyer who was not allowed to leave the country], Wang, Zhu and Guo, I see now the causes of this affair and its effects and I still feel Mister Wang acted inappropriately! China does not only belong to Christians. For the benefit of a small number of people, the benefits of a much larger number of people have been sacrificed. Was this really your intention?

说白了,就是怕担更多的风险,或者说为某些团体带来更多风险!

Speaking frankly, the fear was of increased risk; or, put another way, the increased risk that certain groups would bring!

看到大家就这个事情争论,很难过。这说明我们在一些常识问题上没有取得共识。
我个人支持余、王的做法。因为我相信在宗教的层面来工作,可能更有价值。郭的维权行动的确让人尊重,但他的结构里面有一些东西是有问题的,给人一种喧嚣、愤怒、仇恨满怀的感觉,缺少宽容精神。

To see everyone arguing over this is really hard to take. This just goes to show that in questions of common sense, we haven't yet reached mutual understanding. Personally, I support Yu and Wang's actions. Because I believe that ground work in religion is possible the most valuable. Guo's work towards protecting civil rights definitely makes one respectful, but within his character exist some problems that gives one a sense of uproar, rage, someone full of hatred and lacking a tolerant spirit.

王余两先生做法不妥,应该向郭律师诚挚道歉

Misters Wang and Yu's actions are inappropriate and they should give lawyer Guo a sincere apology.

On May 22, two weeks after the meeting and a time when the debate had grown too large to ignore, Wang uploaded a post entitled ‘A Letter of Apology to Mr. Yang Maodong: My Stance on the Mainland Civil Rights Movement [7],’ the contents of which had been erased. Wang later posted his letter and stance deep inside the comments and you can read both below:

致杨茂东先生的致歉信:附《我对大陆维权运动的立场》

Letter of apology to Mr. Yang Maodong [Guo Feixiong's real name] and my stance on the mainland civil rights movement

怎么又删了啊?
我们又不是傻子,还不至于什么都辨别不了吧。
什么地方有链接啊

Why have you erased it? It's not like we're idiots, not like we can't determine things for ourselves. Where are are there some links?

王怡致杨茂东(郭飞熊)先生的公开信

Wang Yi's public letter of apology to Mr. Yang Maodong [Guo Feixiong]

尊敬的杨茂东(郭飞熊)先生:

Dear Yang Maodong

您好。5月8日中午,我与傅牧师一道,在对华援助协会的办公室告诉你我和余杰的决定,我们二人不愿与你一起前往白宫参加与布什总统的会面。做这个决定对我是困难的,但也是坚决的。我完全理解这件事对于你个人的伤害。也愿意在此公开的向你诚恳地表示歉意。我愿意为此决定负担舆论和道义上的一切指责。

Hello. On the afternoon of May 8 in the offices of the China Aid Association, I, along with Reverend Fu, informed you of my and Yu Jie's decision, that the two of us hoped you would not come with us to the White House in meeting with president Bush. While making this decision was very difficult for me, I stand by it. I completely understand that this affair has hurt you. I'm also willing, in this open letter, to sincerely express my apologies. I'm willing to take the burden of public opinion and all moral accusations resulting from this decision.

我们交往已经数年。2002年你请我去四川遂宁作步云乡长直选的田野调查,后因为我们对直选的看法迥异,我拒绝了对选举进行宣传推广的出版计划。这件事得到了你的谅解。在这件事上你对我学术与政治立场的尊敬,使我一直对你保持敬意,也由此将你视为同道的朋友。在你的小说《李世民》中,你的一些想法和政治理想,开始使我产生距离。2005年你组织反日游行,撰文抨击焦国标等。你的民主理想中所蕴含的某种民族主义与孙文主义情结开始使我忧虑。你在被羁押中的绝食行动令人尊敬,但这一事件本身我是坚决反对的。我和余杰也曾劝说与你合作的主内弟兄,与你的道路保持距离。但在太石村事件中,你的勇敢和担当,重新赢得了我极高的敬意。你在出狱后所说的“不流血、非暴力和无敌人”,几乎令我彻底改变了对你的看法。

We've been friends for many years. In 2002 you invited me to Buyun township in Suining county in Sichuan province to conduct a field investigation into the county head elections. Later, due to opposing viewpoints, I rejected the plan to carry out a large-scale plan to publicize the election, a decision for which you forgave me. In this matter you respected my academic and political position, for which I have always maintained respect for you, and led me to see you as a friend. Some of the thoughts and politics seen in your book on Tang dynasty emperor Li Shimin [8] began to distance me from you.

2005年你组织反日游行,撰文抨击焦国标等。你的民主理想中所蕴含的某种民族主义与孙文主义情结开始使我忧虑。你在被羁押中的绝食行动令人尊敬,但这一事件本身我是坚决反对的。我和余杰也曾劝说与你合作的主内弟兄,与你的道路保持距离。但在太石村事件中,你的勇敢和担当,重新赢得了我极高的敬意。你在出狱后所说的“不流血、非暴力和无敌人”,几乎令我彻底改变了对你的看法。

In 2005 you organized an anti-Japan procession and wrote an article attacking Jiao Guobiao [9]. Contained in your democratic ideals is a certain kind of nationalism and Sun [10] complex which disturbs me. Your hunger strike prior to and after being arrested brought many people's respect, but was something I firmly opposed. The Christian brothers whom Yu Jie and myself had once persuaded to work with you, began to distance themselves from the road you have chosen. But your bravery and initiative shown in the Taishi village incident won anew my highest respects. Coming out of prison, hearing you say ‘not-bleeding, non-violent and no enemies,’ almost made me change my opinion of you.

这一次来美国,参加“中国的宗教自由与法治”研讨会,这是傅牧师的邀请函所载明的主题。傅牧师的对华援助协会长期以来关注家庭教会的维权和中国的宗教自由。尽管因为所谓“政治化”被一些教会疏离,但海内外大多数基督徒和广泛的维权人士都尊敬和感谢他的工作。如我曾参与辩护和调查的蔡卓华案和华南教会案,都和对华援助协会的长期关注和支持有莫大关系。我和余杰来到华盛顿后,才知道你也与会。尽管略有诧异,因为你并未参与过教会的信仰维权。但我们理解是负责安排的主内弟兄希望帮助你出来走走。我在第一天也向你表示我的个人意见,希望你能在美国多呆一段,多看多听,少表态。不过在后来几天的行程中,我们对你的一些言行产生了负面的评价。对你和我们的主内弟兄对局势的盲目判断,对某些想法的固执和膨胀,以及在与美国国会及其他部门交往中的措词和态度,产生了极度反感。在此过程中,作为你的朋友,我没有主动与你进行推心置腹的交流,尽到我对你的负担。这是这段时间来我对你感到亏欠的地方。也对我们最后的决裂负有极大的责任。

This time going to America to attend the “Chinese Religious Freedom and the Law” summit, this was the topic stipulated in pastor Fu's invitation letter. Reverend Fu's China Aid Association [11] since early on has been paying attention to the maintenance of rights for family churches and religious freedom in China. Despite that so-called ‘politicization’ has been rejected by some churches, both here and overseas many Christians along with the majority of civil rights defenders respect and are grateful for his work. Like my once having taken part in advocating for and investigating the cases of Cai Zhuohua [12] and the South China Church, which all has to do with the long-term attention paid by and support from the China Aid Association. It was only after we arrived in Washington D.C. that Yu Jie and I knew that you had come as well. We were slightly surprised, but only because you had never taken part in the maintaining of rights for churches and believers. But we understand that the Christian brothers in charge hoped to help you come. On the first day I expressed my personal opinions to you, hoping that you could spend some time in America listening and looking more and taking a stand less. But after several days into the journey we had some criticisms of the way you were going on. Regarding you and our Christian brothers’ blind estimations of the situation, regarding certain adamant and inflated ideas, as well as the wording and attitude used with people in the American Congress and other departments which led to them becoming extremely upset. In all of this, as your friend, I didn't actively seek to have any confidential discussions with you, obliging me to shoulder your burden. It was during this time that I came to recognize your deficiencies, which led to our final decision to break away from this encumbering enormous responsibility.

5月7日下午在米德兰的教会,我们约傅牧师谈话,交流了对你的看法。提出既然会议已经结束,希望他不再以对华援助协会的名义,为你安排任何的见面或其他机会。我们认为因你在维权运动的作为而受到的广泛尊敬,你会得到各种机会。但我们认为教会维权机构不适宜再介入其中。这样的建议出于我们作为基督徒对于教会的一种责任感。就是教会的维权要谨守圣经的教导,不怕“政治化”又要反对“政治化”,不能介入任何政治反抗运动。傅牧师同意我们的看法,告诉我们你已决定在8日下午离开米德兰去纽约。我们认为此事已经结束。我们的追求不尽相同,但我们彼此的关系得以保全。

On the afternoon of May 7 in Midland church, we called Reverend Fu out for a talk, discussed our thoughts of you. It was mentioned that although the summit had already finished, for the good of China Aid Association's name it is hoped he not arrange any further meetings or other opportunities for you. We feel that because you command such wide respect for your work in the civil rights movement, you will get these various chances on your own. But we feel that it would not be appropriate for you to get involved in the church rights defending framework again. This kind of suggestion comes from the sense of responsibility us Christians have towards the church. That is, church rights defenders need to strictly adhere to the guidance of the holy Bible, not fear ‘politicization,’ or to oppose it, and to not get involved in any political revolt movement. Reverend Fu agreed with our views and told us you had already decided to leave Midland for New York on May 8. We thought the situation has been dealt with. Our pursuits may not be the same, but our relationships with each other had been preserved.

但5月8日傅牧师忽然宣布布什将会见我们四人的消息,我们才知道傅牧师和米德兰的牧师联盟一直在为这样的会面努力。这是我们事先完全不曾知情的。当你在午餐酒会上讲话,宣布这是美国总统近十年来第一次决定接见“中国民运人士”。我和余杰交流意见后,作出了这个决定,如果你去,我们二人选择退出。我们不能接受这样一个捆绑的见面,我们必须对这一会面之于国内教会及其傅牧师所在机构的影响负责。我们也感到必须结束这一次会议安排的错误。这件事的严重性远远超过我们个人的荣誉和得失,这也是我们和三位牧师需要单独在一起祷告,所要仰望和寻求合一的内容。后来我下楼找到李柏光,告诉他我们的意见。请他自己决定是与你一道去白宫,或者认同我们的意见。柏光表示他会祷告,并一切听从傅牧师的安排。如你所知,傅牧师的决定是向白宫说明你的情况,请你退出并请求你的谅解。这一决定是在我和余杰坚持退出的情形下作出的,理应由我们负担这一决定对你的伤害。

But on May 8, Reverend Fu suddenly announced the news that the four of us would meet with Bush, and it was only then that we first knew that Reverend Fu and the Midland Reverend Alliance had all along been working for just that. We had no idea of this beforehand. As you were up speaking during the lunch cocktail party, you announced that that this was the first time in more than ten years that an American president had decided to meet with “Chinese democratic movement activists.” After Yu Jie and I exchanged opinions, we decided that if you went, the two of us would pull out. We couldn't accept this kind of tied-up meeting; we needed to have this chance to talk about mainland churches and moreso, Reverend Fu's influence and responsibility within the framework. We also felt there needed to be and end to the mistakes seen in the organizing of the summit. The seriousness of this affair was about far more than our personal honor, loss or gain, and was something we needed to pray over seperately with the three reverends, all the things we needed to look up and seek answers for. Later I came downstairs to find Li Baiguang. I told him our thoughts and asked him if his decision was to go with you to the White House or to ask you to back out and to ask for your forgiveness. This decision was made on the basis of my and Yu Jie's determination to back out, and behooves us to take responsibility for the hurt this decision caused you.

这些情况本来是我打算在当日一一向你说明并请你谅解的。但当你得知这一情形下,当场翻脸,拒绝与我交谈,并请我出去。我感到没有办法与你交流。因此只是借与国内弟兄通电话,间接向你表达了一些想法。并表示希望通过其他的渠道而不是傅牧师的渠道去为你安排这样的机会,随后你在震怒中所透露的一些信息令我更加震惊,也坚定了拒绝与你一道去白宫的决定。不但作为基督徒,家庭教会的维权既有寻求政治公义的一面,也有顺服掌权者的一面。我们不能把这样的追求与你指称的“中国民运”并列起来。而且作为维权人士,我们也绝不能为我们所不能认同的维权运动的某种危险的趋势背书。

I had planned to explain the situation to you that day and ask for your forgiveness, but as soon as you knew you made a scene and refused to speak to me, even asked me to get out. I felt there was no way to talk to you. Therefore I could only borrow one mainland brother's phone and indirectly express some thoughts to you. And express the desire to go through channels other than that of Reverend Fu to arrange a similar chance for you, although the information you disclosed afterwards in the midst of your fury shocked me even further, and strengthened my decision to refuse going to the White House with you. Not only as a Christian, on one side as a defender of family church rights and in seeking political justice, but also as one who obeys the powers that be. We cannot juxtapose these pursuits with what you call ‘the Chinese democracy movement.’ Therefore, as defenders of civil rights, we absolutely cannot endorse dangerous trends in the civil rights protection movement of which we do not approve.

从你所透露的细节,我才发现直到获知白宫见面的消息之前,我和余杰、柏光才是一直被蒙在鼓里的人。在我看来这真是神的奇妙,进白宫的三位基督徒是事先什么都不知道的人,知道和筹划的人却一个都没去成。谋略,谋略,中国的自由民主靠的是谋略吗?信仰自由靠的是谋略吗?在我看来,靠的是对上帝之爱与公义的仰望,在非基督徒的秋风兄看来,靠的是道德力量的积累。这件事最后的结果,无论见面或者不见面,都不是出于人的手,而是出于上帝的手。我请求你的原谅,也期望你能在这件事上看见人的作为的有限与落空。我也希望我的弟兄能在这件事看见自己凡事陷在谋略之中的危险,回到对上帝的单纯的信靠上。

Since you revealed said details, I've noticed that right up until learning of the information regarding the meeting at the White House, Yue Jie, Baiguang and I were all along kept in the dark. It seems to me what this really is is the marvel of God. The three Christians who entered the White House knew nothing and had made no plans beforehand. Trickery…trickery…what China's freedom and democracy rely on is trickery? Freedom of religion relies on trickery? As I see it, what it relies on is faith in God's love and in justice.

我们都知道,在你的努力下,美国的国安会在会面前对此事作了调查和评估,也作出了他们自己的决定。没有人能替白宫决定总统见什么人,但我和余杰可以决定自己是否退出。这一决定不受任何人所谓投票和民主的制约。我们的退出被理解为伤害你利益的一种威胁,并在事实上导致了你失去这一机会。这一次会议安排的某种错误,最后以我们扭转这一错误并因此对你造成伤害的方式结束。我在此向你表示我的歉意。并且我对你的某些评价和观察也有可能是片面和苛刻的,如果今后证明我错了,我将再次向你致歉。但当我和余杰一致认为与你一道见布什的后果可能更严重时,我们很高兴选择了目前的结果。

We all know, thanks to your efforts, that before the meeting, America's Department for Homeland Security made an investigation and appraisal and then made their decision. Nobody but the White House can decide who gets to see the president, but Yu Jie and I are able to decide whether or not to pull out. This decision cannot be restricted by any so-called voting or democracy. Our pulling out was understood as a threat aimed at hurting your interests, when in fact it stood to cause us to lose this opportunity. Our attempt at undoing of some of the mistakes made in the arranging of this meeting and how it played out ended up hurting you. I hereby express my apology to you. Further, it's possible that some of my appraisals and observations of you have been one-sided and harsh. If in the future I am proven wrong, I will apologize to you again. But as Yu Jie and I felt at the time that joining you in meeting Bush would have the most serious of consequences, we quite happily choose the present outcome.

我想假如各种分歧和安排能够在事先被讨论,就不会导致最后这样尖锐的分裂。所以我的一贯看法,谋略就是地狱,无论对基督徒还是非基督徒来说,有所为有所不为,是非的界限都是最简单的。出自道德,不出自权谋,出自敬畏,不出自血勇。希望你能接受这句话。我们三人作为参与维权活动的基督徒,与布什的这次见面,本可有双重的理解、意义和推动。但你的公开信,将教会维权与维权运动的民运化的分歧,以公开决裂的形式表达了出来。也将保守派的维权运动与激进派的维权运动的分歧显明了出来。几天来我一直在想,感谢这封信,这也是神在此事上一直掌权的美意。分歧的公开不一定就是坏事,民主化需要的不是无原则的统一战线,而是彼此客气的市场细分。之前我在此事上的态度是默然不语,不愿对你和其他人有所批评。但几天来我考虑再三,决定写这封信,既在此事的后果上向你道歉,也同时叙述事实和我个人对你的偏见,表明我的反对立场。

I think, for example, that if each kind of difference and arrangement could be worked out beforehand, in the end there would be no makings for such divisions. That's why I've always held the view that trickery is just hell; no matter if you're talking about Christians or non-Christians, all can refrain from doing certain things, and the difference between right and wrong is kept quite clear. This stems from morality, not from political strategy; from reverence, not from blood-bravery. I hope you can accept all this. The three of us took part in the meeting with Bush as Christians participating in the civil rights movement; originally there could have been mutual understanding of the bearing and impetus. But your open letter, in expressing the break in a public manner, has led to a split between the democratizing church rights and civil rights movements. It also makes clear the differences between radical and conservative factions within the civil rights movement. I've been thinking over the past several days, and am thankful for your letter, as it has been the kindness of God's will in this affair all along. The making public of the division is not necessarily a bad thing; what democratization needs is not an unprincipled united front, but divided markets respectful of each other. My attitude prior to this incident has been to just bite my tongue, unwilling to criticize you or anyone else. But these last few days have forced me to reconsider, and I decided to write this letter, both to apologize to you amidst this outcome, and to recount the facts and make clear my personal position of opposition to your prejudice.

道不同不想为谋。但我在心里仍将你视为一个朋友,如我这次对你说的,我对政治事务不感兴趣,但我和无数人一样,期望看到真正的民主政治家的出现。当某种现实的民主政治的梦想来到时,我乐意将自己作为一个知识分子的名誉和努力,为那些值得尊敬的民主政治家背书。但在今天,我们要走的路是如此不同。我真诚的希望这一次分裂以我的道歉结束,然后各自努力,彼此尊重,彼此祝福。因为不相为谋不等于相互怨恨。在纽约,曾有朋友出面邀请你与我一起聚餐,化解冲突。我去了,期望能有一个向你当面道歉的机会,可惜你不愿来。5月8日后,我们曾多次在一起为你祷告,求神平息你的愤怒。我也会继续为你祷告。如果这一次的事情将使你远离了上帝,求神将这罪归在我的身上。我作出了这一不后悔的决定,也背上了这一个十字架。在你未曾成为我的主内弟兄之前,我将恒切为你祷告。

Though our roads are different there's no need for co-operation. But in my heart I still see you as a friend, so I say to you now that I'm not interested in political affairs, but like countless others, I too wish to see the appearance of authentic democratic politicians. When the time comes that said realistic democratic dream finally does arrive, I'd be glad to diligently use my role as an intellectual to endorse that democratic politician in those aspects worthy of endorsing. But today, the roads we choose to travel remain different. I honestly hope that with my apology and some hard work, mutual respect and mutual blessings, that this rift can be healed. Just because we're not working for the same cause doesn't mean we have to hate each other. In New York, I once had a friend invite you out for dinner together on my behalf, to melt the conflict. I went, anticipating a chance to apologize to you; unfortunately you were not willing to come. After May 8, we've prayed together for you on several occasions, seeking God's help in subsiding your anger. And I will continue to pray. If these recent events have pushed you further from God, I will beg God to let this sin become mine. The decision I made I still do not regret, and swear by it on the back of this cross. As long as you've yet to become one of my Christian brothers, I will pray for you forever.

与你持不同政见的朋友:
王怡

Your different political point of view-bearing friend,
Wang Yi

我想基督徒都能理解王先生的用心,很赞同你们拒绝一同的会见,因为如果那样,会给人以很不好的信息。属主的人,明白这件事对于中国教会的风险,也明白神的美意与保守。至于不明白的人,只好任他们误会了。

I think Christians can all understand Mister Wang's intention, and strongly approve of your refusing him to join the meeting, because if it's like that, would give people very bad information. Hosts, understand the risk this matter poses to Chinese churches, and understand God's kindness and conservatism. As for those who don't understand, it's just as well that they've misunderstood.

王怡越来越虚假了。

Wang Yi seems phonier and phonier.

越来越虚伪了

More and more hypocritical.

王先生的道歉虽然比余杰好得多,但大家还是不满意,去看看自由中国等较自由的论坛,对他们的批评要炸锅了!

Mister Wang's apology, although it's much better than Yu Jie's, still leaves most people unsatisfied. Just go look at at Freedom China's BBS'; the criticisms of them are cookin'!

鄙人以为这一事件没有对错,却有伤害。个人认为源于不当的安排,可惜援助会请了不能共存的两组人,所以伤害在所难免。这是一个不幸的alternative,不是郭伤害王余就是相反。最终结果是白宫认同王余的理由在站了他们一边。王余选择亏欠郭而不亏欠上帝,白宫选择王余而不选择郭。

Lowlifes see no right or wrong in this affair, but there has been hurt. Personally, I think it originated with improper arrangements. Unfortunately the China Aid Association invited people from two groups who cannot coexist, that's why the hurt was hard to avoid. This is an unfortunate alternative. It wasn't Guo who hurt Wang and Yu, but the other way around. The final outcome is that the White House approved of Wang and Yu's reasoning and stood on their side. Wang and Yu's chose to deprive Guo instead of depriving God, and the White House chose Wang and Yu instead of Guo.

The flood of comments which continue pouring in from both sides give a clear illustration of the many issues currently being faced by the two most vocal social and political groups in Chinese society today, the collective members of the Communist Party of China aside.