Wang Dan, co-leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Student Democracy Movement, gave the Edwin B. Lee lecture in Asian Studies on Thurs., April 5. His talk was titled, "Our Views as the Political Opposition Faction in China." Cheng Li, professor of government, introduced Wang Dan to the audience, overviewing Wang Dan's education at Beijing University and his involvement in organizing the 1989 peaceful protest in Tiananmen Square.
Wang Dan touched on political, economic, and social aspects of China today. Particularly, he highlighted the importance of education in China's future. He predicted that in the coming years change was inevitable saying, "Everyone knows that China will change. The question is how."
After his lecture, the floor was opened up to questions from the audience. Professor Li translated the questions for Wang Dan, which ranged from Taiwan's transition of power, Chinese education and ideology, China's bid for the next Olympics and his role in the Tiananmen Square movement. Wang Dan said he was confident that China could achieve a more democratic style government in the near future.
