Dialogue China Press Release
Wang Dan Meets with Mr. Reinhard Bütikofer, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations With People’s Republic of China, and Others
On the morning of May 12, Wang Dan and associates arrived at the Bundestag to meet with Mr. Peter Heidt, the Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and a member of the German Bundestag. Wang Dan expressed strong concerns for the human rights cases of Xu Zhiyong, Ding Jiaxi, and Guo Feixiong, urging the Bundestag to pressure the Chinese government for the immediate release of the political prisoners. Wang Dan proposed to establish regular channels of communications with the Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid Committee of the Bundestag to provide timely information on China’s human rights and political prisoners. Mr. Heidt instructed his office to make relevant arrangements on the spot.
On the afternoon of May 12, the team visited Dr. Guntram Wolff, CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and his associates at the DGAP office. Both parties exchanged information on each organisation, and discussed views on wideranging issues such as the Russo-Ukrainian war, situation in the Taiwan Strait, and China’s political and economic development.
On the afternoon of May 12, the team met with Mr. Reinhard Bütikofer, Chairman of the European Parliament Delation for Relations with People’s Republic of China. During the meeting, Mr. Bütikofer explained the current work of the delegation and the latest discussions of EU on China policy. Wang Dan introduced to him the operation of the think tank and expounded the think tank team’s analysis of China’s current situation and future development. Mr. Wang Dan suggested that EU should value the opinions and experience of the overseas Chinese community. In return, Mr. Bütikofer responded positively and made various specific suggestions. Furthermore, Mr. Bütikofer stated his appreciation for work of Dialogue China, and expressed his willingness to invite Wang Dan to visit the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels at the appropriate time. In the meeting, Mr. Bütikofer joked that he and Wang Dan had one commonality: being on the Chinese Communist Party’s blacklist.
In addition, on May 11, Mr. Jhy-wey Shieh, Taiwan’s ambassador to Germany, warmly hosted a welcome lunch for the delegation upon arrival in Berlin. Ambassador Shieh has been a long-term supporter for democracy movement in China. Wang Dan expressed his gratitude on behalf of Dialogue China to Ambassador Shieh for his continued support.
In addition, Dialogue China attended a series of other events.
Conducting 12 meetings in three days, the Dialogue China team enjoyed an inspiring and fruitful trip to Berlin, and look forward to visiting Germany again in the near future.