Boston, March 10, 2008.

Over 70 leading Chinese human rights advocates published an open letter today calling for all supporters to wear the blue and yellow folded ribbon that represents the call for human rights in China.

The Meaning of the Symbol. According to Dr. Yang Jianli, President of Initiatives for China, the blue and yellow folded ribbon represents “the blue sky over China and the yellow color of the Loess Plateau, the birthplace of Chinese Culture. The fold symbolizes the Chinese character ‘Ren’, which means ‘rights’. Together, these symbols state that the Chinese people, as human beings under the blue sky of Creation, are entitled to human rights.”

Below is the “Open Letter” drafted by Initiatives for China introducing the Human Rights for China symbol to the world. This symbol has been endorsed by over 120 Human Rights Advocates inside and outside of China. Signatories are listed at the end of the letter.

Introducing the Symbol of Human Rights for China

Democratization in China is the most noble and most challenging cause in the present day world. As the major driving force for a peaceful transition to a democratic China, the struggles of the Chinese citizens for their basic rights have moved to the center on the world stage. We are ardently expecting the Chinese voice for human rights to grow ever stronger and more solidified. Drawing on experiences of successful non-violent resistance in many countries, we understand a little symbol with a concise but rich meaning can play a significant role in nurturing a strong spirit of solidarity and serve as a unifying force. The cause of human rights for China is in great need of such a symbol. We, undersigned, sincerely introduce the following symbol of human rights for China.

Human Rights in China Ribbon

The symbol is a two-colored ribbon. Yellow is the color of the birthplace of Chinese culture, the Loess Plateau, and hence the color of China. The yellow portion of the ribbon is the very Chinese character “Ren” meaning Human. The cerulean top signifies the blue sky. The shape of the ribbon resembles letter “R” which is the first letter of both English word “Rights” and the phonetic of the Chinese character “Ren”. So the ribbon conveys the message: the Chinese people under the blue sky are, as human beings, entitled to human rights.

We suggest that all advocates and friends of human rights both in and outside China reproduce the symbol in the forms of a ribbon, a pin, a button, a sticker, and etc. and wear and post it wherever and whenever possible and necessary. Please make efforts in all possible ways to popularize the symbol in China and in other parts of the world.

Little drops of water make the mighty ocean. The bright future of China and that of the world is in the making of small obscure but twinkling stars.

Yang Jianli, Hu Ping , Yan Jiaqi, Sheng Xue, Chen Yizi, Zhang Weiguo, Wang Juntao, Lai Anzhi, Wan Dan (USA), Xu Wenli, Xue Wei, Pan Qiang, Pan Qing, Zhou Jian, Chen Pokong, Liu Gang (USA), Jin Zhong, Zhou Fengsuo, Wu Qian, Jin Xiuhong, Zheng Yi, Yang Zhen, Gao Jian, Zhing Jinjiang, Zhong Wei, Yi Gai, Fei Liangyong, Pan Yongzhong, Peng Xiaoming, Zou Haixia, Yan Ming, Han Wenguang, Su Ming, Yi Jun, Mo Mo, Zhong yan, Liu Yunxia, Wang Dan (Canada), Liu Buping, Liang Lin, Feng Baoluo, Bao Pu, Tang Yuanjun, Xu Yi, Zhai Bugang, Chen Kuide, Chen Yonglin, Yu Shixin, Li Qing, Zhang Weiqiang, Luo Yungeng, Pan Yongwei, Hao Fengjun, Li Xiaoming, Chen Ying, Zheng Yu, Liang Youcan, Lin Zihong, Zhao Dongming, Chen Yong, Wong Min, Xiong Yan, Chen Wei Jian, Zhang Xiao Gang, Bob Fu, Hu Yao, Chen Ming, Guo Jun, Feng Haiguang, Chalie Xiao, Cheng Zhe, Qiu Yueshou, Sun Liyong, Liu Gang (Denmark), Guo Ping, Liu Guokai, Lin Muchen, Yi Rong, Du Xien, Wang Tiancheng, Zhao Jing, Tao Ye, Wang wanxing, He Xinqiang, Wan Yunan, Wang Li, Sun Rufeng, Wu Renhua, Yang Fengshi, Jiang Chuyu, Mark Liu, Su yang, Wu Yisan, Huang Zhong, Qin Chuan, Xue Tianhan, Huo Mingxue, Lin Zhengyang, Jiang Pinchao, Chen Zhao, Huang Jiren, Xu Pei, Chen Ping, Yan Lingru, Ge Long.