People of 1989: Li Honglin (李洪林)

Born in 1925, Li Honglin joined the Communist revolution in its early stage. In the 1950s, he began working at Party Central, focusing on theoretical research. During the 1980s, his name frequently appeared among an active group of famous liberal intellectuals. He published many influential essays, including "There is no Banned Books", "Science and Superstition", "The History of Chinese Thought Movement", etc.

In Feburary, 1989, Li Honglin co-signed the open letter by Beijing intellectuals. After the death of Hu Yaobang, he was part of the commemorator session by intellectuals hosted by the World Economic Herald.

During the 1989 movement, his activities were mostly in accordance of those with other intellectuals. Most significantly, he was part of the "Twelve Scholars" who went to Tiananmen Square to pursuade students stop hunger striking on May 14. Later, he co-signed a statement by intellectuals on May 16.

He was arrested after the massacre. After being detained for almost a year, he was released without charge.

Li Honglin died on June 1, 2016, in Beijing. He was 91.

People of 1989

This Day in 1989: May 10, 1990, Dai Qing, Zhou Dou, and other Intellectuals Released

On May 10, 1990, Chinese government announced that 211 people arrested for participating in the 1989 movement were released without prison sentences. These include intellectuals such as Dai Qing, Cao Siyuan, Li Honglin, Zhou Dou, Yang Baikui, Li Nanyou.

Dai Qing was interviewed by phone with a Hong Kong TV station. She stated that she had not been mistreated while in jail, but had to endure interrogations and write statements.


Days of 1989