When Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist and “whistle blower” at Wuhan Central Hospital, passed away last year, people remembered another “whistle blower” from the SARS outbreak in China more than 10 years ago – Jiang Yanyong, a military doctor at Beijing‘s 301 Hospital. Jiang Yangyong was suppressed by the Chinese Communist authorities for disclosing that Beijing had deliberately concealed the SARS outbreak, and for years he was under surveillance and restricted from traveling and speaking out. On the occasion of the Chinese New Year this year, a recent photo of Jiang Yangyong was released, showing him with his wife, looking in good spirits.
According to Apple Daily, the 89-year-old Jiang Yanyong is hale and hearty, holding a cartoon calf doll, and smiling at the camera with his wife Hua Zhongyi to welcome the New Year.
In a press conference held at the State Council Information Office in 2003, Chinese health Minister Zhang Wenkang vowed in front of a crowd of media reporters: “There are only 12 cases of SARS in Beijing and the death toll is only 12. There are only 12 cases of SARS in Beijing, with three deaths. SARS in China has been effectively controlled.” He further stated, “Everyone is welcome to come to China to visit and discuss business, and I guarantee everyone’s safety, with or without a mask.”
Jiang Yanyong retorted at the Time, “I think the figures provided by Zhang Wenkang are too far from the real situation.” According to his understanding, 302 Hospital alone has admitted 40 patients and 2 died; 309 Hospital has admitted 60 and 7 died. on April 4, the director of 301 Hospital, where he serves, announced at the handover meeting that 301 Hospital has had 46 cases of confirmed and suspected SARS patients. Jiang Yanyong believes it has reached a very serious state, because in mid-April, there will be a large number of Chinese and foreign tourists visiting Beijing, and it is very likely that they will catch SARS, and it may spread to the whole country and the world. “That would have extremely bad consequences for the people of our country and the world. It is my responsibility to tell the world what I know.” On the evening of April 4, 2003, Jiang Yanyong wrote down what he knew and emailed CCTV4 and Phoenix TV respectively, with the final words, “The materials I provided are all true, and I take responsibility for everything.”
There was no reaction in China in the following days, but Jiang Yanyong’s information was informed by foreign media, and the news that the serious spread of SARS Epidemic was concealed by the Chinese Communist authorities spread around the world. Jiang Yanyong’s disclosure of the truth to the world forced the highest levels of the CCP to act, and on April 17, CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao emphasized that no one should conceal or misrepresent the epidemic, and on April 12, Health Minister Zhang Wenkang and Beijing Deputy Party Secretary Meng Xuenong were removed from their positions. Dr. Jiang Yanyong was widely praised for his “courage in revealing the truth about the SARS epidemic, thus saving many lives.
In 2004, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the June Fourth Incident, Jiang Yangyong petitioned the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party to have the June Fourth Incident justified at the two sessions of the National People’s Congress in March. In his petition, Jiang Yangyong described in detail the tragic deaths and injuries he witnessed and, in his capacity as a doctor, confirmed the shooting of protesters by the Chinese Communist army. Although his petition did not attract a purge, he was later often restricted from leaving the country, but Jiang Yangyong never gave up his efforts until the eve of the 30th anniversary of June 4, and called for a vindication of the 4 June incident through the Hong Kong media.
In 2019, the British newspaper The Guardian confirmed that Jiang Yangyong had been placed under house arrest by the Beijing authorities since April 2019 and sent to 301 Hospital for “inpatient treatment,” but the military strictly controlled his access, and even his Family members were forbidden to visit their relatives, causing Jiang Yangyong’s emotional agitation. The friend also added, “After Jiang Yanyong was treated with medication at 301 Hospital, there were reports that his memory was severely impaired, and he was not very clear.
In February 2020, Jiang Yangyong was allowed to return Home to recuperate. However, authorities continue to keep him under tight control.
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