February 27, 2013
Now the world knows Li Chengpeng’s The Whole World Knows
Li Chengpeng, author of ‘The Whole World Knows,’ at a book signing in Chengdu. Photo: Courtesy of Tienchi Martin Liao.
It’s a paradox: The suppressor is the biggest promoter of the suppressed.
Without the Chinese government’s disturbed behavior, Liu Xiaobo would not have received the Nobel Peace Prize, nor would Ai Weiwei have become an international icon. Similarly, the nationally popular writer and blogger Li Chengpeng has recently attracted international attention, thanks to an official “promotion.”
Li, the 44 year-old Weibo-writer, has over 6 million fans in China, yet it’s still very difficult for him to publish his books because all ISBN numbers are controlled by the authorities. Since his books contain sensitive social criticism, no one wants to take the risk.
Well, almost no one.
Last winter, after three years of effort, Li finally found a small publishing house, Xinxing (New Star Press) in Beijing, which was willing to publish his essay collections.
“This country must publish such a book,” one of Xinxing’s editors said. The other declared, “In our time, there must be someone who dares to take responsibility for this book.” Nevertheless, the publishing house took many precautions with Li’s work. Everything was kept secret during the proof-reading process; Li and his editor avoided using cell phones, and deleted the manuscript right after sending it to the printer, before it was even on the shelf. Finally, The Whole World Knows was out in January and Li went to Beijing for the book tour.
“Big eyes” Li, as his fans calls him, was surprised that, among his audience in Beijing, both the police and patriotic leftists were waiting for him. Last September Li wrote an article, “Confessions of a Traitor,” which criticized anti-Japanese nationalists and explained that a “boycott of Japanese goods” is just a form of self-deception for “brain damaged” patriots.
At the book signing in Beijing, Li was punched by two men and threatened with a gift-wrapped knife. These people were probably angry with him for criticizing his own fatherland while expressing tolerance of the Japanese, who recently displayed—again—their ambitions in the Senkaku-Island dispute.
For detail please visit here