文/李天辉 （中国民主党党员） 编辑：吕峰 责任编辑：鲁慧文 罗志飞
我以前听很多中国人说自由民主不能当饭吃，我会立刻言语上表示认可，但我会马上补上一句：没有自由民主，可以让你没饭吃！自由民主法制就是这样一种东西，它就像我们每天呼吸的空气一般，你平时不会觉得它有多么宝贵，但是直到你失去它的那一“刹那”，你就会明白，没有了这些，你就被置于死地，而你连丝毫反抗的机会也没有。也有很多中国人说，自由民主是多么的虚无缥缈不可触碰，电波讯号也是一样不可触碰，但是你们可以否认它们存在及价值吗？
香港的黎智英先生是我敬佩的人，他不但是一名富商，也是一名民运人士。在香港沉沦前后，他一直在努力地发挥他的能力去守护香港那仅存的自由民主，他本可以像其他富商一样投靠中共政权，成为他们体制内的一员，享受各种既得利益和好处，但他没有。他没有向邪恶的中共低头，他选择了向上帝负责，因为上帝代表着公正公义。更重要的是，他不但没有向中共低头，而且也没有选择逃避，他坚守在香港，与香港共存亡。欲加之罪何患无词，很快港共政权就在2020年8月10日以其涉嫌“勾结外国或境外势力”、违反《港区国安法》、串谋发布煽动刊物罪、串谋欺诈罪与刑罪恐吓罪、非法集结罪、出版煽动性材料的“煽动罪”将其入狱，现黎智英仍在受审中，可能会面临国安法下的最高刑责–“终身监禁”。
我自横刀向天笑，去留肝胆两昆仑。谭嗣同这首诗用在黎智英先生身上，当之无愧。为革命离开香港是英雄，为革命坚守香港不离不弃更是英雄。两者并无二异，但留下是更大的勇气，更让人钦佩！
受这种舍我其谁的精神感动，我从此走上了追求自由民主的道路。走这条道路不但是为了我自已，也是为了民主中国的早日到来。自由民主从来都不是自天而降的，这是需要渴望自由民主的人民奋斗而来的。当有足够多的人民发自内心渴望自由民主时，当有足够多的人民用行动去求自由民主时，它才会回应你。虽然我们都是普通人，但是只要我们每个人都拿出一点勇气来，我们就不再是普通人了，我们成为了熊熊烈火的执炬人，我们会带动千千万万的人拿出他们内心的勇气，点燃起心中的火焰，终有一天个人心中的火焰会成为大火，把中共邪恶的政权烧毁。 我们会推翻这个暴政，我们会建立民主中国，权力会回到人民的手中。 现代文明的自由、民主、法制会真真切切的在中华大地生根发芽，直至成长为参天大树！我们中国会成为推动世界和平的中坚力量，届时我们会为世界担负起维护国际道义、正义、公平的责任。这是我对未来民主中国的深切期望，希望我们广泛传播这希望的种子，让这种子在中国人心中生根发芽。只要种子在我们心中，将来必定成就梦想！我也希望心中有种子的人不要吝啬， 请把这希望的种子向更多中国同胞分享栽种，因为用光照亮别人的同时，也是照亮自已。 我们会让这光明越来越亮，将来一定闪耀整个神州大地！
Don’t Be Stingy with the Seeds in Your Heart
By Li Tianhui (Member of the China Democracy Party)
Editor: Lü Feng Chief Editors: Lu Huiwen, Luo Zhifei Translator: Lu Huiwen
I often hear many Chinese people say that freedom and democracy can’t fill your stomach. I usually nod in verbal agreement, but I always add a caveat: without freedom and democracy, you might end up with nothing to eat. Freedom, democracy, and the rule of law are like the air we breathe—hardly noticeable while we have them, yet once they’re taken away, we realize in an instant that without them we are left for dead, with not the slightest chance to resist.
Some also claim that freedom and democracy are vague and untouchable—just like radio waves，but can you deny their existence or their value?
Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is someone I deeply admire. He is not only a wealthy entrepreneur but also a pro-democracy activist. As Hong Kong was sliding into darkness, he used every ounce of his ability to defend the city’s last vestiges of freedom and democracy. He could have followed other tycoons, sided with the Chinese Communist regime, and enjoyed the spoils of being an insider. He did not. He refused to bow to the CCP; instead, he chose to answer to God, who stands for justice and righteousness. Even more importantly, he neither bowed nor fled—he stayed, determined to live and die with Hong Kong.
Predictably, on 10 August 2020 the Hong Kong authorities arrested him on trumped-up charges: “collusion with foreign forces” under the National Security Law, conspiracy to publish seditious material, fraud, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly… the list goes on. Jimmy Lai is still on trial and may face life imprisonment.
“I laugh toward the sky with sword held high; whether I live or die, my loyalty fills the heavens.”
—Tan Sitong
This verse suits Jimmy Lai perfectly. Leaving Hong Kong for the revolution would have made him a hero; staying for the revolution takes even greater courage and wins even deeper admiration.
Inspired by such a spirit of “if not me, who?” I, too, chose the path of pursuing freedom and democracy—not only for myself, but for the early arrival of a democratic China. Freedom and democracy never descend from heaven; they grow from the struggle of people who yearn for them. When enough people truly desire them, when enough people act to obtain them, they will answer that call.
Though we are ordinary individuals, the moment each of us summons a bit of courage, we cease to be ordinary. We become torch-bearers of a raging fire, inspiring countless others to ignite the flames within their hearts. One day those individual sparks will merge into a conflagration that will burn down the CCP’s evil regime. We will overthrow the tyranny, found a democratic China, and return power to the people.
Modern civilization’s freedom, democracy, and rule of law will take root across the land, growing into mighty trees. China will become a pillar of world peace, shouldering the responsibility of upholding international morality, justice, and fairness.
This is my earnest hope for a future democratic China. May we widely sow these seeds of hope and let them take root in the hearts of our fellow Chinese. As long as the seed lives within us, the dream will come true. And if you already carry such a seed, don’t be stingy—share it, plant it in the hearts of more compatriots. In lighting the way for others, you also light the way for yourself. Our shared light will only grow brighter until, one day, it illuminates the whole of China.
