——专访毛庆祥
Igniting the Flame of Freedom Under the Iron Curtain
— An Exclusive Interview with Mao Qingxiang
撰稿：《在野党》编辑部 陆乾坤 编辑：冯仍 责任编辑：鲁慧文 翻译：鲁慧文
引言：在一个不能自由出版的国家，办一份杂志，意味着什么？
毛庆祥，这位浙江籍的老人，或许是中国当代“地下出版”运动最早一批践行者之一。从四五运动开始的政治觉醒，到上世纪90年代三度入狱，他一生都在用微弱的声音挑战强权。在他创办《在野党》杂志的年代，中国尚未解除报禁、也毫无言论自由可言。然而他却执着地在街头油印杂志、组织写作小组，甚至在狱中继续写诗、考证、坚持以“寸头”争取人格尊严。
2025年，《在野党》杂志复刊。身在国内的毛庆祥，再次被公安 “请去喝茶” ，但他依然接受我们的采访，用他的方式，继续守护那点燃已久的自由火种。
问答实录：在专制之下的独立意志
记者：这次《在野党》复刊，有人猜测是您推动的。您怎么看？毛庆祥：派出所就是要问我是不是我策划的，我说：我这跟我没关系。他们杂志这么说是对我的肯定，是我的荣耀。他们把我抬高一点，我自己没什么大的能力，我这样在国内怎么动，根本做不来的，你们都不让，在你们眼皮底下……现在就在收集我的把柄，随时就准备抓我进去。
记者：您的政治觉醒始于什么时候？毛庆祥：四五运动的时候。那是中国人第一次走上街头反独裁、反专制。我写了一首诗悼念周恩来，没有去北京，但我在杭州街头，组织游行、写大字报、演讲，声势很大。
记者：《在野党》杂志的创办初衷是什么？“在野党” 这个名字又是怎么来的？毛庆祥：名字是我定的，有三个关键词：监督、反对、制衡。那时我们希望中国能真正走向开放政党制度，而不是只有 “花瓶党” 。我们不是中共的帮腔者。我们要的是可以发声的平台，能让百姓知道，他们并不孤单。杂志在国内创办9期之后，我被抓进监狱，后来由聂敏之、陈树庆、王荣清等人接棒继续发刊2期，他们也被抓，自此停刊。
记者：杂志传播过程中，有没有什么让您特别感动的事情？毛庆祥：杂志发出去以后，有一个读者，带着被子、书、行李，跑来找我，说要加入民主党，要跟我们一起干。我当时很感动。他说：“看到了自由的光亮。”，那一刻，我知道我们做的是对的。
记者：我们听说，您曾三度入狱。第三次关押在浙江临平第二监狱，有什么难忘的事吗？毛庆祥：刚进去，被安排做军工铣床任务，我完不成，队长就要“上手段”。我每月家属探视时，就告诉我老婆。那时候美国之音、自由亚洲每月都打电话给她，她就告诉媒体我被强迫劳动，后来媒体报道了，警察找我老婆，说她“造谣”。她说你去查，我造谣我负责。最后家里座机被拆了，我和外界断了联系。
记者：您在狱中也没有放弃学习？毛庆祥：对，我考了汉语言文学专科，还有三级烹饪证。每次炒菜可以自己吃，多好。还有一次，我拒绝剃光头，说要按监狱人权规定来理发。我每次给理发师十块菜金，让他别剃光，大队长不高兴，我用保障人权这一点来说，后来我坚持下来了。
记者：有人劝您认罪换减刑吗？毛庆祥：我在监狱第六年时，监狱长说我200多分可以减刑，只要我认罪。我不肯。我是做了八年实刑走出来的。
2025年7月16日吕耿松（图左）刚刑满释放后首先在毛庆祥（图右）的陪同下探望邹巍母亲（图中）
记者：出狱之后，您的生活怎么样？毛庆祥：现在住湖州，7月17日被关在公安局24小时，国保开车把我带到杭州问话。不给我办护照，出不了境，微信电话都被监控着。秋后算账是他们的一贯套路。
记者：你与刚刚出狱的呂耿松见面了吗？
毛庆祥：我与老战友见过面了，他现在还在恢复当中，毕竟与社会脱节太久，不过我相信很快就会与大家交流。
记者：您怎么看今天的《在野党》复刊？毛庆祥：你们能复刊，是很好的事情。我现在在国内做不了，但你们能继续，我高兴。我永远不后悔创办《在野党》。只要还有人愿意发声，自由的火光就不会熄灭。
结语：在野精神，不灭的火种
毛庆祥曾说：“我不是英雄，我只是代表老百姓说话。”这句话，道尽他几十年来的坚持。他没有离开中国，却始终活在风险与监控之中。他无法高声说话，但却用行动回应历史的召唤。
《在野党》杂志的复刊，不只是纪念，更是延续“在野精神”走向未来。这种精神，代表不与权力共舞，始终站在人民一边，用微光照亮黑暗。
在今天，我们依旧没有开放报禁，依旧不能自由结党，但我们可以接过前人的火炬，继续传递真话的温度。《在野党》不会停刊，哪怕每一个字都付出代价。
因为我们相信：真正的在野，不仅是一种立场，更是一种责任。
附记：一首“四五”诗作背后的反思
1976年4月5日，在全国悼念周恩来之际反对毛泽东的 “四五运动”中，毛庆祥在当时杭州市政府附近的“民主墙”张贴了他的第一首诗作《何惧魔障再作孽》：
清明祭灵甚悲切，烈士英魂永不灭；
总理遗容尚在前，顿起风云逆流急。
光明伟业奠基人，丰功伟绩永不灭；
如今健儿承遗志，何惧魔障再作孽。
此诗后被收录于中国青年出版社《四五诗选》第60页，随着时间的推移，越来越多历史档案和不少经历人回忆录的公布，周恩来“两面人”的政治角色逐渐被揭示，这首诗也成为当年一个追寻真理的青年如何在历史迷雾中被蒙蔽的例证，毛庆祥先生每谈及此，就告诫大家了解真相的重要性。
Igniting the Flame of Freedom Under the Iron Curtain
— An Exclusive Interview with Mao Qingxiang
Written by: Editorial Team of The Opposition Party – Lu Qiankun
Edited by: Feng Reng Chief Editor: Huiwen Lu Translator: Lu Huiwen
Introduction: What does it mean to run a magazine in a country where free publishing is banned?
Mao Qingxiang, a senior from Zhejiang, is perhaps one of the earliest practitioners of China’s contemporary “underground publishing” movement. From his political awakening during the April 5th Movement to three imprisonments in the 1990s, he has spent his life using a faint but unwavering voice to challenge authoritarian power. When he founded The Opposition Party magazine, China had yet to lift its ban on press freedom, and free speech was nonexistent. Yet, he stubbornly mimeographed magazines on the streets, organized writing groups, and even in prison, continued writing poems, conducting research, and defending his dignity—insisting on keeping a buzz cut instead of a shaved head.
In 2025, The Opposition Party was revived. Still in China, Mao Qingxiang was once again summoned by the police for “tea,” but he continued to speak with us in this interview, steadfastly guarding the flame of freedom that has long been lit.
Interview: Independent Will Under Tyranny
Reporter: Some speculate that you were behind this revival of The Opposition Party. What’s your take?
Mao Qingxiang: The local police station asked if I was the one behind it. I said: it has nothing to do with me. What the magazine said is actually a recognition of me—an honor. They’re putting me on a pedestal, but I don’t have such abilities. How could I operate anything from inside the country? You’re all watching me all the time… They’re collecting evidence against me, ready to arrest me anytime.
Reporter: When did your political awakening begin?
Mao Qingxiang: During the April 5th Movement. That was the first time Chinese people took to the streets against dictatorship and authoritarianism. I wrote a poem mourning Zhou Enlai. I didn’t go to Beijing, but in Hangzhou I helped organize protests, wrote big-character posters, gave speeches—the movement was strong.
Reporter: What was the original intention behind founding The Opposition Party magazine? And how did you come up with the name?
Mao Qingxiang: I named it. Three key words: oversight, opposition, checks and balances. At the time, we hoped China could truly transition to a multi-party system, not just have “flower vase parties.” We were not mouthpieces of the CCP. What we wanted was a platform to speak out—to let the people know they’re not alone. After publishing nine issues in China, I was imprisoned. Later, Nie Minzhi, Chen Shuqing, and Wang Rongqing took over and published two more issues—they were also arrested. That’s when it stopped.
Reporter: Was there anything during the magazine’s distribution that moved you deeply?
Mao Qingxiang: After the magazine was distributed, a reader came to me with bedding, books, and luggage, saying he wanted to join the Democracy Party and fight with us. I was very moved. He said: “I’ve seen the light of freedom.” At that moment, I knew we were doing the right thing.
Reporter: We heard you were imprisoned three times. During your third sentence at Linping No. 2 Prison in Zhejiang, was there anything unforgettable?
Mao Qingxiang: When I first got in, they assigned me to do military machine tool work. I couldn’t finish the tasks, and the team leader threatened to “use methods.” During family visits, I would tell my wife everything. At the time, Voice of America and Radio Free Asia called her every month, and she would tell them I was being forced into labor. The police told her she was “spreading rumors.” She said: “Go investigate. If it’s false, I’ll take responsibility.” Eventually, our landline was dismantled, and I lost contact with the outside world.
Reporter: You didn’t give up studying in prison either?
Mao Qingxiang: Correct. I earned an associate degree in Chinese Language and Literature, and also a Level-3 cooking certificate. Every time I cooked, I got to eat my own food—what a treat. Once I refused to shave my head bald and argued that prison regulations called for humane haircuts. I paid the barber 10 yuan of my food allowance each time so he wouldn’t shave me bald. The squad leader wasn’t happy, but I used the human rights rule to argue my case. I stuck to it and prevailed.
Reporter: Did anyone try to persuade you to admit guilt in exchange for a reduced sentence?
Mao Qingxiang: In my sixth year in prison, the warden said I had over 200 merit points and could get a sentence reduction—if I confessed. I refused. I served the full eight-year sentence.
[Photo caption]
On July 16, 2025, Lü Gengsong (left) was just released from prison. His first visit was to see Zou Wei’s mother (center), accompanied by Mao Qingxiang (right).
Reporter: What is life like for you after release?
Mao Qingxiang: I’m living in Huzhou now. On July 17, I was detained at the police station for 24 hours. The state security police drove me to Hangzhou for interrogation. They won’t issue me a passport—I can’t leave the country. My WeChat and phone calls are all monitored. Holding people accountable retroactively is their usual tactic.
Reporter: Have you met with Lü Gengsong, who was just released?
Mao Qingxiang: Yes, I’ve met with my old comrade. He’s still recovering, since he’s been out of touch with society for so long. But I believe he’ll soon be communicating with everyone again.
Reporter: What do you think of The Opposition Party’s revival today?
Mao Qingxiang: It’s a great thing that you can revive it. I can’t do anything from inside the country now, but I’m happy that you can carry it on. I’ve never regretted founding The Opposition Party. As long as someone is still willing to speak out, the flame of freedom will not die.
Epilogue: The Opposition Spirit—An Unextinguished Flame
Mao Qingxiang once said, “I’m not a hero; I just speak on behalf of the common people.” This sentence encapsulates his decades of persistence. He never left China, yet has always lived under risk and surveillance. Though he cannot speak loudly, he responds to history’s call through his actions.
The revival of The Opposition Party is not only a commemoration but also a continuation of the “opposition spirit” into the future. This spirit means refusing to dance with power, always standing with the people, and using a glimmer of light to illuminate the darkness.
To this day, the ban on press freedom remains. We still cannot freely form political parties. But we can take the torch from our predecessors and continue to pass on the warmth of truth. The Opposition Party will not cease publication—even if every word comes at a price.
Because we believe: true opposition is not just a stance—it is a responsibility.
Appendix: Reflections Behind a Poem from the April 5th Movement
On April 5, 1976, during the nationwide mourning of Zhou Enlai and protests against Mao Zedong known as the April 5th Movement, Mao Qingxiang posted his first poem “Why Fear Evil Spirits Repeating Their Crimes” on the “Democracy Wall” near the Hangzhou Municipal Government:
Why Fear Evil Spirits Repeating Their Crimes
Qingming offerings mourn the fallen, how sorrowful the cry,
The heroic souls of martyrs shall never die.
The Premier’s image still before our eyes,
Storms and tempests again do rise.
The bright foundation laid by one so great,
Deeds of glory time cannot abate.
Today the brave take up the cause anew,
Why fear if evil spirits stir once more too?
This poem was later included on page 60 of Selected Poems of April 5th by China Youth Press. Over time, as more historical archives and memoirs emerged, Zhou Enlai’s dual-faced political role has become clearer. Mao Qingxiang often uses this poem to remind others how easily the search for truth can be obscured in historical fog.
