《在野党》记者 侯冰峰 旧金山报道
编辑：钟然 责任编辑：罗志飞 校对：王滨 翻译：彭小梅
【旧金山讯】2025年12月28日下午，第39届“中国杰出民主人士奖”颁奖典礼在美国旧金山国父孙中山纪念馆举行。来自全美各地的民主人士、学者及社会活动人士出席活动，共同表彰在推动中国民主、法治、人权与自由事业中作出杰出贡献的个人。
“中国杰出民主人士奖”的背景及由来
“中国杰出民主人士奖”由中国民主教育基金会设立，自1986年起每年颁发一次，至今已连续举办39届。该奖项旨在表彰长期致力于中国民主、自由、人权及社会进步的个人与行动者。历届获奖者多为在国际社会具有重要影响力的中国民主及社会运动人士。
中国民主教育基金会成立于1985年，是在美国加利福尼亚州注册的非营利组织，总部设于旧金山。基金会由黄雨川、郭台鉴、杨云、孙鲁正、梁冬、江文、林剑明等民主人士共同创立，组织成员均为志愿者。基金会通过公民教育、奖励机制及公共倡议，推动中国社会的民主法治与人权发展。
三位获奖人士的名单及英勇事迹
本届评选委员会由多位专家学者组成，经过提名与评议程序，最终评选出三位获奖者，分别为香港民主运动代表何桂兰女士、大陆公民记者张展女士以及中华民国台湾政治学者明居正教授。三位获奖者分别来自香港、大陆与台湾，虽处不同地区，却在中共极权扩张与自由倒退的背景下，选择坚持公共良知与民主价值。
评选委员会指出，明居正教授是华人世界知名政治学者与评论家，长期就中共政局、两岸关系及民主议题发表分析，其言论坚持以历史事实与理性逻辑为基础，在高度敏感的政治环境中持续发声，具有重要公共价值。
何桂兰女士是香港民主运动的重要象征人物之一。她因参与民主抗争活动被判刑入狱。评选委员会表示，何桂兰以个人行动展现了香港社会对自由与法治的坚守，其精神影响仍在持续。
张展女士为前律师、公民记者，因在2020年武汉疫情期间独立记录并发布现场情况而受到关注。她多次因相关行动被判刑入狱。评选委员会认为，张展以个人代价坚持记录公共事件，体现了对真相与人权的高度责任感。
设立“杰出民主人士奖”的使命和意义
中国民主教育基金会表示，设立“杰出民主人士奖”的核心理念在于推动公民教育，强调权利与责任并重。基金会认为，民主社会的形成不仅依赖制度设计，更有赖于公民对公共事务的参与与担当。三位获奖者中，一人身陷香港狱中，一人被关押于中国大陆，一人身处台湾承受政治压力。他们的处境各不相同，但共同展现了在黑暗中坚持点亮民主与自由之光的勇气。
颁奖典礼最后，与会者向仍在狱中或承受压力的民主人士表达声援，并呼吁国际社会持续关注中国及香港的人权与自由状况。
出席嘉宾理事与历任会长合影 摄影记者 缪青
The Chinese Democratic Education Foundation Presents the 39th “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award”
Reported by Hou Bingfeng, In-Exile Party, San FranciscoEditor: Zhong Ran Managing Editor: Luo Zhifei
Proofreader: Wang Bin Translator: Peng Xiaomei
Abstract:On December 28, 2025, the 39th “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award” was presented in San Francisco. Three democratic representatives from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan—He Guilan, Zhang Zhan, and Ming Chü-cheng—were honored in recognition of their perseverance and contributions to advancing democracy, human rights, and freedom in China.
[San Francisco]On the afternoon of December 28, 2025, the award ceremony for the 39th “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award” was held at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in San Francisco, United States. Democratic activists, scholars, and social advocates from across the country attended the event to jointly honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and freedom in China.
Background and Origins of the “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award”The “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award” was established by the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation and has been presented annually since 1986, marking its 39th consecutive year. The award aims to recognize individuals and activists who have long been committed to advancing democracy, freedom, human rights, and social progress in China. Many past recipients have been influential figures in Chinese democratic and social movements with significant impact in the international community.
The Chinese Democratic Education Foundation was founded in 1985 and is a nonprofit organization registered in the state of California, with its headquarters in San Francisco. The foundation was jointly established by democratic activists including Huang Yuchuan, Guo Taijian, Yang Yun, Sun Luzheng, Liang Dong, Jiang Wen, and Lin Jianming. All members of the organization serve as volunteers. Through civic education, recognition programs, and public advocacy, the foundation works to promote the development of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Chinese society.
Award Recipients and Their Courageous DeedsThis year’s selection committee, composed of experts and scholars, conducted a nomination and evaluation process and ultimately selected three award recipients: Ms. He Guilan, a representative of the Hong Kong democratic movement; Ms. Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist from mainland China; and Professor Ming Chü-cheng, a political scientist from the Republic of China (Taiwan). Although the three recipients come from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan respectively, and live under different circumstances, they have all chosen to uphold public conscience and democratic values amid the expansion of Chinese Communist authoritarianism and the retreat of freedom.
The selection committee noted that Professor Ming Chü-cheng is a well-known political scholar and commentator in the Chinese-speaking world. He has long provided analysis on Chinese Communist Party politics, cross-strait relations, and democratic issues. His commentary is grounded in historical facts and rational logic, and he has continued to speak out in a highly sensitive political environment, carrying significant public value.
Ms. He Guilan is one of the symbolic figures of the Hong Kong democratic movement. She was sentenced to prison for her participation in pro-democracy protests. The selection committee stated that through her personal actions, He Guilan has demonstrated Hong Kong society’s steadfast commitment to freedom and the rule of law, and that her spirit continues to exert influence.
Ms. Zhang Zhan is a former lawyer and citizen journalist who gained public attention for independently documenting and publishing on-the-ground conditions during the Wuhan COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. She has been sentenced to prison multiple times for her related actions. The selection committee believes that Zhang Zhan’s persistence in documenting public events at great personal cost reflects a strong sense of responsibility toward truth and human rights.
The Mission and Significance of the “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award”The Chinese Democratic Education Foundation stated that the core mission of establishing the “Outstanding Chinese Democrat Award” is to promote civic education and emphasize the equal importance of rights and responsibilities. The foundation believes that the formation of a democratic society depends not only on institutional design, but also on citizens’ participation in and commitment to public affairs. Among the three award recipients, one remains imprisoned in Hong Kong, one is detained in mainland China, and one resides in Taiwan while facing political pressure. Although their circumstances differ, they collectively demonstrate the courage to uphold the light of democracy and freedom in the face of darkness.
At the conclusion of the award ceremony, attendees expressed solidarity with democratic activists who remain imprisoned or under pressure, and called on the international community to continue paying close attention to the state of human rights and freedom in China and Hong Kong.
Group photo of attending directors and former presidentsPhotojournalist: Miao Qing
