(left to right) Michael Horowitz, Fang Zheng, representatives from the Ossur Corporation, David McGill and Shane Namack, and surgeon Dr. Mike Corcoran. The Ossur Corporation provided the free parts for the prostheses and Dr. Corcoran made the prostheses. (Wang Yang/The Epoch Times)
Congressman Chris Smith told those gathered for a press conference on Oct. 7 that it was “a moment when human nature triumphs over dictatorship.”
While trying to save another student demonstrator, Fang’s legs were crushed when he was run over by one of the regime’s tank during the June 4 massacre. Before then, he had been a promising discus thrower with Olympic aspirations.
Fang, his wife, and their daughter were able to come to the United States last February with the help of Michael Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. He was fitted with prostheses on Sept. 1, and after a month of therapy, he can now stand and walk.
Fang spoke at a press conference and one of the student leaders at Tiananmen in 1989, Chai Ling, translated for him.
Fang expressed his happiness at being there, and spoke of feeling very fortunate. He said that he felt the greatness of America and the American people. He especially appreciated the wonderful care given to him from the kind people in the U.S. and his local friends.
Fang did not know there was a picture from the time he was injured. He remarked that it is still very difficult for Chinese people to obtain information about the massacre due to the regime’s tight control of the media.
He referred to the people who are still persecuted and helpless in China. Fang believes what the Chinese people need most is freedom of information—exactly what the communist regime fears the most.
“We will continue pursuing the truth until justice is done,” he said.
Fang Zhang and his family. (Wang Yang/The Epoch Times)
The press conference was hosted by Horowitz and sponsored by Humanitarian China and China Aid. The attendees included Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), an executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA), and Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA).
Bob Fu of China Aid, Feng Congde and Chai Ling of Humanitarian China, and Yang Jianli from Civic Force also spoke at the conference. Together with Fang, they presented gifts to the Ossur Corporation which donated parts for the prostheses and Dr. Mike Corcoran, Fang’s surgeon.
Horowitz humored Beijing’s secret agents who had been monitoring Fang’s phone calls. He presented a painting to them as a gift to thank them for listening carefully to the conversations between Fang and a German reporter. That could be the reason why Beijing had to let Fang and his family come to the U.S., Horowitz mused.
At the conclusion of the conference, Fang and his wife danced for the first time in their ten years of marriage. Everyone cheered. Just like Chai said, “Could there possibly be a better ending!”
