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Feng has supporters in China and around the world. He’s busy every day working on his computer, sending tweets in Chinese to his legion of Twitter followers and taking phone calls.
“A lot of media around the world and newspapers, TV, and radio interview me. I have a specific interview time,” said Feng, describing his busy daily schedule.
He said he’s now gotten used to sleeping in the perpetual glow of the florescent lights and can even stay tucked in his sleeping bag—a big improvement from the jacket he used to sleep under—past 6 a.m. when the staff starts to arrive. His 'work' day starts around 8:30 a.m. and he tucks in for the night about midnight.
A couple of Japanese flight attendants walked by, greeting him with a cheery, familiar “Ohiyo gozaimasu”—good morning—as they would other co-workers.
“Around noon, I rest a little. I found a place where there's sunlight, so I go there to soak up the sun,” described the dissident, sitting on his hands, looking a little gaunt, but rational and resolute.
“My life here has become rather normal,” he said.
Feng subsists on donations of dried goods from supporters, or friends of supporters, who pass through the airport. His fare is limited to what is permitted in carry-on luggage. Occasionally, Taiwanese flight attendants give him something fresh to eat. With no way to a shower, he's "careful" about hygiene.
But Feng doesn’t want to dwell on the difficulties of life on a plastic bench. He says he’s endured a lot worse in China, spending time in labor camps, being arrested, kidnapped, and tortured.
“The things that happened to Gao [Zhisheng] have happened to me as well. In jail, I have endured a lot of hardship and pain. So now, compared to an average person, my endurance level is higher. I try to live a normal life here.”
Feng's reference to Gao Zhisheng is chilling. Gao is the Chinese activist lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize nominee who wrote in detail of a gruesome 50-day torture session he endured while in custody in China. In February 2009 Gao was again abducted from his home by police and hasn't been seen since.
Despite the international media coverage of Feng's situation and support from well-wishers, there appears to be little movement toward resolving his unusual displacement. But Feng is undaunted.
“My mental state is very stable. From the first day here to now, there hasn't been any change. I know what I'm doing and I know what's going on so I look at this very logically and rationally,” he said.
“I don’t tell others how hard it is to live here. I want to show them that under pressure, we are able to stand calmly and steadily. It gives others hope as well,” said Feng as a parting thought.
