In Guangzhou, Li Gang is a Chinese IT Engineer and private businessman. He is also a member of the preparatory committee for business owners in the Huanan New City area of Guangzhou City. He was beaten by thugs in his home on the evening of February 15 due to his involvement in local rights activities concerning transportation, real estate management fees and public security. Li was seriously injured and needed medical attention to save his life.
After the incident many reporters tried to interview his family members at the hospital but were vetoed by the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. A businessman who visited Li yesterday said that Li appeared stable but weak. The doctor requested Li to stay in the hospital.
Local businessmen say they are very angry about the situation. The incident has become a hot topic on the internet. Many businessmen in Guangdong Province held activities to highlight the incident and solicit contributions. According to rough estimates, donations have reached hundreds of thousands of yuan (approximately 8.1 yuan equals US$1).
It has been three weeks since the incident, but businessmen are holding more and more activities to protect human rights. They report that their activities are clearly supported by the society as a whole. Some of the local media also reported their activities despite great pressure not to. Businessmen say they continue to promote the activities of protecting human rights to the public because they are disappointed with the government.
