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Exclusive: Ai Weiwei breaks his silence
http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/articleType/ArticleView
Ai Weiwei relaxes in his studio in Caochangdi Art District with his cat
after his release. Photo: Courtesy of Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei's first interview since being released from detention started with
a tour of the renovations he's having done to his home and studio in the
Caochangdi Art District in northeast Beijing.
"I'm having my studio and kitchen painted, and I've bought some new
furniture to give the place a fresh look," said Ai, looking relaxed in a
deep blue T-shirt that hung loosely on his more svelte frame.
Ai may have a new-look home and body but he remained politically feisty
during a six-hour, exclusive interview with the Global Times.
Though a prestigious artist, he has been catching the world's attention more
often in recent years through his vigorously campaigning for democracy than
for his art. He has been labeled by international media as one of the
strongest critics of the Chinese government.
While Ai continues to demand reforms, he said he has never called for a
change to the form of China's government. "Overthrowing the regime through a
radical revolution is not the way to solve China's problems," Ai said. "The
most important thing is a scientific and democratic political system."
Throughout the day, Ai seemed his usual droll self, neither becoming too
excited nor ever seeming despondent. At times he seemed flirtatious and was
above all relaxed. "It feels good to be home," Ai said in an off-guard
moment as he stretched out to pet his cocker spaniel.
The outspoken artist was released on bail on June 22 and the authorities
said he had confessed to tax evasion and promised to pay the overdue amount.
Authorities maintain Ai's company, Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd,
had evaded a "huge amount" of taxes and intentionally destroyed accounting
documents, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Ai's detention sparked an international outcry with the Western media
politicizing the case and the Chinese government telling them to mind their
own business.
Ai agreed to be interviewed but insisted that he not be asked about details
of his detention.
Ai said he has resumed normal life and although a condition of his bail
forbids him from using Twitter, he still surfs the Internet for news.
Most afternoon he spends several hours with his 2-year-old son, and he walks
around the art district where he lives. "I didn't have much time with my
family members before, but now I have plenty of time. I see my son as often
as possible," Ai said with a fatherly smile on his face.
Despite the sensitive issues surrounding his case and his release, Ai talked
openly about his emotions, ideas and his thoughts while in custody. "I was
cut off from the outside world. No one told me when I would be released. It
felt like I had fallen heavily into a collapsed pit," said Ai, sitting
comfortably with his legs folded under him on his new couch.
Ai said not knowing what was happening to his case was the most worrying
especially when he thought of his family. "I missed my mother and my son. I
was worried that I might not get to see my son grow up," said Ai.
During the serene afternoon at Ai's expansive studio a cat strolls through
the courtyard, glances at the dog and disappears. Ai admits he'll be more
cautious in the future but he hasn't softened.
"I've been drawn into the vortex of politics," Ai told the Global Times. "I
will never avoid politics, none of us can. We live in a politicized society.
"Ai crossed his arms and looked serious. He paused for a thought and
continued: "You give up your rights when you dodge them. Of course you might
live an easier life if you abandon some rights. But there are so many
injustices, and limited educational resources. They all diminish happiness.
I will never stop fighting injustice."
'Economic crime'
Ai was detained at the Beijing airport on April 3. The authorities disclosed
until April 6 that the police was investigating Ai for suspected economic
crimes. On June 22, the authorities released Ai on bail after he reportedly
signed a statement indicating he was guilty of tax evasion and willing to
pay the overdue tax bill, Xinhua reported.
Ai admitted to the Global Times that he signed a document but says it was
not a confession. He agreed that if he were proven guilty he would accept
the punishment.
"I am the art director of the company and don't really pay any attention to
its financial situation," he conceded.
Ai's wife Lu Qing is the legal representative of the design company.
The artist's claim of innocence is not all that convincing to his many
critics.
"The crux of the matter is simple: Ai is involved in a criminal case. He was
detained because he was suspected of having evaded a large amount of taxes,
" Liu Nanlai, vice director of the Research Center of the Human Rights at
the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) told the Global Times.
Liu explained that even though Ai said he was not aware of tax evasion
conducted by his accountant, obviously, "the accountant won't evade tax
without any order from management."
Xiong Qiuhong, the director of the Institute of the Criminal Action Law at
the CASS said that it is common for Chinese artists to intentionally or
unintentionally evade taxes.
"Many famous artists have been caught and punished for evading taxes. Ai's
case is not the only one," Xiong said.
Xiong wants the local authorities to try Ai in a public trial on tax evasion
. "In this way, we can prevent Westerners from politicizing the case," Xiong
said.
Xiong also warned, "if you are a dissident, you should keep your ass clean
and not get involved in any crime, so that local governments cannot find you
guilty." |
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