A Daughter’s Struggle: Ti-Anna Wang’s Fight for Her Father’s Freedom

To mark the launch of Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners, we spoke with Ti-Anna Wang, the Chinese-Canadian daughter of imprisoned Chinese prodemocracy activist Wang Bingzhang. Below, Ti-Anna reflects on her friendship with Fred Hiatt, who used his influence as editorial page editor of The Washington Post to highlight Wang Bingzhang's plight and advocate for human rights defenders across the globe, and whose kindness and courage made a lasting impact on those he supported. 

Tell us about your father’s vision for a democratic China and the key milestones in his journey as a prodemocracy activist.

My father dreamed of a China where democracy thrives, underpinned by multi-party elections and an independent judiciary. He envisioned a nation governed by the rule of law, with the freedom to elect leaders and a steadfast commitment to human rights. He gave up his medical career to found the overseas Chinese prodemocracy movement, launch a prodemocracy magazine, establish multiple opposition parties to the CCP, and tirelessly lobby for global support. His life’s work spanned two decades of unwavering activism until his unjust imprisonment in 2002, a sentence he endures to this day.

What are the most significant challenges you’ve faced in campaigning for your father’s release?

The greatest hurdle in advocating for my father’s release is the apparent lack of political will to confront China’s human rights violations and hold the CCP accountable. The key to my father’s freedom lies in international intervention, yet this seems to be a low priority for most governments. It’s a battle against a world that often seems indifferent to the plight of political prisoners like my father.

How did Fred use his platform at The Post to support your father’s work, and your family during his imprisonment?

Our connection began in 2009 with an op-ed I wrote, which Fred published. He didn’t just give my father’s story a platform—he embarked on what his colleagues described as a “lonely literary and editorial crusade” on my father’s behalf, always finding a way to include my father’s name in his pieces condemning the CCP’s human rights abuses. In 2013, he even wrote Nine Days, a young adult novel inspired by my efforts to advocate for my father’s release. Fred’s dedication and generosity to my family was so moving. We were lucky to have him as our champion for so many years. 

How have you seen the tactics of the CCP in suppressing dissent evolve over the past decade?

It’s well known that over the past decade, the CCP has become increasingly brutal against those who dare to challenge it, especially within the People’s Republic of China. But a disturbing trend is the regime’s increasing engagement in transnational repression. The CCP now brazenly intimidates and harms critics living abroad, using technology and brute force to stop overseas Chinese and exiled minorities from expressing dissent. This global overreach is a chilling development, and yet, there’s a lack of decisive action to counter it.

What support do you believe political prisoners like your father need most from international organizations and governments?

People like my father need a champion, like Fred. Political prisoners are at great risk of being entirely forgotten if no one in the free world speaks up for them, and they all deserve attention and support. We were incredibly fortunate to have Fred’s unwavering support, which kept my father’s story alive and in the public consciousness.

How do you maintain hope and resilience in the face of such challenging circumstances?

We have no choice but to remain hopeful. We owe it to my father to continue working toward his release, to ensure his sacrifices were not in vain. Despite the daunting challenges, we believe that my father will one day be free—and that our and Fred’s efforts will have made a difference.

What's something you wish more people knew about Fred—not just as a journalist and advocate, but also as a friend and mentor?

Fred was exceptionally kind, gentle, and generous. His devotion to his family was mesmerizing—and he was also an incredibly fun person to be around. Fred’s friendship was truly the gift of a lifetime, and I will cherish it always.