A letter to Wen Jiabao

Dear Honorable Premier of the Great People's Republic of China: Wen Jiabao, In writing this letter to you I intend no disrespect to the respectable General Secretary Hu Jin Tao. Simply, I feel as if I know you by your very public image better.

I remember well my introduction to China. I was an assistant on promotional tour from the state of Hawaii. We flew into Shanghai late in the evening and crossed the bridge at an hour when the visage was at it's most brilliant. I fell deeply in love with Shanghai the moment I saw her lights. To me, it was like looking at the future.

I returned to spend a further 8 years working in China. Some of Shanghai's darkest realities are carved deeply into the back of my right hand. I both prospered and struggled. Success and failure on so many levels were to be my burden and gift to bare witness to. I can tell you a thing or two about bad people in China. I can tell some dynamic stories. For every horror story I can also tell you about people who are working so hard. People who are so bright and so gifted. People who humbled me.

This time last year my company was in a terrible state. I had been cheated by my business partners (who were Chinese but not from China). As it were I ended up stranded in Hong Kong trying to get my visa sorted out. Anger pulsed through my veins. I regretted the day I met China. It was such a dark time. My company was going to the toilet, I couldn't get back there, immigration couldn't give me an honest answer.

Then it happened. I was in a Hong Kong diner steaming mad when I happened to see a video. The video showed you desperately trying to save a child after the earthquake. You said something like "Hold on, Grandpa Wen hears you." There wasn't a dry eye in that diner, no sound of eating, no talking, everyone, including me was watching in awe as the Premier of China showed such raw compassion. It was the moment of change for me. We, everyone in that Hong Kong diner were completely entranced by your example.

That moment made me want to know more about you. I started reading about you on the net. China, with its size will inevitably lead the world in the future. I felt so happy that for the first time I had a leader who I could relate to. In your actions I saw hope and I saw a just government.

Of course in my reading I learned that you were there during the student uprising. Under Zhao Ziyang you tried hard to iron out a peaceful settlement. So, now that you have a top job and you have the world's confidence I implore you to set the record straight. Let the world heal. Admit that the killing of these students was a mistake. Be an example to Japan, who year in and year out refuse to admit their wrongs. Lead. Trust that the world will applaud you.

We want to believe in you.

Gregory David Duerfledt.