Chongqing Political Dissident Zhang Qi Secretly Arrested for Appearing in a Photograph With a Discarded Tank
by Zhang Qingyang

On May 16, 25-year-old political dissident and Union of Chinese Nationalists (Mainland supporters of Taiwan's Nationalist Party) member Zhang Qi was detained for "suspicion to incite the subversion of state power." On June 20 a Chongqing branch procuratorate approved the arrest, but the charge was changed to "illegal possession of state secrets." It is reported that the grounds for this charge is a group picture including Zhang Qi in front of a discarded military tank.

Chongqing authorities reportedly severely warned Zhang Qi's family to cooperate and not reveal the details of his arrest to outside media--especially Hong Kong and Taiwan Chinese-language media--so as not to adversely influence cross-Straits relations. Zhang Qi's family obeyed this warning and kept his circumstances and whereabouts confidential, to the point that even his friends believed that he went missing in the earthquake.

It is reported that Zhang Qi is a very patriotic, idealistic, young man with great aspirations. He is greatly concerned about the fate of China and strongly opposed to the flood of corruption in society. He is very committed to the reunification of China, and has had strong influence on the internet. In June 2006, right after he graduated from university, he was arrested for his Union of Chinese Nationalists activism.

It is hoped that this active youth can emerge from the Communist Party's black prison soon.

http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/11/200811300355.shtml