Mr. President, Directors of WAN and World Editors Forum, Ladies and Gentleman.

Let me begin by thanking the World Newspaper Association for awarding my son Shi Tao the 2007 WAN Golden Pen of Freedom.

I feel deeply honored for my son to be receiving this honor. Shi Tao is a professional journalist but also a direct victim of the shackles of Press Freedom. He received the heavy sentence of 10 years imprisonment in 2004 because he published what the authorities considered should not be made public. He has been in prison for 3 years now.

In China he is taken as a criminal, but today WAN, made up of over 100 newspaper organizations, awards him the Golden Pen of Freedom. It is not only an honor but also a huge comfort to Shi Tao.

It proves that my son is indeed innocent. He has only done what a courageous journalist should do. That is why he has got the support and the sympathy from his colleagues all over the world who uphold justice, the colleagues who have been concerned about Shi Tao who has lost his freedom, been locked up in prison.

Here and now, I am able to stand on the stage on behalf of my son.

What an arduous journey it has been! To tell you the truth I can’t believe it is true and even the best human language in the world cannot express the gratitude from the mother and son.

I am proud to have such a son as Shi Tao, my sincere thanks again to WAN and to you all for not forgetting Shi Tao.

His mother delivered the following poem written by Shi Tao on receiing the Golden Pen of Freedom Award on his behalf on 4th June 2007, the 18th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

June by Shi Tao

My whole life Will never get past “June” June, when my heart died When my poetry died When my lover Died in a passionate pool of blood

June, the scorching sun burns open my skin Revealing the true nature of my wound June, the fish swims out of the blood-red sea Toward another place to hibernate June, the earth shifts, the rivers fall silent Piled up letters unable to e delivered to the dead

(Written on the 9th June 2004) Translated by: Chip Rolly)