The death of Li Yi︱Three times of hope and impact

Li Yi, a famous Hong Kong writer, passed away this morning (5th) at the Cathay Pacific Hospital in Taipei. The farewell ceremony will be held in Taipei at 2 pm on October 22nd.

Li Yi founded a number of publications in the 1970s, of which "70s" is the most famous, which is very influential among intellectuals. The magazine was initially funded by the CCP, and later changed its name to "90s" after breaking away from the left, and published many publications. Articles criticizing both sides of the strait have been banned by Taiwan and the mainland, but they are well-known in the Chinese intellectual circle.

Li Yi has been writing for more than 60 years, and has been associated with writing and books throughout his life. His articles focus on the current affairs of the three places on both sides of the strait, but they are hated by those in power.

Writer Tao Jie was interviewed by Hong Kong 01, describing Li Yi as a typical example of Western liberal intellectuals who experienced three hopes and three shocks in his life. ”

Tao Jie pointed out that Li Yi is one of the intellectuals in Hong Kong who uphold conscience and tell the truth.

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A few weeks ago, he was diagnosed with the new crown and was admitted to the hospital for life and writing

Tao Jie said that Li Yi was hospitalized a few weeks ago due to a diagnosis of new coronary pneumonia. She had a fever and then went down. During the hospitalization, she has been isolated and cannot be visited by outsiders.

Tao Jie praised Li Yi as one of Hong Kong's intellectuals who uphold conscience and tell the truth. In the 1970s, he founded leftist publications and youth publications, which were already influential in the early days. Among them, "1970s" commented on the development of the political situation on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the three places.

Looking through the information, "The Seventies" was funded by the CCP in the early days. In 1980, Li Yi broke away from the left. In 1984, the magazine was renamed "The Nineties". It was banned by Taiwan and the mainland successively. It is highly valued by the Chinese cultural circle.

During the "1990s" period, the magazine published many works criticizing the regimes on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, many of which were not published in the Mainland or Taiwan. Li Yi once interviewed before his death that the magazine benefited from the free environment of Hong Kong at that time. He also explained that at that time To break away from the left is to not want your free will to be dominated.

In 1998, "90s" ceased publication, and RTHK produced an engraved plaque for Li Yi as a souvenir.

(Li Yi Facebook)

Deng Xiaoping and Zhao Ziyang came to power to see Hope Magazine renamed "90s"

Tao Jie believes that Li Yi is rare because he has experienced three hopes and three shocks in his life.

When the "Gang of Four" was in power, the publications founded by Li Yi implicitly promoted the ideology of the CCP, but the fall of the Gang of Four was his first shock, which made him reflect on why the situation was like this.

Later, when Deng Xiaoping, Zhao Ziyang and other CCP officials came to power in the 1980s, he rekindled hope in China and renamed "The Seventies" to "The Nineties" to show his hope for the future.

However, the "June 4th Incident" in 1989 was the second shock to Li Yi, and after that, Lee Teng-hui promoted democratization in Taiwan, bringing hope to Li Yi again.

However, the Hong Kong anti-amendment incident in 2019 was the third shock to Li Yi. Tao Jie recalled that Li Yi was very moved by young people's struggle for democracy and felt ashamed.

Later, when the National Security Law for Hong Kong was implemented, Li Yi lost hope for the future of Hong Kong, so she moved to Taiwan.

Tao Jie said that Li Yi insisted on freedom and democracy and cared about the disadvantaged all his life, which is a typical example of Western liberal intellectuals, and it is very rare that he can correct his mistakes after he recognizes his beliefs.

Tao Jie pointed out: "Hong Kong has no canals. It is only about money and the commercial society. There are many doctors and lawyers, but there is only one Li Yi and one copy of '70s'."

It is reported that columnist Li Yi died at the age of 86. Li Yi died of illness at the Taipei Cathay Hospital at the age of 86. The farewell ceremony was held on the 22nd of this month.