Annie Wang

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Lili: A Novel of Tiananmen
With Annie Wang
Author
Friday, July 20, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT

In "Lili," author Annie Wang offers a fictional account on radical changes in China set in the Post Mao Era from the end of the Cultural Revolution to the Tiananmen Uprising. It is the story of one young woman's maturation during a time of emotional, psychological and societal turmoil. Through the main character's eyes we see not only the radical changes in her own life, but in China as a country.

Wang was be online Friday, July 20 at 1 p.m. EDT to answer questions about her novel, the Olympics and young lives in Tiananmen Square and China.

Wang was born in 1972 and grew up in Beijing. she came to the U.S. in 1993 and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1996. She worked in The Post's Beijing bureau before becoming a contract interpreter for the U.S. State Department. This is her first book written in English.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Annie Wang: Hello from Northern California. An eventful week for "Washington Post" and China!

Gaithersburg, Md. : I'm just curious, what level of higher education did you receive while in China? Because it's quite impressive, coming to the U.S. in 1993 and graduating in 3 years from a top university. And are you fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese?

Annie Wang: I finished high school education and was in a top Chinese university for two years before coming to the United States. But I am amazed by how Americanized I have become. I am fluent in Mandarin. Now, I stay in Hong Kong a lot, so I am learning Cantonese. But believe me, it is more difficult for me than learning English.

Virginia: In the U.S., if you write a book about China that has some negative tones, it is okay. In China, you get jailed. Why is that?

Annie Wang: Why is the U.S. a wonderful country? Why do the best and the brightest people of China choose to come here to study? This difference in treating dissidents says a lot. I wish China could change some day. I wish authors can enjoy freedom of creativity in China some day.

Livermore, Calif.: Annie, I loved your book. How much of it is autobiographical? If you are really like Lili, then I think you are a fascinating woman.

Do you think the optimism, enthusiasm and idealism of the youth movement, has been obliterated after the goverments harsh response, and that the youth of China are just too afraid to rebel? Or do you think that the youth of China now just would rather pursue materialsm instead of idealism because they are so much more exposed, through the media, to westwern capitalism and images of wealth?

Annie Wang: Hi, Thank you for loving "Lili." "Lili" is a fiction, but the main character is very real. We share similarities and differences. We both come from an intellectual family in Beijing, we both play music instruments, we both are rebels, we both have an interesting grandma, but she is 12 years older than me, she is not easily impressed, but I am, she is more streetsmart, I am more intellectual like her boyfriend Roy, she is indifferent, I am curious like her boyfriend, she is distant with her parents, I am quite close to my parents, etc.
I don't think the youth of China are too afraid to rebel. On the contary, many of them are doing things without a limit. They are fearless. I think they are more into materialism instead of idealism. You see many changes in China econmically, but not politically. The heartless rush toward materialism stems from this imbalance between fast change in econ and slow change in govenment.

Annandale, Va.: During the protests outside the US Embassy following the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, one protester was quoted by the press as shouting "Kill the long noses". I suppose he meant Americans, but it made me wonder, do the Chinese people harbor a deep distrust and hatred of westerners in general and Americans in particular?

Annie Wang: This is very interesting. On the one hand, many young people critize Americans, on the other hand, many young people listen to American music, watch American movies, eat American food and want to come here.
Chinese people's attitude toward foreigners is always somewhat ambivalent. On the one hand, the legacy of imperialism makes many Chinese think that Westerners are always bullying and exploiting China–So they are devils. On the other hand, Chinese people see that they can learn a lot from Westerners who can help to modernize China. It makes more sense to befriend them.
But I can tell you this: if you go to China, you will find people are friendly and curious about you. In small towns and villages, they might stare at you.

New York City, N.Y.: Is any Chinese version of your book becoming availiable?

Annie Wang: Yes. There will be one.

Vienna, Va.: What was it like growing up during the Tiananmen Square uprisings. Were you scared or were you an activist at an early age? How do you feel about China and human rights efforts right now?

Annie Wang: I went to the Square every day when I was 16. But I would not call myself an activist because I felt every citizen in Beijing went there every day. At first, there was no fear. Rather, the atmosphere was very positive. People went there to express their feelings, dissatisfation, anger, curiosity, confusion, excitement. I felt a sense of comraderie and a sense of common spirit. I had never been to a rock and roll concert. For me, the Square was my rock and roll concert. I didn't have a good understanding of democracy or politics, but I realized for the first time in my life that inequality and unjustice exist. As I grew up, I understand better. The sadness comes along as I understand more.

Washington, D.C. : Annie, great job! It's amazing that at a young age, you've accomplished so much. How did you get started in writing and when did you start journalism? Is your family supportive and do you visit China often?
Do you get a lot of criticism and what other books are you working on? Have any advice for any aspiring bilingual writers?

Annie Wang: Thanks. I got started in writing because I was isolated by my classmates in elementary school. I was isolated because a boy liked me when we were in the fourth grade. I liked him too. I wrote about how I liked him in my notebook. My notebook was stolen and my writing was read aloud by classmates. At that time, talking to a boy was bad enough for a girl let alone liking a boy. I was humilated and isolated. My pen became my only friend. To write was a way to talk to myself because nobody wanted to talk to me. The boy was transfered to another school later. It was a sad story how I started writing.
I started journalism at 13. I was a student journalist. I became a radio show hostess and a columnist at 15.
I am working on a Chinese novel now which I see as a cross between sex and the city and 1984.

Potomac, Md.: Hello, what is your reaction to Beijing's Olympic hosting duties? As a Chinese American, I hope the Olympics will bring about positive changes in China's human rights efforts. Certainly the outcry over Beijing's bid was well-founded, as China's human rights record is quite dismal, but I feel the world-wide exposure of the Games will force positive changes by the chinese government. Cutting off China from the world (which denying them the games would help to do) would only entrench them in their current practices. Putting them at the center of a global celebration can give them the incentive to change their ways. I hope China takes this opportunity to correct past errors and move forward.

Annie Wang: I can't agree with you more. I was interviewed by NPR the other day about this games thing. My view is that engagement works the best for US-China relations. People have fear or misunderstanding because they don't know each other well. To host the games will give China a chance to understand better about international community's rule-playing. China might not be a gentleman at the moment. But it takes time to learn to be one.

Arlington, Va.: I work with a lot of talented Chinese nationals in the IT sector. I am fascinated by how some Chinese people, who haven't learned English formally (i.e. at school), pick up a lot skills so quickly (non-technical skills as well as technical).

What would you attribute this to (besides hard work and diligence)? Thanks.

Annie Wang: I think besides hard work and diligence, Chinese culture's emphasis on learning is also important. Confucius says, there must be a teacher in every three people you run into.
Also, I think those who leave their homes for another country tend to have curiocity about the unknown. This curiocity makes them want to know more.

San Francsico, Calif.: Is there any book signing plans in the S.F bay area currently?

washingtonpost.com: When is your book tour?

Annie Wang: Yes, I will be appearing at the books by the bay tomorrow at 2:30 at Yerba Buena Garden. 28th of this month, I will be doing reading and signing at Book Passage in Marin county.

Falls Church, Va.: Have you seen the movie "Blue Kite" which, like your book, focuses on the Cultural Revolution? From what you know about the Cultural Revolution, was the movie accurate in its depiction of the chaos and anarchy run amok? Will this movie ever be shown in China (outside of Hong Kong, that is) or will it remain on the Beijing government's censorship list indefinitely?

Annie Wang: Yes. A good movie. My books focuses more on the 1980s. It is a time period from the end of CR to the Tiananmen political movement in 1989. A China that is more recent.

Yes, you can see the movie in China without problems.

New York City, N.Y.: Your book, "Lili", has great description about the condition of countryside in China and the Tiananmen Square Movement. I really enjoyed reading it. But is the condition of countryide in China still like your novel?

Annie Wang: I hope and think the condition has improved a lot. But I would say that you will see more changes in China's urban area than the rural area in the last twenty years.

London: I like your books very much (both your Chinese books and Lili).
What is your next book? Name? summary? When will it become availiable?

Annie Wang: My Chinese books:
1) Passion and Departure, a short story collection, mainly avant garde stories. One of the stories is about a Chinese woman fell in love with a Black man but later dumped him because of the pressure of her culture and society. The story has been bought by USA Today's life section.

2)Unbearable Shallowness, about China's rising new rich and infideality in relaitonships. Which I said I try to position it as a cross between sex and the city and 1984. I don't know when it will come out, but this year.

Fremont, Calif.: What are the most factors that influence your writing and your thinking?

Annie Wang: 1. ancient Chinese poems, music,
2.Western psychology, philosphy, mythology, books like the Catcher in the Rye, On the Road, the Birth of Tragedy, Van Gogh's paintings, Cubists,
3. My interesting life/travels/adventures
4.My family
5. My family history
6. My stubborn search for meaning in life

Arlington, Va.: Now that you are living in the U.S. do you see yourself outside looking into China? Do you identify being Chinese American and what difference do you see among your peers who grew up here and might have only visited China? What does your family think about your writing?

Also, do you feel a lot of anti-Chinese sentiment recently in the news? Will the Olympics cause more criticism?

Annie Wang: I see myself as a cosmopolitan. When I grew up in China, my Chinese friends said that I wasn't like a Chinese person. To them, I was like an American because I was too outspoken. I feel forunate that I fit very well in different places. I feel at home in both the U.S. and China. I don't think the Olympics will cause more ciritcism.

College Park, Md.: Ms. Wang:

Have you visited Taiwan before? Since I feel today's China is awefully similar to Taiwan 20 years ago, do you see China follows the same path as Taiwan where economical growth has led to peaceful political reform? Do you think the reform would be accelerated by rewarding the Olympic game to China?

Annie Wang: I haven't been to Taiwan. But will someday. I think economical growth will lead to political reform. It has happened in Taiwan and will happen in China.

Towson, Md.: I looked at your web site. Thank you for building such great utility. I like the quiz. Will you put more quizzes on it?

Annie Wang: I hope you had a good score! I will let my sister know about the quizzes. She is the one who built it.

Bethesda, Maryland: Greetings Ms. Wang,
Thank you for taking time to be here!
Do you think the presences of the Olympics in China and world attention will help to bring about human rights changes in China?
Thank you so much!

Annie Wang: I think the world attention will help to improve the situation in China. What's more, China will learn about the rule-playing in the international community. The presences of the Olympics will allow China to have a better understanding of why people in the free world hold deomocracy, the lives of human being and freedom of press so dear. These values are not just the values of "American imperialists." These values are universal.

San Jose, Calif.: Lili is not you, right?

Annie Wang: Lili is not me.

Vienna, Va.: Annie, the Olympics propelled South Korea into democracy. Do you think the Olympics will force China to be more liberal and take on democratic values and policies?

Annie Wang: Yes. I have just given an answer to this quesion. Please check it out. I am glad you mentioned South Korea. A good model of how the OG could influence a nation.

San Francsico, Calif.: Will you do public speech? Will you appear on any recent TV shows?

Annie Wang: Yes. I will be on CNTV and KTSF next week.

Annie Wang: Thanks, everybody. I had a good time talking to you all. Feel free to email me if you have more questions. You can find my email through my website.

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