In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want — not only you, your whole family and all people like you.

The demand for individual freedom leads us to different realms, and it enables us to participate in social events.

So-called Chinese art and culture is under control of the Party. They exist to serve the official agenda. I call it fake art and culture.

I'm totally independent. I don't bear any responsibility to any system.

I always admire writers. My father was a writer, a poet. I always admire people who can clearly state their mind.

China didn't want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul - which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless, I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.

The whole Chinese system - not just the political leadership, the military too, the whole power structure, our education system, the whole of society - is suffering from being cut off from the free flow of information. That's why the country can't face up to open competition - unless it resorts to measures like North Korea.