E-NEWSPAPER

On this World Press Freedom Day (May 3), this publication presents a special issue delving deeply into the state and challenges of global press and publishing freedom. The front page and page two focus on press freedom, citing Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 data, which reveals the grim reality of China ranking third from last in press freedom, analyzing how censorship and surveillance stifle truth. The page two feature, The CCP’s Global Pursuit: Reflections on World Press Freedom Day, penned by our editors, exposes the shadow of the CCP’s transnational repression and calls on the international community to defend free speech. Pages three and four shift to publishing freedom, continuing the discussion of banned books like Zhang Yihe’s The Past Does Not Fade Like Smoke, examining China’s censorship of thought and the resonance these works have sparked in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas. From Lu Xun to Lung Ying-tai, educational indoctrination robs youth of independent thought, yet it cannot extinguish the spark of truth. Crafted by our editors with warmth and reflection, this issue pays tribute to every soul writing, reading, and resisting under oppression, hoping for the day when the chains of thought are broken.

This issue bears a heavy heart as it chronicles the challenges and sorrows of contemporary China and the world. The front page examines the resurgence of China's wave of societal revenge, dissecting how economic pressures, social fractures, and psychological crises fuel this recurring tragedy, urging us to confront the deep wounds of humanity. Page two delves into the reasons behind China's globally lowest proportion of religious adherents, from historical atheism to religious persecution, revealing the struggles of faith under control, while exploring the complex dynamics of China-Vatican-Taiwan relations following Pope Francis's death. Pages three and four are dedicated to a special feature on Francis, tracing the extraordinary life of this "People's Pope" from the slums of Buenos Aires to the Vatican, and detailing his reformist legacy and the poignant simplicity of his funeral. Francis's passing is a star fallen, leaving us with a call for compassion and peace; China's societal struggles sound an alarm, reminding us to seek redemption and unity in turbulent times. May this issue provoke reflection and kindle a spark of hope.

The 35th issue of *New Liberty News* is dedicated to women's rights, honoring every woman who struggles yet remains unyielding under oppression and paying tribute to those radiant female spirits. The front page, "Thirty Years of Trials and Triumphs," reviews the challenges faced by Chinese women from the post-79 generation to the post-00s, from the scars of family planning policies to the #MeToo movement, revealing the arduous journey toward gender equality. The second page focuses on the persecution and resilience of #MeToo pioneer Huang Xueqin and reports on the establishment of the feminist organization Hard Candy Alliance in Los Angeles, where the Water Balloon Action ignites female awakening. The third page features reader submissions. The fourth page, an Easter special, explores the history and significance of Easter, includes excerpts from the Bible, and conveys messages of resurrection and hope, examining how faith brings hope and strength to humanity. This issue is a tribute to female courage and a call for justice. May every reader join us in breaking the chains of truth and letting women’s voices resound across the world!

The front page of this issue focuses on the escalating U.S.-China tariff war, with our reporters synthesizing the latest news and data to deeply analyze the impact of tariffs on the lives of people in both countries. The second page features the compelling story of independent photographer Du Bin, who uses his lens and words to expose the atrocities of the Masanjia Labor Camp and the truth of Tiananmen, yet faces repeated suppression by the CCP as a result. His experience is a stark test of press freedom under authoritarian rule. The third page’s investigative report confronts the healthcare crisis within the CCP system, combining cases of doctor-patient disputes and incidents during COVID-19 lockdowns to provoke reflection on human rights and the need for systemic reform. The fourth page presents an exclusive interview with democracy activist Huang Mingfa, a democracy fighter from rural Hubei who, even after fleeing to the U.S., recites the Declaration of Independence, tears down CCP flags, and persists in fighting for China’s freedom despite threats to his monitored family. His story showcases an individual’s dedication and sacrifice for democracy. We hope this issue inspires collective reflection: In the face of oppression and injustice, how do we safeguard dignity and hope?

Today’s front page focuses on the latest developments in the U.S.-China trade war and the internal and external pressures facing the CCP. Under the dual strain of global economic rivalry and domestic political challenges, the fragility of the CCP regime is increasingly evident, warranting deep reflection from readers. The second page is dedicated to Peng Lifa, revisiting his courageous Four-Way Bridge protest and its profound impact, with his voice still awakening countless dormant souls. The third page highlights the China Democracy Party’s “Unify China, Return to the Mainland” democracy movement event in Los Angeles, documenting the overseas activists’ cries and efforts for a democratic China, showcasing the hope for freedom. The fourth page is a Qingming Festival special, where, while honoring the deceased, we also reflect on historical lessons and pray that future tragedies will not recur. This issue spans past and present, connecting individual and national destinies. May readers draw strength from it and together witness the dawn of a historic turning point.

This issue focuses on two devastating disasters: a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, shaking Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where a high-rise built by China Construction Tenth Bureau collapsed, exposing “tofu-dreg” engineering and sparking outrage; and the silent collapse of free speech. Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, imprisoned four times for reporting the truth about Wuhan’s pandemic, was detained again in 2025, her fate a grim reckoning for truth-tellers under authoritarianism. Disasters are not fate but the cost of suppressed truth. Pages 1-2 probe the quake’s ruins, while pages 3-4 trace Zhang’s unyielding fight. News is memory for the future; each crack recorded here questions this era of silence.

This issue’s front page spotlights President Lai Ching-te’s speech, bluntly naming China a hostile foreign force, underscoring the complex, tense cross-strait relations. Lai firmly defends Taiwan’s stance and dignity, emphasizing its commitment to democratic values. Page 2 features photographer Lu Guang’s lens, capturing the lives of China’s marginalized. These ignored communities reveal untold suffering and resistance, their poverty a silent rebellion against an oppressive regime where the vulnerable suffer first. Their struggles, though often erased by history, persist with quiet resilience. Page 3 compiles news and reader voices, reflecting diverse perspectives on current events. Page 4 showcases a photo collection from San Francisco’s Tibetan community, commemorating 66 years of Tibetan resistance, each image a testament to their unyielding spirit for freedom.