John Kamm Remembers
50 Years in China
John Kamm Remembers is a collection of stories about one man’s journey navigating US-China relations since China re-established a relationship with the United States in 1972, and his mission to promote human rights by fostering well-informed, mutually respectful dialogue.
Dui Hua founder and executive director John Kamm’s behind-the-scenes accounts chronicle his dealings with officials and dissidents, his visits to prisons and courts, and his unique methodology widely recognized as the most effective approach to freeing prisoners of conscience in the world’s most populous country.
At once dramatic and revealing, Kamm’s accounts provide insight into the world of human rights diplomacy.
Kamm’s journey spans three distinct periods: 1972-1989; 1990-1999; and 1999-present. Scroll down and click on a period to read his stories in that period.
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Latest story “Black Hands” [published on March 23, 2023]
1972-1989: First Stop Macau
In 1972, President Nixon visited China, becoming the first sitting US president to do so. That same year, a young John Kamm journeyed to Macau, hoping to use his Chinese language skills. He found himself in the right place at the right time with the right people.
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1990-1999: Mixing Business with Human Rights
In the aftermath of June Fourth, many were unsure how and if to engage with China. John Kamm had an idea: release political prisoners. The next decade would see US-China relations resume, Hong Kong return to China, the Taiwan Strait Crisis, the establishment of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and the formal delinking of human rights from trade with China.
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1999-present: Dui Hua Means Dialogue
As the world hurtled towards the new millennium, Kamm’s unique approach to advocacy was garnering attention after several prisoner releases. As the dynamic between the two powers changes, with China becoming the largest US foreign creditor and the world’s second largest economy, Dui Hua changes to meet the moment.
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Archives
"John Kamm Remembers" stories have been published for years and in different iterations. You can find all of the stories in the order they were published, starting with the most recent one.
Visit the archives