“It’s not really an ideology, but a method of control. But China’s problems are not just China’s problems – they’re human problems. Humanity has always worked better when you see it as one.”

For me, it is OK as long as I can breathe, as long as my heart is pumping, as long as I can express myself.

In the end, I think, the state’s rigidity is a function of its own insecurity, its indecisiveness.

When human beings are scared and feel everything is exposed to the government, we will censor ourselves from free thinking. That’s dangerous for human development.

After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do.

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.

They lack any ability to sense what is beautiful or what is proper. They can be learned and skillful, but they lack the ability to make their own free judgment. It is really sad to see young adults of 20, 25 years who were never taught to make their own decisions.

Overturning police cars is a super-intense workout. It’s probably the only sport I enjoy.

I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that’s the true crime.

[Cultural departments] don’t care about culture. Maybe they’re the furthest from the people who understand culture.

Everything is selected by the central government without good judgment or an understanding of culture to make it really safe. They will become nobody to maintain their power and be raised to the next higher level.

This week, the world gathers in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic games. This is the extraordinary moment China has been dreaming of for 100 years.

I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.

Whenever there is injustice, there is tension. But in China it is very hard to release your anger unless you burn yourself or you jump from a bridge. In a society where there is no freedom of the press, it is difficult for victims to be noticed.

We’re different, and you’re dangerous.” That kind of thinking stops human, civilized evolution. It’s dangerous to create that kind of tension.

If there’s the right condition, I always want to express the concept or ideas in a very independent way.

I never had a sense of home.