Rights Defense Network: “I Have No Enemies, and No Hatred” — Commemorating the Ninth Anniversary of the Death of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo

Nine years ago today, Mr. Liu Xiaobo passed away.

His life ended on July 13, 2017, but one sentence he left behind continues to deeply move everyone who pursues freedom, peace and human dignity:

“I have no enemies, and no hatred.”

This sentence is not weakness, but courage; not compromise, but conviction; not forgetfulness, but a commitment to humanity.

During his long years in prison, when he faced the loss of freedom and serious illness, Liu Xiaobo still chose to refuse to let hatred occupy his heart. He believed that even when positions differ and people are in conflict, human dignity still deserves respect; real change should not be built on hatred, but on reason, dialogue, peace and conscience.

This is precisely the deepest meaning of “I have no enemies.”

It is worth remembering that Liu Xiaobo not only left behind the far-reaching words “I have no enemies, and no hatred,” but was also one of the principal drafters of the Charter 08.

Through peaceful, rational and nonviolent means, Charter 08 called for the gradual promotion of constitutional government, the rule of law, the protection of human rights, civil liberties, democratic elections, judicial independence and other institutional reforms. It advocated promoting social progress through civic participation and peaceful reform, rather than resolving conflicts through violence and hatred. What it demonstrated was not only an initiative for political reform, but also a public spirit centered on human dignity and guided by universal values.

Looking back today, the human radiance represented by “I have no enemies” echoes the ideals of peace, reason, the rule of law and freedom advocated by Charter 08. Together, they form an important part of the spiritual legacy Liu Xiaobo left to future generations, and continue to inspire all those concerned with freedom, human rights, the rule of law and democratic development to reflect on the path ahead.

It must be emphasized that: “I have no enemies” does not deny real-world conflicts, nor does it mean abandoning criticism of injustice. Rather, it means refusing to regard anyone forever as an unchangeable enemy. It reminds us that on the road to pursuing freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, we must not allow ourselves to fall into hatred because we oppose oppression; nor should we lose our trust in humanity because we have suffered injustice.

Today, when the world remains filled with division, polarization and conflict, and when many social movements continue to consider how to uphold their ideals while avoiding hatred and violence, the spirit Liu Xiaobo left behind remains deeply relevant. Peace, reason, nonviolence and respect for human dignity are not symbols of weakness, but indispensable foundations for building a free, just and civilized society. Any civic movement that genuinely pursues democracy, the rule of law and human rights needs firm conviction, but also requires an inclusive spirit and the power of reason. Only in this way can we avoid replacing old conflicts with new ones and old oppression with new oppression, allowing the future to be built on the rule of law, freedom and mutual respect.

Nine years have passed. Liu Xiaobo has left us, but his ideas have not. Through his life, he told the world that true strength does not come from hatred, but from conscience; true courage is not defeating one’s opponent, but overcoming resentment in one’s own heart; and what is truly worth pursuing is not merely institutional change, but also a change in people’s hearts.

Today, we commemorate Liu Xiaobo not only as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but also as a thinker who always believed in humanity, conscience and the power of peace.

May we remember his name, and remember his spirit even more. May “I have no enemies, and no hatred” be not merely a famous saying, but a spiritual legacy worthy of being cherished and passed down from one generation to the next.