Chapter 11 Before & After Yang Bin Living at Home under Surveillance

Yang Bin, the Chief Executive, made a big mistake at a news release conference! On September 24, important newspapers and TV all over the world reported the explosive news that North Korea established a special administrative region in Sinuiju and its “Fundamental Law”.
[TACC in Seoul, September 24] Kim Jong II, the leader of North Korea had made up his mind to show to the world North Korean was capable enough to carry out economic reform trials. He had declared that, Sinuiju Special Administrative Region was established in the northwest of North Korea.
North Korea borrowed ideas from China on the experience of “one country, two systems” carried out in Hong Kong and Macao during the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region which enjoyed freedom in economics and laws to a certain extent. But, after Sinuiju was declared to be “a state affiliated to a nation”, North Korea led on a farther way forwards. It’s to establish hereby judicial authorities free from the control of the central committee, legislative power authorities and executive power authorities. The election of legislative council of special administrative region will be held in the context of foreign citizens’ participation. Sinuiju will become a main body of international laws which is entitled to issue its own passports.
China News reported at 14:21 pm, on September 24, BBC, UK reported that, North Korea declared the latest development of Sinuiju Special Economic Region. Yang Bin, a Chinese businessman from Holland was appointed to be the Chief Executive to Sinuiju Special Economic Region that established recently last week.
Yang Bin indicated at press conference held in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, that he planned to start from scratch to build the special economic zone whose area was somewhat equivalent to that of Hong Kong. First of all he would migrate a population of over 500,000 to the region with an area of 132 sq.km. where North Korea was neighboring with China. In addition, it will bring forward a new legal system based on legal systems from Europe, and plan to elect and recommend legislative institution and administrative staff including foreign judges appointed from the Western countries.
Foreign media reported that, Sinuiju will be built to be comprehensive international region of integrating finance, trade, commerce, industry, high technologies, entertainment and tourism. Moreover, it defined clearly it had authority to develop, use and manage lands until December 31, 2052.
Yang Bin came back to Shenyang and was still highly excited at torrents of reports on Sinuiju Special Economic Region from foreign media and follow-up to him by media and reporters form home and abroad that gathered in Dandong.
In the midday, September 25, I drive back to Holland Village, Shenyang from Dandong.
When I arrived at Yang’s villa, I saw there gathered many friends, and Yang Bin was sitting on the sofa in living room dressed in white Crocodile shirt and light khaki casual pants that friends got used to. He was excited with ruddy cheeks and busy with talking with guests from all walks of life. When he saw I came in, he said: “Guan, why didn’t you go to Pyongyang?”
I seemed have no words to answer him, but smiled and sat on one space of the sofa that one of friends gave. I lighted a cigarette and listened to fair good words that people said to congratulate him for being the Chief Executive. At the moment, guests came to visit him for congratulations or business opportunities in future Sinuiju…
In the evening, Yang Bin held a reception banquet in the hall of glass greenhouse of tropical rain forest, Swan Lake, Holland Village. I still sat by large table with Yang Bin opposite.
During the banquet, Yang Bin came forwards and sang a episode of a TV series called Great Desire。
I’d like to say I used to be at a loss years after years,
It seemed real or unreal, and hard to make my choice,
I experienced ever sadness, happiness, departure and get-together,
What was it for in such perseverance?
Who could tell me if I did it right or not,
I just desired at heart to live sincerely,
Who could tell me if I did it right or not
……

[Photo: Yang Bin sang an episode named Years After Years of a TV series called Great Desire at the welcome banquet held for North Korea mission. His hoarse voice was full of emotional sigh and helplessness in his heart. His emotion sounded so real and his voice sounded so sad! Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
His emotional sigh and helplessness contained in his hoarse voice really touched me deeply with sympathy for him. After we had been met frequently for several months, I was acquainted too well with him. I did not know how many times he drove a “Sandstorm” SUV in the early morning and went to construction sites for inspection under the company of only me. He roared at his employees and beseeched the principals of construction companies; I had accompanied him and his group to Pyongyang for several times, participated in the hard negotiation of Sinuiju Special economic Zone and the inspection on the construction of high-tech agricultural demonstration zones in Pyongyang; I felt deeply his anger and unease after being doubted by media from home and abroad, his helplessness, loss and worry etc when Euro-Asia Group stock dropped…At the still and deep nights, I was awakened up by his calls and picked up to his villa for drinking and talking about his emotions. Only Shen Liang, a driver from the rural areas of Hebei was sitting aside there. I could felt his loneliness and heavy pressure at the bottom of his heart. The daily cost of living cost him only over one hundred Yuans, including two dinners one day, one small bowel of rice, two or three dishes such as pork stewed in sauce, pickled cabbage fried with green soy beans, pork cooked with dried turnip and pork slices cooked with spiced dried beancurd or other of similar kind. The soup might be cabbage and tomato soup with pork balls. He did not like seafood and never changed his menu. The most expensive dish for him that I had seen was salted fish steamed in light soup that’s said to be one delicious salted fish that existed only in Guangdong and cost over twenty Yuans per Jin. There was nothing more! He had no other hobbies and expenditure except he liked smoking nonstop so much that he needed about four to five bags of “555” cigarettes one day. Why did he live like this? He was said to be a family-enterprise entrepreneur with billions of assets. I did not know why I feared to chat with him at nights at that moment I always had a deep pity and helplessness for him from my heart. In the daytime, he was a billionaire in the eyes of other people but he was a lonely man, a so-called loner at late nights. I ever showed my minds to him by a lot of sincere advices that unpleasant to be heard and accepted though. I shown it also to the negotiation group members who were in good relations with me, and they said: “Guan, you have to believe, Yang is a strange man! But he’s also a smart man. Though he would not listen to what we suggest, he understands it clearly and knows how the way is led.”
I was uncertain about the words from the friend.
In the morning, September 26, Yang Bin told me there were a lot of reporters from home and abroad gathered in Dandong who requested to go to Sinuiju for interviews. And now some of them had already followed him to Shenyang and wanted to interview him in person. He asked me to give a hand to Bian Shoujie who was too busy with it, and I accepted this task.
In the afternoon, 26, at the Holland Queen Palace, namely the third floor of office building of Euro-Asia Group, there were tens of reporters from Japan, South Korea, U.S., Hong Kong and inland gathered who made the hall and two meeting rooms crowded fully. I walked to the third floor with unease at heart. When I stepped into the large office of Bian Shoujie, an assistant to the president, I saw two or three reporters from South Korea sitting on the sofa asking Bian when Yang Bin could accept their interviews.
Bian Shoujie saw I came over, and said to me as if relieved of a heavy load: “Teacher Guan, come on! Give me a hand!”
He bustled reporters from South Korea off in few words, and then told me news conference would be held in the morning, 27.
“Is that the right time for it?” I asked doubtedly.
“Don’t ask too much. Mr. Yang made this decision. You will act as a spokesman, and I will preside over the conference. Let’s see what theme is good for the conference?” Bian said and handed me over the theme that had been designed early: New Conference of Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
After I saw this theme, I was suddenly put in fear. How could it be made like this? Bian Shoujie was one of trainees who studied in Japan and then acted as vice general manager of one real estate company in Shenyang which invested jointly with one of real estate companies affiliated to Euro-Asia Group, and withdrawn its investment afterwards. Bian had been working for Euro-Asia Group since that time, but he had had no experience in media.
“No! It would result in a big mistake.” I worried. As at the moment, Yang Bin had already been one of officials of foreign government, he had to hold a news conference in another country unless prior approval was obtained by related authorities of sovereign nation.
“Is Lawyer Tong coming yet?” I asked.
Bian answered: “he will arrive soon.”
As a biographer invited by Yang Bin, I acted only as a guest but not one of the management of Euro-Asia Group, so I was not able to decide if it’s feasible or not. I had to seek other ways or at least asked advice from Lawyer Tong Lianfa who could seek solutions on related legal formalities.
After Tong had a look at it, he felt worried as me and he had the same ideas with me. Tong made his suggestion.
And then Bian changed the theme to be “New Conference of Chief Officer of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.”
Tong and I still did not agree with it.
But Bian continued to instruct workers to design and arrange conference upon this theme.
I checked and read telefax mails sent from media all over the country, and made the standard outline for answers with Tong upon all kinds of questions raised by the above said reporters and answered by Yang Bin at news conference held at Pyongyang.
But at the news conference held at 4:00 pm, 27, Yang did not use the outline that we had made for him with every effort.
At 4:00 pm, 27, on the fourth floor of Railway Station of Amsterdam in Holland Village, dozens of reporters from all over the world gathered at the right hall with some of them from China.
Due to the objection from Li Gang, vice general manager of Euro-Asia Group, Tong, Weng Yongxi, political consultant of Yang and me, Yang Bin agreed finally not to hold news conference in the name of Chief Officer of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and decided to cover the original theme with red cloth instead.
Yang Bin came to the conference room under my company. Yang Bin and Bian were sitting together shoulder to shoulder with face to the conference hall full of reporters. I did not take one of two vacancies besides Yang Bin intentionally but sat alone besides the presidium and made minutes.
Bian Shoujie presided over the conference and said it’s the meeting between Yang Bin as the president of Euro-Asia Group and reporter friends and all could start dialogues with Mr. Yang freely as he was instructed beforehand.
On September 27, 2002, on the news conference in Holland Village, Yang Bin was sitting in the middle with Guan Shan by left side and Bian Shoujie by right side.
Yang Bin said: everyone knows that I accepted the appointment of being the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region granted by Supreme People’s Congress of North Korea to three days ago. I have been looking forward to becoming a Chief Executive of Special Administrative Region based on the sympathy I have for poverty-striken North Koreans. I was an orphan and also lived under poverty before. Now I have had much money but it means nothing to me as I long more for peace and development of Northeast Asia. I am a Chinese from Holland, and now I become the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. I don’t pursue personal interest on it but just one of ordinary officials who receive fixed regular salary. I hope I could help North Koreans for living better lives.
Many reporters want to interview me separately, but there are so many reporter friends that I am not able to entertain them one by one. I'd like to send a news release to everyone and arrange this meeting otherwise. Are there any questions you’d like to raise? OK?
Reporter: I am from 21 Century Economic Report, would you please give us detailed introduction to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang Bin: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will be liberalized society whose laws in future adopt mainly Western laws such as civil laws and criminal laws to safeguard people’s freedom and protect their private properties against violation to the greatest extent for 50 years. In 50 years the Central Government of North Korea will still carry out the policies of protecting investment properties against violation. The Special Administrative Region will carry out all-round and free market economic policies that match with those of developed countries, and ensure free traveling of people by freeing every one all over the world from visas who comes over to Special Administrative Region. North Korean citizens will be issued visas by North Korea itself. Since this year, we can enter into Sinuiju freely. There are logistics, tax-free, currency circulation that coming and going freely.
Reporter: I am from Chosun Ilbo, South Korea. May I ask in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, South Koreans will be treated the same as those from other countries?
Yang Bin: the laws of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region are to treat every one equally. Moreover, you have language advantage. It’s well-known that it’s one of lands that belong to your ancestors. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will make use of the labor force of about 200 to 300 thousands mainly from North Korea. South Korea may be the largest investor in Sinuiju. Entrepreneurs and bankers from South Korea are warmly welcomed to make investment in Sinuiju.
Reporter: I am He Xiaoming, from Hong Kong Wen Wei Poreported, on 26, Euro-Asia Agriculture was suspended by Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As you go to work for Sinuiju as its Chief Executive, how is Euro-Asia Agriculture going?
Yang Bin: we have had good arrangement for it. Euro-Asia Agriculture is as if one of my children who I have devoted all my self to for 10 years. It must be arranged very well, so please forward it to all of retail investors.
Reporter: I am from Kyodo of Japan. May I ask when visa-free will be started in Sinuiju? What economic policies will be carried out by the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang Bin: it will be started since 30, the day after tomorrow. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is a free trade area with the most preferential policies that exist currently all over the world. Export and import are free from tax. Every one with different complexions and from different countries is allowed to invest in Sinuiju. The income tax is only 14% while that in Hong Kong is 15%, China 30% and Holland 40%. It requires being just legally. I am from Holland and I know the laws there attach high importance to justness. Thus I will choose great judges from Europe for Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and the director of its Public Security Bureau will also be someone from outside except China and North Korea. People could make a lot of money only in a totally just society.
Reporter: I am from China Business Post. Could you please introduce investment plans, scale and timetable of Sinuiju?
Yang Bin: it will be shaped primarily within five years and built into most modern and beautiful metropolitan city in Northeast Asia within 10 years. Its infrastructure will need investment of about US$100 billions and aggregate investment up to US$ 400 billions.
I am just one official of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region who receives salary regularly. I will resign most of posts, including commercial posts. In Sinuiju, I am not allowed to be engaged in commercial activities. As I will take charge of three powers, I won’t make investment and allow all young people to establish their businesses. On 24, when BBC interviewed me at Pyongyang, I told him I am the poorest man compared to those chief executives from all special administrative regions all over the world. Mr. Tung Chee-hwa had had 10 billions dollars when he became the Chief Executive but now I have had no penny when I go to Sinuiju.
Reporter: I am a reporter from South Korea. May I ask do you have any plans to visit South Korea?
Yang Bin: I will meet influentials from business circles of South Korea on October 7. Because an industrial park of South Korea will be built in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and will be designed by foreign experts. We would like to listen to opinions from influentials from business circles of South Korea in order to respect custom of Korean peoples.
Reporter: with what identity will you go there?
Yang Bin: Two identities.
Reporter: I am reporter from Japan. I’d like to ask, will you plan to visit Japan recently?
Yang Bin: I will go to Japan soon. Japan is in most shortage of labor resources and natural resources in which the former are very cheap in both China and North Korea. With its opening up, North Korea will connect both China and Japan together. The Northeast Asia is the most promising in development. Sinuiju is located nearest to Japan, and also got through by subbottom tunnel. We will realize an economics common circle of Northeast Asia in the means of peace and development which is the common business of Japan, China, North and South Korea.
Reporter: I am from Hong Kong Economic Times. May I ask how much power you have?
Yang Bin: in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, all will be taken charge by Sinuiju itself except for military affairs and foreign languages. For instance, it has final judicial power.
Reporter: I am from Daily Yomiuri. Will you expect the help from Liaoning and Dandong, China?
Yang Bin: North Korea appointed me to become the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region for one reason of that I am a Chinese form Holland. China and North Korea are in the relations between “blood” and “flesh”. As Sinuiju's opening up, great benefits will be brought to Liaoning and Dandong. The spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China also indicated their welcome and support to the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Reporter: I am Yu Ning from Finance & Business. As you have a lot of enterprises in Euro-Asia Group, Shenyang, how will you deal with them? It’s said, real estates of Holland Village are in trouble and the Ministry of Land and Resources has sent staff to conduct investigation on it. May I ask what the prospective will be?
Yang Bin: I will implement administration by entrustment without myself participation. I will appoint a CEO to handle it. Now I am the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and no longer participate in any commercial activities. My land in Holland Village is in no trouble that I have repeated many times. Some reporters asked about it for eight months. I hope you could go to Liaoning Bureau of Land and Resources and check it on your own.
Reporter (from South Korea): how did you get acquainted with General Kim Jong II?
Yang Bin: Kim Jong II believes me, mainly because I have a good understanding of North Koreans. When I was a child, I knew well People’s Voluntary Army of China and educations on patriotism and internationalism. I have been growing up in an area by the side of the Yangtse River so I have heard there is North Korea located opposite to Yalu.
I have understood deeply their difficulties as well as their nationality and character, unlike what some countries referred to. Currently the difficulties are mainly caused by economic sanction by U.S. General Kim assigned a land with an area of 132 sq.km. to me to construct so I take a heavy responsibility for it.
Reporter: I am Xu Xun from Hong Kong Commercial Daily. I’d like to ask why Kim Jong II could trust and understand you? Would you please talk about it in details?
Yang Bin: there are three points: firstly, trust. I have contributed my unadorned sentiment to North Korea through this year. When I saw hundreds of thousands of martyrs of People’s Voluntary Army of China who devoted their lives there and whose skeletons buried in another nation 50 years ago, I was thinking why they devoted all their lives in it? They were for safeguarding their nation and North Korean people. And now the relatives of these martyrs can not go over easily to pay their respects at their tombs. Only it’s opened up, Chinese can go there freely. Secondly, when I conducted surveys in North Korea, I found North Korea peoples very kind, simple and hardworking, but the agriculture there is very backward so that I have provided consultancy and guidance in farming with my personal wisdom and aid which could help to develop North Korean agriculture. As a result, we have established good friendship.
Thirdly, North Korea planned ever to establish Sonbong-Rajin Free Trade Zone, but they failed finally. North Korea is going to open it to the outside world and appoint foreigners to establish special administrative region. I am a Chinese from Holland. They appointed me, a special person in the special historic time.
Reporter: may I ask how construction plans and borders trade in such an area of 132 sq.km. are going in future?
Yang Bin: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region includes Sinuiju City and coastal areas of Chicken Island. The region will build up large-scaled deep-sea berth at the start, to open up to the outside world at all levels. Its development goal is to establish a highly developed economic center in Northeast Asia and internationalized areas with high-tech industries, finance, processing and tourism as backbones. The region will carry out a lot of preferential policies, for example, at finance, it will study experiences from Switzerland to allow it flowing freely. Stock exchange will be carried out to help the financing of small and medium-sized companies of China. Concept stock will appear. For example, if young students from Peking University and Tsinghua University come up with good projects, they could go to be listed in Sinuiju for financing.
Reporter: I am a reporter from South Korea. Will we be allowed to travel in and out of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region freely since September 30?
Yang Bin: Yes, you will be allowed to travel in and out there freely with your own passports after September 30? Go from Dandong. The ones with passports of any countries will be allowed to enter into Sinuiju without visas. ①
When these words came out, seas of surprises and stirs welled up immediately among reporters especially those from South Korea and Japan.
This time Yang Bin made a big mistake. Because the message “foreigners are allowed to enter into Sinuiju without visas since September 30” was spreading rapidly over the whole world. But until September 30 any foreigners still were not allowed to enter into Sinuiju freely. And North Korea government also did not permit reporters from South Korea to come into Sinuiju. Therefore, it resulted in dissatisfaction from foreign reporters, especially those from South Korea, and then they released messages to criticize on it one after another. Public opinion said the event was resulted by a lack of experience in politics of Yang Bin, the Chief Executive, or Yang Bin had too low standard! As a matter of fact, Yang was just like “a dummy who has taken coptis and then could not tell how bitter it’s” at the moment. Because one official from North Korean side told me that foreigners would be allowed to enter into Sinuiju freely until September 30. But when these words were spoken out of the mouth of Yang Bin, they were opposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorities and supreme authority concerned of North Korea. Yang Bin intended to learn the methods how China treated their Taiwan compatriots, and promote the exchange between the South and North Korea, but he was “beaten by a stick at the start”.
Foreign reporters, especially those from Japan and South Korea who had longed for setting their feet on the land of North Korea for years, followed Yang Bin up so tightly that he had to “ward off blows” without “power to strike back”. He could just apologize for it. At this aspect, Yang Bin tried to make up his mistake sincerely and helplessly.
The First Conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region
From September 27 to 28, original delegation members of Yang Bin arrived at Holland Village, Shenyang in succession from different regions all over the country. I had been living at Holland Village.
At 9:00 am, September 29, we came to Holland Queen Palace – the building of Euro-Asia Group Headquarter. The second floor hall and two conference rooms were crowded in chaos with reporters from home and abroad. When Tong Lianfa, Wang Nuo and I walked through the crowd, several reporters who I knew greeted to me and asked me for some news. I had to shake my head and refused to say anything. We passed through Yang’s office on the third floor and then had a break in the conference room on the fourth floor, at this time others came in one after another.
Yang Bin presided over the conference. A speech outline was put ahead of him. It was said to be drawn and printed in two pages by Weng Yongxi.
Yang sat by the right face of long conference table. By the right side sat Ma Ning, Weng Yongxi and Li Su, while by the left side sat Tong Lianfa, Guan Shan, Wang Nuo and Li Yingzhou, a lawyer form Hong Kong. Zhou Fangshen sat opposite to Yang.
Qiao Shengli was not present as his wife was staying in hospital for surgery.
Professor Luo Weijian, the one from Law School of Macao University who used to take part in the negotiation with North Korea, but then attended the recent meetings with North Korea for unknown reasons, now was not present here this time also for unknown reason.
Before the conference started, Yang Bin asked Lawyer Li Yingzhou if he could buy back all shares of Euro-Asia Group. Li answered yes. Why did Yang ask it? We all knew that Yang Bin will have a fund of one billion Yuans received by middle and last ten days of October which will be used in buying back shares of Euro-Asia Group and paying related debts for Holland Village and recovery construction, in which a small sum used for the prior phases of the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
On September 24 2002, a group photo was shot for Yang Bin and Tong Lianfa at Mansudae Assembly Hall before appointment ceremony was held for the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region in Pyongyang.
Yang Bin said, “today it’s the first conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. I act as the only captain, who was selected by General Kim. The conference aims mainly at researching organizational framework. It takes us one day for brainstorming.”
“I have never touched politics, and hope everyone come to help me. Let’s discuss our principles: firstly, the love for North Korea. Where there is not North Korea, and there is no Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. We have to treat people equally from both China and North Korea. Secondly, it’s the love for General Kim. North Korea has been closed away from outside world for tens of years. It’s difficult that he prevails over all dissenting views. Thirdly, highly effective and clean government must be established.
“There are only two opportunities for one in one’s life. The territory belongs to all but not me. North Korea is a country in heavy poverty, but people over there are very hardworking, laborious and saving. When we go to Sinuiju, I guarantee everyone stay safe. I hope we could give up one’s personal interest to care for the overall situation. I don’t think much about my personal loss in listed companies of Euro-Asia Group all for Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. I also could ask others to manage Holland Village. Though my wife opposed it, we would divorce for it. (This message came true in a few months. After Yang Bin was arrested and put into jail, his wife Pan Chaorong wanted to divorce with him. Yang agreed and fulfilled divorce formalities. Pan is living in Holland now.) These are small benefits which could be given up. I don’t pursue any small benefits in my life. In April, 0.6 billion Yuans Loan that agreed by Shenyang was not given to him, moreover they required withdrawing previous loans. It’s very hard for me to stick to it until today with my teeth bitten tightly!
“It’s to combine interest of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and posts of officials together.”
“Minutes must be taken in future meetings we hold for checking how to accomplish schedule.”
“Now many politicians all over the world are researching Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. It may mean an end to cold war.
“Economics in future will be regionalized. The Northeast Asia may be the region where its economics will be developing in the most rapid way so that the whole world pays most attention to it.
“We have to establish a keen-witted and capable government for Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Do not appoint persons by favoritism or even ones who will “be there just to make up the number”. None of my relatives will not be appointed to work for the government whenever it’s, today or in future. When we treat friends, most importance is one’s credibility and virtue, and then followed by his talents. We are a team. It’s difficult for us to make such a progress so far.”
“Thirdly, it’s to be clean.
Corruption is allowed by no means. We must be clean from the start and supreme level. Don’t allow any corruption made through privilege. If any one here who violate laws in this or other ways, I can go to help you, or even obtain free pardon with the authority as the Chief Executive. But if the ones commit corruption, I never care about them. The government began to establish an honest and clean government before Hong Kong was returned in 1997. Its ICAC is very competent and capable. If everything could be made by money, this government will come to an end.
“Fourthly, it’s to maintain the interest of China as a nation and Chinese people. China is the motherland where I was born while North Korea is the one where I am ‘married’. When I live a good life, I will never forget my motherland. So we never do anything harmful to China. That’s to say, though mother misunderstands us, and beat the children just for the sake of them. Children also should not hate mother. We must have a perfect solution in solving the issues that exist between us and China’s government. Any one is not allowed to violate this principle and it will be entered into guidelines for civil servants.”
“Rules now. The government of the Special Administrative Region must have its own rules for the game.
“Rules of Procedure: great decision must be discussed in the meetings held by the Chief Executive and then signed and approved by him. Key personnel change will be approved by Chief Executive Meeting.
“Rules of Authorization: the chief officials of departments must be responsible for their staff and report to the Chief Executive. Civil servants must be elected from excellent young people so as to ensure good image of the Special Administrative Region. Authorization must be made in written letter of authorization issued by the Chief Executive. Strict filing system will be set up. All shall be conducted in accordance with laws.”
“Fifthly, it’s structural establishment.
“It’s a small government but a large society. The Special Administrative Region will carry out completely free capitalist system. Our government acts as a counter which serves for the people and allows them to come in. Decision-making will not be allowed in government branches in districts whose duties are just for service. They do not need to research somewhat, but just perform orders from the government. Let’s establish a government that serves the people heart and soul.
“We need to learn experiences from developed countries all over the world. We must take over the good from the West for our reference. Every one never worries about it. As instructed by General Kim, ‘everything will be subject to the decisions that Yang Bin makes and none could change it.’
“I intend to create the best society by making use of the best laws, systems and talents all over the world. In 10 years, when we'll see there are a lot of skyscrapers ablazed in lights in established special administrative region, we would be excited at what great achievement that we have made with our painstaking effort!
“Though I am the Chief Executive, I obey collective intelligence which I could digest, develop and give full play to. I have a lot of defects on myself, but I have one virtue namely that I could listen to and accept opinions from others. If someone is born with low IQ, very assertive and persistent, never accept others’ advices and absorb others' intelligence, the one of this kind would be the most terrible.
“Our government has to implement democracy. In Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, everyone is treated equally no matter who he is the Chief Executive or a toilet cleaner.”
“Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will carry out market economy. We have experienced planned economy, so we all know where there will be enterprises intervened by government to the least extent, there must be the most developed economy with most rapid developing speed. We are decision-making level, so we do not need to intervene and supervise enterprises unlike what some leaders did by themselves. No! It’s like ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs’.
“Government Departments Arrangement:
“General Office is a leadership authority set up by the Chief Executive. It is equipped with Secretariat, Personnel Division, Information Service, Foreign Affairs, Files Division, Administration Office and Franchise Office etc.
“Financial Bureau is in charge of fiscal, banking, finance and stock exchange etc.
“Taxation Bureau is in close relations with overall situation in future as it will raise and support the government of the Special Administrative Region. It will be equipped with tax police.
“Economic Bureau is in charge of investment invitation, economic affairs, company registration and incorporation and company administration etc in future.
“Administration bureau of special types of trades is in charge of electric power, telecommunication and gambling business etc.”
“Land Plan Bureau is in charge of land, urban planning, designing and auction management.
“Public Affairs Bureau is in charge of water, power, public utilities, gas and heating power supply and anything in relations with people’s living.
“Health Bureau is in charge of medicine, drugs, hospitals and vaccination etc.
“Education Bureau.”
“Communication Bureau administrates traffic and transportation by land, air and sea.
“Migration Bureau administrates entry and exit control.
“Customs Administration;
“Police Station;
“Procuratorate;
“Construction Bureau of the Special Administrative Region;
“Environmental Protection Bureau;
“In this way, there are totally 15 bureaus mentioned above, plus a General Office. We will set up any if necessary in future.
“Director of Legislature will be occupied by Tong Lianfa. Though it will be elected in the congress of Legislature in future, North Korea has already approved it.”
“I recommend Weng Yongxi to become an assistant to the Chief Executive.
“Ma Ning will be the general manager of head office of construction in the Special Administrative Region, in charge of investment invitation, land auction and other issues. Today we invite one friend called Zhou Jianping who used to be a general manager of a listed company and will be appointed as an assistant to Mr. Ma. So we will have to rely on the head office of construction for living.
“After the conference, we will have talks with Zhou Fangsheng, Lisu and Wang Huidong.
“Lawyer Li will resign his job in Hong Kong and come to work for the Special Administrative “Region in charge of filing listed companies in future.
“Detailed Implementation is as follows.
“The Chief Executive will take office on October 25. Yalu Hotel of Sinuiju is the temporary building for the government. We will carry out cabinetmaking there.
“Investment invitation: there are no constructions in October as plans will not come out yet. But thanks to the time we have, we will make full use of winter to invite and attract investment. Offices for investment invitation will be established or trusteeship may be adopted in Dandong, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Dalian, Xi’an, Chongqing and Shanghai, China, as well as in Tokyo, Japan, Seoul, South Korea, US and other countries. Those in Tokyo, Japan, South Korea, the east and east of US, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia will be put into effect in the next month. Mr. Ma takes charge of it.
“We will go to Sinuiju on October 7 and make a hit. North Korea will support us, and mobilize Sinuiju to hold grand welcome ceremony for us.”
“On October 7, Mr. Weng and Mr. Ma will go to South Korea with me. It'll be estimated that “Kim Dae-jung will meet us. I also want to take all to Japan from South Korea.
“From October 11 to 13, we will make another hit.”
“Wang Nuo has to speed up planning and designing, and set up a team of planning and designing as soon as possible who could go to work for Sinuiju. If there is no planning and designing, how could we advertise and sell land? We are successful when some land has been sold out.
“I will finance for all brothers here. I know you all have worked hard for the Special Administrative Region for months without one penny. I guarantee I will pay you all the wages of previous months within this month.”
“Mr. Weng will study on wage system. The wage will not be too high at the start and will increase in future. He will handle passports for those by quick and special formalities, then design and print them so that others could not make counterfeits. Moreover, how do we contact with international community, design the garments for police and frontier defence and set up stock exchange as soon as possible. All these will be discussed by you all.
“I have to meet foreign reporters soon. They are anxious now waiting for an explanation from me. I made a big mistake in the news conference on July 27, by saying that they could go across to Sinuiju after July 30. As a result North Korea did not approve it. I have to deal with it. Mr. Weng will preside the following section.” ③
Yang Bin left conference room in a hurry and met those foreign reporters on the second floor who always followed him up tightly. Afterwards, it’s said that Yang made apology to foreign reporters, and promised them that he must allow all reporters to enter into Sinuiju Special Administrative Region freely after he took office officially.
Weng Yongxi presided the conference as an assistant to the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Weng Yongxi said with great care, “First of all, I had to explain, Mr. Yang appointed me to be the assistant to the Chief Executive, and I am just an assistant who helps forwarding messages between higher and lower levels. I am just for serving all of you. Ma Ning is from Holland too, a classmate of Mr. Yang. He has participated in planning and negotiating of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region early. Mr. Yang said he was the captain in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and Mr. Ma will be chief mate. We will be working under their leadership.
I take into account two things, one is money and another is talents. All of you have been working for months. It’s time to pay you wages. If there is no money, Preparatory Committee can not run further. Mr. Yang will surely appropriate funds by the mid-October. Regarding persons, we have to employ a group of young staff who understand Korean and will be enrolled from Jilin and Liaoning.”
Wang Huidong said: “To put quality before quantity.”
Zhou Fangsheng said: “Director Tong will become a real director this time, director of Legislature of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.”
Li Su said, “He will be the prolocutor of the Congress who could be on an equal footing with Yang Bin.”
Dong Lianfa said, “As what Mr. Yang said, the prolocutor will be elected by the legislation committee. Now it's uncertain yet.”
Li Su said: “Let’s listen to the assistant to Mr. Yang on personnel arrangement in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.”
Weng Yongxi said: “As an assistant to the Chief Executive, I am just an assistant who helps forwarding messages between higher and lower levels. That’s enough! Upon Yang’s instruction, Tong will be the director of future Legislature; Zhou Fangsheng will be a director-general of Finance & Taxation Bureau; Wang Huidong will take charge of foreign affairs and information service of the General Office; Wang Nuo will be in charge of ports or Planning Bureau, and depend on your own decision.”
Zhou Fangsheng said: “Huidong, you'd better take charge of the General Office.”
Li Su: “Yes, you'd better take charge of the General Office.”
Weng Yongxi said: “Let's have a break for 10 minutes.”
And then some one walked out of conference room, or went to rest room or whispered together…
When Dong Lianfa saw Wang Nuo still was sitting there quietly, he walked over and said: “Mr. Wang, why didn’t you take over Planning Bureau just now?”
Wang Nuo asked me: “Mr. Guan, in your opinion, what job do I do well?”
I told me without second thought: “Certainly Planning Bureau of Land! Yang Bin talked about it many times to you and me. Why didn’t you make up your mind just now?”
Wang Nuo smiled frankly: “I'd like to listen and think more. What I will do depends on Yang!”
Everyone came back to the conference room, and the conference was going on.
Weng Yongxi said: “Let's discuss and see is there any problems? Regarding money, I will ask Yang to make it as I said just now.”
Dong Lianfa asked: “Mr. Qiao did not come yet. What will he be appointed to be?”
Weng Yongxi answered: “Qiao Shengli may be in charge of construction administration there? Yang was still uncertain about it.”
Tong Lianfa asked again: “So, who are regular members of Preparatory Committee?”
Weng Yongxi said: “Yang, Ma Ning, Tong, me, Zhou Fangsheng, Wang Nuo, Wang Huidong and Qiao would be. Totally are 8 members to form Preparatory Committee.”
Weng Yongxi said: “How about Teacher Guan?”
Weng Yongxi said: “I've never heard that Yang mentioned him on this.”
At the moment, Yang Bin ended his meeting with foreign reporters and came back to the conference room on the fourth floor. He sat down and asked: “Is primary personnel arrangement finished?”
Weng Yongxi answered: “Zhou Fangsheng is in charge of Financial Bureau.”
Yang Bin said: “Great! I will set my mind at ease when Zhou comes to administrate the finance in the region.”
Weng Yongxi said: “Wang Huidong will act as a spokesman and foreign affairs.”
Yang Bin said: “Oh? Together with foreign affairs?” He did not say further. But all present there could understand that Yang Bin didn’t know beforehand Wang Huidong would be in charge of foreign affairs as well.
It’s an opinion from Ma Ning who recommended strongly to Yang that Wang could speak a fluent English and act flexibly as he studied in US, and he could hold the post of spokesman and deal with foreign reporters. Yang had already accepted his recommendation, but regarding foreign affairs, Yang did not know it beforehand. So when Weng introduced it, he said offhandedly “Oh? Together with foreign affairs?” Moreover, Zhou Fangsheng and Li Su advocated Wang Huidong to take charge of General Office, namely the post of director of General Office of the region. In my opinion, Yang Bin would not agree with it. On that day when I was playing chess with Weng Yongxi, I mentioned it to him, and Weng also did not agree with it. As a matter of fact, Yang Bin had made his decision early that Weng would also be act as the director of General Office.
When Weng Yongxi introduced the arrangement for Wang Nuo, two posts, namely ports and planning bureau of land, and Wang still made up his mind.
Yang Bin said immediately: “Wang'd better take charge of planning bureau!”
As Yang Bin gave the decisive words, Wang Nuo answered: “OK. I take your idea!”
Wang Nuo would be the director general of planning bureau of land.
Yang Bin turned his face to Li Su and said: “Li Su, in my opinion, you’d better not hold any post in the government of the Special Administrative Region but establish a company. Is it OK?”
Li Su said: “All right. I will go to start a company.”
Yang Bin stood up and said: “Let’s have a lunch together. And talk about it further at the same time.”
And then the first conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region came to an end. ④
When we went downstairs and walked out of the Palace, a throng of reporters from home and abroad crowded to Yang Bin with seas of questions raised and photos shot. At that moment, cars that stayed ready for us were driven over, and we got on respectively. I saw Yang Bin was blocked for questions by Yuan Fang, a reporter from Nan Feng Chuang, and then he dragged the reporter into his Mercedes-Benz car for answering his questions because there might be some foreign reporters also crowded to him. But he also disclosed to the reporter the news about the ending of the first conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region without telling more details.
In the evening, a boss from a well-known North Korean restaurant in Shenyang invited Yang Bin and his consultants for a dinner, so we all attended it. During the dinner, the host of the restaurant and his waiters from North Korea gave performance of Chinese and North Korean songs and dances along with guests which put the atmosphere into a great joy. When I went out to rest room, and Weng Yongxi followed me then, he whispered to me secretly: “Mr. Yang will plan to go to South Korea on the 7, and to Japan on the 9 with Ma Ning, Zhou Xiang and me. I recommended you to go with us, and Yang agreed with it. So you’d better make preparation for it and give your passport to Zhou Xiang for going through the formalities to South Korea and Japan.”
I nodded.
The next day Zhou Xiang came to me for my passport and he took charge of going through the formalities for those who were going to South Korea and Japan. It’s said Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu turned to related officials of foreign affairs office of Japan for helping going through entry formalities for Yang Bin's delegation. It’s regretted that the plan of visiting South Korea and Japan could not come true.
Akahoshi Yosiharu was appointed to be the chief representative of Sinuiju in Japan. At 10:00 am, September 30, Yang Bin met officially Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu, his friend from Japan in the name of the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
I’d like to give a brief introduction hereby to communication experience between Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu and Yang Bin. Mr. Akahoshi got acquainted with Yang Bin by accident.
On December 24, 2001, Mr. Akahoshi visited Guangzhou, China, and discussed on an investment project with the mayor. During a break of the meeting, one friend from Hong Kong mentioned Yang Bin to Mr. Akahoshi that Yang was the second largest capitalist in China and a very promising young entrepreneur. Mr. Akahoshi thought, he would return to Japan on the 25 and meet Yang in Tokyo, Japan on the 26 as the meeting was over on the 24.
Mr. Akahoshi told me about his experience of knowing Yang Bin: “Since it’s recommended that Yang was a very promising young entrepreneur, so I was also very interested in it. My business is involved in risk investment, so I also wanted to meet Yang very much. Our company is the only company which aims at investing those Chinese companies that could not go public. It’s very simple that Yang Bin came to meet me by taking his private plane.”

[Photo: Mr. Akahoshi, the general manager of “China Business Investment Co., Ltd.” from Japan was appointed to be chief representative of Sinuiju in Japan. Photo Provided by Akahoshi Yosiharu]
Why did Yang Bin go to Japan to meet him? Akahoshi said: “Yang came here for prior period survey on selling flowers and vegetable products of Euro-Asia Group into Japanese market. He took along with his family who he accommodated into a presidential suite of a top-class hotel. Three persons, including Yang, a friend from Hong Kong and me went to Atami City for enjoying hotspring. The first expression that he had on me was that he was a righteous and easy-going person with little imprint as a countryside man. He showed great interest in my talks. In a word, he left a deep and unique impression on me.”
Yang Bin stayed in Tokyo for a short time, only one day, but he had a deep impression on Akahoshi, and they both became good friends. Akahoshi said:
“He loves hotspring very much. He asked me how much it would cost to buy this hotel when we were enjoying hotspring in the next morning. That’s the largest hotel in Atami City, named Hotel Hyakumangoku. Perhaps he liked hotspring and wanted to make it as the guesthouse in Japan. In a word, I told him, it’s not necessary to buy it now, and even better to buy it in two or three years. Though we had stayed for only one night, we both became good friends who could trust each other. After that he invited me to go to Shenyang, and then he came back by his private plane.”
In three months, on March 8, 2002, Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu flied to Shenyang. Zhou Xiang, a director of Yang’s reception office, went to airport to pick him up. To show his respect and warm welcome to the guest, he asked to drive the latest white long Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce cars to pick up the guest. The guest from Japan was shocked and surprised at what he had seen in splendid Holland Village when cars were driven in.
Yang Bin was waiting for the guests at the Headquarter Building of Euro-Asia Group which imitated architectural style of Holland Queen Palace.
“Mr. Yang smiled to greet with us there, me and one principle of a large company engaging in vegetable in Japan. As he intended to engage in flowers business, I introduced him to Mr. Yang. After our talks for a long time, Zhou Xiang showed us around Holland Village where we could see the traces that Mr. Yang applied classic agriculture learned from Holland to modern enterprises in China, but the scale was really too large.
“In the evening, we were received grand reception in Glass Garden in Holland Village. It’s such a great honor for me as Japanese that Mr. Yang took up microphone and invited me to sing songs with him together. It’s his enthusiasm to bring such great success to his current business. The restaurant of the garden was full of whispering birds and fragrant flowers with fish playing with water, so that ones could not help fishing there."
“At the peak time of the banquet, Mr. Yang took out a self-made map and told us he had something important to tell us and asked us to keep it confidentially before it’s released officially. He said, North Korea would establish a special administrative region or economic region in Sinuiju and he was appointed to be the Chief Executive there. I was shocked at this news in deed. Meanwhile, I could felt how important and vital the news meant. North Korea is located opposite to Dandong, China separated by Yalu. Referring to special administrative region, it occurred to me it’s Hong Kong, and special economic region was Shenzhen. No matter what it would be, it must shock every one. North Korea has already made up their mind?”
“When Mr. Yang mentioned this, and told me Kim Jong II granted me the fishery power of North Korean seas. It’s OK to sell fish to Japan, especially those crabs, flatfish, balloonfish and other fish that could be caught much. Could you please introduce some large companies in Japan? I’d like to cooperate with them. I answered him immediately as there were almost no fish in offshore of Japan.”
Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu introduced me about his first visit to Holland Village.
Mr. Akahoshi visited Holland Village for the second time on May 14, when I was living there at that time. It's the first time that I had seen Mr. Akahoshi. He was not tall but very robust with a big belly as Yang Bin. Both of them looked like brothers, while Mr. Akahoshi had eyebrows inclined downwards.
This time Mr. Akahoshi took along with entrepreneurs engaged in fish markets of Fukuoka and western Japan and introduced them to Yang Bin. They negotiated on sales cooperation in fish caught from North Korean seas. In two days, he introduced another company, the largest company of marine products in Japan, named MARUHA.
Yang Bin and Japanese guests had negotiated on detailed issues such as types of fish, clearance permits, shipping terms, packaging, fresh fish and refrigeration etc.
As fishery had been carried out to a great extent along offshore of Japan, fish quantity dropped drastically, and fish that entered into Tsukiji, the largest fish market in Japan, had been decreasing gradually year after year. Therefore, Japanese guests showed great interest and expectation in fish captured from North Korean seas.
On June 27, 2002, in order to negotiate further on seafood refrigeration and processing, Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu went to Dandong and visited seafood processing plants. Under the company of the staff from Euro-Asia Group, he was curious about those houses, trees and North Koreans in Sinuiju opposite to them. Especially he was very interested in the iron bridge over Yalu feeling no tension but peace between China and North Korea. Finally they drove back to Shenyang.
In that evening, Yang Bin held a banquet for Mr. Akahoshi and guests from South Korean companies at Glass Greenhouse of the garden. When Zhou Xiang and I were talking with Mr. Akahoshi, Yang Bin came over and asked Mr. Akahoshi:
“Brother, what feeling did you have in the trip to Dandong today?”
“Dandong is a nice city. Is it Sinuiju exactly located opposite?”
“Yes, it’s also where your brother I will go to hold the post of the Chief Executive. Would you please say something about Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?”
Akahoshi Yosiharu answered: “Sinuiju Special Administrative Region would be much better if it’s released to the public earlier. There are four benefits: firstly great change of attitude would be made by US to North Korea; secondly stronger dependence would occur on China; thirdly, due to the contribution that you will make for the peace of Northeast Asia, the Nobel Prize would be awarded to you; fourthly, off course, it’s Kim Jong II who will show his flexibility to the world that bring good settlement to all issues…”
Yang Bin listened to him quietly.
On August 20, 2002, Akahoshi Yosiharu went to Shenyang again. At that moment, Yang Bin was on the business trip to Hong Kong and Macao, and came back to Shenyang as soon as when he learned Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu had already arrived at Holland Village. Akahoshi Yosiharu was very moved at it, and went to meet him at Taoxian Airport, Shenyang. When Akahoshi referred it to me and said: “Yang walked out of his plane with his familiar smile and called me brother. When we look at the photo of us, we look really very alike. Other Japanese also said we look like brothers. The so-called king on gambling and his family came along with Mr. Yang.”
Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu’s visit to Shenyang this time was invited and initiated by Yang Bin. He introduced to Akahoshi Yosiharu those commercial houses on both sides of main roads in Holland Village where he wanted to build famous restaurants and exclusive stores of famous brands from the world. He wanted to listen to opinions from Akahoshi who was asked to recommend some entrepreneurs from Japan. Mr. Akahoshi accepted Yang’s ideas quickly as he knew some general managers from top restaurants in Japan.
“I proposed that golf driving range and 18-hole golf club should be built in the middle part of Holland Village. Mr. Yang was very interested in it and went to have a look at the very large land where they intended to build a heated pool with a capacity of up to 30000 persons. They were also very interested in building a golf club together, so he asked me when I came over next time and expected to sign contracts.”
On September 12, Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu came to Shenyang along with an expert on golfing called IIDA YASUTAROU, his friend as well as with the design drawing for golf driving range and 18-hole golf club.
“But Mr. Yang was called in an emergency meeting by Kim Jong II of North Korea. I could felt the news of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region would come to be released soon (in fact, it’s that day when the Fundamental Law of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region was passed).”
Though Akahoshi and his friend could not meet Yang Bin in Shenyang, he was still very excited at this news, and said the above words.
Mr. Akahoshi had read the news on newspaper in the morning of September 28, that Yang Bin went back to Shenyang as all key newspapers released the reports sent by Japanese reporters stationed in Shenyang: Yang Bin, the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, held a news conference in Shenyang and Yang Bin said "Sinuiju will be open to everyone without visas.”
“This day is coming finally. I could not control great joy at heart, and contacted with Yang immediately. The reply was sent back at once, and then I went to Shenyang in a hurry.” Mr. Akahoshi told me afterwards.
When he flied to Dalian from Tokyo, and then to Shenyang, it’s late at night when I arrived at Holland Village. Zhou Xiang received me and asked if I wanted to meet Yang Bin immediately. He declined his kind arrangement for him.
On September 29, Yang Bin convened and held the first conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, so he was very busy on the whole day, and had no time to care about Mr. Akahoshi until the last guests went back, he met this brother from Japan.
Mr. Akahoshi told me: “with special arrangement of Zhou Xiang, I was the last guest that Yang had met on that day. When we met, he hugged me and had his belly touched with mine. That showed just we were like brothers. He said he’s too tired and asked me if he could lie down and talk to me. I said OK. Then he lied down for massage. In that way, I could set my mind at ease, so I was very pleased. We had been talked about issues like infrastructure construction and funds introduction in Sinuiju for over one hour, finally I found he was too tired and made an appointment with him in next morning.”
Yang Bin discussed with Mr. Akahoshi on the issues such as how to introduce funds from Japan in details in the morning of the 30. As Mr. Akahoshi was the chairman of “China Business Investment Co., Ltd.”, he kept in good relations with many investors. A large fund would be needed to activate Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Mr. Akahoshi promised to give Yang a loan with large amount without interest so as to support his brother’s work in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Yang Bin proposed to appoint Mr. Akahoshi to be the chief representative of Sinuiju in Japan and consul general, Mr. Akahoshi was very pleased and then two were taken into a group photo with the letter of appointment held in hands.
Yang Bin said: “Come on, brother! There is a greater space for you in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.”
Akahoshi nodded.
“I also said to myself that I must work hard on it.” said Akahoshi.
Yang Bin mentioned his trip to South Korea on October 7, and to Japan on October 9, and asked if the preparation would be made before his meeting with entrepreneurs and investors from Japan.
“As this is the case, I also had to agree to him.”
Mr. Akahoshi said to me afterwards:
“I would like to make arrangement for a meeting between Japanese PM Koizumi and him, but the formality was not easy as expected, and I had to do it further. I requested some influentials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ones who could have chance to meet PM Koizumi for a help.”
Yang Bin also told Mr. Akahoshi: "He became the Chief Executive of Sinuiju just for the peace of Northeast Asia, but all media misreported it. What a pity!”
Mr. Akahoshi advised: before you came to Japan, you would accept the interviews from Japanese TV stations and ask them to report it correctly.
Yang Bin accepted his good idea. It’s said “opinions go public before one’s coming.”
For this matter, Mr. Akahoshi worked hard on contacting with Japanese TV stations and arranged an exclusive interview with Yang Bin at Holland Village on October 5.
As Mr. Akahoshi had to deal with other things, he returned to Japan in a hurry on October 1. On this day, South Korea broadcasted the news that Yang Bin appointed Kim Han Kyun to be chief representative of Sinuiju in South Korea, which was also rebroadcasted by Hong Kong, Japan.
“In the evening, as wind was so strong, that the flight to Narita Airport had to be delayed two hours. As soon as I got off the plane, I drove car to the place of my friend from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I request for help and consulted with him Yang Bin’s visit to Japan. I told him that I was appointed to be Chief Representative of Sinuiju in Japan, he said congratulations to me. We celebrated it with bears. At night, about 8:00 pm, I called Zhou Xiang, but he told me in a weak voice that Mr. Yang’s trip to Japan was cancelled that I was worried about it. I made every effort to have Shenyang consulate issued their visas to Japan. What happened?”
Asahi Shimbun of Japan reported that, Yang Bin trip to Sinuiju on the 4 might be cancelled. Hong Kong Commercial Daily reported by the article titled “Visits Delayed by Yang Bin without Schedule” that, Yang Bin announced on September 27 that he would go to South Korea to visit Golden Flowers Industry Co., Ltd. and World Association of South Korean Companies on October 7, and visit Japan on October 9 at the invitation of Akahoshi Yosiharu, the general manager of China Risks Investment Co., Ltd., and delayed the plan of meeting with old friends from Itochu Corp. Yang Bin said, the wall issue of Sinuiju was more important, so trips to South Korea and Japan were arranged after it. Akahoshi Yosiharu was in Japan, and did not know why Yang Bin would not go to South Korea and Japan. Moreover, people rarely knew the true reason for it.
On October 4, Akahoshi Yosiharu, the chief representative of Sinuiju in Japan knew from TV and newspapers in Japan that, in the morning of that day, Yang Bin was “summonsed” by Shenyang Police.
He told me sadly by mails to me: “Yang was taken away by the police. My brain became blank. Pitiful Yang Bin. Why?”⑤
When Yang Bin received interview by reporters from New York Times and Economists on September 30, we had already heard some voice about Dandong Border Defense got informed of …
On October 1, the National Day, Wang Nuo, Yang Dayong and I got on one Santana car of Holland Village Vehicle Team for breakfast. The villa was only 1 kilo meter away from Hague Hotel. As our car was driving by the road to the hotel, we were stopped by a police wagon. They said it’s for “inspection”, and we all were surprised at it. Policemen did not ask us to get off the car, but looked around the car inside. They asked driver to open trunk, then they looked over it and let us go.
In one guest room of the restaurant in the hotel, as soon as we took the seats, other people such as Qiao Shengli, Ma Ning and Wang Huidong also arrived there. They all discussed on “inspection”, but none of us was inspected by police! Or even they didn’t ask us to get off cars, but had a look at the trunk. Why? At the moment none of these consultants of Yang Bin could tell why.
On October 2, Holland Village has more police wagons, even every car leaving from the Holland village was checked.
I already had an ominous sense of foreboding……
On October 3, more police wagons came suddenly and surrounded over A9, the villa of Yang Bin. Yang Bin interpreted: “As I am the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, equal to vice premier of North Korea, police need to take protective measures …”

[Photo: Yang Bin and Hong De, a reporter from Yonhap News Agency. Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
Yang Bin said as above when reporters asked him about it, but he was also in great tense. I was always staying with him, including the interviews by reporters. I could feel his great tense in his eyes, face and talks. He asked ever Ma Ning, Weng Yongxi and Wang Huidong, and they all said “We will not”, “now you are the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region!” But Ma, Weng and Wang did not know anything about Yang Bin had done in Holland Village and listed companies of Euro-Asia Group.
At the moment, Hwang Myong Chol, one official from North Korea, was companying Yang Bin in his villa, and contacted with consul general from North Korean consulate stationed in Shenyang and Pyongyang any time. But he had never participated in any activities of Yang, such as meetings with entrepreneurs and friends and interviews by reporters.
As Yang announced in the news conference on September 27 “foreign reporters could enter into Sinuiju Special Administrative Region since September 30”, but the announcement did not come true. It caused torrents of criticisms from many reporters. Especially reporters from important foreign newspapers, magazines and TVs gathered at Holland Village, Yang Bin had to schedule the interviews otherwise that took him almost one day on October 3. Yang Bin accepted interviews by many reporters from home and abroad such as U.S., UK, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong at his villa respectively.

[Photo: James Miles from Economist from UK interviewed Yang Bin. Wang Huidong, first one by right. Photo was taken by Guan Sha]
But in my opinions, I should disclose the talks between Yang Bin and James Miles from Economist of UK and Zeng Zimo from Phoenix TV with some value to readers. As James Miles had ever been to North Korea for several times, and had a clear understanding on there. Moreover, Economist from UK was a serious publication which was of authority and influence in economics and business circle and even in the world. The questions raised by James Miles were also very keen and astute to the point. The talks between Yang Bin and James Miles were recorded as follows:
Miles: When I visited North Korea in July, reforms were trying out on prices and wages there, especially food prices was adjusted first, followed by other prices then, and wages and exchange rates were also adjusted. Did these show that North Korea had carried out the policy of reform and opening up?
Yang: Farmers of North Korea mostly relied on producing food. What’s implemented there was to make production contracts with teams made up of three and four households. North Korea used to carry out state monopoly for purchase and marketing of food for tens of years which meant dining issue of residents was contracted by the state. The farmers’ food used to be purchased at KPW 0.6 to 0.8 per one kg, and was up to KPW 3 nowadays. In this July, after the market was opened, the price of food would be KPW 30 to 40 per kg, so it could improve initiative of farmers in growing crops. When the food price was opened, other prices will also be opened, and wages of people also were adjusted. That’s to say it’s the first step that North Korea took on economic reform. In August, South-North railways and highways began to be constructed and then put into service, and then followed by the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. All these formed interlinking events to show the opening up of North Korea.
Miles: What did Sinuiju Special Administrative Region of North Korea plan to do at economic aspect?
Yang: Sonbong-Rajin was a failure due to its geographic location, single Economics and Trade Region and other factors. General Kim learned experiences and lessons from Sonbong-Rajin , so he planed to establish a special administrative region in Sinuiju with great courage by carrying out free opening up policy. It’s developed by foreign entrepreneurs by implementing long-term land lease and free entry and exit of foreign investment and products etc.
Miles: Large funds will be needed in investment invitation, infrastructure, ports and power supply. How much funds would be?
Yang: According to international practices, 0.5 billion will be needed in investment per square meter. Top experts from UK will be appointed for planning of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. 0.2 billion was invested per square meter in China. At least over US$ 10 billion will be needed for 132 sq.m. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will invest in highways, bridges, water works facilities, sewage treatment and gas etc which led a way to nationalization. But privatization will be carried out in telecommunication and electric power etc. Infrastructure will be accomplished in the first Five-year Plan.
Miles: Will it be done if there no any international finance capital to support it?
Yang: As one entrepreneur, I know the important role capital operation serves. Money is needed in building a nice and modern city. But I am competent for it. General Kim granted me the power and a land with an area up to 132 sq. m. Loans of 20 to 30 years from land leasing, bonds and UN fund will be used in infrastructure. I have established good relations in economic circle so that I believe we will obtain support on capital.

[Photo: Yang Bin interviewed by James Miles from UK Economist. Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
Miles: What about if U.S. government wouldn’t grant loans to North Korea?
Yang: If I could remember it well, Kelley Ventures will arrive at Pyongyang today.
Miles: Have you ever contacted with U.S. government?
Yang: No.
Miles: Who has the idea of developing a special administrative region?
Yang: This is the idea of General Kim who told me about it in this January. Such a great decision won’t be made by any one except General Kim, but also won’t be accomplished by ordinary leaders. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will be opened up to the outside world just like Shekou that China did before. It requires a process.
Miles: Did you notify China government? What were their comments when they were informed of?
Yang: My companies were in Liaoning so I only notified Provincial government. Liaoning is a regional government, and foreign affairs are business of the state. If there are 1000 billion to be invested in Sinuiju, there would be 600 to 700 billion flowed to China, to Liaoning first. It is good to the economy there.
Miles: Today many policemen came over, and they were very sensitive to news. They also checked foreign reporters. Did you worry about it?
Yang: I didn’t worry about it. A special administrative region will be established in Sinuiju, and it conforms to peace and development that Chairman Jiang Zemin. I go to take the post of the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. It’s not for money. I think, after we have money, we could not start wars, but pursue peace and sustained development. The premise of peace of Northeast Asia is that all countries in Northeast Asia become rich. When South and North Korea reunite together, they will become rich. The whole Korean Peninsula will become rich, so none of them wants to start wars, and North Korea also integrate itself into the world. As a socialist country that has been closed for 50 years, it requires us to cast away out-of-date concepts and carry out reform and opening up upon the demand of new era, and move forwards the world. It also reflects the hope of General Kim. I am from Holland, and I have good diplomatic relations with Europe and North Korea. There is solid friendship between China and North Korea established by blood and fire. Especially between two socialist countries, a special administrative region which carries out capitalism exists between them. So it would not be developed further if China does not support it. I believe firmly China will support it surely. The friendship between China and North Korea that established by Mao Zedong, the policy of reform and opening up by Deng Xiaoping, peace and development by Chairman Jiang Zemin will influence and support positively the construction and development of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. China may hold a different opinion on it, but it will be solved soon.
Miles: What opinion did it have?
Yang: I am one of its children. If the mother misunderstood her child, she is the mother and I am her child after all. I also hope to go to Beijing, meet leaders of the state, and tell them my ideas. One article in the Fundamental Law said the Special Administrative Region cannot engage itself in politics and any activities against North Korea and China. I have done what I should do.
Miles: How many original residents in Sinuiju will be migrated? Where will the money come?
Yang: 500,000 residents but 200,000 will stay there, 40% of total urban residents. Migration is the business of North Korean government and will be done within 2 years.
Miles: China established Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. And Chinese government supported it. Funds from Hong Kong flew there and played an important role in the construction and development of Shenzhen. So, Sinuiju will establish a special administrative region, if no support comes from North Korea and international banks, there would be great pressure in funds, unless preferential loans are granted from China, Japan and South Korea.
Yang: Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone. Sinuiju is a highly liberalized administrative region. If we cannot create advantages and low tax rates, international capitals will be attracted to come over. We also keep in close contact with Japan and South Korea. And we are looking forwards to this moment when China supports us but now it has not announced it yet.
Miles: Will revenue be submitted to North Korean Central Government? What benefits will it have?
Yang: What comes from people will be used and serviced again for people. General Kim Jong II established a special administrative region. It’s not for the economic benefit, but for the sake of politics. Drastic change of international situation, blockage and sanction conducted by U.S. against North Korea and natural disasters for years bring heavy difficulties to North Korea. General Kim requested management staff of North Korea to cast away their out-of-date concepts and “reform” and “innovate” themselves upon new situation at home and abroad. That’s to say, they wish peace and integration with the world. General Kim is an open-minded leader. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region would not bring great benefit to North Korea in short time. But groups of young North Koreans are trained in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region who will expand Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and deliver up-to-date experience to others…
Miles: I understood. If socialist mode is carried out in most regions, a small special administrative region would not bring much impact.
Yang: Mineworkers would not adapt themselves to the ground immediately if they have been staying underground for 6 months. As North Korea has been closed for 50 years, it’s impossible that all North Koreans could adapt to the opening up at once. So there would be a process required.
Miles: Some reports said recently, you have owed tax of some kind or another, and taxation bureau is investigating on those. What is the situation now?
Yang: An award tablet of Excellent Company on Tax Contribution is hung on the wall of the gate of office building of Euro-Asia Group. I have an agreement with Shenyang Taxation Bureau that we pay tax on a designated time annually. It’s on October 12 this year. I have never owed any tax.
Miles: I have been to Pyongyang for five times between 1992 and 2002. I could feel the great change that happened to North Korea and thoughts of people there.
Yang: Since I went to North Korea for the first time last year, so far I don't know how many times I have been there. I have been to many places where I could feel more and more changes occur there and they also speed up their steps.
Miles: I heard from news online that Holland reported that residence you applied was obtained for the reason of political asylum.
Yang: Residence application is the first idea that every Chinese who have their schooling in Holland have at that time. In my opinion, people should understand it. Finally I would like to say, the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region means an end to cold war in Northeast Asia and the first step that North Korea integrates itself into the world. It’s the great trend of peace and development. I hope to be an envoy of peace.
Yang Bin received reporters from home and abroad at his villa under the company of Wang Huidong, a spokesman of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju and me. As his biographer, Yang invited me to participate it and I took minutes in details for them.
After Yang Bin met James Miles from Economist of UK, he accepted interviews by reporters from New York Times from U.S. and Yonhap News Agency from South Korea. Reporters from South Korea raised simple questions, which focused on mainly whether entrepreneurs from South Korea could go to invest in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, what preferential policies would have, visas of entry and exit of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, and infrastructure investment invitation there etc. In a word, entrepreneurs from South Korea focused on investment issues. Due to no new questions they have, I did not include here the talks between Yang and reporters from Yonhap News Agency.
But there were some new ideas on the talks between Yang Bin and the director of Shanghai Office of New York Times from U.S., just as this American chose a special Chinese name for himself, Kong Zhou. Now excerpted some content hereby for reference of readers:
Kong: How did you contact with North Korea?
Yang: When I was a child, I used to know North Korea from our textbooks. But when I went there for the first time, I found Pyongyang very nice, clean and pretty that none of European cities could be compared with. Open-minded officials of North Korea have a good understanding of world and wish to integrate into the world. At that moment, I found foreign newspapers introduced North Korea differently as what I have seen there. I am dealing in agriculture, and I will go there for conducting survey on agriculture once or twice a month. I would like to introduce Chinese greenhouses into North Korea and allow people to have fresh vegetables in winter. If there are no good fruits and flowers, I will introduce into top-quality foreign varieties to help them. There are more hills and fewer plains in North Korea, I help them developing modern agriculture so that their products could be sold to Japan and South Korea where could be large market in future.
I help North Korea, but people from the company and even my family could not understand me. I think, it’s the policy of opening up raised by Deng Xiaoping which allowed me to go to Europe and study in Holland, and then come back here for business. Now I have much money and I hope Korean Peninsula could realize peace. Chairman Jiang Zemin also advocates peace and development. One of three unstable regions in the world is the Korean Peninsula in Asia where there needs peace and economic development. I wish to make some contribution to it. I only want to allow North Korea to understand some advanced agriculture more and better with best effort I could make. I never think one day I could become the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
General Kim Jong II allowed me to deal with Sinuiju, and North Koreans choose me. I hope I can devote my afterlife to the opening up of South Korea.
Kong: Entrepreneurs from South Korea and Japan also wish to invest in large projects in North Korea, but North Korea did not give them this chance. Why did they give it to you?
Yang: I understand North Koreans. Since the first day I have been to North Korea, I go to help and support them with my sincere heart. During the previous two years, I have donated food, cans and foodstuff to them, and milk powder, hamburgers and chocolates to those children shipped by trucks and ships. I help them building up agricultural equipments and allowing them to eat fresh vegetables in winter, and hope those could be spread all over the country. I have established good relations with North Koreans. General Kim has seen it and assigned me the task of Sinuiju. It’s a variety of reasons from history and reality that choose me.
Kong: When did General Kim meet you for the first time?

[Photo: Yang Bin interviewed by Kong Zhou and Fan Wenxin from New York Times. Fan Wenxin, an assistant to Kong Zhou, the first one by left and followed by Kong Zhou, director of Shanghai Office of New York Times. Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
Yang: It's confidential. It’s said two mysterious persons create a mysterious special administrative region.
Kong: Will you go to live in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: Since the day I swore an oath, I have devoted my afterlife to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will be involved in interest of many neighborly countries. But I will treat everyone justly and fairly with high efficiency and honest and clean attitude.
I would like to say something in the name of the Chief Executive of SAR.
North Koreans love peace and look forwards to peace. There is too much and too long history under aggression in North Korea from 1905 to 1945. As Japanese invaders occupied Korean Peninsula, there were too many people who were killed by Japanese bayonets and kourbash. There were also millions of people killed during South-North Wars. I hope the world would give North Koreans more warmth and North Koreans would accept it. They have been suffering from natural disasters for years, and they even could not solve the issue of enough foods and clothes. They are in shortage of 2 million tons food. I wish to try my best to promote the relations between North Korea and other countries, including the relations with US.
Kong: What comments did you have on Bush policies?
Yang: In my opinions, Bush has obtained incorrect information about North Korea. Today, the Vice Secretary of State from Kelley Ventures arrived in Pyongyang and wished to improve relations between North Korea and US. My driver in Pyongyang was one North Korean who had driven cars for Albright who intended to improve relations between North Korea too. I believe General Kim wishes sincerely to improve relations between North Korea that conforms to the interest of North Koreans that prevails all!
Kong: As you plan to go to visit South Korea and Japan recently, will you plan to go to visit U.S.?
Yang: Yes. I will go to Sinuiju tomorrow and you can go to Dandong where there will be over 2 million people who have been thirsting for the day when Sinuiju is opened. As Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will be established, Dandong, Liaoning, China will be the first one who can benefit from it.
Kong: What post do you take in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: The Chief Executive who is able to issue visas.
Kong: Can foreign companies start to invest there?
Yang: Yes, they can by the end of October. Many people can and also can invest in gambling business, including those from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and US. I hope, they could invest more, and welcome American veterans come to Sinuiju for looking around or investment.
Kong: Is the Fundamental Law of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region the same to that of Hong Kong?
Yang: the Fundamental Law is made based on laws of Europe and Asia, as well as some features of the Fundamental Law of Hong Kong of course. Other laws will come out soon. By the Fundamental Law of Sinuiju, the power of the Chief Executive is greater than that of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. With laws freedom, it aims at justness and equality. We also learn from U.S. laws.
Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is as if a blank paper where most beautiful and prettiest pictures could be drawn. The tax rate there is the lowest one all over the world. Talent policy will attract elites from all over the world to come over. There will be like a small United Nation.
Kong: I’ve heard that you have opinions on many foreign mediae?

[Photo: Yang Bin interviewed by Kong Zhou from New York Times.Photo was taken by Guan Shan ]
Yang: Many foreign reporters always have bias against North Korea. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region has learned the lessons from the failure of Sonbong-Rajin. General Kim granted the Fundamental Law the power. That’s to say, Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will not be intervened by all departments of North Korean Central Government and local authorities.
When I talked with Yang Hyong-sop, Vice Chairman of People’s Congress of North Korea, one of four top leaders in North Korea, on September 25, during dinners and conversations, I invited him to review and guide our work in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region often. He said I could not go there unless you issue me visa. It’s the power that the Fundamental Law grants you, and we must abide by it. I was moved by his words. I must be responsible for North Koreans and investors in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Except military and foreign power, all powers were granted to you.
Kong: Is there garrison stationed?
Yang: The garrison will be stationed on the island in order to ensure economic development of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Kong: You are of Dutch nationality, and now of North Korean nationality. Do you care for opinions from Beijing?
Yang: I care for it very much. I believe firmly they will support us. Zhang Qihua from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated to welcome and support it. China is my mother, and she would beat her child sometimes when the child does not listen to her. But the child will always understand his mother.
Kong: Is any impact brought by Euro-Asia Group and taxation issue to it?
Yang: Euro-Asia Group is a listed company. As for taxation issue, we entered into an agreement with Shenyang that we contribute all taxes by October 12. As foreign-invested company, we used to be exempted from tax and now don’t. In listed company, Chen Jun quitted suddenly and left. And now Li Gang is appointed to be the general manager of the agricultural company. One wants to do big business, but someone could not understand it. North Korea has been closed for 50 years. I have no any pity if I could help opening North Korea up to the outside world.
I selected a date for taking office in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Welcome to Sinuiju!
Last Interview with Yang Bin by Zeng Zimo
When Yang Bin finished the interview by Kong Zhou and Fan Wenxin from New York Times of U.S., we talked out of the small living room, and saw “the Girl from Beijing” sat on the sofa of the big living room chatting happily with others.
Yang Bin saw Kong Zhou and Fan Wenxin off to the gate of the big living room politely. He turned around and greeted Zeng Zimo with some care for old friends when he saw the guests were gone. “When did you arrive here?” he said.
“Mr. Yang, I’ve arrived just now.” She stood up and answered. She did not call Yang Bin “the Chief Executive” but greeted him as she did before.
When Yang Bin came over, the ones sitting on the sofa stood up and gave way for him. There were three leather sofas in white in the big living room, including big one and two small ones. Yang Bin sat down on the big one and slapped on the sofa with hands indicating Zeng Zimo sat over there. She also came over and sat down besides Yang, just as old friends. I still sat on one of two small sofas that friends gave way as I used to do it in Yang Bin’s reception.
When “the Girl from Beijing” saw me, she stood up and shook my hands politely, and then sat down again. As I said “we are from the same hometown”, she smiled.
Female reporter from Phoenix TV who came along with Zeng Zimo sat down on another small sofa. Zeng introduced her colleague to Yang. One male cameraman was busy with equipping lens into video camera and pointing to Yang Bin, and then installing lighting devices.
These three persons made up an interview team from Phoenix TV. They just came back from interviews in many places in North Korea and Sinuiju and now came to Holland Village in Shenyang. When Yang Bin was in North Korea, he made efforts to facilitate Zeng Zimo’s interviews in many places. It’s said that they were the only team from a foreign TV station who were able to visit and interview such many places widely in recent years.
Yang Bin asked her, “I've heard that you all came across an expected danger during interviews in North Korea?”
“Well, when our car was going to cross a river, we were blocked there as the bridge was destroyed due to flood coming down after much raining. After that, our driver from North Korea managed to take round and then cross it finally.” Zeng Zimo described it briefly.
I also read this report from Phoenix TV and newspapers that Zeng Zimo and other team members were blocked by a collapsed bridge when their car was crossing over the hill. After Zeng described it, I knew that it’s not a luck day for them. Luckily they suffered from unexpectation but not danger. I have also suffered from the bad roads in North Korea for several times. I talked about it with officials from North Korea and asked them why they did not construct roads. A famous saying in China went like “we need to construct roads before we become rich”. He told me it’s very difficult to do it now by North Korea which had been suffering from natural disasters for years and now dealing with the problem of “enough food and clothes”. “We will construct roads in future, and we will construct express ways as well.” The official flapped on my shoulder and said.
At 6:30 pm, Zeng Zimo started her interview. Guests in the big living room went out to other room, small living room and upstairs. I still sat on the small sofa and took minutes on the conversation between Yang and Zeng. It'd never occurred to me that it’s also the last minutes that I had made for Yang Bin, as I also was in dream of that Yang Bin would go to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region on October 4, and then to South Korea with Ma and Weng etc on October 7. It’s said that Kim Dae-jung, the President of South Korea might meet Yang Bin and his team where I also thought of making minutes in details for the important moment; on October 9, Yang and I will go to Japan and meet entrepreneurs from Japan and other members. Mr. Akahoshi Yosiharu also made preparation well for this visit in Japan and media from South Korea and Japan also made particular arrangement for it.
But all were only dreams and a myth that might become true was dashed to the ground suddenly? Or rather, it’s a myth which disappeared in front of cruel reality jus like a soap bubble.
All lights in the big living room and camera rack from Phoenix TV were on, so the living room was ablazed with lights as if in daytime.
Phoenix TV started interview with Yang Bin.
Zeng: What actions will you take after coming back from Pyongyang?
Yang: Investors from Japan, Taiwan and U.S. showed strong interest in the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. China responded quietly but the new thought of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region conforms to the theories of the leaders of three generations of CPC. The thought of reform and opening up raised by Deng Xiaoping allowed China to march forwards prosperity from poverty. Now China also joined WTO to integrate itself completely into international community. North Korea wishes to open itself and integrate into international community, so it will establish Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Great idea! It also conforms to the theme of “Peace and Development” addressed by Chairman Jiang Zemin in APEC Meeting last year. The opening up of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will also bring employment opportunities to 500,000 people in China.

[Photo: In the evening of October 3, 2002, Zeng Zimo from Phoenix TV of Hong Kong interviewed Yang Bin. In several hours, namely at 5:00 am on the next day, Yang Bin was taken away by the police. Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
Zeng: Why does China respond quietly? The spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described something about Sinuiju Special Administrative Region of North Korea, but did not mention the appointment of the Chief Executive yet.
Yang: My enterprise is the largest one in Liaoning invested by foreign capital. As last year I was ranked the 2nd place of the Chinese Richest List published by Forbes, I was blamed and criticized by many people. China always has sympathy for the poor but not the rich. The construction of Holland Village is such a great project, that the beneficiary is them but me, and I couldn't take it away. And now I become the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region when I am 39 years old now. I am so young in the position, that I am certainly criticized by people. The child was criticized by his mother, and he would not hate his mother. When I talked with the high-ranking leaders from North Korea, I answered them that I must be loyal to 23 million people from North Korea as I am “married” to North Korea. But I also a Chinese, my responsibility for the sovereignty and security of China is obligatory.
Zeng: What criticism do they have?
Yang: Shenyang leaders did not answer my phones. I didn’t know why. It would be some misunderstanding.
Zeng: Is there negative impact on you?
Yang: No. Economists and other scholars think there is no negative impact.
Zeng: How will you deal with those conflicts on the relations between China and North Korea?
Yang: It won’t bring any impact upon Sino-North Korea relations. It is like the relations between “daughter-in-law” and “mother-in-law”, and I am the former. Sino-North Korea relations and hundreds of thousands of martyrs of Voluntary Army are great events.
Zeng: Many people are interested in your identity and say it’s a surprising combination.
Yang: I have answered you on this question. I am one of ordinary Chinese.
Zeng: Special protection is made at the gate and roads of Holland Village. What is your opinion on it?
Yang: It’s very normal. It’s made by Chinese government.
Zeng: Why do they assign so many policemen and police wagons?
Yang: I don’t know it.
Zeng: What is South Korea most interested in?
Yang: North Korea does not admit passports of South Korea. I will follow the way that China treats its compatriots of Taiwan. Rights of citizens in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region are equal.
Zeng: Are there some ones from South Koreans who will be appointed as officials in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: Yes.
Zeng: How many people will invest in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: Hundreds of people.
Zeng: Is it credible that such great funds will be attracted into Sinuiju Special Administrative Region within 10 years?
Yang: There are many international funds all over the world who are seeking for opportunities for investment and Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is an Eden for investors. The government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will be made up of talents from different countries in the world. It has low tax rate, so it will attract many investors to invest there.
Zeng: What attitude did U.S. hold on it?
Yang: They welcomed it.
Zeng: How did you know it?
Yang: After the Sinuiju Special Administrative Region was announced, US declared that they will abolish the saying of the Axis and Kelley Ventures also visited Pyongyang. The world does not have a good understanding on North Korea, and I hope everyone will go there and look around. On September 24, Kim Yong Nam, the Chairman of the Supreme People’s Congress of North Korea granted me the Certificate of the Chief Executive. Yang Hyong-sop, the Vice-chairman, told me at the dinner that he could not enter into Sinuiju Special Administrative Region without visa issued by me. I was very moved at it.
Zeng: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will build up a new image for North Korea. Fluctuation occurs to the stock of Euro-Asia Agriculture in Hong Kong. Would greater fluctuation occur to it if you go to take the post of CEO in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: Fluctuation of Euro-Asia Group is not normal as some of funds do not have confidence in it due to misreport by media especially by International Finance News from Shanghai. Reporters misreported it upon what the guards told him.
Zeng: Is it worth that you have lost so much for becoming the Chief Executive?
Yang: It is worth or even I would die if I could do something for peace and development of Northeast Asia. My father died when he was 33 years old. I longed for peace very much, so I'd like to do every thing I could do for it.
Zeng: It seemed that some media from Taiwan reported that you are under somewhat kinship relationship with Kim Jong II of North Korea.
Yang: No.
Zeng: You said on September 30 we could go to Sinuiju without visas. Why didn't it work?
Yang: It could work upon the rights of the Fundamental Law. But I also made a mistake as fences are not built in Sinuiju yet. It will take us two months to build temporary fences. As a democratic leader I also have to admit my mistakes.
Zeng: Will it work until the fences will be built?
Yang: it’s what I will go to Sinuiju to discuss with them this time and I hope I could solve it soon.
Zeng: Large bridge will be built between Dandong and Sinuiju, and now is under the negotiation by China and North Korea. When will it start construction?
Yang: Next year perhaps. Construction will be taken charge by Liaoning Province government.
Zeng: South Korea reported that, they would invest in express ways crossing national boundaries from Seoul to Sinuiju. Is North Korea afraid of such important channels under the control of South Korea?
Yang: North Korea will solve it.

[Photo: At 8:00 pm, October 3, 2002, the last interview with Yang Bin by Zeng Zimo, the host from Phoenix TV at A9 villa, Holland Village. Photo was taken by Guan Shan]
Zeng: I went to Sinuiju days ago. The residents there do not understand what the future of the Special Administrative Region will be.
Yang: There is a population of 500,000 in Sinuiju of which 200,000 will continue to stay there and the rest will migrate to southern Sinuiju.
Zeng: When will the people there know it?
Yang: Tomorrow (October 4) I go to Sinuiju for survey and will take office on October 25, when the Voluntary Army went across Yalu 50 years ago. Today we will also go across Yalu for constructing Sinuiju. Tomorrow we will negotiate and consult some problems in details.
Zeng: Before October 25, people there do not know the plan of establishing the Special Administrative Region?
Yang: This time we will go there mainly for conducting surveys on planning of the Special Administrative Region.
Zeng: When will the election of legislation committee and list of government officials are announced?
Yang: After I take office, we will announce the list of Preparatory Committee of the Special Administrative Region?
Zeng: Who will make up of it?
Yang: Currently it’s still kept secret.
Zeng: What will the welfare of the residents in the Special Administrative Region be in future?
Yang: For the insurance of residents, education will adopt the combination of free education and paid education. When I was a child, I went to nationhood residential committee for issuing a certificate that I was an orphan, I could be exempted from some tuitions and other expenses. In the Special Administrative Region, residents will enjoy free education.
Zeng: When I go to Sinuiju, they would feel lost in the Special Administrative Region, but they will follow the instruction of General Kim after they receive it.
Yang: Any orders by General Kim, all people there will follow and support.
Zeng: Chief Executive, it’s said that there will be a new change between South and North Korea and Kim Dae-jung indicated that he intended to help North Korea in recovering its economy. What do you think about it?
Yang: The government of South Korea welcomed the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and people there also indicated they will come over then.
Zeng: You plan to go to South Korea for canvassing for supports from South Korean government and its people?
Yang: Yes. South Korea will be one target. But it’s not decisive factor for determining success. Many big entrepreneurs and capital from Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong etc will go to investment in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. We will invite businessman from China to open companies there.
Zeng: U.S. decided to abolish the Axis of North Korea. Is it related to the establishment of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: Yes. U.S. had known the decision made by General Kim.
Zeng: Will international banks support it?
Yang: Maybe they will. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will join some intentional economic organizations as Hong Kong and Macao as we are doing a good thing for them.
Zeng: Before U.S. and North Korea relations come into normal, will U.S. support Sinuiju Special Administrative Region?
Yang: I believe they will support us.
Zeng: It’s reported by media from Hong Kong that Euro-Asia has owed taxes.
Yang: It’s the sum that the local authority asked us to pay lately in the past. When I came back from Pyongyang days ago, I was informed of the notice on payment. I replied them I will pay all by October 12.
Zeng: Is it the problem of yourself or Liaoning entrepreneurs?
Yang: It’s to me!
Zeng: The stock of Euro-Asia Agriculture is going up and down these days. As you go to Sinuiju, how will you handle Euro-Asia Agriculture and Holland Village in Shenyang?
Yang: The real estate of Holland Village in Shenyang has been trusted to others. New CEO was appointed for Euro-Asia Agriculture. I will make a good arrangement for all these, as they are achievements that I have gain with painstaking effort for years.
Zeng Zimo ended her interview with Yang Bin. She will have to lead the interview team to go to Sinuiju with Yang Bin tomorrow for follow-up interviews. The lights of Phoenix TV were shut off.
Yang Bin stood up and said to Zeng “now I regretted I have been ranked in Forbes Richest list…”
Zeng looked at Yang with a surprise, but she said nothing. The cameraman requested to take photos of some materials related to the Chief Executive and the background of Sinuiju, and Yang Bin asked his staff to bring over the map of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region newly drawn by North Korea and the Letter of Appointment of Chief Executive for his use.
Yang Bin changed his depressing voice during the conversation, and said to Zeng Zimo gladly: “Zeng, could you please have dinner with me here? I will cook some dishes that I am good at for you all!” Then he went into the Kitchen.

[Photo: I chatted with Zeng Zimo, the host from Phoenix TV of Hong Kong and had group photos shot at Yang Bin’s villa.]
I found, Yang Bin answered very briefly the questions raised by Zeng Zimo tonight with depressing atmosphere. It did not look like the character of Yang. Perhaps, it’s because someone told him from time to time police wagons and policemen were coming more and more? Or because Li Gang, Vice-GM of Euro-Asia told him tomorrow they could not go across Yalu? Zhou Xiang, the director of reception dept. also said “Maybe”. Yang Bin had predicted the seriousness of the situation. Or even Zeng Zimo also asked him: “Why are there so many police wagons and policemen?”
I saw Zeng Zimo was sitting on the big sofa, I chatted with her, the friend from Beijing also. I told her that, now a lot of hosts of TV wrote books which were very popular among readers, including Yang Lan. “You could clear up the interview minutes of Phoenix TV you have into a book.” I advised.
“I am not experienced enough yet. May be in one or two years.” she smiled and said.
“When you write into a book your experiences in North Korea, and have it published in China, please turn to me for planning and publishing. OK?” I advised her again.
She just smiled.
My advice is made sincerely. I’ve heard that she is a talented girl who can write excellent articles. It’s a pity that I have never read any of her articles. (Words of Zeng Zimo quoted in the book were read by me afterwards. Noted by the writer) She hosts finance and economics program in Hong Kong, and has interviewed many who's who in finance and economics circle. This time she has been to North Korea, and she will have a lot of wonderful experiences that many readers in China want to know.
The mobile phone of Zeng Zimo rang. It’s from Phoenix TV of Hong Kong. When she saw it’s too noisy and crowded in the big and small living rooms, she went into rest room to answer the call. In that evening, Phoenix TV news broadcasted the conversation between Zeng Zimo and the host of Phoenix TV, disclosed the news that Yang Bin will lead his team to set off from Shenyang at 6:30 am on October 4, and their cars will go across Yalu and arrive at Sinuiju at about 9:00 am.
The Experience of Yang Bin “Summonsed for Interrogation” by Police
Yang Bin put on an apron, and then fried dishes for us in the kitchen. Flaming blaze, the sound of hot oil, collision jingling out of iron scoop and frying scoop and Yang Bin’s skilful movements in cooking attracted many people to go to watch him. The cameraman from Phoenix and I took many photos of Yang Bin during cooking. When Yang Bin arrived at Holland, he worked ever at the restaurants of Chinese, and learned a good cooking skill. When some dishes that he was good at were displayed on the table, everyone highly appraised on the color, aroma and taste. One soup made from tomato and meat balls, strong red color, white meat balls and small green shallot pieces made ones dribbling at the mouth. Yang Bin sat by the table, and he smiled when he heard praise from others and strong favor in dishes. He asked Zeng Zimo to taste that one or another. “The girl from Beijing” dined elegantly and politely, and was not like what we did at ease when we tasted the dishes that Yang Bin cooked at his home.

[Photo: Yang Bin Cooked for Zeng Zimo, Taken Away by Police in hours. Photo was taken by Guan Shan.]
“The last supper” included Yang Bin, Zeng Zimo, two reporters from Phoenix TV, Wang Nuo, Wang Huidong and I around the table.
After supper, Zeng Zimo and her team left.
We came back to the big living room where it’s full of people: Chen Hong, Yang Bin’s classmate in military school, Li Gang (the husband of Yang’s teacher in primary school), Lu Ban (the newly employed chamberlaine), Xu Ning (the newly employed guard), Zhou Xiang, Hwang Myong Chol, an official of North Korea, Liu Dianhui (Yang’s secretary), two experts in ports taken by Wang Nuo and Yang Sigu etc.
At 10:40 pm, I asked Yang Dayong to left A9 together and came back to our own villa for rest as I was very tired due to old age. Yang Dayong was living along with me at the same villa called “Care”. On the way back, we saw one police wagon and one car were parking four or five meters away from A9, Yang’s house. Those were from Shenyang Police. In the corner, two blast-proof wagons were parking there with policemen inside. They did not ask our car to stop. When our car was riding across tennis house, blast-proof wagons were parking there with frontal lights on. All these police wagons were surrounding around A9 nearly.
“Teacher Guan, do you know why so many police wagons are surrounding Yang’s house?” Yang Dayong asked me.
“I also don’t know it.” I had to answer it.
Then we returned to our villa and came back to house for rest respectively soon.
After I fell asleep for a while, telephone rang in a hurry. It’s from Yang Bi’s villa. One friend called me via mobile phone and told me: “Yang’s villa was surrounded by the police. So many policemen gathered by the gate, window and surroundings, and none are not allowed to be in and out of the villa. At the historic moment, you'd better come over and have a look by yourself for the sake of the book in future.”
When I had a look at the small watch on the bed stand, I saw it was 1:30 in early morning.
I answered: “Well, I go there immediately.”
His mobile phone was shut off.
I put on clothes at once and wakened Yang Dayong living in neighborly house.
“Come on! Up now! Yang's villa was surrounded by the policemen. None was not allowed to come in and out… ”
The young lawyer was very surprised at it with pop-out eyes and asked me: “What happen? What happen? What’s going on?”
I described what I was told by the phone from A9 again to him.
He put on his clothes at once, and walked out with me. It’s very late at night and the freezing wind blew away all of our drowsiness. We speeded up our steps along the small artificial river. When we walked near to the tennis house, we saw two police wagons with frontal lights on that parked ahead of us and some policemen were walking around. Police wagons parked also at the gate of the road with lights on. It looked as if we could not cross the road, then we walked across some villas to the back of the tennis house. We saw that police wagons were surrounding in front, back, left and right sides of A9, Yang Bin’s villa with big lights and small lights on, many policemen crowded around.
“Well! Let’s go back!” I asked Yang Dayong.
“Why?” He still asked me.
“We could not go across!” I answered.
Yang Dayong also saw many police wagons were parking there with big lights on. The surrounding of A9 was well-illuminated with lights on. Policemen shadows were moving around. He stopped.
“Let’s go back!" I pulled Yang Dayong and walked back.
“Something would happen!” Yang Dayong said to me when we were back to the villa we lived.
I didn’t answer and also could not answer him.
“You can go to bed now and I will waken you if something happen.” I lightened a cigarette and sat down on the sofa in the living room. I turned on TV.
Yang Dayong went upstairs and slept in his bedroom.
At 3:00 am, I didn’t waken Yang Dayong and walked out alone. I walked along the route that we had just now. Police wagons and policemen were still there with all lights on. It seemed that the light was brighter than that just now.
I had to return to the villa and went upstairs and slept.
I didn’t know how long I had been sleeping, and the phone rang again in a hurry. I took up receiver and knew it’s from Yang Bin’s classmate in military school. He asked: “Is that Teacher Guan?”
I answered: “Yes.”
He said: “This is Wang Jiatang. Yang was taken away by Shenyang Police at 5:10 am.”
I had a look at the watch, and it’s 6:10 am on October 4.
I asked: “Who were taken away by them?”
Wang Jiatang answered: “Only Yang.”
I asked again: “Policemen were still there?”
Wang Jiatang answered: “All policemen and police wagons were gone.”
I asked: “Who are at Yang’s villa now?”
Wang Jiatang said: “Li Gang, Chen Hong, Aunt IV and me. Li Gang asked me to call you. Could you please come here quickly?”
“Well, I go now.” I hanged up the phone. I thought for a while, and then I informed by phone Ma Ning and Qiao Shengli who were living at other villas.
I wakened Yang Dayong and told me Yang Bin was taken away by the police at 5:10 am and all policemen and police wagons were gone.
“Were others taken away?” He asked me with a surprise look.
“No. Only him!”
We talked out of the villa and it was daytime outside. White and black swans were playing with water and shouting around in the small river in front of the gate.
Everything was so quiet that it seemed that nothing happened to Holland Village.
When we arrived at Yang Bin’s villa, it’s 6:30 am. At the moment, two guards were not on point duty as used to be. So were two coursers. It’s very empty in front of the villa.
Only Li Gang, Wang Jiatang, Chen Hong and Aunt IV of Yang Bin were staying at the hall. They all were from Nanjing. Chen Hong who witnessed at Yang Bin’s villa described to me what happened here last night in details:
“At about 11: 00 pm last night, Li Zhonghui, Vice-President, Huang Kuisheng, undersecretary, and Zheng Junwen etc. from Wooribank, the second largest bank in South Korea came to Yang Bin’s villa by two long Mercedes-Benz cars. There were 8 persons totally, including 6 South Koreans, 2 Chinese made up of fat man and slim man. They came here to discuss investment in Sinuiju with Yang.”
Who were the two Chinese? I knew afterwards the slim one was Sun Fengxiang, the board chairman of Shenyang Fengxiang Group and the fat one was Xu Wei. I knew Mr. Sun Fengxiang, as I visited his company. He was a famous entrepreneur of private enterprise in Shenyang dealing in real estate. He had cooperated with entrepreneurs from South Korea and communicated with many friends from South Korea. Sun Fengxiang introduced bankers from South Korea to Yang Bin, so they came over.
Chen Hong said:

[Photo: The Photo of Yang Dayong and me at Holland Village.[
“Yang Bin met guests from South Korea at the big living room. At about 11:30 pm, Li Gang and I wanted to go back and have a rest, but we were blocked by the policemen when we opened the gate. We were not allowed to go out. We could not disturb the conversation between them but told Aunt IV and Wang Huidong quietly. Wang Huidong asked Yang to the small dining room and told him they were closed off by armed police, all of them were not allowed to go out of the villa, and whether they should inform the guest to leave first. Yang Bin said “hold on a moment”, and then he went back to the big living room and continued to talk with the guests.”
“It’s 12:30 at night. Everyone was very worried about it. When Xu Wei, the fat Chinese came along with the guests from North Korea knew the situation, he said he was acquainted well with the director general of Public Security Bureau. He came forwards to seek help but he was called back by the policemen as soon as he opened the gate. He wrote a short note and asked the policemen to hand over through gate gap, but it also was thrown back.”
“After all consulted it together, we had to tell bank representatives from South Korea frankly. We said we were closed off by the police and were not allowed to go out. The bankers from South Korea called their consulate with mobile phone and informed them of the situation. At 1:30 am, someone knocked at the door, and one senior police officer and the chief officers of foreign affairs of Liaoning Province Bureau and Shenyang Bureau came in. they asked ‘who are the guests from South Korea?’ Six South Koreans stood up, and two Chinese said they were coming along with the guests from South Korea. Eight persons were allowed to leave.”
Regarding the experience that bankers from Wooribank of South Korea came to Yang Bin’s villa, Sun Fengxiang described to me as follows:
“As I have cooperated with SR Development Group from South Korea on some projects in Shenyang, we are very good and old friends. SR Group is in cooperation relations with Wooribank. Wooribank is the 2nd largest bank in South Korea in cooperation relations with over one hundred large enterprises. After Yang Bin became the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, many entrepreneurs from South Korea want to invest in Sinuiju by all means. They all turn to Wooribank for help. Wooribank turned to me through SR Group.”
“These bankers arrived in Beijing on October 3, and then flied to Shenyang from Beijing. It’s 10:30 pm when they arrived in Shenyang. We drove cars directly to Holland Village. It’s about 11:00 pm when we arrived at Yang Bin’s villa. In fact, I have heard that Holland Village was monitored by the police, but the talk that should be arranged some days ago for South Korean businessmen could not be postponed and changed again, and had to be arranged as scheduled. When our three cars drove into Holland Village through three sentries and one mobile post, we arrived at Yang Bin’s villa finally. As soon as we got off the cars, tens of policemen run over quickly. I was afraid Li Zhonghui, the Vice-President of Wooribank would misunderstand it, so I interpreted to him those were guards who were assigned by Chinese government to protect the Chief Executive, Yang Bin.”

[Photo: Sun Fengxiang (Left), the Board Chairman of Shenyang Fengxiang Group and Yang Bin at Yang Bin’s living room at Holland Village. In two hours, Yang Bin was taken away by the Shenyang police.]
“Yang Bin greeted with guests form South Korea at the gate of the villa. When I turned around, I saw many policemen run up to surround the villa tightly.
I introduced SR Group and guests of Wooribank from South Korea to Yang. Li Zhonghui, Vice-President, Huang Kuisheng, undersecretary, and Zheng Junwen, section chief etc. from Wooribank, me, Xu Wei and An Kyung-ho, the interpreter. We started the conversation as soon as we took the seats.”
“As North Korea does not allow South Korea to invest directly in Sinuiju. Over a hundred of enterprises trusted Wooribank to have negotiation with Yang Bin on behalf of them. Yang Bin showed everyone the map, planning map and materials of Sinuiju and pointed out the positions of ports, airports and chemical plants. Entrepreneurs and banks of South Korea agreed to invest RMB 10 billion Yuans totally in the first phase in the Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, of which RMB 2 billion Yuans would be given to Shenyang Holland Village for ending projects and development funds. Other funds will be invested in constructing airports, docks and petrochemical works in Sinuiju. Wooribank will establish a joint-venture company with our Fengxiang Group on behalf of over one hundred companies, in the name of which we cooperate with Yang Bin so as to invest RMB 10 billion Yuans into Sinuiju.”
“It’s over 12:00 at night. We stood up and left. Someone went forwards to open the door and was told that none was not allowed to go out of the villa. The police said they were performing official business under orders. I had to explain to Li Zhonghui, Vice-President of Wooribank, that there might be something happened to the land development of Holland Village. The police were performing official business and did not allow anyone in and out temporarily. Please understand it and have a break. Guests returned to their seats again, had tea and talked. Yang Bin could not help, but had to take his leave upstairs on the 2 floor. Until it’s 2:00 am, I thought we could not wait just over there. I called with mobile phone to report to municipal leaders who asked us to wait there patiently and coordinated on it. It’s about 3:00 am, principles from foreign affairs dept. of the provincial and municipal public security bureaus came over and asked about situation. They let South Korean guests and our Chinese who accompanied them go. We left Holland Village and sent South Korean guests to Wanhao Hotel. It’s 4:00 am.”
Li Gang broke in his words when Chen Hong introduced me about the situation: “I counted at that moment, after South Korean guests left, there were still 17 persons at Yang Bin’s villa.”
Chen Hong continued to explain:
“They asked again: ‘Who is the diplomatic personnel from North Korea? ‘’I am.’ Mr. Hwang Myong Chol answered. The police said ‘you also can leave.’ ‘I will stay here.’ Mr. Hwang Myong Chol said. The police officers and chiefs from foreign affairs left. It’s 2:00 am, every one was hungry, Yang Bin asked the young guard to cook fried rice with eggs and dishes. All ate a little and then took rest respectively. Our staff from Euro-Asia Group stayed on the first floor, Yang Bin, driver and young guard stay on the second floor. Wang Nuo and other guests stayed on the third floor.
“At 4:00 am, the chief of foreign affairs of provincial bureau came in and asked the secretary Zhang to go out. At 4:30, they asked Shen Liang, the driver to go out. At 4:55, the gate was opened, over thirty policemen came in and stood in three lines followed by the principals from the provincial and municipal bureaus. Some armed police soldiers came in also. They might be senior police officer form the provincial bureau, and then announced ‘Warrant of Summons’. After that, they asked those on the first floor, including Zhou Xiang, Aunt IV, Wang Huidong, Li Gang to stay at the office of the secretary Liu besides the living room. One police officer led some policemen upstairs and I followed them tightly. I saw they went to Yang Bin’s bedroom to waken him, asked him to put on clothes and announced the ‘Warrant of Summons’. At the moment, policemen found I was not the one of them, and asked me to go downstairs.”

[Photo: Li Gang and Chen Hong were the witnesses who saw Yang Bin was taken away by the police at 5:00 am on October 4, 2002. Chen Hong (Left) and Li Gang (Right) were describing the situation to me at Holland Village, Photo was taken by Guan Shan. ]
When Chen Hong described to it, he laughed. Perhaps, he was asked to go away because he imitated the one of them, or he felt the joke was made too seriously.
Chen Hong and Yang Bin were classmates in military school, and then worked as instructor of a company in army. His nerve was too great.
Yang Fenlin, 4 aunt of Yang Bin described to me the experience that she saw Yang Bin was taken away:
“I saw Yang Bin was taken away by the police, and I went to the window immediately and looked out of the curtains. I saw Yang Bin was surrounded by tens of armed police as soon as he came out of the gate. He turned around when he walked on the steps and then got on one car with the policemen without handcuffs on.”
Li Gang said:
“After Yang Bin was taken away for minutes, ones from municipal bureau asked Mr. Hwang Myong Chol to go out and talked to him outside. Perhaps they introduced him the situation. Others also left the villa, and found all policemen and police wagons were gone. The ones who were talking with Mr. Hwang Myong Chol did not stop us.”
I remembered that Wang Nuo and two seaport experts reported their work to Yang at the villa and stayed here last night. I asked: “Where is Wang Nuo?” Li Gang answered: “He stayed on the third floor.”
I went upstairs quickly and knocked at the doors one by one, and finally found him. As he went asleep until 3:00 am, he knew nothing about what happened downstairs.
I told him that Yang Bin was taken away for “interrogation” by the police at 5:10 am, and others were still here. I knew he had been sleeping for only three or four hours and asked him to have a rest at his own villa with two experts.
At the moment, Wang Huidong came back in a hurry. Because it’s scheduled those reporters from home and abroad would get together and set off here at about 6:30 am or 7:00 am. He took charge in receiving reporters as the spokesman. Fan Wenxin, the reporter from New York Times asked Wang Huidong “What was going on with Yang?” after he knew the news. Wang Huidong had to explain to those reporters on and on.
At this moment, I saw Lu Ban (chamberlaine) and Xu Ning (bodyguard) left Yang’s villa hastily with their luggage. They left without a word to any one.
I saw Zeng Zimo walked over and stood by the small river. She was watching quietly Yang Bin’s villa where she interviewed, dinned and chatted with Yang Bin with shiny lights on. But now it’s empty. Morning wind blew to disorder her hair, but it seemed that she didn’t care about it but was standing and watching there silently. Was she “a Chinese girl with the look of able woman who was walking along Wall Street with light, confident and firm footsteps, loose-leaf binder in one hand and one cup of hot coffee bought at roadside coffee shop in another hand, dressed in luxurious suit and high-heeled shoes of GIORGIOAMIN with the hair rolled up.” (Excerpted from the profile on line about Zeng Zimo named “Special Girl”)
Zeng Zimo said before: “It’s enjoyable, curious and longing in the morning in Beijing”, “it’s hardworking, lonely and unwavering in the morning in Dartmouth,” “it’s flowery, crazy and passionate in the morning in New York,” “it’s changeable, composed and confident in the morning in Hong Kong.” I didn’t know what Zeng Zimo was thinking of at the moment? How would she describe the morning at Holland Village?
Zeng Zimo described afterwards this morning here in one of her writings named “Ink Marks –Left Among Life & Memory”:
“On the day when Yang Bin was summonsed for interrogation, my colleagues and I went to Holland Village again. It’s empty there at such a large Holland Village. The policemen were gone and so were the workers of Euro-Asia. No one was walking along the roads there but that giant windmill was still rotating slowly and lonelily along with breeze. One picture suddenly occurred to me: Yang Bin was gambling with lofty and extravagant sentiments…as a matter of fact, isn’t Yang Bin’s life a gambling? From Holland to Poland, from Shenyang to North Korea, he had to win or lose in the gambling. So he would have a clearer understanding on it than anyone.”
In the morning of fall in the South, it was sunny and shinny. Although the sun rose up, morning wind still was a little cool to us. I was standing outside in no moods of appreciating Europe-styled buildings, Dutch windmills and glass greenhouse etc at Holland Village. I went back to Yang Bin’s living room again, sat on the sofa smoking badly and thought why it ended up like this? I could not understand it and recalled many memories in the past, the people and events coming and going. I tried to seek all kinds of questions and answers.
At 6:00 am on that day, South Korean TVs broadcasted the news of “Yang Bin, the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, was taken away by Shenyang Police of China.” International important TVs, newspapers and websites reported it then. It’s estimated that the bankers and consulate in China of South Korea disclosed to their reporters.
At 8:00 am, we had breakfast together including Li Gang, Shi Jun from Euro-Asia Group, Hwang Myong Chol, the diplomat from North Korea (it’s the first time for him to have dinner with us within months), Ma Ning, Wang Huidong, Yang Dayong and me. Mr. Hwang Myong Chol said during breakfast: “General Kim knew at 6 am that President Yang was taken away by the police (5:15 am). And Director Kim also knew it in Sinuiju. He said it’s not aiming at President Yang but us.” After that, he looked at us sadly. We all kept silent.
“Since Yang Bin appeared in the eyes of the public, he himself still remained a mystery, so did his family background, his first wealth and his appointment as the Chief Executive; Yang Bin still remained a mythology from an orphan to the richest, from a poor student abroad to the Chief Executive…it’s not important to know the truth. Importantly who had created this visional mythology? Yang Bin? Us? Or this changeable but complex transforming era in which we were living?” ⑥
Zeng Zimo said as above.
At 10 am, Yang Fengqu and Yang Fenglin, the Aunt I and IV of Yang Bin respectively went to visit Yang Bin at Shenyang Municipal Public Security Bureau. The police replied: Yang Bin was still “summonsed for interrogation” during which none was allowed to visit but send some clothes or daily necessities. So they left some underclothes and cigarettes of brand “555” for Yang Bin.
Notes:
① Yang Bin's talks recorded from the minutes I took for the news conference on September 19.
② On October 6, at Hague hotel of Holland Village Yang Dayong and I talked with one official from North Korea when we had dinner. When the official mentioned to us the words of Yang Bin "foreigners are allowed to enter into Sinuiju since September 30" to reporters from home and abroad, he said “We should take this responsibility. One member of our delegation said these words to Mr. Yang. Who knows it would involve in such many issues and partition walls are not built yet…”
③ The speech of Yang Bin in the first conference of Preparatory Committee of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region recorded from the minutes I took at that time.
④ The experience of communication between Akahoshi Yosiharu and Yang Bin recorded from the minutes I took on September 29.
⑤ The communication between Akahoshi Yosiharu and Yang Bin mainly from the talks and mails from Akahoshi Yosiharu to me besides the dinner and chat participated by me.
⑥ It’s excerpted from Page 254 of Ink Marks –Left Among Life & Memory written by Zeng Zimo and published initially by Hong Kong Ming Pao Press on November 2007.