Chinese SARS whistleblower gets top Asian award

Asian Economic News, August 9, 2004

MANILA, Aug. 2 Kyodo

A retired Chinese military doctor who exposed an attempted coverup by Chinese authorities on the spread of SARS is among this year's recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, considered Asia's Nobel Prize, award organizers said Monday.

Jiang Yanyong, 72, wrote to the press and revealed how many people were affected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome. His revelation hinted to the world the real state of SARS in China in 2003 and led to a comprehensive system of monitoring for the virus.

''A small dose of truth can sometimes make all the difference, especially in societies where speaking out is not the norm,'' said the Magsaysay Foundation in its citation for Jiang.

Jiang is being awarded for Public Service category.

Jiang and six other awardees from the Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan will be formally conferred with the Magsaysay Award and each will be given a certificate, a medallion and a cash prize during award ceremonies on Aug. 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

From the Philippines, Haydee Yorac, chief of the government agency tasked to recover ill-gotten wealth of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family, is being recognized for Government Service. Benjamin Abadiano is being cited for his work with indigenous peoples. He is the Magsaysay awardee for Emergent Leadership.

The other awardees are Prayong Ronnarong, a farmer from Thailand, for Community Leadership; Abdullah Abu Sayeed of Bangladesh for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts; and Laxminarayan Ramdas of India and Ibn Abdur Rehman of Pakistan, both of the Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy, in the Peace and International Understanding category.

Organizers said being unable to attend the formal awarding does not cause forfeiture of the prizes -- including $50,000.

Last year, a retired Chinese gynecologist was unable to travel to Manila over problems with travel documents but received her prizes, organizers said.

The Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 and named after the third Philippine president.

It is conferred yearly on individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest selfless service to the people and greatness of spirit.