Du Changhao


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Du Changhao (: 杜昌浩; : Du Chánghào) is a Manchurian human rights activist and retired politician who served as the Premier of Manchuria from 2000 to his resignation in 2003. Du also served as the leader of the Manchurian Democrats from its founding in 1989 to 2011.

Born in Changchung in 1953, Du was one of the early protesters against communist rule in Manchuria. During the Orchid Revolution Du was one of the leading figures calling for the implementation of democracy, forming the Manchurian Democrats organisation which served as a pressure group against the regime. Following the announcement of multiparty elections the Manchurian Democrats became a political party, getting the third largest amount of seats in the Supreme National Assembly in the 1990 elections after the National Liberal Party and the communists. Du soon became a critic of the government of Yuan Xiang whom he decried as corrupt and authoritarian, criticising especially his jailing of journalists. In the runup to the 2000 premierial elections Du polled higher then both the GZD and People's Labour Party's candidates, winning the largest amount of votes in the initial voting round. The runoff round saw the RG endorse Du, who was elected as premier in a landslide in 2000.

Du governed Manchuria alongside a legislature that consisted of a coalition of centrist and left wing parties (such as the MMD, RG, MJD, BDML, and the TGD) which pushed forward a moderate agenda that saw the gradual implementation of a welfare state whilst maintaining a focus on economic growth. Du however clashed with several left wing politicians within the legislature, mainly over Du's oppositions to greater investment into public services. Du did however spearhead policies that saw freedom of the press and protest fully adhered to in Manchuria. In 2003 the TG left the government coalition over changes in the education system, triggering a snap election that saw the RG along with the MJD and BDML gain more seats whilst form a coalition with the Manchu Communist Party in order to maintain a working majority. Du refused to approve of a government that included communists, and as such resigned causing another snap election this time for the Premier.

Following his resignation as Premier Du continued to serve as the leader of the MMD, where he opposed the administration of the new RG Premier Wen Feng. Du ran in the 2010 premieral elections where he came fifth. The 2011 legislative elections saw the worst electoral result for the MMD ever, causing Du to step down as party leader and retiring from politics. Since then Du has worked with various organisations such as.

Du's tenure as Premier was controversial, due to his rocky relationship with the legislature and accusations of corruption. Nevertheless, Du is widely recognised and praised for his role in ending the communist regime in Manchuria as well as supporting human rights and democracy in Manchuria and around the world.