By Zhan Lisheng
Updated: 2007-09-20 07:29

GUANGZHOU: Li Yuanjiang, the disgraced former publisher of the Guangzhou Daily Group, has received a PhD from his prison cell, Shang Dongping, director of Guangdong Sihui Prison, said recently.

Li Yuanjiang [xkb.com.cn]

Li was awarded his doctorate last month by the Renmin University of China. His dissertation, which won high praise from his tutors, was on the economic globalization and transnational development of China's newspaper industry, Shang said.

Li is the first prisoner in Guangdong Province to have completed a doctorate course from prison, he said.

"Li has set an example for other prisoners and his achievements show that not only are inmates' rights to education legally protected, but their efforts to educate themselves are encouraged," he said.

Li said: "I was very excited when I received the certificate. I'm familiar with the operations of a newspaper and I hope to return to work in the media when I have completed my jail term."

Li Jingzhi, an international relations professor at Renmin University and the inmate's tutor, said: "Li's dissertation is both theoretically and practically significant.

"However, as Li was not able to attend classes at the university, he will be awarded only a certificate marking his completion of the doctorate courses rather than the full doctorate graduation certificate," the professor said.

Li was sentenced to 12 years in jail in 2004 for accepting bribes totaling about $65,000.

At the time of his arrest he was a member of the standing committee and director of the publicity department under the municipal Party committee of Guangzhou.