From the EastSouthWestNorth blog (Here is an article by Situ Beichen republished at Fu Jianfeng’s blog):
Chiu Yi’s speech had become a hot topic on the Peking University campus. The 500-seat conference hall had more than 1,000 students attempting to sign up.
But things changed quickly. The May 28 speech was canceled on the evening of May 27, and that surprised Chiu Yi. The talk was that a senior CCP official (of rank higher than bureau director) called at 10pm at night; one hour later, Peking University called Chiu Yi one hour later to apologize. Chiu Yi said that the mainland officials wished that he would change the venue: “Other than Peking University, any school is acceptable — Fudan University or Zhongshan University can be arranged.” But Chiu Yi said firmly that it was unacceptable. …
… I said, “What Mr. Chu said may not be the main thing. The very most important thing is that a certain ‘date’ is about to arrive and anything concerning democracy is sensitive at this time, especially at Peking University.” Then Chiu understood and agreed.
