The prominent Chinese lawyer and writer Yang Maodong, better known as Guo Feixiong, is in a "critical state of health" five months into his eight-year prison term on baseless charges of "incitement to subvert state power." Guo's health reportedly deteriorated after he went on a hunger strike around August, causing his weight to drop nearly by half. Click to expand Image Guo Feixiong on the Great Wall of China, July 2012. 2012 Private To many people in China, the 57-year-old Guo is a hero. Born at the start of China's Cultural Revolution, he grew up poor in the countryside, but beat the odds to earn a spot at a prestigious Chinese university. He went on to run a successful publishing business before deciding in 2005 to become a lawyer-activist. Guo defended persecuted Falun Gongpractitioners, pushed for asset transparency of Chinese officials, and is a leader of the informal activist network called the "New Citizens Movement." He is best known for