"As the latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the president of the greatest democratic country in the world, you have tremendous influence with the Chinese government and its people," said the letter, which was co-signed by Zhang. "Whether or not this letter is effective depends on how much Obama cares about human rights in China" Yang said. Many Chinese – especially political activists and religious dissenters – are eager to see whether Obama will take a stand on human rights during his first trip to China as president.