Qi Zhiyong
Qi ZhiYong, second on the left©Boxun.com
“I am 17 years old, my ‘real’ Birthday is on June 4th 1989!” laughs 50 year-old Qi Zhiyong. Having lost a leg and his livelihood following the armed crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, amazingly he still manages to feel as if he was “reborn” by the events of that day.
Qi Zhiyong was shot in the lower part of his leg on the night of 4 June 1989. He was only taken to hospital three hours later, by which time the wound had become infected and the doctor had to amputate his leg to save his life.
At the time Qi was a painter with a construction company. “My company was kind to me,” Qi said. “They offered me a one-off sum of compensation of 100,000 Yuan, but only if I would agree to say that my disability was the result of a work accident.” He refused the payment – he did not want to hide the fact that he was wounded by the government in the pro-democracy crack-down.
He has also refused to stay silent in public; every year he does interviews with national and international media. With characteristic humility, his message is never about his own circumstances: “You know…there are many people in China who suffered more than me, I am nothing important.” He calls for financial and humanitarian help for the Tiananmen Mothers whose sons, daughters or husbands died in the events of 1989.
A Tough Life
His life has not been easy since he was injured.
In the first few years following his amputation, Qi Zhiyong applied for a disability fund from various government departments, but was refused. In the mid 1990s he sold cigarettes and chewing gum on the street, eventually managing to save enough money to open a small shop.
He applied for a basic allowance a few years ago (an unemployed person can receive $470 Yuan for monthly livelihood assistance). The officials laughed at him and said, “You always talk to the Western media about how bad the Chinese government is. Haven’t you got some money from them through the betrayal of your country?”
He has been forced to move his shop many times due to rebuilding in Beijing, including in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Each time the construction work began without warning or compensation. “They just dig here and there, digging in front of my shop’s door then I have to move” Qi said.
Often, around important days such as June 4th or a big national meeting, Qi Zhiyong has been forced into hiding, or has been put under house arrest. During the National People’s Congress meeting in 2006 he was detained for 51 days after he participated in a hunger-strike for social justice.
Following his participation in the hunger-strike, the authorities revoked his trading licence and he was forced to close his shop. Qi’s wife was also dismissed from her job, apparently as a result of his campaigning activities.
With Hepatitis C, high blood pressure and diabetes, each month Qi Zhiyong has medical costs of around 1000 Yuan ($120USD), and he has an eight year old daughter to support. The family was barely managing on the small incomes from the shop and his wife’s work. Now things are even harder.
The Past and the Future
For many people June 4th 1989 is in the past. Even those who were directly affected, injured or left disabled by the events of Tiananmen Square refuse to talk about it. They question his stubborn memory, “It’s now so long ago, what’s the point in talking about it? Why can’t you just forget it and get on with your life?”
Qi Zhiyong has also started to campaign for disability rights in China. Many public facilities are not accessible for those in wheelchairs, and there are no discounts on public transport. Disability allowance, for those lucky to get it, is only 200-300 Yuan per month; medical costs and assistance are not included.
He sees China’s economic development as wealth gathered in the hands of a few, with serious corruption going unchallenged. He thinks that China is not ready to host the Olympic games, but that the government is sacrificing its peoples’ interests to “show the Chinese miracle” for the sake of national pride.
When asked how he sees his future life, Qi Zhiyong doesn’t reply but instead calls again for compensation for the mothers whose sons have died. He says he does not regret his injuries. He’s proud that he was a part of the pro-democracy movement. He says he only started to learn about democracy following his injury and now he is convinced more than ever, that only democracy can save China.
Amnesty International continues to support calls from Chinese human rights activists for justice for the victims of the 1989 crackdown by bringing the perpetrators to justice and providing full, official compensation for the victims or their families.