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Testimony of Youxiang, husband of Liu Jinhua

January 31, 1999

Liu Jinhua, female, was born February 26, 1955, and died aged 34. She worked in the general administration office of the PLA. On the evening of June 3, 1989, she died behind the Yanjing Hotel from a bullet wound to the head. Her cremated ashes were first kept at the Laoshan Memorial Hall, then later moved to Tianjin cemetery, her final resting ground.


Testimony of Feng Youxiang, widower of Liu Jinhua:

On the evening of June 3, 1989, my wife Jinhua and I went to fetch some medicine from my sister's, in central Beijing. The city traffic was chaotic. On our way back, we heard gunshots and could not continue on our way, so we hid behind the west building of the Yanjing Hotel. We thought that since we hadn't participated in the student rallies, we would not be targeted, but to our shock, government troops stopped at the hotel. We were sprayed with gunshot and fell in a pool of blood. A bullet went through my thigh, and another into my wife's head, felling her instantly. I cried for help, and soon after, I was taken to the Children's Hospital. I did not know at the time where my wife had been taken or what her condition was. A week later, when I was transferred to room No.306, I learned that my wife had been taken to the morgue of the Air Veteran's Hospital-she had died. Her body had been identified by the director of her work unit. Eight days later, her body was cremated at Babaoshan, where her unit held a memorial service. I attended in my wounded state. Her ashes remained at Laoshan Memorial Hall for three years. Then, on the advice of my mother-in-law, I transferred them to Tianjin.

My family life was destroyed by the June Fourth Incident. From that point on, my child and I have been living a lonely existence, and up to now, I have not created a new family. These past ten years, I have faced many obstacles. First, the question of work. After the tragedy - as it had been of a political nature - I couldn't bear to work for the government any longer. Also, there was obviously no future for me there. In anger, I decided to take a risk and try my luck at private enterprise. During this time, my friends and relatives, who were concerned about my life situation, were worried about me. The most troubling questions were the raising and education of my child. I did not want to transfer cruelty to the next generation or cultivate hate in my child. But what to do? It was a very difficult matter. After much reflection during these ten years, I think that the government should deal with the issue of June Fourth in order to relieve the anguish suffered by the victims and our society as a whole. This anniversary of June Fourth I miss my wife tremendously. I express profound sorrow for my wife and all who perished. To those who have helped me over the years, I extend my heartfelt gratitude.

Feng Youxiang

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