WUHAN, China (AP) – The message was stored in a bouquet of chrysanthemums left by a mourner in the back of Wuhan Central Hospital to honor a Chinese bell ringer who died of the coronavirus a year ago. It was simply the number of a Bible verse: Matthew 5:10.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” the verse reads.
A year ago Sunday, dr. Li Wenliang dies from the virus first detected in this Chinese city. A small stream of people celebrated the anniversary with visits to the hospital on Saturday, some of which left flowers behind.
The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was one of eight whistleblowers who punished local authorities early on for “spreading rumors” about a SARS-like virus in a social media group. His situation, which was eventually revealed in media reports, made him a powerful symbol for the dangers of working against official messages in China.
The Chinese public embraced Li, whose online presence painted a picture of an ordinary person. His wife was pregnant and he would soon become a father. He sent the ‘rumor’ because he wanted to warn others.
The public also watched as he became ill with the disease he had warned them about, eventually getting worse and dying.
Li’s death was initially reported by Chinese state media on the night of February 6, 2020, but outlets quickly withdrew their reporting. Hours later, on the morning of February 7, Wuhan Central Hospital announced his death.
Chinese people mourned his death, online and offline. Mourners brought flowers to the hospital, while some people online were furious and asked for freedom of speech – posts that were quickly censored.
Li’s death appears to pose a challenge to central government as public anger escalates.
“A healthy society should not have just one kind of voice,” Li said in an interview with Chinese business magazine Caixin last year.
Central authorities investigated Li’s death and concluded that the officer who punished the doctor should be reprimanded. One police officer received a defect while another received an official warning, state media later reported.
Following the investigation, authorities published a question and answer in which they remarked: “Li was a member of the Communist Party, not a so-called ‘person who was against the system’.” It is said that those who described him as such were ‘enemy forces’. ”
Since then, the epidemic has been largely controlled within the borders of China, and the story has shifted to one of triumph. China has just released a film – “Days and Nights in Wuhan” – celebrating China’s official line that the measures it has taken, including the unprecedented closure imposed on the city, have bought precious time for the world to move forward. to prepare for the pandemic.
That victorious story is more emphasized by the devastation caused by the pandemic in many other countries. However, many questioned China’s response to the virus and the level of transparency during the first weeks.
Only last month did China finally allow a WHO team to investigate the pandemic.
Wuhan is mostly normal again, with shopping malls and streets crowded, and there is little visible evidence of the suffering the city has gone through. Still, some residents mourn it quietly.
Li’s death is still a sensitive issue, and his family has refrained from giving media interviews. While his Weibo profile was omitted, there was still no public memorial.
The person who left the flowers and Bible verse on Saturday did not want to be questioned and said it was inconvenient.
Another couple who laid a bouquet in front of the hospital said the security of ordinary clothes to bring their flowers to the back of the building, where there was a garden.
A small collection of bouquets, some of whose messages were deeply embedded in the flowers, were laid down there by Saturday night.
“Thank you Dr. Li Wenliang,” reads one.
___
Associated Press photographer Ng Huan Guan contributed to this report. Wu reported from Taipei, Taiwan.