WUHAN, China (AP) – The message was hidden in a bunch of chrysanthemums left by a mourner behind Wuhan Central Hospital to honor a Chinese doctor who died of coronavirus a year ago. It was simply the number one Bible verse: Matthew 5:10.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
One year ago, on Sunday, Dr. Li Wenliang died of the virus first detected in this Chinese city. A small influx of people marked the anniversary with visits to the hospital on Saturday, some leaving flowers.
The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was one of eight whistleblowers punished in time by local authorities for “spreading rumors” about a SARS-like virus in a social group. His situation, eventually made public in media reports, made him a strong symbol for the dangers of going against official messages from China.
The Chinese public embraced Li, whose online presence painted the image of an ordinary person. His wife was pregnant and would soon become a father. He sent the “rumor” because he wanted to warn others.
The public also noticed how he fell ill with the disease he had warned them about, eventually worsened and died.
Li’s death was originally reported by the Chinese state media on the night of February 6, 2020, but the outlets quickly withdrew their reports. A few hours later, on the early morning of February 7, Wuhan Central Hospital announced his death.
The Chinese mourned his death, online and offline. The mourners brought flowers to the hospital, while online some people were angry and demanded freedom of expression – posts that were quickly censored.
Li’s death seemed to pose a challenge to the central government as public anger swelled.
“A healthy society should not have a single voice,” Li said in an interview with Chinese business magazine Caixin last year.
Central government authorities conducted an investigation into Li’s death, concluding that the officer who punished the doctor should be reprimanded. One police officer received a demerit, while another received an official warning, the state press later reported.
At the end of the investigation, the authorities published a question and answer, stating: “Li was a member of the Communist Party, not a so-called ‘person who was against the system.’ He said that those who labeled him that way were “enemy forces. ”
Since then, the epidemic has been largely controlled within China’s borders, and the narrative has shifted to a triumphant one. China has just released a film – “Days and Nights in Wuhan” – celebrating China’s official line that the measures taken, including the unprecedented blockade it imposed on the city, have bought precious time for the world to prepare for the pandemic.
This victorious narrative was further highlighted by the devastation that the pandemic has caused in many other countries. However, many questioned China’s response to the virus and its level of transparency in the first few weeks.
Only last month did China finally allow a WHO team in the country to investigate the pandemic.
In general, Wuhan has returned to normal, with malls and crowded streets and there is little visible evidence of the suffering the city has gone through. However, some of its inhabitants cry in silence.
Li’s death is still a sensitive issue, and his family has refrained from media interviews. While his Weibo profile was brought to the surface, there was no large-scale public memorial.
The person who left the flowers and the Bible verse on Saturday refused to be interviewed, saying it was uncomfortable.
Another couple who placed a bouquet in front of the hospital were informed by civil security to bring their flowers behind the building, where there was a garden.
A small collection of bouquets, some with messages hidden deep in the flowers, had been placed there until Saturday night.
“Thank you Dr. Li Wenliang,” one read.
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Associated Press photographer Ng Huan Guan contributed to this report. Wu reported from Taipei, Taiwan.