Sichuan Dentist Dies Four Days after Late Night Police Visit

A dentist in Weiyuan County died four days after police came to his home, demanding to know if he still practised Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Dr. Liu Shuming’s death capped a nearly two-decade ordeal since the persecution of Falun Gong began in 1999. Simply for refusing to renounce his faith, Dr. Liu was arrested many times and twice imprisoned for a total of eight years.

He was first arrested in December 1999 and detained for 30 days. The year 2000 saw him arrested two more times.

Dr. Liu was sentenced to three years in prison following his fourth arrest in January 2001. He developed fluid buildup in the chest area as a result of abuse he suffered in prison, but he recovered by doing the Falun Gong exercises after his release.

Dr. Liu’s wife, Ms. Wang Yurong, also practices Falun Gong. She was given 1.5 years of forced labour in 2001 while her husband was imprisoned. The authorities released her one year earlier so that she could take care of her young children.

Police targeted Dr. Liu and his wife again in February 2012. They ransacked their home and confiscated items worth several tens of thousands of yuan. Dr. Liu was soon sentenced to 5 years in prison, and his wife was given a 2-year prison term. They had to miss their children's weddings during their imprisonment.

Dr. Liu was released in March 2016 and found that his medical license had been suspended. He requested a reinstatement, but to no avail. He opened a small clinic (that did not require a medical license) to make ends meet.

Six agents, including officer Long Bo, a director of the local 610 Office, local party secretary Gan Zefen, and local village head Song Xinmin, showed up at his home on May 17, 2017. They questioned if he still practised Falun Gong, and he said yes.

The group came again on September 29, this time in the middle of the night. Dr. Liu soon passed away on October 3, at the age of 52. He is survived by his mother, wife, and children.