The Persecution Suffered by Falun Dafa Practitioner Ms. Wen Aixia and Her Family

Ms. Wen Aixia and her husband, Mr. Li Aige, from Wangcun Village, Xiongbei County, Hebei Province, suffered all kinds of persecution simply because they practise Falun Gong. During the last seven years of the persecution orchestrated by Jiang Zemin in collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party, the couple has been detained many times and separated from their child on various occasions. Ms. Wen's husband, Mr. Li Aige, was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for speaking to people about the facts of Falun Dafa and is now held at Baoding No. 1 Jail. Her father-in-law died as a result of harassment by the officials and missing his son. Ms. Wen had to carry her son while travelling from one place to another to avoid persecution.

1. A Miserable Childhood

Ms. Wen Aixia's childhood was full of misery. She was born in 1972. Since there were several sisters at home, her mother was worried that she might not be able raise Ms. Wen. Several times she planned to give her up for adoption. Ms. Wen stayed only because her father opposed the idea. However, when she was three years old, her father died of liver cancer. Ms. Wen grew up without a father's love. She felt very bad whenever she saw other kids call their fathers. She could not understand, "Why did my father leave and not take us with him?" In her dreams, she often saw her father take her on his back to go to visit her grandma. In reality she could see how hard it was for her mother to raise her and her five sisters. The young Aixia was weak and suffered from various illnesses, including meningitis and enteritis. When she was eight years old she still could not walk properly and often lost her balance. Therefore, she was quite a burden. Her mother said it would not be easy for Aixia to survive. Owing to the sufferings her family had to endure and the difficulties her mother experienced, Ms. Wen had no clue what happiness was like. She also did not know why she was so miserable.

2. Eliminating Illnesses

In 1993, Ms. Wen Aixia married Mr. Li Aige. Although her husband had a temper, he treated Ms. Wen very well. In early 1994, Aixia was pregnant, but she suffered a miscarriage as a result of working improperly. When her husband took her to the hospital, the doctor said she would have suffered a massive hemorrhage and died if her family had delayed a moment longer in bringing her in. Although she survived, her health deteriorated. She could not do heavy work. She went to see many doctors but with little effect. One of her husband's relatives was a gynaecologist, and he told her that she could not have any children. Because the whole family was so worried about it, the atmosphere became very tense.

In 1996, Ms. Wen Aixia and her husband began practising Falun Gong at the same time. The cultivation practice changed them completely. After reading through a Falun Dafa book, they understood why human beings suffered miseries and the real purpose for people coming to this world. Thereafter, they followed the path of cultivation, set the principle of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" as their standard, strove to become good people who always put other people's interests before their own, and made concerted efforts to eliminate their own shortcomings. Mr. Li Aige had some bad habits such as fighting, drinking, and smoking. Shortly after he let go of all these bad things. Ms. Wen's health also improved gradually. All her illnesses disappeared before she realised it and she was able to do all kinds of work again.

In August 1998, Wen Aixia gave birth to a lovely son. Her parents-in-law were so happy that they smiled all the time. The whole family thanked the benevolence of Falun Dafa, and their neighbours all said that Falun Dafa is good and praised Dafa. With the benefits bestowed on them by Falun Dafa, Ms. Wen's family walked out of suffering and were bathed in happiness.

3. Officials Deceived Ms. Wen's Husband and Sent Him to a Forced Labour Camp

When the persecution of Falun Dafa began on July 20th, 1999, it seemed as if the sky had collapsed. There was only one voice which was framing Falun Dafa.

Shortly after the 2001 Chinese Lunar New Year, disaster struck Ms. Wen's family and it hasn't stopped since. On the evening of the eighth day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar calendar, a group of officials from the Daying Township Government and the local police substation forced their way into Ms. Wen's house. At the time, Ms. Wen was doing business away from home. Her husband was looking after their child, who was sound asleep. These officials lied to Mr. Li by saying they only needed to check a few questions with him back at the police sub-station and then he could return home. Without letting him say anything and ignoring the fact that the child would be left uncared for, they took Ms. Wen's husband. Only after he was taken away did the village leaders call the child's grandparents. At the time, the child was only two years old.

When Ms. Wen Aixia came home, she found her house in a big mess. Everything in the house was in disorder. Her parents-in-law were at a complete loss what to do. Her son was crying and wanted to find his father. Looking at the poor child, Ms. Wen shed tears. For the next few days her family members asked about Mr. Li's whereabouts. They finally found out that he had secretly been sent to Baoding Forced Labour Camp and given a three-year term of forced labour for practising Falun Gong.

4. Anxiously Awaiting Her Husband's Return

After her husband was taken away, Ms. Wen's son cried out for his father even in his dreams. Her parents-in-law lost weight as they grieved for their missing son.

When Ms. Wen went to the forced labour camp to visit her husband, she brought her son with her for the first time. The two-year-old was very glad and repeatedly cried out for his father. He had never been as happy as that before. However, the visit was very short. When it was time to leave, the child was reluctant to go and asked his father to come home to or hold him in his arms. He just cried and cried for his father. All the on-lookers were in tears. The child's father also cried. However, Ms. Wen held back her tears and walked out of the forced labour camp with her son in her arms.

In October 2001 Mr. Li returned home, and the whole family finally had a breathing spell.

Even though the family was reunited, the couple did not feel relaxed deep in their hearts. They knew that Falun Dafa was still being framed, their beloved Teacher slandered, and many people were still being deceived into persecuting Falun Gong. They also knew that the authorities would not let them go easily. In order for the three members of the family to stay together and to speak to people about the facts of Falun Dafa more effectively, the couple left their home with their son.

Just as expected, Li Yanjun, Secretary of the Daying Township Political and Judiciary Committee, came to Ms. Wen's home many times to harass the family. Since the couple had left, the official pressed Mr. Li's elderly parents to pay 800 yuan¹ as a pledge, and he also told them to send in the money in one hour. Li Yanjun said the money was to protect their son. If they did not deliver the money he would asked the police department to arrest their son. The two elderly people were so scared that they borrowed 800 yuan. However, they did not get a receipt after handing over the money. Li Yunjun threatened the elderly couple, saying that people were coming in to report on their son.

5. Mr. Li Was Detained Once Again

After leaving home, Ms. Wen, Mr. Li, and their son moved from place to place. They only wanted to be good people, to speak the truth, and to live a peaceful life. However, they could not return home.

On August 27th, 2002, disaster struck again. Mr. Li Aige was seized by police from Xushui County, Hebei Province while clarifying the truth with several other practitioners. They were taken to a detention centre in Xushui County, where they suffered all kinds of brutal torture, including shocks with electric batons and being tied to an electric chair. Mr. Li was severely beaten until he lost consciousness. At the time his head was covered with bumps and bruises.

The family suffered from the separation, and the child had to get along without his father's love once again. Ms. Wen's heart bled when she saw her son's puzzled face. She dared not return home because she did not want her in-laws to know their son had been arrested again. Ms. Wen was afraid that the elderly couple could not withstand the strain if they learned of their son's arrest.

However, the 610 Office² and the Political and Judiciary Committee came to harass Ms. Wen's family every day in an attempt to take her. They went to search Ms. Wen's in-law's home, her elder brother's home, and three sisters' homes randomly without paying any attention to the pain the elderly couple suffered after their son had been arrested. The officials forced the old man and woman to take them to each of Ms. Wen' relatives' homes in order to track Ms. Wen down. Ms. Wen's father-in-law could not bear the pressure any longer and became very ill. He was bedridden. When Ms. Wen learned that the older man was ill, she was very worried and returned home with her child. It was the first time she had been home since March 2003. When he saw seeing his lovely grandson the old man was so happy that his health improved. Gradually he was able to get out of bed. The parents-in-law asked Ms. Wen not to leave home again. They said that the thugs had already arrested their son. Would they take away their daughter-in-law as well? What's more, the child was so young, wouldn't anyone have a bit of conscience?

Ms. Wen thought that what they said made sense, since everyone had parents and children. The purpose of practising Falun Gong is to become a better person. She thought that, since she had never committed any crime, no one would try to arrest her.

6. Ms. Wen Aixia Was Arrested, Leaving Behind Two Elderly In-laws and a Child

On April 13th, less than one month after her return, Ms. Wen went to buy some daily necessities for her son. On her way back she took a bus. Two cars swiftly approached the bus from behind and stopped it. Several plainclothes officials headed by Su Shiliang, head of the local National Security Division, dragged Ms. Wen Aixia from the bus and seized her.

She was taken to the local police department. It was dark by then. Police officer Wang said angrily, "Because of you, I had to put down my other work and come back." He ordered the two thugs to try to force Ms. Wen to her knees. She refused. Then they took her to Xiongzhou Guest House, saying that they would lock her up in a secret place so that no one would know her whereabouts. Li Chengqun from the 610 Office said, "Interrogate her in the evening!" In the evening Su Shiliang and others ordered Ms. Wen to "confess." Ms. Wen told them there was nothing to confess. Su Shiliang said, "Beat her!" Five to six thugs headed by Su Shiliang himself began to attack her. They held Ms. Wen down and forced her to her knees. Then they held her to the bed so that she could not raise her head. They then ruthlessly kicked and punched her until they became tired.

As a result, Ms. Wen was in pain all over. Her left cheek and left ear were swollen and her left eye was swollen shut. Blood flowed from her mouth. At that time only two policemen did not take part in the torture. One of them shed tears upon seeing Ms. Wen's face distorted from the beating.

Three days later, Ms. Wen was escorted to Xiongbei County Detention Centre, which refused to take her because her left eye was swollen and bleeding so she was unable to see anything. Police officer Wang asked higher authorities for instructions. He just left, but before he left he gave 200 yuan to the detention centre for her eye treatment.

However, with Dafa's wonderful effects in healing illness and keeping fit, Ms. Wen's left eye recovered without any medical treatment. The prison doctors, prison guards, and inmates all witnessed the miracle of Dafa.

In the detention centre Ms. Wen missed her son badly day and night, missed her family members, and worried about her husband's safety. At the time, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was spreading around China, but Ms. Wen had no way of knowing the situation at home. She was locked up in the detention centre for three months, during which time the police did not allow her family to visit her. Ms. Wen requested to see her son many times, but officer Su Shiliang rejected the request even though at that time he had just became a father himself. He inhumanly rejected a mother's request to see her child. Ms. Wen Aixia was detained for two and a half years.

While in the detention centre Ms. Wen Aixia had constant vertebra pain, and she was as thin as 50 kilos (110 lb.). Several months later she finally saw her son. Tears fell from her eyes. However, her child said, "Don't cry! I will be obedient. I will not cry."

Watching this scene would make anyone shed tears. During that time when this five-year-old child was unable to enjoy the love from either of his parents, he suffered pressures that a child should not have to suffer. Because he missed his parents, the child became agitated and would loose his temper very easily. One day he sat on the firewood outside the house holding his father's clothes and shoes. He refused to come inside until it was getting dark.

Ms. Wen's mother suffered a cerebral hemorrhage she she learned of her daughter's arrest. Ms. Wen's father-in-law also fell ill. When Ms. Wen was in the detention centre her husband was sentenced to 15 years in jail. The authorities did not inform the family. In October 2003 Mr. Li was sent to Baoding No. 1 Jail. Only when family members looked around for him did they find him still alive. Currently Mr. Li Aige is being held at Baoding No. 1 Prison.

After hearing that Mr. Li had been handed a heavy sentence Ms. Wen withstood the pressure with her firm belief in Dafa. She said to herself that her child needed her and her in-laws needed her and she wanted to go back home. On November 26th, 2004, Ms. Wen returned home. Her son rushed to her with excitement. It was already very late but he did not want to go to bed, but instead held his mother's hand for fear he might loose her again.

Officials still refused to leave her alone. They came to Ms. Wen's home many times to spy on her. Her in-laws were very frightened. Six months later, Ms. Wen's father-in-law died at the age of 58 as a result of repeated harassment and his longing for his son.

Three weeks after his death, the officials, including Cui Aiguo, head of the Daying Township Political and Judicial Committee, and the police from the 610 Office and Xiongbei County Police Department came to Ms. Wen's home again. Her mother-in-law was too scared to get out of bed. Ms. Wen's son was also very scared. She told them sternly, "My father-in-law was scared to death by you. Whenever you come, my mother-in-law and my son are very scared. I hope you will never come to my home again."

In order to be rid of the harassment, Ms. Wen Aixia took her son and left home once again to move from place to place in other parts of the country.

We ask every kind-hearted person to quietly pray for the early reunion of Ms. Wen's family.

Main perpetrators:

Su Shiliang, head of the Xiongxian County National Security Division
LI Chengqun, director of the 610 Office
Li Yanjun, secretary of the Daying Township Political and Judicial Committee
National Security Ministry, Xushui Detention Centre, Baoding Prison and Baoding Forced Labour Camp

Note

1. "Yuan" is the Chinese currency; 500 yuan is equal to the average monthly income of an urban worker in China.

2. "The 610 office" is an agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong, with absolute power over each level of administration in the Party and all other political and judiciary systems.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2006/8/26/136464.html