Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Chinese Whistleblower Honored on Anniversary of His Death

Associated Press

   WUHAN, CHINA - The message was tucked into a bouquet of chrysanthemums
   left by a mourner at the back of Wuhan Central Hospital to honor a
   Chinese whistleblower doctor who died from the coronavirus a year ago.
   It was simply the number of a Bible verse: Matthew 5:10.

   "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
   theirs is the kingdom of heaven," the verse reads.

   A year ago Sunday, Dr. Li Wenliang died from the virus first detected
   in this Chinese city. A small stream of people marked the anniversary
   with visits to the hospital Saturday, some leaving flowers.

   'Spreading rumors'

   The 34-year-old ophthalmologist was one of eight whistleblowers whom
   local authorities punished early on for "spreading rumors" in a social
   media group about a SARS-like virus. His situation, eventually made
   public in media reports, made him a potent symbol for the perils of
   going against official messaging in China.

   The Chinese public embraced Li, whose presence online had painted a
   picture of an ordinary person. His wife was pregnant, and he was soon
   to be a father. He shared the information because he wanted to warn
   others.

   The public also watched as he fell ill with the disease he was warning
   them about. His condition eventually worsened, and he died.

   Li's death was initially reported by Chinese state media on the night
   of February 6, 2020, but the outlets quickly withdrew their reporting.
   Some hours later, in the early morning of February 7, Wuhan Central
   Hospital announced his death.

.