(Shanghai) Zhang Zhan, an imprisoned journalist, wrote an encouraging letter to her suffering mother. Authorities arrested Zhang for exposing the Chinese government’s misconduct during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan. Despite harsh treatment in prison, Zhang’s condition is stable.
Her brother, Zhang Ju, disclosed the letter on December 17. She wrote to her family on October 5 to encourage her mom in chemotherapy: “[…] mom is strong. In my eyes, your life has not been easy […you’re] strong, I know my consolation does not measure up to what you have suffered, but I ask for your understanding; I often pray that I will have the opportunity to make up for my unfilial piety and selfishness in the future.”
Zhang Zhan expressed her wish for her mom to know that she is not alone and quoted the Bible: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” (Matt 12:20) She continued, “Mom, this is God’s promise to us. May the fire of life in your heart grow stronger and stronger so that you may climb over one hill after another in life.”
She seemed to know some information about her mother’s physical condition after being diagnosed with cancer. Zhang wanted to learn more about the extent her treatment and hoped to see more optimism in her father’s mindset towards life during this challenging period.
She asked her father also to pay attention and rest; things would be more difficult if he fell sick.
Zhang Zhan also revealed that on her birthday, the police turned on a small stove for her; there were braised pork and cheesecakes. On October 1, the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, the prison celebrated the holiday. The prison added variety to meals, such as pork trotter soup and snow fungus soup.
Zhang Zhan is concerned about her parents’ health and spiritual life. She said: “I hope mom can have faith in Jesus like me because Jesus added a lot of sweetness to my pain and also made me react to some frictions more calmly. Because Love is the theme of life that makes us feel at ease.”
She continued:
Mom, people who face unlovable things can still love. This is the love of people required by God. I am also working hard to cultivate that. Let’s encourage each other! I believe that I am also on a bumpy road, so I am discussing with you in regards to having a heavy heart and the method of obtaining joy and happiness.
Zhang Zhan’s brother Zhang Ju explained:
Because my mother liked it, my sister drew the beauty and hope in her heart in the square inch of the envelope. The letter from my sister Zhang Zhan in prison is soft, warm, and filled with longing… It gives a faint warmth to the deep winter of the pandemic.
Zhang Zhan was detained in 2020 for filming a video report on the actual situation of COVID-19 in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began in China. During the detention, she went on a hunger strike to resist the unfair detention by the authorities. Her body suffered severe damage at one point, her weight and height were utterly unbalanced, and she had to be hospitalized for treatment.
Zhang Zhan may have resumed eating out of consideration for her mother’s health condition and feelings, but there is no sign that her weight has returned to normal.
Ms. Wang Jianhong, a human rights activist who pays attention to Zhang Zhan’s situation, said:
Her love for her mother, father, and brother is beyond words, and her spiritual freedom is shown on paper. Bless Zhang Zhan. I wish auntie (Zhang Zhan’s mother) a speedy recovery and for the whole family to be safe.
Regarding the arrest of Zhang Zhan by the authorities, some netizens questioned: Why does the Communist Party deliberately imprison such a person with such a beautiful soul? She will remain in prison for 18 more months.
At present, China relaxed pandemic prevention and control measures without gradual progression, and the strict blockade has been lifted without regulations. Experts have warned that China will have four or five waves of infection peaks, which may lead to the death of millions of China’s population.
To this day, the public still doesn’t know the significance of the Chinese authorities’ imprisonment of Zhang Zhan.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
