WU Xiangdong(吴向东)

Male, 21, worker at Beijing Dongfeng Television Factory and a third-year student in industrial business management at the adult evening school of Beijing Institute of Technology. From: Beijing.

On the evening of June 3, 1989, Wu was walking his girlfriend home. He was shot in the neck near the Muxidi overpass. The bullet exited on the left side of his back near the spinal cord. He was still alive when he was brought to the hospital, but he died in the early morning of June 4, after massive blood loss. On June 4, Wu’s family, very worried about him, went to every hospital searching for him. In the afternoon, they finally found his body at Fuxing Hospital. When they heard that martial law troops were coming to take away bodies to wipe out evidence, his parents rushed to get a death certificate that stated he had died from an illness, to ensure there would be no problem with cremation. [HRIC note: Victims of martial law troops were considered “rioters” and not allowed to be cremated.] In a borrowed jeep, they transported his body on June 6 from the hospital for cremation. Wu’s ashes are buried at Babaoshan Public Cemetery area no. 2, row no. 3, in the western suburbs of Beijing.

Wu was said to have loved life and was known to help others. He actively participated in the 1989 Democracy Movement and had posted an appeal at the entrance to his factory, urging workers to support the students. After martial law was declared, Wu wrote a testament in Tiananmen Square, saying: “I’ve made preparations to stay with the students. I will not hesitate to die—for democracy and freedom.” [See below for his testament in the Chinese original and English translation.]

Wu’s father, Wu Xuehan (吴学汉), and mother, Xu Jue (徐珏), were members of the Tiananmen Mothers before they passed away.

Wu Xiangdong(吴向东)
吴向东
Wu Xiangdong
Factory worker & night student
Wu Xiangdong in Tiananmen Square in 1989

Wu Xiangdong in Tiananmen Square in 1989

Wu Xiangdong in Tiananmen Square in 1989

Wu Xiangdong in Tiananmen Square in 1989

Wu Xiangdong’s (吴向东) testament

Wu Xiangdong’s (吴向东) testament

Wu Xiangdong’s testament, written on May, 21, 1989, the day when martial law was declared.

Father, Mother, Weidong, Xiaoqi:

What is happening on Tiananmen Square today might be difficult for you on the outside to understand. Father and Mother, the government has notified the Students Federation that it will carry out the crackdown tonight. I’ve made preparations to stay with the students. I will not hesitate to die—for democracy and freedom. Every one of us bears responsibility for the rise and fall of our country. This is my responsibility as a descendant of the Chinese people. Please forgive me for all the times in the past when I did not listen to you or argued with you. I love you and always will. Weidong, please remember to listen to our parents and take on my share of filial piety. Xiaoqi, I know you care about me and love me. Remember, my love for you will never change. I will bless and protect you all from heaven. Take good care of yourselves. Xiaoqi, I hope you will wear the ring forever. Please send my regards to my friends. I believe you all will be proud of me!

Xiangdong

May 21, 1989, 6:35pm

Work Unit: Beijing Dongfeng Television Factory, No. 4 Workshop
Address: 210 Zhiqiang North Garden, 17th floor, Xiaoxitian, Haidian District
Wu Xiangdong