Newsletter: "Son, your mother has come to pick you up and take you home" - remembering the memorial service for Chinese students killed at the University of Chicago

Chicago, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Newsletter: "Son, your mother has come to pick you up and take you home" - remembering the memorial service for Chinese students killed at the University of Chicago

Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Jing

"I'm sure you can smell this, smell your mother." Mother Li Rong deliberately used the birthday gift sent to her two days before her son was killed - a bottle of perfume. "You know your mother has come to pick you up and take you home."

On the 18th, the memorial service of Zheng Shaoxiong, a 24-year-old Chinese student who was killed by gangsters at gun robbery last week, was held at the University of Chicago in the United States, and his parents came to the scene.

"In the short 24 years, you have spent a happy time with me, and I have accompanied you to thrive, accompanied you to achieve a grand life plan, and studied diligently, from Leshan Experimental Middle School to Chengdu No. 7 Middle School to the University of Hong Kong, and then to the University of Chicago to successfully complete graduate studies." In a trembling voice, Li Rong told the shining points in her son's life.

But the gunman's bullets mercilessly shattered all that was good. When it comes to her son lying helpless and desperate in the cold streets of a foreign country covered in blood, Li Rong's heart is dripping blood.

"When I heard others praise you as an outstanding young man and a young talent, how happy and proud my mother was. In people's minds, you are a humble gentleman who is gentle as jade, and you are like a light that warms everyone. But only Mom knows how much hardship and effort you've put in behind your back. ”

Li Rong thanked countless friends she knew and did not know for the warmth and comfort they provided in the darkest hours of her life. They "warmed my almost frozen body with human warmth, and gave me the courage to overcome difficulties and come to you."

"In the name of my mother, I strongly appeal to effectively protect the safety of every international student and never let the tragedy repeat itself, which is an account for tens of millions of international students and tens of millions of families."

In her speech, Li Rong did not shed a single tear, but the listener could not help but feel her heartbreak.

University of Chicago President Paul Alivisator said The killing of Zheng Shaoxiong was a "sad, difficult time" for the University of Chicago community.

He also said the University of Chicago welcomes international scholars and students. "Let us face this tragedy together, and our commitment to Chinese scholars remains as strong as ever."

Bian Zhichun, Vice Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, expressed his condolences to Zheng Shaoxiong's family and friends, and expressed his gratitude to the University of Chicago for the arrangements made by the University of Chicago in handling the aftermath and assisting Zheng Shaoxiong's parents to come to the United States.

She said that after the incident, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago contacted the victim's family and the University of Chicago and other relevant parties as soon as possible to provide assistance for the victim's family to come to the United States to deal with the aftermath. She urged relevant parties to clarify and publicize the case as soon as possible, and take practical measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, including Chinese students studying abroad.

Bian Zhichun said that Zheng Shaoxiong's friends, classmates and the Chinese community have done a lot of work after the incident, which fully demonstrates the fine tradition of solidarity and mutual assistance among compatriots.

On the afternoon of November 9, Zheng Shaoxiong, who had just graduated from the University of Chicago, was robbed by gangsters with guns while walking on the sidewalk near the university, shot in the chest, and died after being taken to the hospital.