Jul 08, 2005

NEW YORK - Anxiously, nine-year-old Wesley looked down the corridor outside the arrival gate at a JFK airport terminal last Thursday. He eagerly gripped a bouquet of shimmering pink and blue gauze flowers, each with candy inside. When his little sister turned the corner, a 4-year-long chapter in the boy's especially dramatic life was closed.

Wesley, of Queens, was reunited with his 6-year-old sister, Shan Shan. He remembered her only vaguely because they were separated when he was only five.

Wesley's mom, Celia Wong, now residing in Queens, was forced to escape from China in 2001 because she was being targeted for arrest by Chinese authorities for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual practice banned by the communist government in China since 1999.

Wesley's dad was one of the first editors for the original Chinese-language version of The Epoch Times. In 2000, he published a series of articles revealing the story behind the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Wesley's dad was later kidnapped while on a business trip and has been a prisoner of conscience in China for the past five years, serving a 10-year sentence.

Following her husband's arrest, Wong worked as a travel agent in China with her two children. She was constantly watched and monitored by an unidentified man and because of it, she said, lost many of her clients.

As a single mother with a failing business, she could no longer provide for her two children. Her only solution was to come to the United States where she had friends and where she knew of a number of Falun Gong practitioners in Queens. Uncertain if she would receive asylum status, she left her young daughter with a relative.

Last Thursday at JFK airport, Wesley shared his dreams and frustration.

"Last night I fought Jiang Zemin and killed him with my sword," said Wesley, waving an imaginary sword. "But even hell didn't want to take him." Wesley was referring to the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin, who spearheaded the ban on Falun Gong in 1999.

"I miss my Dad," Wesley said, "he used to read bed-time stories to me."

Wesley's mom said she felt neither resentment nor hate.

"My family is lucky, my children can breathe the free air of this free land," said Wong.

Thursday was a glorious day filled with joy and hope for the family.

"I hope my two children can see their daddy one day," said Wong. "In China, there are many other children who won't be able to see their father or mother again, but as long as we are diligent, these children could obtain freedom."

The reunion was made possible through the efforts of the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners and other concerned individuals.

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