Date of letter:1992-07-15
Address of author:Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province
Date of event:Not mentioned
Location of event:Not mentioned
Name of author:Liu Ziming
Name(s) of victim(s):Liu Zishan (Liu Ziming’s big brother)
Type of atrocity:Slave Laborers, Other Massacres(SL, OM)
Other details:Liu Ziming’s big brother Liu Zishan was conscripted labor by the Japanese and did not come back again. Later it was known that those Slave Laborerss were either shot or buried alive by the Japanese for confidentiality.
Mr. Tong Zeng,
I am overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude to you after reading the article “Wave of Civil Claim for Compensation: Records of Chinese People Demanding Compensation from Japan” by comrade Li Peiyu from Information Daily on July 7, 1992.
The article described that you and your assistant launched a campaign to demand compensation for the victims of Japan’s war of aggression against China. You have fully expressed the resentment and indignation that the Chinese people, especially victims, have suppressed in their heart for years and you have worked hard to pursue justice for the Chinese people and victims. I greatly admire you for your spirit of sacrifice and high level of political responsibility. The Chinese people will never forget you.
I am Liu Ziming, 59, a researcher after retiring as the manager of Shangzhi Energy Company in Heilongjiang province. My family originally lived in Lianke, Bamiantong, Muling, Heilongjiang. In early 1945, my oldest brother Liu Zishan was ordered by the Kuomintang army to work as a slave laborer. So, he drove away two horses and a cart on which the life of the whole 8-member family depended on to dig caves for the Japanese. When leaving, he said he would return in three months. But he didn’t return even after Japan’s surrender on August 15. Later we knew that for confidentiality purposes, the Japanese buried or shot the slave laborers after their job was done and none of them survived. Thereafter, one of my oldest brother’s daughters died and not long after that my eldest sister-in-law passed away. So, my family had always struggled for life.
Today, I am writing to express my gratitude to you, tell you about my suffering and losses and ask you to sign my name in the signature book on behalf of me. If you need me to do anything, please write to tell me. I am glad to strive with you until the final victory is won. Thank you again!
Victim Liu Ziming
July 15, 1992
Postal code: 150601
Tel: 23781
