Qiu Shaoyun

Qiu Shaoyun (Chinese: 邱少云; pinyin: Qiū Shàoyún; June 1, 1926 – October 12, 1952) was a Chinese soldier,[1] who is regarded as a war hero by China and North Korea for his actions during the Korean War.[2]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Qiu.
Qiu Shaoyun
Qiu Shaoyun in April 1951, after the Battle of Luojiashan
Native name
邱少云
Born(1926-06-01)June 1, 1926
Qiujiagou, Guanjian township, Tongliang County, Sichuan province, China
DiedOctober 12, 1952(1952-10-12) (aged 26)
Ch'ŏrwŏn County, North Korea

Early life

Chinese military records say Qiu was born in 1931 in Tongliang County, Sichuan Province.[2] He joined the People's Liberation Army in December 1949 and in March 1951, joined the People's Volunteer Army to fight in the Korean War.[2]

Death
Relics of Qiu's clothing

The official Chinese government narrative says in October 1952, Qiu was a member of a unit that tried to ambush United Nations Command positions which occupied No. 391 highland. At around on the 12, incendiary bombs were fired by UN forces, one of which landed near Qiu's position. Instead of trying to extinguish the flames, Qiu immolated himself so that the rest of unit could remain hidden.[2][1]

Censorship

In 2016, a court in Beijing convicted a blogger who ridiculed the official government narrative through social media posts of “undermining the public interest” and “causing Qiu’s family psychological trauma.” As punishment, the court ordered him to pay Qiu's brother 1 renminbi and issue public apologies for five consecutive days.[1] Qiao Mu, a journalism professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said while the blogger used inappropriate words in his posts, the court ruling would limit freedom of historical inquiry.[1]

Awards

Qiu Shaoyun was posthumously awarded membership in the Chinese Communist Party, a Special-Class Merit citation and the title of "First-Class Hero of the Chinese People's Volunteers Army".[2] In North Korea, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea posthumously awarded him the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", the Gold-Star Medal, and the First-Class Medal of National Flag.[2]

See also

References
  1. Zhao, Kiki (23 September 2016). "For Mocking a Martyr, Chinese Blogger Runs Afoul of Beijing Court". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  2. "Qiu Shaoyun: A great fighter who sacrificed himself for the whole and final victory - China Military". eng.chinamil.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
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