Daughter of Chinese leader democracy supporter—report

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 8

Daughter of Chinese leader democracy supporter—report

NZPA-Reuter Houston The daughter of the man considered likely to be the next Communist Party chief in China participated in pro-democracy activities in Houston, according to a newspaper report. Xiaoxi Qiao, the daughter of a Chinese Politburo member Qiao Shi, declined to comment on the report, saying through a college spokeswoman that she “does not wish to say anything about the ongoing events in China.” Ms Qiao, aged 30, is doing post-doctoral work at the Baylor College of Medicine, a school spokeswoman, Claire Bassett, told Reuters.

Her father is believed by many China observers to be the top candidate to replace Zhao Ziyang, who was ousted because of the student demonstrations in Peking’s Tiananmen Square that ended in a. Government crackdown on June 3 and 4. The “Houston Chronicle” quoted Zengyi Chang, a Chinese student who helped organise student demonstrations outside the Chinese consulate in Houston, as saying “she is just one of us.” Mr Chang said that Ms Qiao attended a planning event for the first major Houston student demonstration last month. Her husband, also a student,

supports the pro-demo-cracy movement and took part in at least one rally, Mr Chang told the newspaper.

“This says the young generation is standing together to try to move the Chinese Government towards democracy,” Chang said.

Ms Bassett told Reuters that Ms Qiao completed her medical studies in China but has been at the Houston school since July, 1988, doing neuroscience research. “She told me that she just wants to concentrate on her studies. She has not mentioned anything about wanting to leave,” Ms Bassett said.