By WILLlAM VERITY
AS in the song, love is a bicycle built for two.
A year ago, when the man riding this tandem was last in the Illawarra, his name was Qizhong Lee and he had a full head of hair. He was also sad and riding solo.
Yesterday, with hair cropped short, he returned smiling – calling himself Grant Lu – and accompanied by his fiancée Li Ying.
Love had conquered the Chinese Government, its harsh labour camps and its brutal secret police.
“It’s been a big year, yes, a big year,” Mr Lu said, throwing back his head and chuckling.
Last December, he arrived in the Illawarra on a bicycle trip from Sydney to Canberra to highlight the plight of his fiancée who was then in a labour camp for handing out Falun Gong leaflets.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation outlawed by the Chinese government.
Last month – as soon as his fiancée was released – Mr Lu, who is an Australian citizen, tricked the Chinese authorities into giving him a visa by changing his name, cutting off his hair and wearing fake spectacles.
He then traveled in utmost secrecy, contacted Ms Li, and arranged an Australian visa for her, avoiding the embassy’s Chinese staff, who he says include numerous communist spies.
On Saturday, the pair finally arrived safely in Australia and decided immediately to thank their friends in Wollongong who had supported them through hard times.
“I am very happy to be here. I feel very lucky,” Ms Li said through an interpreter.”
Ms Li hopes to gain Australian residency.
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| Looking sweet: As in the song, Li Ying rides a bicycle built for two with her fiancée Grant Lu. They borrowed the tandem from Wilson’s Bikes at Albion Park Rail. Picture: GREG TOTMAN |
Posting date: 4/Dec/2003
Original article date: 3/Dec/2003
Category: Media Report
