The New York Times Bureau Chief’s Personal Mission in Remote Town of Altay, China
In a remote town in Altay, China, thousands of miles away from Beijing, a bureau chief for The New York Times embarked on a personal mission in 2014. The bureau chief, seeking records of his father’s service in a Chinese army unit six decades earlier, found himself in a precarious situation due to President Xi Jinping’s harsh policies in the region.
Despite the looming presence of police officers trailing him, the bureau chief, Yook Kearn Wong, persisted in his quest. In a chance encounter with Wei Yangxuan, a young woman at the Civil Affairs Bureau, he sought information about an old army base where his father had served. Through a phone call with his father, he managed to uncover details about the Kazakh base, shedding light on his father’s past.
As the bureau chief delved deeper into his father’s history, he uncovered a complex narrative of indoctrination, cultural assimilation, and the struggles of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Through his father’s experiences in Altay and other postings in the region, he gained insight into the early forms of control that have evolved into the current repressive measures in Xinjiang.
Reflecting on his father’s journey from military service to exile and eventual resettlement in the United States, the bureau chief realized the profound impact of China’s tumultuous history on his family. Through his book and interviews with his father, he sought to preserve the memories of a time marked by political upheaval and personal sacrifice.
As the bureau chief’s father, now 92, looks back on his years in China with a mix of nostalgia and clarity, the bureau chief grapples with the complexities of loyalty, identity, and the enduring legacy of China’s past. Through their shared exploration of history and family, they confront the labyrinthine nature of power, trust, and faith in the face of political turmoil.
In a poignant moment of reflection, the bureau chief’s father recalls the words of a revolutionary anthem, symbolizing a time when ideals of national duty and collective purpose shaped the course of a nation. As they navigate the intricacies of their shared past, they find solace in the enduring bond between father and son, bridging the gap between generations and histories at the edge of empire.
