Welcome to the third discussion of our China read – Beijing Coma by Ma Jian. Today we are discussing up to 'You are the earth dried by the hot sun, a tree abandoned by its soil.' (p283)

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Next week we will read up to 'You want to fly through the dark like Hun Dun, the headless god who has six feet and four wings.' (p381)

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Link to the schedule is here with links to all discussions as well, and the link to the marginalia is here.

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Chapter summary

The organising committee are split between marching and building up democracy on campus and some members quit and Ke Xi takes over the committee. Another march goes ahead however the weather is bad so Dai We goes back to campus.

Mao Da and Zhang Jie have organised a doctor for Dai Wei’s mother to bring him to and a place to stay.

Mao Da reveals to Dai Wei that he is a spy and warns him that him and his friends will be in trouble. He warns his friends but doesn’t reveal his source.

Its the morning of the Hu Yaobang’s funeral. The students gather at the square. They don’t get to see the hearse and officials don’t acknowledge the students. The students try to give a petition to officials, who refuse to accept it. Some students approach the great hall, kneel at the top of the steps with the petition in the air. They give up and arrange a class boycott instead

25 Chinese cities are opened for foreign investment.

The organising committee hold elections. Roles are allocated and various departments and offices are set up.

Dai Wei’s mother struggles to look after him. She brings him to hospital.

The students march again but the police blockade is much stronger than before. They eventually get to the square. Dai Wei spots Lulu in the crowd.

Police continue to harass Dai Wei’s mother.

Some students decide to organise a hunger strike, many are opposed to it.

Dai Wei’s mother brings him to Dongsheng to visit another doctor, where we see his wife is traumatised by what happened to her after being caught pregnant for the second time, in opposition to the one child policy. The Party want to talk to Dai Wei’s mother to ask her to persuade her relatives in America to return to China and set up businesses.

Tian Yi signs up to the hunger strike. Dai Wei promises to look after her. The hunger strikers set up in the square while the students become more divided in how they feel they should proceed.

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Discussion questions are in the comments below but feel free to add your own!