Welcome to the fourth discussion of our China read – Beijing Coma by Ma Jian. Today we are discussing up to 'You want to fly through the dark like Hun Dun, the headless god who has six feet and four wings.' (p381)

Next week we will read up to 'While you wait to decompose, the iron bedstead creeps into your body, transforming it into a rigid tree.' (p475) and the very lovely u/lovelifelivelife will lead us in the discussions.

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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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Section summary

The hunger strike begins and the infighting among the students vying for control continues.

Dai Wei’s mother brings him to a healer.

The situation in the square becomes more chaotic.

Yu Jin visits Dai Wei and gives him updates on his friends. He has a cell phone. He reveals that he told the authorities that Dai Wei was the ringleader.

A rival broadcast station is set up and a meeting of representatives of the various universities is called but the disorder continues. News of Deng Xiaoping's resignation is received but later turns out to be false.

Tian Yi passes out.

Dai Wei and some others are at a restaurant where they discuss setting up a national student association. They see news that some government leaders have met with student representatives, but the meeting ended without agreement.

The students arrange to move the hunger strikers on to buses to shelter from approaching storms.

Dai Wei's mother joins a group called 'Tiananmen Mothers'

Dai Wei's mother turns up at the square to warn that martial law is about to be imposed.

General secretary Zhao Ziyang makes a visit to the square asking the students to stop the strike.

Tian Yi visits Dai Wei and reveals she is moving to America and that she was pregnant and had an abortion when she realised Dai Wei was not going to wake from his coma.

The students vote to replace the hunger strike with a sit in.

Beijing is placed under martial law.

Dai Wei's brother is moving to England.

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