By De Lan, Vision Times
Long before China’s Cultural Revolution unleashed a decade of political violence and widespread suffering for millions of people, Qiu Lilan, a prominent Shanghai socialite and wife of celebrated Peking Opera performer Zhou Xinfang, made a painful decision: She would send her children abroad, one by one, even if it meant spending much of her life separated from them in order to keep them safe.
Between 1947 and 1959, five of the couple’s six children left mainland China for the United States, Britain, and Hong Kong. Their eldest son, Zhou Shaolin, remained in Shanghai.
Years later, as Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution swept across China, that separation would take on profound significance. While five children escaped the political turmoil, their parents and eldest brother endured persecution that would ultimately tear the family apart.
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A privileged life thwarted by politics
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Born into one of Shanghai’s wealthy merchant families, Qiu was the daughter of Qiu Yangshan, founder of the renowned Qiu Tianbao jewelry business. Educated at a Christian school, she spoke English, Chinese, and French and moved comfortably among Shanghai’s social elite.
Her life changed after she attended a performance by Zhou Xinfang, one of China’s most celebrated Peking Opera performers. And despite her family’s objections to their relationship, Qiu eloped with Zhou. She later became an important partner in his career, helping manage his finances and business affairs while raising their six children.
But the political upheavals of the 1940s increasingly worried her. In 1947, as China’s civil war intensified, members of Qiu’s family began preparing to relocate to Hong Kong. Although they encouraged her to join them, she chose to remain in Shanghai with her husband.
Zhou was also offered opportunities to leave the mainland in 1949, including arrangements for international performances. He declined, believing his future remained in China. Qiu, however, feared what the country’s changing political climate might mean for their children.
Sending her children away
In 1947, Qiu sent her eldest daughter, Zhou Caizao, to the United States for her education. Six years later, she arranged for her teenage daughter Zhou Caiqin and younger son Zhou Yinghua to study in Britain.
Zhou Caiqin, later known internationally as actress Tsai Chin, recalled departing Shanghai on a misty October morning. Standing aboard the ship, she watched her mother’s figure gradually disappear into the fog. The separation was especially difficult for the younger children, who struggled to understand why they had been sent so far from home.
During a visit to London in 1961, Zhou Yinghua reportedly covered his face with his hands and asked, “Why did Mother have to make me leave you when I was so young?” By 1959, Qiu had also arranged for her youngest daughter, Zhou Caici, to travel to Hong Kong, where another daughter, Zhou Caiyun, was already living.
Zhou Xinfang reportedly compared his wife’s efforts to those of an old cat carrying her kittens to safety, one by one. Despite the children being separated from their parents, they eventually established successful careers abroad.
Zhou Caiqin became an internationally recognized actress, appearing in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Zhou Yinghua, better known as Michael Chow, founded the renowned Mr Chow restaurant business. Their youngest sister, Zhou Caici, later became an influential figure in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry.
For Qiu, however, their professional achievements were secondary to something more important: They were beyond the reach of the political turmoil unfolding in mainland China.
The storm reaches Shanghai
In 1966, the Cultural Revolution began, unleashing widespread persecution of intellectuals, artists, and people accused of harboring politically unacceptable views. Zhou Xinfang, whose distinguished theatrical career had brought him national recognition, became a target.
He had previously criticized Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong’s wife, over her interference in traditional opera productions. As political campaigns intensified, Zhou was accused of harboring anti-Party sentiments. In May 1966, he was taken away for interrogation. He and his eldest son, Zhou Shaolin, subsequently faced detention, humiliation, and physical abuse.
Red Guards also targeted the family’s Shanghai residence. According to historical accounts, Zhou Shaolin’s wife was beaten, while other family members were threatened and intimidated. Qiu herself was repeatedly subjected to public humiliation and violence.
When acquaintances urged her to hide, she reportedly refused, fearing that her husband would suffer even more severe punishment in her absence. “I cannot hide,” she said. “If I do, they will treat Mr Zhou the same way.” She reportedly told one of her daughters, “Let them beat me to death. Otherwise, they will beat your father to death.”
Campaigns such as the Great Leap Forward during Mao’s reign contributed to a famine that killed tens of millions of people, while the Cultural Revolution unleashed a decade of political persecution, imprisonment, public humiliation, and mass social upheaval.
A family’s final goodbye
In March 1968, Zhou Xinfang was imprisoned, while Qiu continued to face violent persecution. According to accounts of the family’s ordeal, Qiu suffered serious internal injuries after being beaten. Her daughter-in-law rushed her to a hospital, but she was denied medical treatment. She died on March 27, 1968.
Zhou, who remained in custody, was not immediately told of his wife’s death. After his release, relatives reportedly feared revealing what had happened to her. He eventually understood that she was gone and was said to spend long periods sitting alone, quietly weeping.
Their eldest son, Zhou Shaolin, continued to suffer political persecution and was later imprisoned and sent to a labor camp. Zhou Xinfang died on March 8, 1975, before the Cultural Revolution officially ended in 1976.
Spared from persecution
For the five children living outside mainland China, their mother’s decision had spared them the direct persecution endured by their parents and brother. Yet their safety came at the cost of years of separation and the loss of opportunities to see their parents again.
In a 2009 interview with Shanghai’s Xinmin Weekly, Zhou Caici reflected on the significance of her mother’s actions. “Of the six children in our family, five escaped the 10-year catastrophe,” she recalled.
She also remembered her mother’s persistent fear that political upheaval would eventually overwhelm the family. “Mother always felt that a great storm would come and sweep us all away,” she recalled.
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