Announcement

 

I, Chiu Chung Leung Edward, hereby announce to cease all relationships with the following persons:

 

Lee Fu-wai and family

Lee Ching and family

Lee Ying-lan and family

Lee Wai-kit and family

 

My late mother, Fan Kwei-kam, was first married as a concubine to a merchant named Lee, in an arranged wedlock. From her first marriage, she had three sons and one daughter. She observed the three years’ widowhood, as required by the Great Qing Code, before she married my father Chiu Wong, out of true love for him. From her second marriage, she gave birth to me, Chiu Chung Leung.

 

My late father, Chiu Wong, raised the offspring of my mother’s first marriage as if they were his own children. He introduced them to the businesses and industries of jade and jewelry. Consequently, they all have made a name for themselves in their own trade.

 

On 3 August 2004, my mother passed away. The Lees intended to organize the funeral on their own, and dismissed the family name Chiu. They considered my mother’s second marriage adulterous and referred to me as a bastard. However, starting from the Tang Dynasty up until the Qing, women adopted the last name of their late husband’s, while all property and offspring belonging to them was given to the family of their last husband.

 

The Lees pulled off a secretive funeral for my late mother at the Universal Funeral Parlour Company Limited. They even prohibited me to see my late mother, and threatened to kill me. I believe what they did was against my mother’s will. They also betrayed my late father’s good will.

 

Following my father’s example, I considered the Lees as family for many years. However, when I think of the day they were absent when my father’s remains were unearthed after a six-year burial period, I was devastated. Now that they have tried to dismiss me from my late mother’s funeral and burial services, I am enraged.

 

I had decided to fight for my mother’s family name, regardless of time and money I would spend. This is in accordance with the Chinese traditions and culture. However, my legal battle suffered serious setbacks as I had misplaced trust on those incompetent and money-minded lawyers.

 

Mr. Justice Robert Tang has stated that my mother could only be described as a “kind mother” on her gravestone and coffin, and that I should give up my right to arrange a burial service for her. I was deeply disappointed by this verdict. Justice was not done at all. If my mother was not buried in her last husband’s family name, how can she rest peacefully? She will only be at peace AFTER she is recognized as belonging to the Chiu’s family! She married my father out of true love for him. According to Chinese culture and norms, a married woman belongs to her husband’s family. The Lees had never respected my mother’s second marriage and disregarded their stepfather’s family. They retained their last name, Lee. 

 

Since the court order failed to acknowledge my mother’s right to the name of Chiu, the funeral will be meaningless for her without her last name. The court order has only considered the arrangement of the physical dead body, but not the deceased’s name and honour.

 

Since I cease to be kin to the offspring of my mother’s first marriage, it is impossible for us to co-operate in my mother’s funeral or burial services. If it is decreed that I should be an outsider in my mother’s burial, I hope that the court will report the outcome either on or before 23 August 2004; THE JUDGEMENT DAY when the long-standing and respectful Chinese culture and Women’s Right will be buried alongside my mother, rashly and nonchalantly.

 

This court order would set precedent for future cases, where Hong Kong women would be denied their rights to their last husband’s name. This almost implies that their second marriage is illegal in the eye of the public.

 

I sincerely hope that all women’s associations, organizations, and each and every one of you who support me in this matter, come forward to speak up. I also hope that lawyers who uphold professionalism and the principles of justice, will also take up this case. Urgent! Please contact my assistant Philip Lai at 96634016 or send emails to info@edwardchiu.com NOW!

 

For details of this saga, please visit our website at www.angelfire.com/theforce/edwardchiu

 

I do not have the necessary means and time to go to the High Court again. I can now only resort to the court room at your heart and let you be my judge. If I fail to change the court order before THE JUDGEMENT DAY, I will still do what I have promised to do, and fight with all my might for my mother’s dignity and legal status as Mrs. Chiu, so in honour of her.

 

Please lodge your complaints to the Government. Stop this Absurdity! Save the Later Comers!

 

If you have a second marriage, this may befall on you and your children one day.