Concluding our reporting on the Chongqing Warrior, Qi Hong (戚洪) details what inspired him to act and to believe in change now that he has left China. 

Qi said that his inspiration was in part driven by his naturally rebellious personality. He often clashed with his parents and traditional rural upbringing, at one point even confronting his mother's threats of retribution from on high by raising one hand in the air and crying, "Then [let them] strike me dead!"

While his current mindset may be partially influenced by his beliefs in Buddhism, he says that it's also been a defining trait of him for a long time. "As long as I believe what I'm doing is right, I'm not afraid of anything. [...] I follow my heart, [...] and I don't want to harm others."

Another motivating factor for Qi is what he relates as what felt like an expectation where he grew up to thank the CCP for what he sees as a life of hardship. He says it didn't feel right to him to thank the CPP for the gift of living while getting so little in return, Qi related, once again calling on the Chinese people to wake up.

However, Qi's actions haven't gone unpunished entirely. Following his projection of anti-communist slogans, Qi's bank accounts and other financial assets were frozen, along with his WeChat account. In the most alarming display of retribution, his brother and a distant relative were arrested by authorities. Qi called on the police to treat others kindly, citing a letter he left behind for authorities.

He doesn't ask naively – Qi says he knows that if one person refuses, there will be another to take their place and comply with what the government wants. However, he believes that kindness begets kindness, saying that only once this idea takes widespread root will society see large-scale change.

After two weeks in the UK, Qi feels freer, despite his fears over the long arm of CCP retributive jurisdiction. One source of enlightenment, he says, has been finally making contact overseas with pro-democracy organizations. Despite rumors that these organizations used cries for democracy for their personal gain, Qi says the reality has been the exact opposite, and that working with them has actually given him hope for the larger Chinese community. He says he's found comfort “quietly helping others,” not as a hero or warrior, and that connecting with these communities has made him feel less alone.

All in all, Qi says he hopes that Chinese citizens will stop allowing politicians to incite an agenda of hatred and confrontation. That they instead embrace the ultimate human values ​​of mutual support, understanding, and kindness.