Coming from Qingdao Customs Smuggling Investigation Bureau in east
China's
Shandong
Province, Chi Liwei is working in the UN foreign expert group
helping to develop customs administration for East Timor. He acts
as the technical adviser of anti-smuggling and goods management.
On
December 4, 2002, a formidable riot broke out in the East Timor
capital of Dili. At about 7 pm, the rioters seized streets and
lanes and burned many buildings. Chi Liwei received the report
after he was off work. He rushed to the customs office immediately,
for he knew there were many classified papers in the office,
including a large database and files on the future automation of
the customs, which the UN offered to help develop for the country.
There were also dozens of computers, high-grade photocopiers and
goods testers which cost some one million US dollars. If these
equipment and data were destroyed, it would lead to a total
breakdown of the customs and stop the automation program.
Entering the office premises, Chi found that four rioters were
piling large quantities of papers, gasoline and wheels to burn the
building. Realizing Chi was there alone, the rioter surrounded him
with iron sticks and stones in their hands. To safeguard the public
properties of East Timor, fearlessly Chi drew his pistol out and
scared the rioters away.
Then, Chi poured the gasoline into the sewer, transferred the
papers and patrolled the customs premises alone until the customs
head and two carloads of Portuguese soldiers arrived half an hour
later. They transferred all of the expensive equipment and files to
a safe location. The official shook Chi's hands and thanked him for
what he had done.
The next day, Chi went to the customs building twice and drove away
thieves from the penalized goods storehouse and the stationary
storehouse.
On
December 10, the planning and financial minister of East Timor
signed a report on awarding Chi and wrote to the UN Police Chief
Inspector for East Timor, suggesting a citation for merit.
At
the awarding ceremony held in the Chinese Embassy to East Timor,
Chi said briefly: "I have two homes, one in China, the other in
East Timor. I love both of them and won't allow any harm to
them."
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, January 17, 2003)