Maggie Tang

    AS a gentle breeze wafted through the woods, Liu Liying, a Shenzhener living in Shekou, scattered the ashes of the Malcolm Sandey on the peak of the Nanshan Mountain yesterday to fulfill the Briton’s long-cherished China dream.

    Sandey, a native of Tavistock in Devonshire in the U.K., a town 30 minutes’ drive to the harbor city of Plymouth, had been interested in Chinese history and culture, and wanted to see the country for himself.

    He was struck by a heart attack and died at the age of 52 in November last year, right after he obtained a visa and an air fare to Hong Kong.

    During his last moments Nov. 5, Sandey asked long-time friends, George Rice and Liu Lihong, Rice’s wife and Liu Liying’s sister, to scatter some of his ashes in China.

    He reminded his friends to take his passport and air ticket so that he could “tour” China as scheduled.

    To fulfill the last wish of the deceased, Rice and his wife traveled throughout China in three months from last November to February this year.

    With Sandey’s ashes, they visited Beijing and Xi’an, two of Sandey’s most preferred destinations.

    Before they left China in late February, they entrusted Sandey’s ashes to Liu Liying, who decided to scatter the ashes around Tomb-Sweeping Day, a traditional Chinese festival to honor ancestors and the deceased. (Continued on Page 3)

    “I’ve been looking for a suitable place for the ashes. At first I planned for a sea burial, but found it difficult to access to the pure, deep sea area. Later I thought of the mountain peak,” Liu said. “I hope Sandey will rest in peace in this quiet, beautiful place and make Shenzhen a second home.”

    Liu said she was greatly moved by Sandey’s affection for China.

    Like many Britons, Sandey liked history. He had read many books and watched films about Chinese history and was especially interested in the terra-cotta warriors and the Great Wall.

    But more of Sandey’s knowledge about China came from his Chinese friends in Tavistock.

    Although there are not many Chinese in the town, two of Sandey’s best friends married Chinese women several years ago, opening a door for him to learn more about China. Sandey visited his friends often and China remained a popular topic with them. As their friendship deepened, Sandey felt closer to China. With a clear picture of China in his mind, Sandey decided to take a trip.

    “I’ve never met Sandey, but he is now like a relative of mine. This is not only because of his friendship with my sister’s family, but his special links with China. I’ll often come here to say hello to Sandey on each Tomb-Sweeping Day. Such a long, long stay in China would leave Sandey with no regrets and all the people that love him,” said Liu.

    A profile of Malcolm Sandey

    Born in 1955, Malcolm Sandey grew up in Devonshire in southwestern England. He joined the British Army after high school and served for 20 years. Being a soldier, Sandey served in several campaigns and lost his only brother on the battlefield. To his friends, Sandey was friendly, frank and optimistic. He died Nov. 5 last year at 52 of sudden heart attack and is survived by his 85-year-old mother and a 20-year-old daughter.