Lu Bing, a flutist and owner of an engineering company who immigrated to Australia, recounted his astonishing escape to Macau for the sixth time. Despite numerous brushes with death, he, now in his twilight years, remains unwavering in his belief that perseverance and faith can conquer any challenge.
Standing in the drizzling rain, an elderly Lu Bing paid his respects at the “Runaway Youth Memorial Monument” in New Jersey, USA. Among the six names engraved on the monument were his former colleagues and neighbors. After meticulous research, he provided their names for the memorial, hoping to honor his departed friends and grant them peace. In 2023, Lu Bing traveled from Australia to the United States twice to participate in escape memorial events, mourning those lost at sea.
Lu Bing, having survived six daring escape attempts, finally reached freedom by swimming from Zhuhai’s Wanzai Head to Black Sand Beach in Macau in 1981. Recalling his past, his escape journey through train-hopping, dog attacks, climbing barbed wire, traversing oyster fields, and braving stormy seas remains vivid in his memory.
Having settled in Macau after his escape, Lu Bing later started anew in Australia in the 1980s, building a successful career in mechanical engineering from scratch. From not knowing a word of English to completing an advanced diploma course, he joined the Australian Engineering Association and eventually ventured into entrepreneurship, his strong willpower guiding him throughout life. His cherished bamboo flute, whose melodious tunes he learned from his father at the age of 9, became an integral part of his life, symbolizing his understanding of existence from China to Australia.
Upon graduating from Guangzhou No. 29 High School in 1972 amidst the “Up to the mountains, Down to the villages” movement, Lu Bing was assigned to work at a cement factory in the mountainous areas of Yingde County, Guangdong. This stark contrast between his previous urban life and newfound rural hardship left him uncertain and longing for the way forward.
In 1979, his first escape attempt involved hopping on a train carrying cement to Hong Kong with three colleagues. However, they ended up at Huangpu Port in Guangzhou instead. Lu Bing’s subsequent attempts, each fraught with danger and close calls, saw him enduring hardships like never before in pursuit of freedom.
Lu Bing’s escape to Macau in 1981 marked the culmination of his endeavors. Despite setbacks, including being reported to authorities and detained, he eventually secured temporary residency status, eventually becoming a part of the local community as a Macau and Hong Kong compatriot.
Drawing from his experience, Lu Bing emphasized that his daring escape was driven not only by the pursuit of better opportunities but also by his longing for freedom and democracy. His journey to Australia in 1987 was a testament to his unwavering commitment to living authentically in a free society.
Lu Bing’s story of perseverance and success in Australia encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of a generation of Chinese immigrants striving for a better life overseas. Cherishing the hard-fought freedom he achieved, he hopes that his tale can inspire others to hold on to their beliefs and stand firm against adversity.