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No Chinese New Year joy for MH370 relatives

BEIJING — It has been a trying two years for Jiang Hui.

A woman leaves a message of support and hope for the passengers of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 in central Kuala Lumpur, on March 16, 2014. Photo: Reuters

A woman leaves a message of support and hope for the passengers of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 in central Kuala Lumpur, on March 16, 2014. Photo: Reuters

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BEIJING — It has been a trying two years for Jiang Hui.

Since his mother vanished along with the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the Chinese national has exhausted all avenues to find out what happened to her.

From protesting outside the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing to flying to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean after a wing flap was found there, he has done it all, but to no avail.

“I don’t want to say too much, but I was asked to leave my job after my company received calls from people telling me to stop,” said Mr Jiang.

“I cannot see the future now. I don’t know what the future looks like, and I’ve no idea how long this will drag on or how long my finances will last. But I will do my best to persevere.”

Mr Jiang is among the relatives who have refused to give up the search for their loved ones. The upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, a time in Chinese traditions for reunions, is especially hard for them to bear.

“The New Year season is unbearable. I think it’s not just me, but also those with lost their children, or those whose entire families were on board the flight,” said Mr Jiang. “It’s probably tougher for them, but at this point in time, no one else can help me. I can only rely on myself.”

For 62-year-old Dai Shuqin, whose sister was on board the flight, the holiday season has also taken its toll on her.

“What’s the point of having a gathering?” said Ms Dai. “We won’t have one because how can we do so when we’re short of one person? There’s no way we can do so.”

‘WE GO THERE EVERY DAY’

Like Mr Jiang, Mdm Dai has continued seeking answers and she has been heading to the Malaysia Airlines office in Beijing almost every day. She believes that there is a lack of transparency in the investigations.

“It costs 8 yuan (S$1.71) to go to the Malaysia Airlines office. 8 yuan every day may not be much to other people, but don’t forget, we go there every day,” said Mdm Dai.

“My pension is only 3,000 yuan a month. They’ve been asking why I’ve not gone for an operation for my fractured wrist. It’s not that I don’t want to go for the operation. I want to, but I’ve no money. ”

While some family members have gotten compensation payouts from Malaysia Airlines, neither Mr Jiang nor Mdm Dai have accepted it, as they believe that their loved ones could still be alive.

“If I tell you that I think they’re still alive, I believe that most people, especially those in the West, cannot understand that,” said Mr Jiang. “They’ll wonder why the family members still believe that the people are alive when it’s been almost two years. They’ll think that the family members are unreasonable. But it could be because of the difference in cultures.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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