Pumpkin reunited with grandma

By Julie Tullberg

September 25, 2007

ABANDONED toddler Qian Xun Xue has been reunited with her grandmother in Auckland, 10 days after being dumped by her father in Melbourne.

In a photograph released by New Zealand's Child, Youth and Family (CYF) service, Qian Xun, three, is shown being lovingly embraced today by her maternal grandmother Liu Xiao Ping, who had flown in from China.

Qian Xun looked healthy and content, while Ms Ping was clearly delighted to see her granddaughter.

Qian Xun's mother, Anan Liu, was found dead in Auckland last week in the boot of a car belonging to her husband, publisher Nai Xin Xue, who is now on the run in the US.

Mr Xue abandoned Qian Xun at Southern Cross railway station before fleeing to America.

CYF regional director Marion Heeney said Qian Xun, nicknamed Pumpkin, had settled in well in Auckland, but had eagerly waited for her grandmother.

"While Qian Xun has times where she has been quite distressed, she is generally a very sunny, happy little girl," she said.

"She has been chatting away and playing with her new toys but her focus has been on seeing her grandmother."

Qian Xun Xue was abandoned at Southern Cross Railway Station in 
Melbourne. Picture: Contributed

Ms Heeney said bringing the two together was pleasing for everybody concerned.

"Despite the love and affection shown by those caring for Qian Xun, for the past nine days everyone has been new to her," she said.

"She needs and deserves to feel safe and secure with a family member that she knows well.

"There is clearly a great deal of love and caring between Qian Xun and her nana."

Mrs Liu wrote that she intended to take Qian Xun back with her to China.

She was grateful to the authorities who have cared for her granddaughter and expressed a desire to see justice done over the death of her daughter.

``I want her to grow up healthy in a safe and warm place being well protected by us,'' she wrote.

``I want to condemn the violent crime committed against Anan that is this murder and I'm requesting that Interpol arrest this brutal criminal as soon as possible.''

Meanwhile, Mrs Liu, in an open letter, thanked the New Zealand public for their support and paid special thanks to police in New Zealand, Australia and the US.

New Zealand Chinese Herald editor Jerry Yang said he received the letter from an unnamed associate of Mrs Liu.

In the letter, she said she was writing on Mid-Autumn Day, a traditional day for Chinese family members to come together.

But for her, it was the day she was leaving China to attend the memorial service for her murdered daughter.

"At this very moment, anyone who has a conscience would understand the deepest pain in my heart," she said.