Tzu-I Chuang, wife of Jim Mullinax, former U.S. Consul General in Chengdu, revealed she has been slut-shamed and received death threats after she compared her departure from China to Jews fleeing the Nazis in World War II.

Her remarks, made after the consulate was closed in July last year amid the escalating U.S.-China row, have drawn backlash on Chinese social media. In a recent Facebook post concluding the year, Chuang said Chinese netizens have insulted her as a female spy working for the Taiwanese government and accused her of being “a national shame.”

Born in Taiwan, Chuang holds a master’s degree in anthropology from Columbia University and is a culinary writer. The couple and their two sons left the city in haste after Beijing shut the American mission in retaliation for the closure of its consulate in Houston, Texas.

In the post, she revealed that some people she thought were friends have since cut ties, saying she “lacks principles.” Several close friends have also taken some of the blow, who were harassed and had their social media accounts suspended. Their jobs were also affected.

Chuang said she has always known that diplomats and their families are closely monitored, “but I still broke down when facing these personal attacks and spread of rumors led by the state. The Orwellian tales and Cultural Revolution stories I have read all became actual fear.”

Though the death threats and attacks have not stopped, Chuang said she is glad that she has restored her inner calm and regained the strength to look ahead. Most significantly, she was allowed to recognize that a peaceful and fulfilling life is far better than lavish banquets or fame.

“I will strive to be a sensible person – that I will always follow my conscience and never speak ill of others,” she pledged, adding that she will spend each day wisely and joyfully.

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