More than one week after a Chinese couple from Cunupia were killed by armed bandits, their relatives are saying that National Security Minister Jack Warner's promise to help them has not happened.

No representative from the Ministry of National Security was present at yesterday's funeral service for Yang Jiang Hua and his wife Wu Xia Hua who were shot to death by unknown assailants at their restaurant on July 13.

Family members attending the service expressed disappointment at the absence of ministry officials, saying: "Mr Warner came to our home last Saturday and promised us help and protection. So far none has materialised." Family members are still scared for their lives since no arrest has been made by police.

Even as the funeral service was taking place at the Grace Chapel of the St James Crematorium on Long Circular Road, the only protection the family had were friends who were there to express their condolences. Chinese Ambassador Yang Youming and his wife, and officials from the four Chinese Associations in Trinidad and Tobago who attended the funeral.

Yang Hua, son of the deceased couple and owner of Tiger's Restaurant in Cunupia told the Sunday Express: "We are very sad about many things. We are faced with funeral expenses, the cost of a trip for three members of the family to go to China as well as money to pay for performing the final rites in China."

Yang Hua said the family had already disposed of all their belongings.

"In the Chinese tradition the shooting of our parents was an evil omen. So we must give away everything and start all over again." He said his sister, Jang Hua, must accompany him and his wife to China.

"We had applied for resident status for her so she has to return to China until her papers are processed."

The family had applied for a house from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) because the premises they occupied on the Southern Main Road, Cunupia were rented to them.

"We would like to leave for China in two weeks' time with our parents' ashes, so we must find a house to live when we return in three months," said Hua.

The family expects to visit National Security Minister Warner in the next two days to find out what assistance Government may give as well as the latest information from the police.

Hua said: "We are not staying in China, we coming back here to live."

At the funeral service Chinese Pastor Mark Cham told the congregation that the couple were on their way to their heavenly home.

"Not in the flesh but in the spirit. So together we must pray for their safe return." He said the couple was returning with joyful noise and later the whole family will be united again.

Cham conducted the service in Chinese and was assisted by a translator who spoke English.

Ambassador Youming in expressing condolences to the family described the shooting as an "unfortunate one and the embassy was in full support of the family".

The couple came to Trinidad five years ago on a holiday and fell in love with Trinidad and decided to remain and apply for resident status.

The Hua family came from Jiang su, in the city of Zhenjiang, China.

Warner could not be reached yesterday for comment on the investigation of the murders of the couple.