A Letter from 11 U.S. Congress Members to Hu Jintao11 U.S. Congress Members February 21, 2003
The Honorable Hu Jintao
Dear Secretary Hu, We are writing to express our deep concern and to ask for your assistance in the case of Dr. Yang Jianli, who was detained Friday, April 26, 2002 in Kunming, China. An internationally renowned scholar with two doctoral degrees, including one from Harvard University, Dr. Yang is a brilliant and capable citizen who can help contribute to China's future. Over the last ten months, Dr. Yang has been held incommunicado, unable to communicate with either his family members or an attorney. We have written repeatedly to Ambassador Yang Jiechi in Washington to obtain additional information about both Dr. Yang's condition and the status of the case and have received nothing beyond an initial reply last May that the case was being investigated. Dr. Yang's wife and children are American citizens residing in Massachusetts. His detention is a cause of great pain and anguish to his family. We urge your government to allow Dr. Yang to return to the United States to rejoin his family as soon as possible. This positive humanitarian gesture would be welcomed by all of us in the United States who care about strengthening the bilateral relationship between the United States and China. Thank you for considering our request and taking the time to address this important matter. Sincerely,
Senator Ted Kennedy cc: Secretary of State Colin Powell -------------------------- |