U.S. and Hong Kong (2001)

Assistant Secretary Discusses U.S. Citizens Held by China

Following is the text of Kelly's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

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STATEMENT OF JAMES A. KELLY
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 19, 2001

U.S. DETAINEES IN CHINA

Mr. Chairman, thank you for inviting me to address the committee on an issue of utmost importance to the State Department -- the recent detentions of American citizens and legal permanent residents in China.

There is no more important mission for us than protecting the rights and ensuring the welfare of American citizens overseas. There are now more than 30 American citizens in Chinese prisons. Each of them is important to us.

Recently, we have also focused attention on the detention of a number of cases of U.S. legal permanent residents whose spouses, children, or close relatives are U.S. citizens.

The number of cases of concern and the facts common to these cases prompted us to issue, on April 19, a public announcement with regard to travel to China, particularly recommending that U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Chinese descent carefully consider whether to travel to China if they have been publicly critical of the Chinese Government policies or have close connections to Taiwan or the Taiwan media.

Over the past several months, we have devoted extensive time and attention to these cases. Our efforts have been both consular -- working with the families of those detained -- and political -- making clear our concerns to the Chinese government vigorously, regularly, and at high levels.

We have coordinated with our missions in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong to ensure that the relatives of the families have complete information about the welfare of the detainees and what we are doing on their behalf. We have also played the important role of messenger, communicating personal correspondence to and from the detainees. Our officers have been in touch with the attorneys for the detainees to ensure they are informed of developments and to make them aware of what we are doing on behalf of their clients.

These are not simple cases. Four of the individuals, U.S. citizens Li Shaomin and Wu Jianming and permanent residents Gao Zhan and Qin Guangguang, are in custody under suspicion of spying for overseas intelligence organizations against the PRC. Despite our many requests for more information from the Chinese Government about these allegations, the PRC has provided us little beyond reiterating that the cases will be handled by the Chinese legal system.

The President and Secretary Powell have raised their concerns about the detentions. We are committed to continue raising the cases at high levels. We will continue to insist that the Chinese abide by their consular obligations.

On a personal note, Mr. Chairman, I had the opportunity the other day to visit privately with Li Shaomin's wife, Amy, and his daughter, Diana. Amy Liu told me about her courageous efforts on behalf of her husband. She told me about her pride in being an American citizen and her confidence that the U.S. government would continue to do everything it could to bring about her husband's release. I assured her our efforts toward this end would not waver and I can similarly assure you today.

This concludes my prepared remarks. With me today are representatives of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor to assist in answering any questions members of the committee might have.

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