Washington, USA - Congressional representatives took a stance for religious freedom in China on the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic relations.
In a January 6 press release, ChinaAid reported that eight congressional representatives sent a letter to U.S. Deputy Secretary Negroponte, urging him to publicly address the importance of human rights and religious freedom with Chinese officials.
“This celebration of the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Sino diplomatic relations is a vital time to reinforce a key U.S. priority – religious freedom, especially in light of the increased persecution of house church Christians,” the press release said.
“…We urge you to publicly address the importance of human rights and religious freedom with Chinese officials, and to request the immediate cessation of unjust and inhumane acts toward people of faith," the letter reads.
"We also urge you to further demonstrate the importance of human rights by meeting with families of imprisoned religious adherents, visiting an unregistered church, and consulting with leading Chinese intellectuals who are calling for increased religious freedom. Central to a country’s reputation abroad is its ability to keep promises to its own people," the letter continues.
The eight members of Congress who signed on the letter are Frank Wolf (VA), Christopher Smith (NJ), Joseph Pitts (PA), John Boozman (AZ), Michele Bachmann (MN), Trent Franks (AZ), Thaddeus McCotter (MI) and Scott Garrett (NJ).
Chinese officials at the conference included former vice premier of the Chinese cabinet, Qian Qichen, and two former foreign ministers, Tang Jiaxuan and Li Zhaoxing.
Among the American delegation was Jimmy Carter who was U.S. president when American diplomatic relations with mainland China were restored in 1979 under Deng Xiaoping.
During the conference, according to a January 12 report by Edward Wong of the New York Times, “They mentioned some touchy issues, including tensions over Taiwan and Tibet." Yet the Chinese leaders chose to focus on China's economy and, "How that might be different had relations between Washington and Beijing taken a different turn 30 years ago."