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American Embassy Inquires about Missing Falun Dafa Practitioner Huang Xiong, Expressing its Concern over China's Treatment of Falun Dafa Practitioners

August 21, 2004 |  

(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Dafa practitioner Huang Xiong is the younger brother of Huang Wanqing, an American citizen living in Georgia. Huang Xiong was sentenced to a labor camp after being persecuted by Jiang and his regime. Since April 19, 2003, he has been missing, last seen in Shanghai. The State Security Office Head Hu of Yangshupu District in Shanghai admitted recently that he knows exactly what happened to Huang Xiong, but refused to say where he is now. The Jiangxi Provincial "610 Office" Head Tian Jun said Hu's statements are "lies." Tian complained that Huang's friends and family's phone calls have "interfered with" his life. Mr. Huang Wanqing is seeking help from the United States Congress and human rights organizations, hoping to find his younger brother.

According to an Epochtimes' report, Georgia State Congressman John Linder wrote back to Atlanta resident Huang Wanqing, revealing that the American Embassy "has contacted the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request information regarding Mr. Huang's case." The Embassy in Beijing replied to Congressman Mr. John Linder, "We are currently awaiting a response."

According to Congressman Linder's letter,

"The Embassy has consistently underscored its deep concern about the Chinese Government's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Ambassador Randt and other Embassy officers have frequently raised detention cases such as this with Chinese officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Administration for Religious Affairs. We have also expressed our concern about the detention and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners in the State Department's annual Country Reports on Human Rights and our International Religious Freedom Report...(We are) "expressing our concern about the detention and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners is of utmost importance. Ambassador Randt has committed that the Embassy will continue to use every available and appropriate opportunity to urge the Chinese Government to allow greater religious freedom and expression."

Apparently the 26 year old Mr. Huang Xiong went to appeal for Falun Gong and was sentenced to a labor camp for more than one year in February 2000. He had to become destitute and homeless in order to avoid being illegally arrested at home but still was chased by police. In April 2003, police abducted him in Shanghai. None of his family members know where he is now, or whether he is still alive.

Huang Xiong's brother Mr. Huang Wanqing expressed that the letter from his Congressman gave him hope. He deeply appreciates the efforts of Congressman John Linder and the American Government. He believes his brother will soon be found with their help. Mr. Huang Wanqing said, "My brother practices the same thing that I do. I can freely practice Falun Gong in America, but my brother has to suffer unreasonable hardships in China. This sharp difference has made the freedom here more precious. Police in China were chasing after my brother before we knew he was missing. However, after we knew my brother was missing, the police were completely indifferent. On the contrary, they complained that our friends and family made too many inquiry calls that have ¡®interfered with' their lives."

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Attachments£ºLetters from American Congressman and U.S. Embassy

August 9, 2004

Dr. Wanqing Huang
926 Bradford Creek Trail
Duluth, GA 30096

Dear Dr. Huang,

In response to your request for assistance, the United States Embassy in Beijing, China has contacted my office. A copy of the reply is enclosed.

This is the latest information available. Every effort is being made to resolve your case to your satisfaction. I will contact you as soon as more information is available.

Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

John Linder
Member of Congress

* * * * *

Office of Congressman John Linder
2805 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, suite 213
Duluth, GA 30097-8171

Dear Ms. Sanderson:

Thank you for your contacting us August 4 regarding the case of Mr. Xiong Huang, a Falun Gong practitioner and brother of your constituent Dr. Wanqing Huang.

As soon as I received your message, I contacted the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request information regarding Mr. Huang's case. We are currently awaiting a response.

The Embassy has consistently underscored its deep concern about the Chinese Government's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Ambassador Randt and other Embassy officers have frequently raised detention cases such as this with Chinese officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Administration for Religious Affairs. We have also expressed our concern about the detention and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners in the State Department's annual Country Reports on Human Rights and our International Religious Freedom Report.

Like you, I am deeply concerned about the issue of religious freedom and agree that expressing our concern about the detention and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners is of utmost importance. Ambassador Randt has committed that the Embassy will continue to use every available and appropriate opportunity to urge the Chinese Government to allow greater religious freedom and expression.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other matter.

Best regards,

Political Officer
U.S. Embassy Beijing