Congressional Leaders Issue Letter to Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice Urging Advocacy for Zhang

China Aid Association
(WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 23, 2008) In response to the recent abuses committed by the Chinese government against Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, President of the 250,000- member Chinese House Church Alliance, two Congressional leaders, Congressman Frank R. Wolf (R-VA) and Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ), have co-written a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging her to request urgent action from the Chinese government to free Zhang Mingxuan from his detention and to rectify the personal damages inflicted upon his family. In July 2008, both Congressmen had the opportunity to personally meet with Zhang Mingxuan and his wife in Beijing, despite Chinese government interference. During the meeting Zhang was able to personally share with the Congressmen the daily struggles and abuses he and fellow Christians face on a daily basis from the Communist Party of China.
The letter also calls upon the American government and the Bush Administration to not ignore the reprehensible acts of the Chinese government. The letter admonishes the administration to bring international attention to the situation by publicly calling on the advocate for justice on behalf of Zhang Mingxuan and his family members. Furthermore, the letter directly confronts the Chinese government on its hypocritical stance in international affairs by stating: “If the 2008 Beijing Olympics have taught us anything, it is that the Chinese government will go to any length to secure their image as a peaceful and harmonious society when the world is watching.”
Through advocacy for Zhang and his family, the current U.S. adminstration will have the chance to publicly condone the daily human rights violations perpetrated by the Communist government. The U.S. government can also stand in unity with the persecuted citizens in China as both seek opportunities to advance freedom and democracy throughout the world.
Read the letter from Congressmen Wolf and Smith to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.