5/15/2006

Chinese House Church Christian Intellectuals Meet With US President

MIDLAND, Texas, May 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- For the first time, a sitting US President met a group of Chinese House Church intellectuals at his private residence in the White House today. Mr. Bush, along with Vice-President Dick Cheney, Mr. Bush’s National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Mr. Josh Bolton, the White House Chief of Staff and the President’s senior Advisor Mr. Michael Gerson as well as the White House press secretary Tony Snow were informed about the true situation in China on the latest development of religious freedom in China. The three individuals include Mr. Yu Jie who is the best-seller author and Elder of Beijing Ark House Church, Mr. Wang Yi who is a religious freedom defender and professor of law at Chengdu University, Sichuan province and Dr. Li Baiguang who is one of the “Person of the Year” in Asia in 2005 for his brave civil education work for the rule of law among the farmers and religious minority groups.

The Chinese delegates express their thanks with the President on his personal commitment to promote religious freedom and human rights in China and share their vision for a peaceful transition of China towards freedom and democratization, their love for their country and hopes for good relations between the U.S. and China and the central role that religious freedom in China in such relations. Each of the three expressed their belief that Chinese Christians should follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King to pray for their government leaders and volunteer their service to meet the growing social needs in China and denounce violent uprisings in all forms. The three Chinese individuals shared their personal testimonies with the President. Mr. Bush also shared how his faith helps him in his life. The meeting lasted for one hour, 30 minutes longer than previously scheduled. The meeting ended with President Bush’s prayer for the Chinese guests and the Chinese people.

“We deeply appreciate the commitment by President Bush to advance religious freedom in China with this historical meeting,” said Rev. Bob Fu, “ it shows the freedom-loving American people are determined to stand firmly with millions of their fellow persecuted brothers and sisters in China.”

Issued by CAA on May 11, 2006

Short biography of the Chinese guests:

Yu Jie Author

Mr. Yu is the author of several works in Chinese, including Fire and Ice, a collection of essays which first launched him into the spotlight in 1998, sold over one million copies by 2000, and garnered high acclaim from Chinese intellectuals. Since, he has earned international renown as a bold voice openly criticizing the Chinese government and fearlessly raising controversial issues. In 2002, he was awarded the Chan Foundation of Journalism and Culture Award. In 2003, he visited the U.S. at the invitation of the State Department to participate in an academic exchange program. In 2004, he visited France to attend a cultural exchange at the invitation of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, Mr. Yu’s work includes international speaking engagements, activism, and his responsibilities as a founding member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, in addition to his writing endeavors. His books have been banned from publication in China and his most recent work, A Son of Tiananmen Square, was published in Hong Kong in 2005.

“From this moment on, the one who lives in fear will not be me—it will be those fellows who hide in the dark corners. From this moment on, I will live out in the sunlight. I will live a fuller and happier life.” -------------------

Wang Yi, Esq. Professor of Law Chengdu University

The censorship of pro-democracy writer Wang Yi by the Chinese government has been widely publicized and criticized since Mr. Yi’s web log was closed down in the Fall of 2005, just days after being nominated for two awards sponsored by the German radio station, Deutsche Welle, and Reporters Without Borders. In 2003, he was banned by the Chinese government from teaching for 18 months, and then reinstated in March of 2005 because, he posits, the Chinese government “...can control you better if you remain in the system.” Mr. Yi constantly battles the internet filters the government uses to block access to his web log on Chinese sites and struggles to find international internet spaces that will allow his log to exist. First created to display a full collection of his work, his web log gradually developed into a “microphone” in which he voices his opinions on current events through critical, eloquent essays and commentaries. Mr. Yi’s essays are banned from publication in China. He is a member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center and lends his legal expertise to the defense of Chinese Christians experiencing persecution, including the case of Pastor Cai.

“Of course it matters that the microphone has been taken away. But vocal chords are part of one’s body. And the right to speak is an inalienable one; one which is laid down in black and white in China’s constitution.” -------------------

Dr. Li Baiguang, Esq. Director Beijing Qimin Research Center

Dr. Li represented the first farmer to bring an administrative suit against China’s State Council and has since brought legal action against the government oh behalf of over 100,000 peasants. A former university professor, freelance writer, legal professional, peasants’ right advocate and legal scholar, he has been imprisoned three times and intimidated on numerous occasions. The most recent instance of wrongful imprisonment occurred in late 2005 when Dr. Li was arrested and imprisoned for 37 days in Fu’an for providing farmers with legal advice in their battle against illicit land seizures carried out by the government. Mr. Li focuses on legal education and empowerment of the economically disadvantaged to foster reliance on the rule of law and promote democracy. He is also one of the founding members of the Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians and one of Asia Newsweek’s “Persons of the Year” of 2005