October 17, 2001

(CNSNews.com) - The war on terrorism, trade, and other economic matters are expected to dominate President Bush's agenda when he arrives at this week's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Shanghai, China.

But several members of Congress also want the president to push for the release of an American doctor.

Dr. Chunyan Teng, an American citizen, was imprisoned by the Chinese for allegedly exposing the government's mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners in Chinese government-run mental institutions.

Falun Gong is a popular spiritual movement in China, and while followers say it is simply an exercise and meditation movement, the Chinese government sees it as a threat to China's [party' name omitted] government.

[...] Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, on Tuesday sent a letter co-signed by 60 House members to President Bush, urging him to intercede on Teng's behalf.

Chinese authorities sentenced Teng to three years in prison in 2000 for "prying into and illegally providing state information to foreigners." She was tried and sentenced in Beijing.

"Dr. Teng documented the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China by videotaping the activities inside Chinese mental institutions, where Falun Gong practitioners are forcefully detained and subjected to both physical and psychological abuse," Gilman said in the letter to the president.

The letter concluded, "We request that you ask the Chinese authorities for the immediate release of Dr. Chunyan Teng and her return to the U.S., and that you express our nation's concern regarding the Chinese government's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners."

The White House had no comment on the letter.

[...]

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