(Clearwisdom.net) The Chinese government recently arrested Charles Li, a resident of Menlo Park's Willows neighborhood, [...] Mr. Li's friends in California contend that he's being persecuted for practicing Falun Gong.

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The impassioned pleas of several of those friends have persuaded Menlo Park city officials to send a letter of concern regarding Mr. Li's case to U.S. diplomats and senators.

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., sent her own letter to the American Embassy in Beijing January 30, asking the ambassador to ensure Mr. Li's safety and effect his immediate release, according to Cathy Zhang, a friend of Mr. Li's who lives in San Jose.

Mr. Li was arrested January 22 at the airport in Guangzhou, said Kelly Shannon, spokesperson for the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. Mr. Li manages his own import/export business for Chinese goods, such as medicine and shoes, from his home address on Menalto Avenue in the Willows, according to Ms. Zhang. He earned his medical degree in China, got a master's degree in physiology from the University of Illinois, and has done research at Harvard University, according to a statement by his fiancée.

"The only reason for his arrest was that Charles practices Falun Gong," Ms. Zhang told the Menlo Park City Council last week. Mr. Li went to China to visit his elderly parents for the Chinese New Year, she said.

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