WASHINGTON – President Bush’s team says it’s leaning on China “at every level” to free the latest two U.S.-based China scholars convicted of spying – including a mom separated from her 5-year-old son.
“We’re following it carefully and we’ll see what happens next,” said Secretary of State Colin Powell, as aides vowed he’ll raise it when he meets top Chinese officials in Beijing on Saturday.
Convicted of spying for Taiwan were Gao Zhan of American University in Washington, whose husband and 5-year-old son are in the United States, and Qui Guangguang, both sentenced to 10 years.
The scholars’ fate is the latest China test for Bush, who came into office vowing to treat China as a “strategic competitor” rather than a partner and faced a showdown over a downed U.S. surveillance plane.
Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) said the sentence on “trumped-up charges” is outrageous and amounts to “a diplomatic slap in the face” on the eve of Powell’s arrival in Beijing.
Gao’s husband said he is “most concerned” for his wife’s health – U.S. officials hope she’ll be released on medical parole because of a heart condition, noting China has requested her medical records.
The husband, Donhua Xue, said he’s glad Powell is going to Beijing and will push for Gao’s freedom, but added: “If she is not released by October, I will request that President Bush not go to China” as planned.