Initiatives for China header image 2

Congressman Jim McGovern quickly responds to Dr. Yang’s Detention in Hong Kong

August 14th, 2008 · No Comments

Contact: Jim Geheran Tel: 202-290-1423
Email: initiatives4china@gmail.com

Dr. Yang and all of us at Initiatives for China wish to express our appreciation for the rapid and effective response from Congressman McGovern’s office during the detention of Dr. Yang at the Hong Kong Airport on August 6. Immediately after the Congressman’s office was notified that Dr. Yang, a Chinese citizen with a valid Chinese passport, was denied entry into Hong Kong and detained at the airport, he established contact with the U.S. embassy and advised them of the situation. Because of Congressman McGovern’s swift action the issue was brought to the attention of the Chinese Foreign Minister. We believe that the quick response by Congressman McGovern sent a clear message of concern to the Chinese government, which precluded a more undesirable resolution of the situation. Many thanks to Representative McGovern, Senior Adviser Cindy Buhl and the entire McGovern Staff.

Tags: Open Letter

Introduction to the Founder

Dr. Yang Jianli

Founder and President of Initiatives for China, Dr. Yang Jianli was born in Shandong Province in northern China. A graduate of Beijing Normal University, Dr. Yang holds a PhD. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD in Political Economy from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In 1989, at the age of 26, his fellow graduate students at Berkeley selected him to go to Beijing in support of their counterparts in China who were demonstrating for democracy in Tiananmen Square. He arrived in Tiananmen Square in time to witness the massacre of thousands of peaceful demonstrators by the guns and tanks of the Chinese government. This event fundamentally changed young Jianli's future. He narrowly escaped capture and returned to the United States where he committed himself to studying democracy. Read more...