China Aid Association
(Washington D. C. — April 30, 2012) China Aid Association responded to this afternoon press conference remarks by President Obama and Secretary Clinton indirectly about Chen Guangcheng .
“We recognize that President Obama and Secretary Clinton are in a delicate situation and the wrong word may cause problems, our first priority is to protect Chen and his family. But it would be inspiring sometime to hear an unqualified and spirited defense of freedom instead of dry diplomatic calculation,” said Bob Fu, ChinaAid founder and President. “I always wish US politicians would try to inspire the persecuted instead of sparing the feelings of the persecutors. We hope that Secretary Clinton will speak as boldly as she has in many other instances before, and let Beijing know that Chen Guangcheng’s aspirations for China’s future are shared by the U.S. and most of the free world.”
According to ABC News, “President Obama sidestepped a question about Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng today, refusing to confirm reports that the U.S. is protecting the human-rights advocate.”
“I’m aware of the press reports on the situation in China, but I’m not going to make a statement on the issue,” the president told reporters during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan.”
“What I would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with China, the issue of human rights comes up. It is our belief that not only is that the right thing to do because it comports with our principles and our belief in freedom and human rights, but also because we actually think China will be stronger as it opens up and liberalizes its own system,” the president added.
(http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/obama-declines-to-comment-on-escaped-chinese-dissident/)
According to Los Angeles Times, “Secretary Clinton all but mum on Chen Guangcheng case: Hours before she was scheduled to leave for China on Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton avoided giving details about how the U.S. would address the plight of a blind Chinese dissident who escaped from house arrest.”
“A constructive relationship includes talking very frankly about those areas where we do not agree, including human rights,” she said when asked about Chen by a reporter.
The reporter pressed her again about the fate of other Chinese activists who are now facing detention. “I have nothing to add to what I’ve said at this time,” Clinton said.
(http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/04/hillary-clinton-chen-guangcheng-china.html)
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
