Lawmakers are appealing to President Joe Biden to use the remaining time in his term to work for the release of Americans who are “wrongfully detained” in China, saying U.S. officials need to do more to help secure their freedom.
“There are more Americans wrongfully detained in China than in any other country.
They deserve tenacious advocacy to gain their release,” said Smith and Merkley, co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
China has denied the allegations and says it has treated detained Americans properly and respected their legal rights.
Dui Hua, a rights group that advocates for detainees in China, estimates there are more than 200 Americans “under coercive measures” in China.
Persons:
Joe Biden, ”, Chris Smith of, Democratic Sen, Jeff Merkley, Smith, David Lin, Kai Li, Mark Swidan, Hua, Li, Biden, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Xi Jinping, “, Li’s, Harrison Li
Organizations:
” Republican, Democratic, Congressional, Commission, State Department, White, and State Department
Locations:
China, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Long Island , New York, Texas, Russia, People’s Republic of China, United States