Letter from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to the Chinese Embassy

6 June 2002

Yang Jiechi
Chinese Ambassador to the United States
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

I write as a Noble Peace Laureate to ask your assistance in the case of Dr. Yang Jianli, who, according to my information, was detained on Friday, 26 April 2002, in Kunming, China. Dr. Yang is a permanent U.S. resident and lives with his wife and child in Brookline, Massachusetts. For the past several months, I have been residing in the United States as Visiting Professor of Global Christianity at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During this time I have met Christina Yang, wife of Dr. Yang Jianli. I write to ask you for further information regarding his exact whereabouts, his medical condition, and urge you to extend all humanitarian considerations to Dr. Yang.

It is my understanding that Dr. Yang may have violated Chinese immigration laws as he reportedly traveled on false or incomplete documents. While I respect the right of the People's Republic of China to defend its territorial boarders from any illegal breaches, Dr. Yang's health and his special circumstances are of particular concern to me.

Dr. Yang is a prominent advocate for democracy and human rights in China. The People's Republic of China has continually expressed willingness to work to improve human rights conditions in China. If your country were to extend humanitarian considerations in the case of Dr. Yang, it would be an act of decency and human kindness that would bear witness to the good faith of your great nation. Such action would be recognized and applauded throughout the international community.

Thank you for your time and concern in this matter of utmost importance.

Sincerely,

+Desmond M. Tutu

Archbishop Emeritus

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Source: "ChinaEWeekly".