The bipartisan leaders of a China-focused congressional committee are asking President Joe Biden to use his remaining months in office to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in China.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), chair and co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), respectively, sent a letter to Biden on Oct. 3 saying that American detainees are being imprisoned in China for an average of 12 years.
“There are more Americans wrongfully detained in China than in any other country,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Most were sentenced with acute due process irregularities or on spurious charges. Many are severely mistreated in detention and have developed serious physical and mental health problems due to a lack of adequate nutrition or medical care in Chinese prisons. They deserve tenacious advocacy to gain their release.”…