Tue, 12 Dec 2000

China's jailing of a [U.S. permanent resident] for activities linked to the banned Falungong movement has prompted a diplomatic standoff.

Tom O'Byrne reports, the woman has been jailed for three years for what authorities claim were breaches of state security.

A human rights group and diplomatic sources have confirmed Tang Chun Yen was found guilty by a Beijing court for trying to publicise the plight of up to fifty Falun Gong practitioners being held in a psychiatric hospital.

The judge reportedly said the 37-year-old New Yorker would serve her time in China, snubbing several approaches by the US embassy to have Miss Tang sent home.

[...].

Tom O'Byrne, Beijing.

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newsdaily/s223153.htm