Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, Katherine@ChinaAid.org; Washington contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- Later this week, Deputy Secretary John Negroponte will visit China. This celebration of the 30th anniversary of US-Sino diplomatic relations is a vital time to reinforce a key U.S. priority - religious freedom, especially in light of the increased persecution of house church Christians.
 
ChinaAid commends the courageous stance taken today by eight Members of Congress - Congressman Frank Wolf (VA), Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ), Congressman Joseph Pitts (PA), Congressman John Boozman (AZ), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN), Congressman Trent Franks (AZ), Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (MI) and Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ) - who wrote to Deputy Secretary Negroponte, urging him to address the issue of religious freedom as an important part of his visit:
 
"...We urge you to publicly address the importance of human rights and religious freedom with Chinese officials, and to request the immediate cessation of unjust and inhumane acts toward people of faith. ...We also urge you to further demonstrate the importance of human rights by meeting with families of imprisoned religious adherents, visiting an unregistered church, and consulting with leading Chinese intellectuals who are calling for increased religious freedom. Central to a country's reputation abroad is its ability to keep promises to its own people. ..."
 
ChinaAid urges the incoming administration of President-elect Obama to prioritize religious freedom in its US-Sino policy initiatives.
 
Read full text of the letter.
 
Express your support for Members of Congress who were signatories of the letter:
 
Congressman Frank Wolf (VA)
http://wolf.house.gov/
 
Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ)
http://chrissmith.house.gov/
 
Congressman Joseph Pitts (PA)
http://www.house.gov/pitts/
 
Congressman John Boozman (AZ)
http://www.boozman.house.gov/
 
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN)
http://bachmann.house.gov/
 
Congressman Trent Franks (AZ)
http://www.house.gov/franks/
 
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (MI)
http://mccotter.house.gov/HoR/MI11/Home/ [or http://mccotter.house.gov]
 
Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ)
http://garrett.house.gov/