[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ARREST OF ZHANG RONGLIANG

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues the very unfortunate case of Zhang Rongliang, one of the 
most prominent church leaders in the People's Republic of China. During 
the month of August, Chinese officials arrested over 30 House church 
leaders, including Mr. Zhang. It is reported that government security 
officers burst into a meeting of his church, telling the gathering that 
they were a cult, engaged in illegal activities.
  Last year, Mr. Zhang made it clear by signing the United Appeal to 
the Chinese Government and the House Church Confession of Faith that he 
has no desire to undermine his nation. Instead, his desire is to serve 
the people of China.
  Mr. Speaker, the actions of the Chinese Government in this case are a 
blatant violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
Rights, which they have agreed to uphold. Mr. Zhang is not a criminal 
and should not be treated as such.
  The actions of the Chinese Government in this case, and others like 
it, are undermining their own ability to bring China fully into the 
community of nations. I urge them to immediately release Mr. Zhang and 
others unjustly arrested and imprisoned because of their religious 
beliefs.

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