May 21, 2001

The Honorable Colin Powell
U.S. Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20502

Dear Secretary Powell,

We are very disturbed by the action taken by the Chinese authorities to charge another Chinese-American social scientist, Professor Li Shaomin, an American citizen, with spying. Such cases send shivers down the spines of all American scientists who conduct research outside of the United States. To all appearances, Professor Li, like Dr. Gao Zhan, who was charged earlier, is being accused of a capital crime on the basis of ordinary research activities, including publication. The intent of the Chinese government to intimidate the Chinese-born Western-oriented scientists, without whose cooperation most social science research in China would be impossible, seems patent. In principle, however, the use of the criminal justice system against a foreign scholar for the purpose of suppressing legitimate but unwanted scientific research could happen to any American in any one of a number of countries.

On behalf of the American Sociological Association (ASA), we write therefore to urge the U.S. government to take an aggressive stance in defending these accused social scientists. We were distressed to learn that, according to the State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher, the U.S. government intends to press that Professor Li receive "due process." There is no due process, as Americans understand that term, for this charge in the Chinese system. We understand that Professor Li may not even be allowed to meet with the Chinese lawyer hired by his family and that his trial will take place in secret and may not allow him the opportunity to defend himself.

We urge the U.S. government to proclaim the innocence of Professor Li and Dr. Gao and to insist that they be released. We were taken aback to learn from some press accounts that the State Department believes that "the allegations [against Professor Li] did not involve the United States." The United States does have an interest in freedom of intellectual and scholarly investigation, which, among other things, ultimately benefits U.S. commercial activities by providing in-depth knowledge about markets abroad. The detentions of and accusations against Chinese-American scholars undoubtedly have already had some chilling effect on research in China, and that effect will intensify if these scholars are declared to be guilty and sentenced to prison terms or capital punishment. If the United States government does not aggressively defend scholars who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents, then other governments may be tempted to rid themselves of unwanted research activities by similarly inhumane tactics.

We appreciate your consideration of this matter. The American Sociological Association, and those of us in its leadership consider it a matter of great urgency.

Douglas S. Massey, PhD
ASA President 2001

Richard D. Alba, PhD
ASA Vice-President 2001

Felice J. Levine, PhD
ASA Executive Officer

Cc:
Ambassador Joseph W. Prueher
Beijing AAAS Science and Human Rights Program