As President Obama prepares to visit China in November, the world is watching closely to see what issues the United States will address—from energy and economics to human rights and basic freedom. In light of this, six Chinese legal professionals have traveled from Beijing to Washington to report on the conditions of religious freedom and rule of law in China. Chinese authorities have launched a new strategy, targeting not only ethnic and religious minorities, but the very lawyers who defend them. While many minority groups speak out to obtain new rights, little is heard from the Chinese nationals who both study and practice law according to the Chinese Constitution.  At this press conference, co-hosted by the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom and ChinaAid, six human rights lawyers will offer the global media a unique opportunity to hear firsthand the experiences and vision of Chinese legal experts—who love their country and take on some of the most dangerous and controversial cases in the Chinese courts.

Meet the lawyers at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, October 28, in the West Room of the National Press Club:

Cao Zhi (George), Attorney and M.A. in Law—Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Citizen-Republic Magazine in China, and prominent defense lawyer for cases on religious freedom.

Dai Jinbo (Floyd), Attorney—Legal counsel for Chinese house churches in Anhui, Shandong, and other provinces, and expert researcher at Institute of Holy Mountain Cultural Studies.

Jiang Tianyong (Tim), Attorney—Veteran lawyer formerly at Beijing Global Law Firm; known for defending Gao Zhisheng, Open Constitution Initiative, Azihi Research Institute of Beijing, and other cases exposing religious persecution.

Li Fangping, Attorney and M.A. in Law—Veteran lawyer known for defending activists Hu Jia, Shi Weihan, and Chen Guangcheng and his precedent-setting cases on legal policy.

Wang Guangze (Jeffrey), M.A. in Philosophy—Former international journalist for the New York Times, China Legal Daily, and 21st Century Economic Herald; political columnist and expert on law.

Zhang Kai (Kevin), Attorney—Legal associate for the Yijia Law Firm in Beijing, and defense lawyer for Uyghur Christians Alimujiang Yimiti and Wusiman Yiming in Xinjiang.

Michael Cromartie—Vice-Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Nina Shea—Commissioner at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Contact ChinaAid for additional biographical information on the Chinese Human Rights Lawyers.
RSVP:  Annee Kahler
267-210-8278
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Title: Chinese Lawyers on Religious Freedom
Event Date: Oct. 28, 2009
Event Type: News Conference 
Time: 9:00 AM 
Sponsored by: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and ChinaAid 
Event Location: West Room 
Details: Six Chinese legal experts share their firsthand experiences and envision the future of law in this news conference.
Contact/Reservations: Annee Kahler, 267-210-8278, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Thomas Carter, 202-523-3257, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it