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On January 28th her plans changed.
She received a call from the U.S. consulate in Shanghai informing her that her fiancé, Dr. Charles Li, had been arrested at the airport upon entering China to visit relatives for the Chinese New Year.
"He has done nothing wrong," Ms. Foo says. "He is always kind hearted and helps others. The Chinese government is persecuting him because he practices Falun Gong."
For more than two weeks, Ms. Foo has been working around the clock to build awareness of the plight of her husband-to-be and appeal for his immediate release.
"Yeong-Ching's phone has been ringing constantly with requests for press interviews in both English and Mandarin Chinese," says Adam Leining, a friend of Dr. Li's who is helping with the rescue effort in Washington DC. "She's had anywhere from 4 to 8 meetings a day with government officials and media... we're determined to get Charles back immediately."
Ms. Foo's friends in different areas have mobilized media events, outdoor sit-ins and petitions as well.
The Human Rights Desk at the U.S. State Department reports having received hundreds of faxes and phone calls from concerned Americans who have learned of Dr. Li's situation.
During the past two weeks, Ms. Foo says she has steadily gained her composure and confidence in speaking out. "At first I was shocked and scared," she says, "But I know I have to do everything possible to help Charles."
Ms. Foo continues, "Under Jiang Zemin's regime there is no chance for a fair trial that would allow Charles to clear his name and return to the U.S., and so diplomatic efforts to rescue him are absolutely essential."
Her persistence appears to be making a difference.
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo's office has initiated a ‘Dear Colleague' letter to gather signatures from the House of Representatives seeking Dr. Li's immediate release. Congresswoman Eshoo intends to present the signatures to the Chinese Ambassador in Washington DC.
Congressman Tom Lantos, a long-time critic of China's human rights record and a vocal advocate for those who practice Falun Gong, is preparing a statement to share with the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.
This past week, Ms. Foo has also met with the Commission on International Religious Freedom and the U.S. State Department.
"I will stay here [in Washington D.C.] as long as it takes," Ms. Foo says. "If this were China, they might try to arrest me too. But in the United States, I can make a difference."
She holds back her tears as she shows a picture of her fiancé. "Charles is an American citizen." She pauses and then looks at his photo. "He should be coming home soon."
Contacts for Interviews with Ms. Foo
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Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.
The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 572 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.
