LOS ANGELES—Mr.Yuan Sheng, a pilot from China Eastern Airline, held a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday and announced his intention to seek asylum in the United States.
Preliminary reports indicated that this Shandong-native pilot was turned in to authorities before departing on a scheduled flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles. Police from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau wanted to take Yuan for immediate interrogation because of his occasional conversations about Falun Gong. Due to passenger complaints on board the flight and China Eastern unable to find a replacement pilot, Yuan was allowed to proceed with his flight to America.
Reports also state that as soon as Yuan arrived in Los Angeles, he found himself already under surveillance by members of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Fearing for his own safety, Yuan decided to seek for political asylum.
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