WASHINGTON—On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the take over of mainland China by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill, September 29, focusing on the recent upsurge in human rights abuses in China. Meanwhile, China’s rulers were making preparations for a huge celebration parade in Beijing and festivities globally. The Commission took a dim view of the celebration with all their state controls.
“…in two days the Chinese Communist [regime] will mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China with massive but highly choreographed celebrations—and a massive ramping-up of police control, and round-up of dissidents,” said Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Quoting from AsiaNews, Rep. Smith said that the people residing in Beijing have been “invited” to stay home. While the name may be the “People’s Republic,” the people are told to stay inside and not come out on balconies to watch the ceremony.
Both Representative Smith and Co-chairman of the Lantos Commission, Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA), spoke of their great disappointment of the Obama Administration and what they regarded as its cautious and too tepid response to the human rights abuses in China.
“I was deeply disappointed to learn that President Obama will not meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he visits Washington next week,” said Wolf. He said this is a “near repeat” of the time during the Ford Administration, when dissident author Alexander Solzhenitsyn was not permitted to see President Ford.
