Courtesy of Mish.
I would never go to China, even if someone paid for the trip and all expenses.
My reason can be explained in one headline: China Arrests US Citizen for ‘Endangering National Security’.
An American businesswoman has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of “endangering national security” just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in the US for his first official state visit.
Phan Phan-Gillis, 55, who also uses the name Sandy, disappeared in late March while traveling as part of a delegation made up of local officials from her home town of Houston, Texas.
Her husband, Jeff Gillis, told US media he later discovered she had been detained by China’s Ministry of State Security and that she was suspected of espionage and stealing state secrets.
Judging from news reports and corporate websites, Ms Phan-Gillis has been an active promoter of Sino-US ties.
During her trip to China in March she identified herself as executive president of the America Asia Trade Promotion Association (AATPA) and president of the Houston Shenzhen Sister City Association.
Missing Since March
Gillis went missing on March 19. We are only hearing about it just now because her husband was afraid publicity might jeopardize her chances of being released.
Since then, he has awakened to reality: He is at the mercy of merciless, corrupt Chinese leaders.
As noted by the Financial Times, “In China the definition of state secrets is broad and vague and often encompasses things that would be considered public information in other countries. Authorities regularly detain foreign citizens they suspect of spying but ethnically Chinese foreign citizens are far more likely to be held and charged.”
Reader Questions
When I write about China I frequently get comments along the lines “What do you know about China? Have you ever been there?” …
