Contact: Annee Kahler, Media Coordinator, 267-210-8278, Annee@ChinaAid.org; Jenny McCloy, Directory of Advocacy (Washington, DC), 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org
MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- "This is nonsense!" Gao's wife Geng He refuted the rumor that her husband Gao Zhisheng was working for a company in Urumqi, Xinjiang and had been in contact with her after the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. informed the Dui Hua Foundation of this latest development on February 12, 2010. Around the same time, a Chinese informant then posted photos of Gao online in a Chinese report, claiming he worked in the same company as Gao Zhisheng. He said that Gao was a talkative, even funny man, who had allegedly become a successful operational manager, talking about his wife and family.
On February 14th, western media began speculating as to whether the reports were valid. However, Geng He has denounced the claim as false, greatly frustrated by the lack of communication and deception. "I am in America now. I have no contact with Gao." Gao's siblings have also not been able to contact him, nor ascertain his true whereabouts and condition.
On February 15th, China Free Press agency Canyu released an article exposing the fake photos and highlighting their interview with Geng He. Evidence of tampering in the photos include the discrepancy of the time of year, based on Gao wearing a summer shirt while sitting beside a Uyghur man in a winter jacket, as well as striking similarities between the images allegedly taken of Gao very recently, and a set of photos taken before his arrest and torture in 2007.
President of ChinaAid Bob Fu sees a more sinister angle to the false reports: "With no evidence to suggest otherwise, this appears to be a ploy by the Chinese government to confuse people and cover up the truth. By telling reporters and advocacy organizations that Gao is in Xinjiang, it will keep them from hunting around Beijing for answers. The Chinese government is just playing games now."
There has also been evidence to suggest that Gao's wife and children continue to be held under close surveillance by the Chinese spy network while living in the United States.
ChinaAid urges the Chinese government to be transparent about Gao's condition and whereabouts, and will continue to campaign for the truth on his behalf.
ChinaAid grants permission to reproduce photos and/or information for non-fundraising purposes, with the provision that www.ChinaAid.org is credited. Please contact: Annee@ChinaAid.org for further information.
