BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to thoroughly investigate the incident concerning a Chinese postdoctoral scholar, who took own life a day after being subjected to hostile questioning by U.S. law enforcement personnel.
Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, adding China is deeply saddened by the heartbreaking death and has protested to the U.S., and China's diplomatic missions swiftly got in touch with the researcher's family and actively assisted them in handling relevant matters.
Lin said the U.S. has for some time now overstretched the concept of national security for political manipulation and groundlessly interrogated and harassed Chinese scholars and students. These moves infringe on Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests, poison the atmosphere of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S., and create a serious chilling effect.
China calls on the U.S. to carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese scholars and students in the U.S., and stop imposing wrongful convictions, Lin said.
China will continue to take what is necessary to firmly defend Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests, Lin added. ■
