Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) makes an address with members of the China Aid delegation.

Expose, Encourage
China Aid honors human rights defenders with Courage Award

    In order to honor human rights lawyers, China Aid hosted an invite-only event at the Library of Congress on Jan. 31 entitled, “Worsening Religious Freedom and Rule of Law in China: What does that mean to the United States and Free World?” This occasion marked China Aid’s 15th anniversary of helping persecuted Christians and celebrated the efforts of Chinese human rights lawyers, efforts which often come at great personal cost. Several of the lawyers present spoke about these conditions.

    Notable guests included Senator Marco Rubio, Representative Mike Conaway, Representative Chris Smith, Representative Randy Hultgren, Representative James McGovern, retired Representative Frank Wolf, retired Representative Beau Boulter, Dr. Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USCIRF’s Vice Chair and Commissioner, Jim Zogby, President of World Uyghur Congress Rebiya Kadeer, blind self-taught lawyer Chen Guangcheng, Attorney Mike Donnelly, Christian Solidarity Worldwide CEO Mervyn Thomas, Advocacy International CEO Brent McBurney, Secretary General of World Evangelical Alliance Bishop EF Tendero, former Permanent Representative to the United Nations for World Evangelical Alliance Deborah Fikes, Washington Institute president Dr. Steve Garber, and others.

    During the event, seven human rights lawyers nominated by China Aid’s board of directors were awarded the 2016 Courage Award for Defense of Religious Freedom in China for their tireless bravery. The recipients are Lawyer Li Baiguang, Lawyer Zhang Kai, Lawyer Gao Zhisheng, Lawyer Li Heping, Lawyer Li Chunfu, Lawyer Jiang Tianyong, and Lawyer Tang Jingling.