China made official representations to the United States on Monday concerning the alleged beating by US Homeland Security officers of a Chinese visitor.

Zhao Yan, 37, from Tianjin, was on her first US business trip last week. On July 21, while she was at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between Canada and the US, Homeland Security Department agents caught a man who was trying to smuggle marijuana. Thinking she was with him, Zhao says, agents sprayed her with pepper spray, threw her on the ground and repeatedly kicked her in the body and head. At least three agents participated, she says.

One federal officer, Robert Rhodes, has been charged with violating Zhao's civil rights by kneeing her in the face and slamming her head against the ground. Rhodes reportedly told investigators that Zhao and two friends ran from him and he used his pepper spray after Zhao swung her arms at him. He said she was hurt when he tried to subdue her bodily and the two fell to the ground.

The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York is deeply concerned about the case. He contacted Zhao and inquired into the circumstances, assuring her of his office's availability to assist her.

On Monday morning, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing discussed the matter by telephone with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging the United States to conduct a serious and thorough investigation. Li demanded that those responsible for the incident should receive legal punishment.

Powell responded that he would inquire into the issue, and the State Department's deputy spokesman Adam Ereli later announced, "We look forward to getting to the bottom of it as soon as possible."

On the same day Qiu Shaofang, deputy director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made official representations to the United States through its embassy in Beijing. Qiu said that the US government has persistently claimed that it values human rights, yet its border inspectors had abused an innocent Chinese businesswoman. China, said Qiu, is shocked by the incident and wishes to express strong dissatisfaction and serious concern.

Qiu requested that the US government carefully and thoroughly investigate the case, take appropriate action for violations of the law and keep China apprised of progress.

Qiu also said that China hopes the US government will take steps to prevent similar events occurring in the future, which might damage its own image and hurt Chinese people's feelings.

Zhao, who was taken to a hospital emergency room in Niagara Falls after the incident, has said that her eyes were swollen shut, a tooth was broken and her skin was burning from the pepper spray. She reportedly indicated that the humiliation is worse than the physical pain and is experiencing severe depression as a result.

Zhao reportedly plans to sue the US government for US$5 million.

(China.org.cn July 27, 2004)