Hu Shiyun, a professor of Chinese literature and linguistics at Kobe Gakuin University in Japan, went missing last summer in China upon visiting the country. Last month, the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka, Japan was formally asked by the university to clarify his whereabouts, but no explanation was given. The Committee is concerned that Shiyun’s disappearance has political motivations.
https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/report/2023-03-18-kobe-gakuin-university/
April 15, 2024
President Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China
Zhongnanhai
Xichangan’jie
Xichengqu, Beijing Shi 100017
People’s Republic of China
Dear President Xi Jinping:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing regarding Dr. Hu Shiyun, a professor of Chinese literature and linguistics and head of the Chinese language section of the faculty of global communication at Kobe Gakuin University in Japan. He is a well-known scholar in the field and has published numerous academic papers, books, and textbooks on the Chinese language. In August 2023, Professor Hu Shiyun went to visit China upon the completion of the summer semester at Kobe Gakuin. He has not been heard from since. His family believes he was taken into government detention upon visiting the province he hails from in eastern China, Jiangsu. In March 2024, Kobe Gakuin formally asked the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka, Japan to clarify his whereabouts, but no explanation was given.
The Committee is concerned that this incident is part of a recurring pattern of arresting academics believed to be engaging in prohibited activities when in fact they are doing routine academic work. The whereabouts of Professor Hu Shiyun, including proof-of-life, not to mention physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as the reason for his detainment, must be immediately clarified. Evidence of any alleged wrongdoing must be revealed publicly. If he is being detained for purely political reasons, such as geopolitical tensions between countries, he should be immediately released and reunited with his family.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Anthony Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Wang Yi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
People’s Republic of China
No. 2, Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100701
Kenji Kanasugi
Ambassador of Japan to China
Embassy of Japan in China
People’s Republic of China
No.1 Liangmaqiao Dongjie
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
Tel: (86-10) 8531-9800