August 23, 2026

Ambassador David Perdue

U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China

U.S. Embassy Beijing

RE: URGENT – Request for Intervention in the Case of U.S. National Gao Zhen

Dear Ambassador Perdue,

Hostage Aid Worldwide is writing to you at the urgent request of Gao Qiang, the brother of Gao Zhen, a U.S. legal permanent resident, regarding the critical and time-sensative circumstances surrounding his case. Gao Zhen has been in detention in China since 2024 and is currently facing charges of “insulting the reputation of heroes and martyrs”. These charges stem from satirical sculptures Gao Zhen created ten years before the law under which he is now being charged even existed.

Gao Zhen’s brother, Gao Qiang, was just informed by his brother’s lawyer that the Sanhe City Court in Hebei Province has scheduled the announcement of Gao Zhen’s verdict for Tuesday, August 25, at 9:00 a.m. The family received this information on extremely short notice.

We are deeply concerned that there is now a very limited window in which meaningful diplomatic intervention may be possible. If a three-year sentence is imposed, it may become significantly more difficult to secure Gao Zhen’s release and his return to the United States, as well as the ability of his American son, and his LPR wife to return to the United States, as they are both under a travel ban in China.

We understand that you met with China’s Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, last year and we are grateful for your continued support of this case. We hope you may be able to leverage this relationship and raise Gao Zhen’s case directly with Minister Wang, urging Gao Zhen’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds. This resolution would also be a good diplomatic gesture ahead of  President Xi Jinping’s trip to the U.S. next month that would allow Gao Zhen and his family to safely return home.

Given the extremely short timeline before the scheduled verdict, we respectfully urge your office to take whatever actions may be possible as a matter of urgency. We believe that intervention before the verdict is announced could be critical in this case.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for any assistance you may be able to provide. We would be deeply grateful for your immediate consideration.

Best Regards,

Nizar Zakka, President

Barry Rosen, Co-Founder

Ali Arab, Treasurer