The Chinese central government's public relations woes continue. However, when it comes to incarcerating "foreign agents" without due process, the United States Congress is on decidedly shaky ground. While the protests and demands are undoubtedly out of legitimate concern and have a sound legal basis, the Congressmen's moral authority can be too easily dismissed by China with the old saw: Put your own house in order before preaching its virtues to others.
A group of senior American Congressmen has demanded the release of imprisoned democracy activist, Yang Jianli.
Mr Yang, a US resident, has been in prison in China for two years, on charges of illegal entry and spying for Taiwan.
He was tried in August last year but, as yet, no verdict has been issued.
By Chinese law, a Beijing court should have handed down a verdict or set him free within two and a half months of the closed-door, one-day trial.
In a letter to Chinese President, Hu Jintao, 67 Republican and Democrat congressmen say the imprisonment of the 40-year-old scholar is "an extraordinarily inhumane act unworthy of a great nation."
They have warned that US-Chinese relations will be harmed by Mr Yang's continued imprisonment and "brutal treatment".
