Published by: World Tibet Network News Issue ID: 97/10/24

Jam (Online magazine)

Thursday, October 23, 1997

WASHINGTON (AP) -- While official Washington prepared for next week's state visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, actor Richard Gere turned the spotlight of his latest film premiere onto President Clinton, asking him to stand firm against the Communist giant.

"We're not going to pretend this is a new, cuddly Communist Chinese government we have here. They haven't proven themselves yet," Gere said at a party late Wednesday following the premiere of "Red Corner." In the film, which opens in theaters Oct. 31, Gere plays an American executive framed on murder charges in Beijing by corrupt officials.

An outspoken critic of China's human rights record and its control over Tibet, Gere planned a protest rally outside the White House next week plus his own "State-less" dinner, to coincide with the pomp and circumstance of the state dinner Clinton is hosting for Jiang.

"We've had a president who has been neither clear nor firm on China's human rights since the very beginning and that waffling ... with China has sent a message of weakness," the actor said.

Clinton has refused demands from human rights' activists and many religious leaders to condition China's "Most Favored Nation" trade status to improvements in human rights.

Gere's co-star, Bai Ling, said in quiet English that she hoped the film would focus international scrutiny on oppression in China, where her parents still live. Having left her country five years ago, the former Tiananmen Square protestor said she is now even more afraid to return after her role in "Red Corner."

"The Chinese people have suffered for so long and they're living in fear," she said. "Somebody has to speak out. It's a great thing for the world to see China for what it is and demand change."