Gov. Perry Meets with Pastor Bob Fu
Gov. Rick Perry today welcomed human and religious rights advocate Pastor Bob Fu to the Texas Capitol, discussing Fu's ongoing efforts to fight odious practices like forced abortion and promote religious freedom in his native country of China.
Pastor Fu fled China with his wife, Heidi, nearly two decades ago, evading what would have been the couple's second prison sentence for "illegal evangelism," a violation of China's restrictions on when, where and how worship can be conducted. Making the situation even more dire, Heidi was pregnant at the time, without permission, and would have been subjected to a forced abortion had authorities found out.
After arriving in the United States, Fu founded the ChinaAid Association, which moved to Midland in 2004. ChinaAid has consistently fought against religious persecution and human rights abuses in China.
ChinaAid was recently instrumental in the freeing of fellow Chinese activist, and friend, Chen Guangchen and his family. Chen is a vocal opponent of China's "one child" policy, which has led to the forced abortions of millions of babies. When Chen was caught up in an international controversy during his attempt to escape China, Fu helped keep the media spotlight on the U.S. State Department to ensure Chen wouldn't be forgotten. Chen and his family made it to the United States earlier this year.
Fu continues to support Christian activists back in China, funding the families of those currently imprisoned and raising global awareness of the ongoing abuses throughout the country.