David Xu, the Cal U Chinese Studies professor currently under federal investigation, released a statement responding to the allegations against him.
Official statement (via Los Angeles Times):
"I would like to begin by stating that I am not involved in any kind of espionage activity with the PRC. It frustrates me that I have to make such a statement because the allegations are not based on any evidence and are simply inhumane attacks based on racial identity. As a scholar studying China, a major part of my work is to follow the latest events and discourse in China, but this has become unbelievably difficult since the founding of the China Initiative. Government agents have repetitively called to inquire about all the trips I made to China and all the papers I published. Recently, with the tightened investigations, every aspect of my life and my family’s life is brutally intruded. During this time, I often felt incredibly small in face of the hostility of the government and the tension between two giant nations. Fortunately, my neighbors, colleagues, and students helped me through, and they reminded that there are a lot of people like me in the immigrants community; from professors whose social media is thoroughly searched every time they pass through the customs, to students who are afraid that going back to China could cost their visa status, but staying here might make them a target of Asian hate. I am touched by how the community came together to commemorate Laura and continue her unfinished efforts. As we come across another force that tries to segregate us, I sincerely hope we can stay together and use this as an opportunity to promote the rights of all hardworking immigrants and make our community a safer place for them."
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