Chinese woman tells press about assault

cctv.com 07-28-2004 12:58

Zhao Yan, the Chinese businesswoman, who was pepper-sprayed and beaten by a US border inspector, has spoken to the press for the first time about her experience.

Zhao Yan met the press in the company of her lawyer. Bruising was obvious on her face, although she had covered up with a hat and glasses. She said she was suffering unbearable pain, both physical and mental. But she seemed confident she would win her case against the US border inspector, saying it was for her own dignity and that of the Chinese nation.

Zhao Yan said, "I want to express thanks for the support of my fellow Chinese people, our country and the officials of the Chinese Embassy to the United States. I cannot tell you how much the incident hurt me both in my body and my heart. You do not know the bitterness I'm now suffering. But all I can do is hold on, despite the pain. I will go to court to ask the assailant be punished. I'm confident that I can win the case. It's not only for my own dignity, but also for the dignity of our nation."

Zhao Yan is from the Northern Chinese coastal city of Tianjin. She was on her first business-trip to the US when the incident occurred last week at Niagara Falls near the US-Canadian border. Charged with violating her civil rights, the accused is a US Customs and Border Protection officer, who claims he mistook Zhao Yan for a drug trafficker. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged representations with US diplomats over the assault.

Editor:Xiao  Source:CCTV.com