Hu Na Incident
Encyclopedia
Hu Na (born April 16, 1963) is a former professional tennis player best known for defecting from the People's Republic of China
to the United States
in 1982, thereby sparking a Cold War
-era diplomatic incident. Diplomatic relations between the two countries had been established in 1979, and the Hu Na incident was among the first major tests of those newly-established relations.
star from China's Sichuan
province. She had a talent for sports from a very early age, and spent several hours practicing every day. Noting her talent, her father was able to enroll her in a special athletic school. She took a special interest in tennis, going on to win first at the Sichuan
provincial level competition, then the national level young tennis tournament, making her China's top-ranked tennis player. At this point, she was invited to join the China national women's tennis team, based in Beijing
.
with a Chinese government-sponsored tennis team, on her second day in America, Hu Na fled her hotel
room and sought refuge in the home of friends. In April 1983, she requested political asylum, stating that she had a "well-founded" fear of persecution because of repeatedly refusing to join the Communist Party of China
.
The Chinese government meanwhile stated that it had no intention of persecuting Hu Na and floated vague assertions that she was being compelled to stay in America against her will. They demanded her return to China.
The Chinese government was infuriated, saying that this constituted blatant American intervention in its domestic affairs. They then announced they would sever all cultural and artistic ties between the two countries. A Voice of America
radio broadcasting delegation visit to China, scheduled to take place just a few days later, was cancelled. American diplomats in Beijing found themselves cut off from invitations and contacts with the Chinese government.
status other than "political asylum".
Ultimately, the incident did not result in long-term damage to Sino-American relations. Looking back, it was a clear win for American foreign policy. The United States showed it was willing to reject unreasonable Chinese demands even while seeking improved relations. China, meanwhile, learned that even high level diplomatic maneuvers would be unlikely to change a US policy with popular support across American society.
result was a third-round finish at the 1985 Wimbledon
. She retired
from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining injuries.
She resettled in Taiwan
. There she worked as a tennis commentator
for ESPN
and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in Taipei
.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1982, thereby sparking a Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
-era diplomatic incident. Diplomatic relations between the two countries had been established in 1979, and the Hu Na incident was among the first major tests of those newly-established relations.
Early life
Hu Na was a young and rising tennisTennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
star from China's Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
province. She had a talent for sports from a very early age, and spent several hours practicing every day. Noting her talent, her father was able to enroll her in a special athletic school. She took a special interest in tennis, going on to win first at the Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
provincial level competition, then the national level young tennis tournament, making her China's top-ranked tennis player. At this point, she was invited to join the China national women's tennis team, based in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
Beginning of incident
In July 1982, while touring CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with a Chinese government-sponsored tennis team, on her second day in America, Hu Na fled her hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
room and sought refuge in the home of friends. In April 1983, she requested political asylum, stating that she had a "well-founded" fear of persecution because of repeatedly refusing to join the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
.
Immediate reactions of Chinese and American governments
The US government allowed her to remain in America while it considered her request. It delayed nearly eight months in making a decision. On the one hand, Hu Na had considerable sympathy from President Reagan's administration and from the American public, but on the other hand, American diplomats knew that to grant Hu Na asylum would almost certainly damage relations with China and possibly drive it closer to the Soviet Union.The Chinese government meanwhile stated that it had no intention of persecuting Hu Na and floated vague assertions that she was being compelled to stay in America against her will. They demanded her return to China.
Granting of asylum
The US Department of State finally issued a memo supporting her asylum claim to the Department of Justice, which had the ultimate responsibility to make a decision. On April 5, 1983, the United States formally granted Hu Na political asylum.The Chinese government was infuriated, saying that this constituted blatant American intervention in its domestic affairs. They then announced they would sever all cultural and artistic ties between the two countries. A Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
radio broadcasting delegation visit to China, scheduled to take place just a few days later, was cancelled. American diplomats in Beijing found themselves cut off from invitations and contacts with the Chinese government.
Long-term effects
While the asylum incident's aftershocks were at first severe, the incident did not impact long-term Sino-American relations. Hu Na herself was likely of little concern to the Chinese, however, the incident was an embarrassment for the Chinese government and brought to light other bilateral points of contention. One contemporary article stated that the Chinese, through diplomatic channels, suggested that they would not have complained as much if Hu Na was granted some type of immigrationImmigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
status other than "political asylum".
Ultimately, the incident did not result in long-term damage to Sino-American relations. Looking back, it was a clear win for American foreign policy. The United States showed it was willing to reject unreasonable Chinese demands even while seeking improved relations. China, meanwhile, learned that even high level diplomatic maneuvers would be unlikely to change a US policy with popular support across American society.
Later life
After receiving asylum, Hu Na played professional tennis for the United States. Her best Grand SlamGrand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
result was a third-round finish at the 1985 Wimbledon
1985 Wimbledon Championships - Women's Singles
Martina Navrátilová defeated Chris Evert 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the final to win the Ladies' Singles title at the 1985 Wimbledon Championships.See also:-Seeds:The seeded players are listed below...
. She retired
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining injuries.
She resettled in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. There she worked as a tennis commentator
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
.