China Scientist Seeks Asylum
A prominent Chinese scientist, one of seven who are touring oil-related facilities in Colorado, is seeking asylum in the United States, authorities said today.
Jim Hardin, acting district director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, said Guixiao Chang, 50, walked into the Denver Police Department headquarters Sunday and said he wants to defect.
“He is in protective custody, and we are awaiting instructions from the State Department on what to do with him,” Hardin said.
Hardin said Chang is a chemical engineer with the oil field chemistry department of the Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development in Peking.
“He’s a scientist, not a political figure, but he’s probably one of their better-known chemical engineers,” he said.
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