The State : Chinese Won’t Seek Asylum

Eight members of a Chinese opera company who disappeared in San Francisco last week just days before they were scheduled to return home will not seek political asylum in the United States, Alan Chow, executive director of the Chinese American Arts Council in New York City, said. He said the performers from the Shanghai Kun Opera had not realized the implications of their actions and were frightened by newspaper publicity. “They don’t realize what they did,” said Chow, adding that he was angry the entertainers had not contacted him before they acted. “If they wanted to stay in the U.S. they should have gone the legal way.” Chow, who has had no direct contact with the eight since they left New York, said he heard from friends that the group probably would not apply for asylum. Chow said he believes the performers are hiding with friends, four in San Francisco, two in New York City and two in Washington. immigration and FBI officials reported no contact with the group.