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| | country = {{CHN}}<br>{{USA}}<br>{{TWN}} | | country = {{CHN}}<br>{{USA}}<br>{{TWN}} | ||
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| datebirth = {{birth date and age|1963|4|16}} | ||
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| '''Hu Na''' ({{zh-cp|c=胡娜|p=Hú Nà}}) (born April 16, 1963) is a former ] ] best known for defecting from the People's Republic of China to the United States in 1982, thereby sparking a ]-era ]. ] 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. | '''Hu Na''' ({{zh-cp|c=胡娜|p=Hú Nà}}) (born ], ]) is a former ] ] best known for defecting from the ] to the ] in 1982, thereby sparking a ]-era ]. ] 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== | ==Early life== | ||
| Hu Na was a young and rising ] star from China's ] 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 ] 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. | Hu Na was a young and rising ] star from China's ] 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 ] 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 ]. | ||
| ==Diplomatic incident== | ==Diplomatic incident== | ||
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| ==Later life== | ==Later life== | ||
| After receiving asylum, Hu Na played professional tennis for the United States. Her best ] result was a third-round finish at the ]. She ] from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining ].<ref name="BangkokPost"/> | After receiving asylum, Hu Na played professional tennis for the ]. Her best ] result was a third-round finish at the ]. She ] from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining ].<ref name="BangkokPost"/> | ||
| She resettled in ]. There she worked as a ] for ] and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in ].<ref name="BangkokPost"/> | She resettled in ]. There she worked as a ] for ] and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in ].<ref name="BangkokPost"/> | ||
Revision as of 23:51, 18 November 2008
| Country (sports) |  China United States Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Residence | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Retired | 1991 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 75–97 |
| Highest ranking | No. 50 |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (1987) |
| French Open | 2R (1990) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1985) |
| US Open | 2R (1985, 1986) |
| Career record | 45–67 |
Hu Na (Chinese: 胡娜; pinyin: Hú Nà) (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.
Early life
Hu Na was a young and rising tennis 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.
Diplomatic incident
Beginning of incident
In 1982, while touring California 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. She requested political asylum, stating that she feared the Chinese government would compel her to join the Communist Party of China against her will under threat of persecution.
Immediate reactions of Chinese and American governments
The United States 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. On the other hand, American diplomats knew that to grant Hu Na asylum would almost certainly anger the Chinese regime and harm bilateral relations, and feared that China might even seek stronger relations with the Soviet Union as a result.
The Chinese government, meanwhile, asserted that it would not persecute Hu Na and floated vague assertions that she was being compelled to stay in America. The Chinese demanded her immediate 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 5th, 1983, the United States granted Hu Na political asylum.
The Chinese government immediately displayed its anger. It first denounced the asylum claim by diplomatic note, claiming the US was interfering in its domestic affairs. Then, the Chinese 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.
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 resulted in a loss of "face" 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 strongly object if Hu Na was granted some type of immigration 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 Slam 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.
References
- ^ Chang, David. "Former Chinese tennis star, defector, to return to China". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Headliners: Between East and West". The New York Times. 1983-03-27. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Isaacson, Walter (1983-04-18). "Furious Volley in No Win Match". Time. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Copper, John F. (1983-08-23). "The Lessons of Playing Tough with China". Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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