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| residence = [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]]
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| datebirth = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1963|4|16}}
| datebirth = {{birth date and age|1963|4|16}}
| placebirth = [[Chengdu]], [[Sichuan]], People's Republic of China
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'''Hu Na''' ({{zh-cp|c=胡娜|p=Hú Nà}}) (born April 16, 1963) is a former [[professional athlete|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.
'''Hu Na''' ({{zh-cp|c=胡娜|p=Hú Nà}}) (born [[April 16]], [[1963]]) is a former [[professional athlete|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==
==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.
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==
==Diplomatic incident==
Line 61: Line 61:
==Later life==
==Later life==


After receiving asylum, Hu Na played professional tennis for the United States. Her best [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] result was a third-round finish at the [[1985 Wimbledon Championships - Women's Singles|1985 Wimbledon]]. She [[retirement|retired]] from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining [[sports injury|injuries]].<ref name="BangkokPost"/>
After receiving asylum, Hu Na played professional tennis for the [[United States]]. Her best [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] result was a third-round finish at the [[1985 Wimbledon Championships - Women's Singles|1985 Wimbledon]]. She [[retirement|retired]] from professional play in 1991, however, after sustaining [[sports injury|injuries]].<ref name="BangkokPost"/>


She resettled in [[Taiwan]]. There she worked as a [[sportscaster|tennis commentator]] for [[ESPN]] and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in [[Taipei]].<ref name="BangkokPost"/>
She resettled in [[Taiwan]]. There she worked as a [[sportscaster|tennis commentator]] for [[ESPN]] and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in [[Taipei]].<ref name="BangkokPost"/>

Revision as of 18:20, 17 November 2008

Template:Chinese name

Hu Na
Country (sports) China
 United States
 Taiwan
ResidenceTaipei, Taiwan
Retired1991[1]
Singles
Career record75–97
Highest rankingNo. 50[1]
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open2R (1987)
French Open2R (1990)
Wimbledon3R (1985)
US Open2R (1985, 1986)
Career record45–67

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 [2] 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 [3] 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. [4] 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.[1]

She resettled in Taiwan. There she worked as a tennis commentator for ESPN and established the Hu Na Bitan Tennis Club in Taipei.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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)
  2. ^ "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)
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ Copper, John F. (1983-08-23). "The Lessons of Playing Tough with China". Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-08-15.