The US Department of State issued a veiled threat today, in a formal statement calling for China to release 23 defense lawyers and activists whom remain imprisoned without legal counsel.
"Jailing those who seek to defend the legal rights of others harms China’s international image...which is a critical component to fostering innovation and creating sustainable prosperity in the 21st century. To this end, we urge Chinese authorities to immediately release the lawyers and rights defenders still in detention, drop the charges against them, and allow them to move freely and reunite with their families who they have not seen in a year."