To the editor:

This letter represents only my opinion. I do not like some people acting as if they were representatives of a community or a group of persons while they are actually not.

I do not know that the Chinese community in Ames appointed or elected Wang Bing-Bing (April 26 letter, “Borre contradicts his own statements”) as our spokesman. But I do believe we Chinese have different opinions on different issues.

The fact I want to point out is that presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore are different.

They are different not only in policy but in character. And right now, there are at least four candidates for U.S. presidency.

Moreover, I do not think Chinese have real voting rights or are voting right. There is one candidate in all the important positions. Mr. Wang forgot to mention that this sole candidate was appointed by the Communist Party (the only real political party in Mainland China).

Those representatives do have the option not to vote for him. However, they are under tremendous pressure to vote for the only candidate. First, most of the representatives are members of the CP. Second, they will not be appointed as candidates by the CP in their own election next time.

Moreover, they will face personal prosecution either financially or bodily — or both — afterwards if they do not act as the party commands.

One of my relatives had been chosen to be elected as a people’s representative at the National People’s Representatives’ Meeting (supposedly China’s Congress) four times.

First, she must give up her religious beliefs. Then she must join the CP. She even does not have the option of not being elected.

It is funny for another relative of mine. He is chosen to be a representative of the National Political Association (supposedly China’s Senate) because he is a believer.

I only use these facts to point out some of Mr. Wang’s claims are not true. And I do not want to trouble my relatives in China.

Thomas Chong

Graduate student

Horticulture