CHAO: Reports say that a military doctor who exposed China`s SARS cover-up has been barred from visiting the United States, in keeping with curbs imposed after he asked for a re-appraisal of the 1989 Tiananmen protests.
Jiang Yanyong`s request to quit the People`s Liberation Army was also refused, apparently to keep him under military control.
Jiang`s wife, Hua Zhongwei, left in July to visit their daughter in California, but he was not able to join them. His employer, the No. 301 Hospital, refused to comment.
Jiang became a hero to many Chinese for exposing the SARS cover-up in 2003 that led to the sacking of the health minister and the Beijing mayor and prompted accurate reporting of the epidemic.
He was freed from months of house arrest in March this year but 10 restrictions were placed on him, including curbs on speaking without permission to Chinese and foreign reporters, travelling overseas and attending activities at the invitation of foreign groups or individuals.