Passing on Values

Melodee Hanes, wife of Max Baucus, US Ambassador to China [Women of China English Monthly]

Melodee Hanes, wife of Max Baucus, US Ambassador to China, has had 30 years of work experiences in the fields of public service and law. In June 2009, President Barack Obama named Hanes acting deputy administrator for policy in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, under the US Department of Justice (DOJ). In that position, she handled hundreds of child abuse and sexual assault prosecutions. Hanes has long been an advocate who has urged society to help protect women and children's legal rights and interests. Women of China (WOC) recently interviewed Hanes, who discussed her life in China, especially as the US ambassador's spouse. She also offered a message ahead of the annual sessions of China's National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (commonly referred to as the "two sessions").

Q: What are your major concerns regarding the protection of women and children's rights and interests in China? What is your impression of China's efforts to enhance women and children's development?

A: First of all, China has taken important steps to protect the rights of women and children through its recently passed anti-domestic violence law (the Law of the People's Republic of China Against Domestic Violence). I am very pleased to see that China has begun the enormous task of creating a legal and judicial framework, which will not only respond to cases of domestic violence, but will also help prevent those cases from occurring in the first place.

The acknowledgement that domestic violence is not something that should be hidden is the first step toward creating a comprehensive system that can address domestic violence. However, looking at family violence in China over the past two years, I have noticed several areas of concern. In the United States, one of the strongest supports for family violence victims is community, that is the friends, neighbors and colleagues who can gather around the victims and provide them with emotional support. One thing I've noticed here is the shame associated with being the recipient(s) of violence and some individuals' unwillingness to get involved in the affairs of others.

One of the greatest lessons we have learned in the United States is that protecting women and children's rights doesn't require just the government, but also communities. Civil society plays a key role in the United States in helping victims and the lobbying of government (to issue) sound policies to protect women and children. I would encourage China to promote the role of grass-roots organizations in educating the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Q: What remarkable events have you attended in China?

A: I have been privileged to have been in China for two years, and I have had many wonderful opportunities to get out, meet Chinese people and learn about this fascinating country. In Beijing, I have come to know many extraordinary leaders, both women and men, (who work) in the government and (the fields of) business, law and culture. We have welcomed outstanding Americans, including US President Barack Obama, and our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to China.

Some of my most memorable experiences have happened during my travels around China, such as seeing the ancient culture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, meeting veterans of the famous "Flying Tigers" (the American pilots and ground crew of the American Volunteer Group [AVG] who served in China from late 1941 to July 4, 1942) in Yunnan Province, helping preserve sea turtles in Hainan Province, participating in the Snow and Ice Festival in Harbin (capital of Heilongjiang Province) and observing the elephants' preserve in Xishuangbanna (also in Yunnan Province).

Q: In what events will you participate this year?

A: One of the greatest things about living in Beijing is that we have many opportunities to get involved in cultural exchanges. My sister will be leading a musical group from Missouri (a state in Midwestern United States) in May, the same month that we will welcome the Philadelphia Orchestra to China. I am also looking forward to the next round of the Consultation on People-to-People Exchange, which will have a pillar (to support) women's issues, and which will bring a distinguished delegation to Beijing. Finally, I am sure, with the G20 (Group of 20) summit (to be held in September) in Hangzhou (capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province), we will see more important exchange opportunities.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Cooking is a favorite hobby of mine, particularly because I can learn about other cultures through cuisine. One of my early outings after I arrived in Beijing was a soup-dumpling cooking class with my son. I have also been studying Chinese at Tsinghua University. Some of my favorite activities are just getting out and speaking with average Chinese people. My volunteer work with children's charities is also very important to me, as I think that volunteering is such an important value we need to pass along to our young people.

Message for the 'Two Sessions:'

China's first-ever charity law (approved on March 16 during the fourth session of the 12th National People's Congress) will have a great impact on charities working directly with women and children. It has been a great honor, while living here (in China), to have opportunities to visit organizations (that have been) doing some of the hardest, but meaningful, work to help vulnerable populations. Fundraising for a charity is often a thankless job, but I hope the newly adopted charity law will encourage Chinese citizens to help those charities, so they will help even more people. If we can support charities, we will see more women and children benefit from their services too.
 
(Source: Women of China English Monthly April 2016 Issue)