I have no idea if this is true, but I have heard of similar stories of US Citizens being jailed due to business disputes, and the US government doing nothing. 

Harrowing tale of near death in China - SF Gate

The quote I heard "it's a business dispute", for a somebody I know whom spent time in a Chinese jail, and their family asked for help from the US government. Other related blog posts:

• Strange Business Case
• China Bars US Businessman from Returning Home
• Scary - Chinese born American Citizen in China Jailed
• Chinese business horror stories
• Chinese Kidnapping
• American Citizen still Chinese?

Labels: chinese corruption