Hospitalised dissident awaits permission to leave China

BEIJING – Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng remained largely out of contact in a Beijing hospital yesterday as diplomats kept up contacts with authorities over how he might leave China and travel to study in the United States.

Chen arrived at the Chaoyang Hospital last week from the United States embassy, where he had taken refuge after a dramatic escape from 19 months under house arrest in his home village.The fate of the blind, 40-year old activist over-shadowed a visit to Beijing last week by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and threatened to complicate already difficult US-China relations.China’s Foreign Ministry made an apparent concession on Friday, saying Chen could apply to study abroad. Reuters last spoke to Chen that evening.The US Embassy said yesterday US officers had visited Chen’s wife on Saturday at the hospital, and remained in contact with the family and with Chinese officials dealing with the case. The embassy declined to elaborate on any negotiations.Human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who said he was recovering from ear injuries after security agents struck him following an attempt to visit the hospital, told Reuters he had spoken to Chen on Saturday afternoon.’We mostly discussed his health and his situation. He is feeling optimistic,’ said Jiang, who is barred from leaving his apartment.Jiang said Chen had told him Chinese leaders had contacted him about his case. Jiang did not say which leaders.The US embassy had earlier thought it had a deal to allow Chen to stay in China without retribution but it fell apart as Chen grew worried about his family’s safety. He changed his mind about staying in China and asked to travel to the United States.Human rights are a major factor in relations between China and the United States even though the United States needs China’s help on issues such as Iran, North Korea, Sudan and the fragile global economy.US President Barack Obama would face election-year criticism at home if the United States was seen as failing to ensure the dissident’s safety. At the same time, China has accused the United States of meddling in its affairs. – Nampa-Reuters