Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese human rights activist, arrived in the United States on Saturday evening, bringing an end to a diplomatic firestorm that exploded after he escaped from house arrest and took to the video web broadcast, YouTube, to protest about abuse he said his family suffered at the hands of Chinese authorities. After the U.S. State Department prohibited public and media access, United Airlines Flight 88 landed at New York/Newark Liberty International Airport. Chen arrived with his wife and two children.
Less than two hours after his flight, Chen, 40, spoke to a crowd of reporters and onlookers from New York University, where he will participate in a fellowship. He said, “I am very grateful to the assistance of the American Embassy and the promise of the Chinese government for protection of my rights as a citizen over the long term. I am very gratified to see the Chinese government has been dealing with the situation with restraint and calm.” The activist hinted that the U.S. government granted him partial citizenship rights. Chen asked people to work with him to “promote justice and fairness in China” and said he was looking forward to recuperating in “body and spirit.”
