The blind Chinese dissident who fled house arrest last month in a dramatic escape from Chinese security forces, Chen Guangcheng, left the American Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday after the Chinese government ensured that he would remain safe, according to American officials. Officials described details of the negotiations between the American and Chinese governments and Chen, as well as a telephone call to the dissident from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a statement, Clinton said she was “pleased that we were able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng’s stay and departure from the U.S. Embassy in a way that reflected his choices and our values. I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being reunited with his wife and children.” Six days ago, Chen, a self-taught lawyer who campaigned against forced abortions and sterilizations conducted as part of China’s policy of limiting families to one child, entered the U.S. Embassy with the assistance of American officials because of the “exceptional circumstances, including his disabilities,” according to a senior American official traveling with Clinton. “On humanitarian grounds we assisted him and allowed him to remain on a temporary basis,” the official said. Chen stood by his position that he was not seeking asylum in the United States, but wanted to stay with his family in China as a free person. At the end of his talk with Clinton, Chen said, “I would like to kiss you.”
