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Subscribe to RSSThe blind Chinese dissident also asked to live in the United States with his family, after the U.S. appeared to have brokered a deal that allowed him to stay in China. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
UPDATED: 5:36 p.m. ET -- Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng spoke on the telephone during a Congressional Executive Commission on China hearing, asking for help to leave China with his family.
Chen told the commission he would be in a much worse situation had he not been taken into the U.S. embassy, adding that he wanted to thank Secretary of State Hillary Clinton face to face.
Speaking through a translator, Chen said he is concerned about the safety of his mother and brothers, adding he would want to find out how they were doing.
Frantic efforts to resolve the diplomatic wrangle surrounding Chen continued in Beijing Thursday after he appealed for asylum following what was described as a "change of heart" over an earlier deal.
U.S. officials said they are still trying to help the lawyer, who says he fears for his family's safety, and denied he was pressured to leave the American Embassy to resettle inside China in exchange for guarantees about his future treatment.
Chen said by telephone from hospital, where he was escorted by U.S. officials and was being treated for a broken foot, that he had changed his mind about the resettlement deal after talking with his wife, who spoke of recent threats made against his family.
In a string of interviews, he said he now wants to leave China as soon as possible. “My fervent hope is that it would be possible for me and my family to leave for the U.S. on Hillary Clinton’s plane,” he told the Daily Beast.
A senior State Department official told reporters on Thursday that officials were "trying to get full, frank and candid conversation with him," adding: "We are not there yet. If he is changing his view, we're starting from square one with the Chinese."
"When we feel that we have a clear view of what his final decision is, we will do what we can to help him achieve that," the official said.
A source familiar with the situation said Chen and his wife appeared to have had "a change of heart" about a deal, agreed on Tuesday, to remain in China after receiving guarantees about their safety.
U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke discusses the blind activist Chen Guangcheng's apparent 'change of heart' and how the U.S. is trying to help resolve the issue.
China censors 'Shawshank' as Clinton heads to Beijing amid dissident drama
"We don't know if there was intimidation or pressure from friends who think he made the wrong choice, or whether he got in the room with his wife and she was looking at a different situation," the source added.
The New York Times reported that the saga leaves Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's scheduled summit meeting in Beijing "under a cloud of confusion."
It reported that the Obama administration was "exposed to criticism from Republicans and human rights groups that it had rushed to resolve a delicate human rights case so that it would not overshadow other matters on the bilateral agenda," such as the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs and China's currency and trade policies.
'I feel unsafe'
Chen, a self-taught legal activist, explained his change of mind: "I feel very unsafe. My rights and safety cannot be assured here," he said. His family, who were with him at the hospital, backed his decision to try to reach the United States, he added.
Blind activist: Chinese officials threatened my wife
The activist, citing descriptions from his wife, Yuan Weijing, said his family had been surrounded by Chinese officials who menaced them and filled the family home. Chen, from a village in rural Shandong province, has two children.
"When I was inside the American Embassy, I didn't have my family, and so I didn't understand some things. After I was able to meet them, my ideas changed."
Us Embassy Beijing Press Office / AFP - Getty Images
In handout photograph from the US Embassy Beijing Press office taken on Wednesday, Chen Guangcheng together with US ambassador to China Gary Locke as Chen's wife Yuan Weijing and children meet him in Beijing.
Gary Locke, the U.S. ambassador, told reporters he could say unequivocally that Chen was never pressured to leave the embassy.
Locke said Chen had two conversations with his wife before agreeing to the original deal on Tuesday. "We waited several minutes and suddenly he jumped up very eager and said 'let's go' in front of many witnesses," the ambassador said.
Clinton urged China to protect human rights but made no specific mention of Chen, whom she had spoken to on Wednesday after he left the embassy.
Blind dissident's case a 'hot potato' for US-China relations
"Of course, as part of our dialogue, the United States raises the importance of human rights and fundamental freedoms," Clinton said. "We believe all governments have to answer our citizens' aspirations for dignity and the rule of law and that no nation can or should deny those rights."
US-China relationship under pressure
Despite Chen's change of heart about staying in China, it was unclear if he would be able to travel to the United States. Having left the Embassy and the protection of U.S. authorities, his fate is now in the hands of the Chinese government.
U.S. officials appeared no longer to be with him on Thursday, with the dissident saying he had still not had an opportunity to explain his change of heart to the U.S. side.
"I hope the U.S. will help me leave immediately. I want to go there for medical treatment," Chen said from the hospital, where a pack of camera crews and reporters was waiting outside, kept away from the entrance by a few police.
Chen, 40, is a legal activist who campaigned against forced abortions under China's "one-child" policy. On April 22, he escaped 19 months of house arrest, during which he and his family faced beatings and threats.
Us Embassy Beijing Press Office / Reuters
An handout photo from US Embassy Beijing Press office shows blind activist Chen Guangcheng making a phone call as he is accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke, Wednesday.
Chen's dramatic escape from house arrest and his flight last week to the U.S. Embassy have made him a symbol of resistance to China's shackles on dissent, and the deal struck by Beijing and Washington would have made him an international test case of how tight or lose those restrictions remain.
Now, however, his change of mind throws not only his own future into doubt but also raises questions about the wider U.S.-China relationship.
Reuters, The Associated Press, NBC's Kristin Wilson and msnbc.com's Alastair Jamieson contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Overpopulation is destroying this planet, and this blind fool thinks that China's 1-child policy and forced abortions for additional pregnancies is a bad thing. Again, the dreams take precedence over reality and facts. China is on the right path limiting human births, and the rest of the planet would be wise to follow. China's economic policies are also something the USA and other nations should learn from as well. China has no debt while the rest of the world is broke from overspending, borrowing, and living beyond their means.
Remember that when you feed the poor, all you get are more and more poor. It is reverse evolution... survival of the weakest, laziest, and least intelligent.
Wild animals allow nature to cull their numbers and herd size according to food supplies and environment. The human animal would be well advised to stop interfering with nature, or the world is doomed.
More humans means a lower quality of life for everyone and everything.
Those waiting for an imaginary god or jesus are the biggest part of the problem.
Did you thank you mother today for not aborting you?
DelFairchild-1968594
Likely they didn't. After all libs who pontificate about the wonderful provisions of abortion are already sucking at the government teat.
"Gary Locke, the U.S. ambassador, told reporters he could say unequivocally that Chen was never pressured to leave the embassy."
That's not what Mr. Chen says. He claims embassy officials lobbied him to leave, and that he was told his family would be beaten or killed if he didn't. This is a clear case of the U.S. reneging on its promise to stand up for freedom and human rights. The meeting on trade should be postponed until this matter is resolved.
Sure John Moran, lets postpone mutualy beneficial talks for this blind, law breaking idiot.
I am sorry Mr. Chen, but there is no room on Mrs. Clinton's plane for you or your family. It is too politically charged an issue to allow you to come to the US. We owe your Gov't too much money while giving them most favored status for a trading partner. We can't have anything to derail Mr. President's re-election no matter if it is the right thing to do. Better luck next time.
He's not that of a big fish on a bigger scheme. Sorry. US has very important economics talks to be done and you don't meddle with big money. Just send him to Canada. he will have freedom of speech and free healthcare.
There is no way in hell or on god's green earth that this guy will be permitted into the USA
After all, who wants someone in this country that questions governmental authority? Certainly not the regime in DC now!
There's something wrong here. I don't know what, I don't have all the facts, but the whole business smells fishy.
the state dept, justice dept, executive branch, congress, all dysfunctional. the result is, a struggling economy, unemployment, distrust of government, wake up folks. the only card we hold is the one we put in the ballot box. we HAVE to vote all of em OUT. no lawyers or millionaires need apply. military(no generals), plumbers , electricians , firemen, small business owners, housewives, teachers, etc all need to run for office.
Can I have a ride on Hillary's plane too? After all I help pay for it!
Can my wife and kids come too?
The Chinese should lock up this idiot Chin, in a cell with big mouth Hillary, and throw away the key.
I would say that Mr. Chen has lost his chance to leave China. He left the embassy and the protections that it offers to remain in China. The Chinese government would be foolish to let him go now. He will be shipped off to some reeducation facility and will disappear. Personally, I believe trying to loweror level the population by creating the one child law is best for the country. China's population is bottom heavy and very soon the largest segment of the population will be in the birthing age. China's resourses are already strained and if they wish to improve the quality of life for everyone, everyone must sacrifice.
I want a couple of million dollars doesn't mean I'll get it.
Reminds me of the old saying: people in h377 want ice water....
This blind guy is against the Chinese government policy of one child family. To many do-gooders in the west the policy is repressive but it is essential for Chinse government to control her population growth or her limited resources would not be able to cope with the population explosion, creating chaos not only to China but to the world.
This person is a trouble maker to Chinese government and therefore he has been contained. His venture to US embassy, no double aided by those who hold malice towards China, is to embarrass China pror to the arrival of Hillary. Now he has the audacity to ask to fly to US on Hillary's plane, what a joke and big wish.
Sold out by the obama administration. Is anyone really shocked by this? Our bi-polar president has thrown everyone under the bus for expediency and his own re-election efforts. Did this guy really think obama cares about human rights except on the campaign trail? What a fool
USA should help its citizen illegally blocked in China for almost 4 years come home!!!
USA should help its citizen illegally blocked in China for almost 4 years come home!!! www.change.org/petitions/help-my-father-dr-zhicheng-hu-come-home
Well now, Hop Sing -- got any Chinese military secrets, news about WMDs or the real nitty-gritty on the Chinese economy? No? Rotsa ruck getting on the plane, pally! LOL
This individual who claims to be a "Freedom Fighter" is no more than a religious nut case who is advocating the lifting of the "One Child Rule" and the replacement of the government of China with the Church.
China has 1.3 billion people now, if the situation was to revert to pre One Child Rule that population would skyrocket to 2.8 billion people in 20 years, most of which would be starving, uneducated and dying of various diseases. This is the humanitarian quest this darling of the Western Media they are so in love with is advocating? Is it a humanitarian gesture to let millions of children starve in the name of Jesus and the Pope? Who is going to feed them, cloth them, educate them, where will they find jobs?
No this person is not a Freedom Fighter rather he is a religious zealot without empathy for others and their plight with a personal agenda based on the world in the 2nd Century not the 21st Century. These 2nd Century ideas are counter productive to a rational scientific approach to the management of resources and population growth.
This situation could be the best thing for the countries economy. Go snatch the guy and his family. Pisssss awwwf China and they cut us off from their product.
All the nation has to do then is start producing for itself. Win, Win, Win.
Course The Yellow Belly, Elitist Pig, Fools On Washingtons Capitol Hill, couldnt stomach that. The nation fending for itself that is, because their isnt anything in that for them.
Raise $500,000.00 for obama's re-election and not only will you get a ride on the plane by a job in his administration and a "get outta jail free" card. obama doesn't help anyone for free dude.
USA should help its citizen illegally blocked in China for 4 years come home!!! www.change.org/petitions/help-my-father-dr-zhicheng-hu-come-home
the united states should stay out of this and mine its own business ! and keep china happy so they don't seize the American interest in its country and nationalize them ! WE SHOULD LEAVE HIM THERE !
Romney on tv tonite taking Obama to task for not letting this "dissident" come home "on Hillary's plane" - yet he says he wants to come here for medical reasons. Do you realize how many gazillion "dissidents" there are in the third world? If we take one opportunist who knows how to play the media, complete with a lawyer in a tailor made suit - we take them all. Even the rich Chinese want to come to the U.S. What ever happened to "protect our borders"? Doesn't Romney have any substantive issues that he has to make hay out of this?
China would love to get rid of this guy and a million more like him. Boss we need a bigger plane.
This country don't need anymore loud mouth self serving lawyers. China can keep her garbage.
obama would not even talk to the dali lama.
.....this little blind dude is bound for communist re-education.
He should be thankful for whatever assistance he gets. Picking and choosing his ride is ridiculous. He can be helped without being coddled.