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Mario Tama/Getty Images
Chinese activist Chen Guancheng, center, arrives with his wife Yuan Weijing, second left, before speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday in New York City. This was Chen's first major public engagement since he escaped confinement and left China nearly two weeks ago.
Now safely in the U.S., Chinese lawyer and dissident Chen Guangcheng says he is still concerned about the family he left behind in China and suggested Thursday that his nephew is being tortured.
Chen told an audience during a question-and-answer session at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York that since he left his village, local authorities have been retaliating against his family in a "frenzied way."
Chen, who is blind, said that after he snuck away from de facto house arrest and fled to Beijing that about 30 hired “thugs” broke into his brother's house in the middle of the night and severely beat him and his son. His claimed his nephew is now isolated in a detention center for injuring the "thugs," who he said "had no choice but to take a kitchen knife and fight back.”
"His lawyer cannot meet with him and has no information,” Chen said through a translator. “I understand that keeping him isolated from his lawyer probably suggests he may be tortured and they're just trying to hide that fact by not letting him meet anyone."
Chen said that while in Beijing he raised concerns about his family repeatedly through various channels and with different representatives of the Chinese government and was told that the treatment that his family experienced at the hands of the local authorities in his home province would be investigated. He is still waiting for his government to keep their promise to him, he said in New York, where he arrived on May 19.
Unanswered questions
During the course of the Q&A, which was monitored over the phone by this reporter in Washington, D.C., Chen responded to some of the other unanswered questions about his daring escape.
One topic was whether or not he was aware that both U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner were coming to Beijing when he was planning his escape from house arrest. No, Chen said. "I didn't know there was a strategic dialogue going to happen because I had been cut off from communications with everyone. I was just isolated from the rest of the world. So, that was a total coincidence."
Asked whether he knew the U.S. Embassy would provide him refuge, Chen said: “The U.S. holds itself up as embodying democracy and human rights values. What would it mean if they refused to take me in? I think you all can imagine that. I think on the surface it seems to be a diplomatic question, but the question is: Do you try to save someone who is in danger of his life."
He said that being in the U.S. is an opportunity to give his body and mental health a much needed rest and that he is particularly interested in studying laws that protect the disabled. He is working on his English as well. "Everything I want to do takes time, but I want to work hard," he told the audience.
Despite his ordeal, he expressed optimism about the prospect of democracy in China, saying that "his lifetime" is perhaps too big of a time frame – suggesting change in China could come sooner.
But, he said, it is unlikely to be immediate. “Many people want to move the mountain in one week,” he said. “That’s not realistic. We have to move it bit by bit. You can’t expect it to happen overnight.”
Chen ended the program with an inspirational thought. "As I see it in this world, there is nothing that is impossible. If you want to do it, think of a way to do it. There's no such thing as a difficulty that cannot be overcome.”
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sure his being tortured... I a sure all his cousins, cousins cousins cousins friends and friends of his cousins will all end up claiming torture for a free meal ticket to the US. US state Dept. hey 90 million Mexicans are currently being tortured in Mexico by terrorist drug cartels. 100 Million Africans are currently being tortured in Africa by regimes and hunger. All of Latin America is currently being tortured by the crappy choices thry have made electing corrupt leaders. Most of Asia is being tortured by low wages and unemployment. Let's just flood America with tortured victims. Give them welfare and free housing, while millions of our citizens are currently being tortured by hunger, unemployment and crime cause by millions of illegals that come from being tortured countries.
And your point with this extreme xenophobic rant is?
If he was really that worried about his family in China, he should have though about it before he requested to come here.
RamFla,
The point is that USA got a new Chinese thug imported at its own expense and more to follow. What a country!!
Agreed Lemfano. How did he NOT figure his defecting wouldn't be an issue for his family or friends that he leaves behind. More to question, why is this our concern? It may sound heartless but really, as Caroline said, most of Asia is being tortured by low wages and unemployment. North Korea's non-military citizens are being tortured day in and day out with hunger and abuse. How is it that America is supposed to 'take care' of these citizens when we can't even take care of ourselves? We aren't the world police, we should stop pretending we are and stop butting into other countries problems at the American taxpayers expense.
I 100% AGREE WITH YOU ! ! !
America should take all the "Mejikanos" back into the
ToiletGlorious Lands they came forom.Epa Carol.... BIEN HECHO that those Latinos are being "tortured" in Latin America. Im a Gringo, and lived in Caracas. You know, that "pillar of Socialism" Those Adecos & Copeianos voted for Chavez. So... I laugh whenever I hear a Venezolano complain.
As for "Mejiko" The laws for small business are so tough that it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to open a small business. That, coupled with the generally ignorance of the culture make Mexicans ripe for recruitment by Narcos.
Lyrica, Caroline, I am all with you on your standpoints and examples provided. If Mr. Chinese dissident is so concerned about his family, well, let him go back and take care of the crap he started. But no, that requires a man with backbone and integrity and that, he does not have. Now he is howling to help all his clan members in China - NO, not our business and neither are you. It was a big mistake to bring him here but, our bleeding heart idiots in this country just could not help it, eh.
I believe it was lovely Hilary Clinton who brought him here.
It never ceases to amaze me when these activists come to the US they do not think, or say anything, about the relatives they left behind until they arrive safely on US soil. He more than likely wants to bring his entire family tree here.
There are enough Chinese people to revolt against such tyranny. The roots of our own history here in the States was the Revolution. They have to do it for themselves; the U.S. cannot enable the entire planet.
This blind thug wants all of his family in the US with free US Govt money to live in luxury. In return, he will give free propaganda against Peking. What a deal; we call that democracy!!
Not our problem. If you're concerned, go back to China.
If Chen Guancheng is concerned he can return to China himself. There is consequences for everything we do in life. He knew what his departure from China would cause. He is no dummy. He apparently sold his family down the river. If you bring his nephew to the US, then if married the Chinese would go after his wife's family. If he brings his brother, then the Chinese would go after his wife's family. Chen, go home or shut up. My honest feelings are that you were pain in the ass to the Chinese Government and now a Leach on the Citizens of the United States.
Well , Wait Hillary , McCain , Lieberman , Graham , King , Rice and all of our Representatives going to China , So they Can bring all 100,000 of his immediate family over here , I thought he is an activist , what the hell he is going to change here , Let's take our congress and senate over to China , they will solve every thing for them . Its a joke , Our people having all kinds of Problems and Hillary and the rest of the clowns going to China , Syria , and want to send our troops to fight another war ,
Send him back to China!
Chen got a free meal ticket coming to the US and the US tax payers have paid for him since he boarded the flight. Chen should shut up now because China's government will go after his family who remained "back home" if he keeps pushing it. Chen chose a way that is good for him and bad for all others, including the American tax payers. He should not been allowed rights to the USA. Surely does set a presidence that will allow others to attempt the same. US was not right in allowing this to happen-enough is enough. US borders lined with illegals and now allowing this person legal entry. God when will the US government start thinking about the average Joe Blow legal USA citizen and tax payer?
Blah Blah Blaaaaaaaaaaaaah Blah Blah!When are ignorant and uniformed people going to stuff it,when they haven't a friggen clue as to what the HELL they're Blah Blah Blahbing about?
Geeeeeeeeeeessus!
I, myself, do wonder how fair and upright is the West. While we, people in the West, criticize China, we in the West are, too, guilty of many wrongs. How often does China's emperor-in-exile speak and how often does the western media cover his speeches?
Hey Him YaoSui-Officially Emperor of China pretty nice post.It really has some really great points!
Many of the posters here need to review the Statue of Liberty and the bronze plaque in the pedestal that contains Emma Lazarus' sonnet : "and her name, Mother of Exiles." "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free."
The US is a land of immigrants and a symbol of freedom. But the immigrants should enter legally.
Question to the activist: Can I help and are you willing to accept my help?
I'm sure his family is feeling pressure. This is a government who sends its military to murder peaceful demonstrators. Any criticism or rebellion is dealt with harshly to keep the other puppets in line.
Sort of like what America does - only more publicly?
I have to sign off now - my family is being tortured because I posted this.
They won't start thinking about the average citizen. Critical times hard to deal with, will be here.
This dude is all about himself, who gives a f--k ? a lot of people are in way deeper @!$%# than him and his family, so stop whining while you are still ahead of the game A-- hole. Tell the world what one good thing has the Chinese/gov done for any foreigner.
I too think he should return to China back if he is so worried about his familly.
I too think he should return to China back if he is so worried about his familly
Here we go, now the lobbying to bring his extended family to the US begins and guess who will support them, you and me. If he is so concerned then go back to China. If he were so concerned about his family he should have thought about that before becoming an activist. Look at our history, those that went against the crown suffered greatly as did their families but they did not go crying to another country to "rescue them". Thus the differnece between a hero and a newshound coward.
He figured out that anti Chinese rant after gaining public profile will make him rich and darling to many in our country.
I think we are better advise to import technology people we need and let these political people do what they are supposed to do, fight their Governments on their own soil and if sacrifices has to be made , make them like many did in Egypt and are doing in Syria. You just do not run from building on fire and say help., help my kids are going to die there and we will are homeless.
If we really want to help, we have real Americans living on streets or in cars. Do not their human rights ahead of this dude?
The days of the "melting pot" are over.Population has exploded.Guess what,one of the smallest groups of people on the planet-American taxpayers,need saved.We can't save everyone,we didn't need this guy,and sorry about your family.We don't need any more people.If we do,I'd recommend those from northern europe,of christian origin[need not practice] We don't need any more africans,middle easterners,certainly not any chinese
Absolutely correct. Let Canada have some, No vacancies here anymore.
He just wants to create an excuse to bring his whole extended family to the U.S. and to get them all apartments in manhattan like he has. His extended family probably is in the hundreds. But Hillary will see to it that they get here and take well care of them. But Americans? Let them eat cake.
China is the same country that has been in bed with big business from the U.S.. Why not question the ethics of U.S. corporations that continue to do business with these horrible oppressors? Why not use them as a foot hold to make social changes that would be okay in the U.S.?
I am not sure that a one child policy is really what they are fighting for. However, the U.S. businesses could have a hand in influencing policies to stop torture.
This would prevent the reason of the immigration. It would cease the harmful act as well as removing the reason for requesting asylum in the U.S..
Wow! Some intelligent thought interjected into a redneck free for all.
Rather unanimous that he was willing to have his family tortured if he sought asylum... If he is so concerned, he needs to deal with his own demons!
This is just another attempt of our government to make its look as if it cares while it continues to strip away at its own citizen's rights. Lets not forget our government now has the ability to incarcerate someone and hold them for as long as if feels without filing charges. What makes our government different from China?