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Blind Dissident Seeks Refuge at American Embassy

In April 2012, Chen Guangcheng, a blind lawyer and one of China's most well-known dissidents, escaped from his rural home where he had been under house arrest since 2010. Chen went to the American Embassy in Beijing where he asked U.S. officials for help. On May 2, Chen left the embassy to receive medical treatment at a hospital in Beijing for an injured foot. After tense negotiations, the Chinese government agreed to relocate him away from Shandong Province, his hometown, where Chen said his family had been attacked. The government also promised that Chen would be allowed to pursue his law studies at a university. Chen's friends questioned the validity of the government's promises and, while in the hospital, Chen admitted he left the U.S. embassy in part because the Chinese government officials threatened his wife's life if he remained there. Although Chen's friends had said he desired to stay in China, he went on to say, while in the hospital, that he wanted to leave the country because "guaranteeing citizens' rights in China is empty talk."

On May 4, 2012, Chen requested help from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was in China for meetings on economic and security issues. Chen revised his request, asking if he and his family could go to the U.S. temporarily instead of receiving permanent asylum. Clinton and the Obama administration worked quickly to negotiate with Chinese officials to avoid an increase in tensions between the two governments. During her visit, Clinton said that progress was being made "to help him have the future that he wants." On May 5, China agreed to allow Chen to apply to study in the United States, a move which was quickly praised by Clinton.

On May 19, after leaving Beijing with his wife and two children, Chen arrived in New York City where he would live and study at New York University. He spoke at a press conference where he said he was grateful to the American Embassy. He also thanked Chinese officials for "dealing with the situation with restraint and calm." About the Chinese government, he added, "I hope to see that they continue to open discourse and earn the respect and trust of the people."