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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBlind Chinese Dissident Leaves on Flight for U.S.
BEIJING Chen Guangcheng, the blind lawyer who made an improbable escape from virtual house arrest and whose decision to seek refuge in the United States Embassy here jolted American-Chinese relations, left China aboard a commercial flight bound for Newark on Saturday.
The departure of Mr. Chen, one of Chinas best-known dissidents, and his family after weeks of diplomatic maneuvering brings to a close a drama that tested relations between Beijing and Washington at a time when both sides have been trying to find ways to cooperate on a host of economic and security issues.
Mr. Chens departure also avoided any further embarrassment for the Obama administration, which appeared to stumble early on in the diplomatic standoff, handing Mr. Chen over to Chinese authorities when he said he wanted to remain in the country but failing to stay by his side after he was hospitalized for injuries suffered in his escape. Mr. Chen appeared to panic and change his mind about staying, leading to criticism from human rights activists and some Republicans in the United States who accused the administration of seeking an expedient solution to a nettlesome problem.
For China, the departure also follows a pattern of allowing some dissidents to leave to lessen their impact at home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/world/asia/chen-guangcheng-set-to-leave-china-for-united-states.html?_r=1&smid=tw-share
Huh? embarrassment for Obama? No, Mr. Chen changed his mind.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)In his transition to the USA. She is powerful, but also Al Gore and Bill Clinton has been instrumental in gaining freedom for others. You did not see RW's or libertines cled on. This is an example why we need strong Dems in offices, our freedoms are at risk.
Woody Woodpecker
(562 posts)That plane will land in Newark, NJ.
And hopefully welcomed into the United States.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL88
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)WHERE IS THE GOD-DAMNED MEDIA? I haven't seen anything on MSNBC or CNN. If Romney is taking questions, or if his handlers will respond, why isn't someone asking the Romney campaign if they take back the harsh things they said about Obama and the State Department dropping the ball? This seems to be another feather in the cap of Mrs. Clinton and Obama in the are of international diplomacy but you would never know it from the media at large.