Chen Leaves Embassy for Hospital, U.S. Guarantees Safety

Good to see that Hilary actually appears to be helping Chen,  but  It is not clear if he will end up in the U.S.

Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese forced abortion opponent, has left the U.S. Embassy and headed to a local hospital for medical treatment following his years of house arrest by family planning and Communist Party officials.

Late last week, Chen fled his hometown after escaping and supporters drove him to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing after they were unable to keep him safe in homes in the Asian nation’s capital. When Chinese authorities attempted to apprehend him, he fled to the U.S. Embassy for protection.

In a new deal between the United States and China, Chen has left to a local hospital and is reportedly under American protection, as U.S officials have guaranteed his safety. U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke escorted Chen, according to an AP report, to the Chaoyang Hospital and, on the way there, Chen called his lawyer, Li Jinsong, who said Chen told him: “‘I’m free. I’ve received clear assurances.’”

Chen also received a call from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and he thanked her for supporting his case, telling her in patchy English, “I want to kiss you.”

AP provided further details on the arrangements between the U.S. and Chinese concerning Chen’s freedom:

As part of the agreement that ended the fraught, behind-the-scenes standoff, U.S. officials said China agreed to let Mr. Chen receive a medical checkup and be reunited with his family at the hospital; his wife and two children joined him there Wednesday afternoon. He would then be relocated to a safe place in China where he could study at university — all demands activists said Mr. Chen had raised.

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