Beijing, China, May 2, 2012 / 12:50 pm
A blind pro-life advocate who has spoken out against China’s brutal one-child policy has been offered promises of safety from Chinese government officials, but new reports suggest that he is now asking to leave the country.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a May 2 statement that she was “pleased” that the U.S. had been able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng’s situation “in a way that reflected his choices and our values.”
She stated that Chen “has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future” and said that the U.S. government is “committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family” in the coming months.
According to American officials, Chen left the American Embassy in Beijing on May 2. He is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital and has been reunited with his family. Chinese officials have promised that he will be treated humanely and allowed to move with his family to a safe place in the country, where he can pursue higher education.