Dissident Chen leaves US embassy in China, heads to hospital

Since Chen Guangcheng, the blind lawyer and Chinese dissident, has voluntarily left the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, attention is drawn to the background and impact of his decision. The developments of the case will likely become a major watershed for changes in U.S.-Sino relations.

○ Chen to stay in China

Chen, who entered the embassy April 26, originally expressed his will through his helpers to stay in China instead of seeking asylum in the U.S. Hu Jia, a Chinese human rights activist who helped Chen escape house arrest, told The Dong-A Ilbo, “Though Chen strongly wishes to stay in China, we are discussing how he can go to the U.S. under the cause of medical treatment or visit his relatives, rather than for asylum, if he has to leave China.” Bob Fu, the founder and president of ChinaAid, a U.S.-based human rights organization, also said Chen’s departure to the U.S. is being discussed. The blind lawyer’s voluntary departure from the embassy, however, indicates a quick change in the scenario for his future.

It is unclear why Chen left the embassy. For now, he is believed to have done so on his own volition. People close to him say the purpose of his escape from house arrest in Shandong was to let the world know about the human rights situation in China, and that he inevitably chose to seek U.S. protection to avoid the risk of being arrested by Chinese authorities again.

Some speculate that Beijing`s use of persuasion through a number of channels might have worked. China reportedly had an in-depth discussion on Chen with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in Beijing. In the process, the Chinese government offered an option to the U.S. that could stop Chen leaving for America.

○ U.S.-Sino relations: Freeze or stabilization?

Chen’s flight drew international attention because it was a new factor that could gauge power dynamics between Washington and Beijing. China’s response indicates a U.S. defeat. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin unusually denounced the U.S. using strong language, urging Washington to “reflect on its policies and practices” and “punish those who are responsible.” Such comments would have normally been made only after Chen secretly left for the U.S.

Given China`s demand that Washington punish "those who are responsible,” observers say U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke could be replaced. Liu also claimed that Washington took a Chinese citizen “via abnormal means” to its embassy in Beijing.

Chinese authorities reportedly focused on the interrogation of Hu Jia and others involved when Chen met Locke and others at the meeting. Locke is said to have contacted human rights organizations in China on a regular basis even before the Chen affair.

Considering that the demand to replace an ambassador is an extreme measure that could be taken just before severing diplomatic ties with a country, attention is drawn to further steps that China could take.

Experts say China might have chosen to save face while the U.S. took a practical interest, speculating that Beijing demanded that Washington punish those responsible under the condition that Chen be allowed to go to the U.S if and when public opinions calm down.

Because China wants to maintain a strategic balance with the U.S. rather than directly colliding with it, Beijing is expected not to undermine bilateral relations over a single incident. In other words, despite the strong rhetoric against U.S. on the surface, China has apparently decided to guarantee Chen’s safety.

koh@donga.com