Who is Chen Guangcheng?

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

As the controversy over Chen Guangcheng’s imprisonment and recent escape of house arrest to the protection of U.S. diplomats grows, it would be good to reflect on how he got in trouble in the first place. Chen had become a legal aid activist for people with disabilities and for farmers' rights, but began to run afoul of the law, once he began working on behalf of those who faced forced abortions and sterilizations. After hearing reports about the use of violence in the imposition of family planning and population control practices, he decided to start investigating those cases and uncovered reliable evidence and put it together into a legal case that was subsequently rejected. Although Chinese law banned forced abortions and sterilization practices, in practice Chinese law is not followed the way it should. Chen’s challenge was popular and aroused the feelings of the people and that is what got him arrested and imprisoned by local authorities that were threated by his investigation. In addition, he was feeding information to human rights groups and becoming sort of a folk hero by way of social media. There's a long list of forbidden terms on Chinese Twitter-like services, words for which searches are banned. In recent days, the list got longer still. Newly banned words include "blind man," "U.S. Embassy" and "consulate," as well as "Chen Guangcheng." As a result of his growing reputation he has become the subject along with his family members to torture, to malnutrition, to denial of medical attention. He released a video appeal to the central government, which has the final say in issues such as this. This seemed like the right political move until he fled to the protection of U.S. diplomats. His profile has been raised, but how this issue will be resolved is still uncertain. For more information read the link below.

http://www.npr.org/2012/04/30/151707162/activists-escape-complicates-clintons-china-visit

[Anonymous]

After what have been said about the Chen Guangcheng saga, I want to suggest the score on this political game: The US media know him as the "blind dissident" who has been fighting cause against established social policies by the chinese government. As a result, government authorities have punished and limited his activities to include house arrest. In contrast, American policies on social and human right issues are different. But this year of presidential elections in the United States, everything is possible. Somehow, Mr. Guangcheng, a blind man, manages to "find his way" into the American Embassy. Did he use a guide dog or someone with connections in the embassy? Nobody will say. Soon after, Secretaries Mrs. Clinton and Timothy arrive to attend an important Strategic and Economic conference. The whole US media had following the saga of the "blind dissident attorney". This incident reached the highest levels de US and Chinese government including the US Ambassador himself escorting Chen Guangcheng out of the embassy after chinese authorities agreed to let him free and let him travel to the United States with his family. It was even said he would fly in Air Force One with Mrs. Clinton. Lucky Mr. Guangcheng! Further demands by Mrs. Clinton managed to convince chinese authorities to issue the passports for Chen and family leave China and attend a US university to study law. Talks included USC in the West Coast. The Chinese government was happy to expel his dissident and let the United States pay the bills... Chen and family were happy... Mrs. Clinton was happy by saving face thanks to the generosity of the american taxpayer...
Some questions still remaining: What is the Guangcheng's family immediate future? A blind man, away from his followers, no cause, no speaking English, studying law in an american university. How can he afford his living and studying expenses? He can not go back to China... After the presidential elections in 2012, what will happen?
What is the legacy from this incident? A week before the Strategic and Economic Dialogue conference, the Chinese government's news service Xinchua published this official statement by Minister Spokesman Lin Weimin directed at the US government: "It must be pointed out that the United States Embassy took the Chinese citizen Chen Guangcheng into the embassy in an irregular manner and China express its strong dissatisfaction over this incident... The United States method was interference in Chinese domestic affairs, and this is totally unacceptable to China. China demands that the United States apologize over this, thoroughly investigate this incident, punish those who are responsible, and give assurances that such incidents will not occur." As a result, Secretaries Clinton and Timothy failed to report any progress results after attending their important conference a week after. This is a factor to remember in conducting future relations with China.

Vince Recalde

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