Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Chinese blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng was treated with years of brutal abuses and illegal house arrest from the local authorities in his hometown Linxi, Shandong province. One week ago, Chen escaped the house arrest and the pursuit by the guards, and entered the US Embassy in Beijing with help of his supporters. His escape became worldwide news. In the meantime, the various Chinese media under the tight control of the central government remained a unanimous silence about this issue.
Chinese Government’s Riddle-like News On Wednesday May 2, the Chinese official news media Xinhua News suddenly issued several reports on Chen Guangcheng:
Chinese Foreign Ministry held a news conference on Chen’s entering into US Embassy.
In the meantime, the largest internet user website Sina.com listed “left of his own volition” and “Chen Guangcheng” as forbidding words, which would return no search results.
The Key to the Riddle on Chen Guangcheng The newest updates on Chen was provided by Kyoko Yamaguchi and Guan Taiqing, two reporters from a major Japanese newspaper Daily Yomiuri’s Beijing office, which gave people some hints on the keys to Xinhua News’ riddle-like news:
Xinhua News’ Another Story
The China official news media Xinhua reported that Foreign Minister spokesman Liu Weimin said on Wednesday that China requested the US to apologize for this matter, carry out further investigation, punish those responsible, and promise this kind of incident not occur in the future. And China noticed that US responded with urgency and concerns and promised to take necessary measures to prevent the similar incidents in the future. US should reflect upon its policies and ways of handling this matter, in order to maintain the healthy relationship between the two countries.
According to Xinhua News, Liu also said that Chinese government emphasized that China was a country governed by laws. Any individual’s legal rights were protected by the constitution and laws, while any individual had the obligation to abide by the constitution and the laws.
Leaving US Embassy of his Own Volition Le Figaro reporter Arnaud de Lagrange reported from Beijing on Wednesday that the explanation provided by the US embassy for taking Chen into its premise was that their action was out of humanity reason, because Chen was indeed injured during escaping from his house arrest. And US embassy personnel did help him with his entry into the embassy. But US said it was totally legal to do so. Arnaud de Lagrange also reported that after his leaving one diplomat of the US embassy indicated that Chen left of his own volition.
“A US diplomat indicated that Chen left the US embassy of his own volition. One US diplomat requesting his name not be mentioned said Chen Guangcheng didn’t apply for asylum and he left of his own volition. Chen wanted to stay in China. Earlier, he got the promise from the Chinese government that he’d be treated like an ordinary citizen. Chen was accompanied by US Ambassador Gary Locke to go to the hospital for medical treatment. On his way there, he called his lawyer Li Jinsong, ‘I am free, and I’ve got definite promise.’”
Not Everything was Good News
US Department of State spokesman accordingly denied Chen’s such claims, saying that no one in the US Embassy mentioned such words to him. And Chinese officials didn’t ask the US to forward such words to Chen either. It’s Chen who insisted that he’d rather stay in China. But he also admitted that China was planning to send Chen’s wife and children back to Shandong. In Shandong, Chen’s family members were detained illegally and beaten constantly.
Chen, who suffered abuses and mistreatment from the local government officials, entered into US Embassy in Beijing with the help of friends, and escaped the unlawful house arrest. His acts caused a problem in both political and diplomatic areas for the both countries.
Upon Chen’s departure from the US Embassy, the Mainichi Newspapers published its Beijing reporter Yamamoto Kenichi’s reports, which provided a brief introduction to the two countries’ standing and concerns on the political side of Chen’s case.
Chinese Government’s Riddle-like News On Wednesday May 2, the Chinese official news media Xinhua News suddenly issued several reports on Chen Guangcheng:
Chen Guangcheng entered the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and left of his own volition.
Chinese Foreign Ministry held a news conference on Chen’s entering into US Embassy.
China demands the U.S to apologize for a Chinese citizen's entering the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and provide guarantees that similar actions never recur again
Who is Chen Guangcheng? Why did he enter into the US Embassy in China? Why did he leave of his own volition after that?
According to Xinhua News, a Foreign Minister spokesman says, “The US Embassy in China took Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese citizen, into the Embassy via abnormal means, with which China expresses strong dissatisfaction. The US move is an interference in China's internal affairs, which is completely unacceptable to China.”
How did the US Embassy in China bring Chen into its premise “via abnormal means?” How did US interfere in China's internal affairs by allowing a free Chinese citizen to enter its Embassy? What kind of specific apologies US was requested to make?
According to Xinhua News, a Foreign Minister spokesman says, “The US Embassy in China took Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese citizen, into the Embassy via abnormal means, with which China expresses strong dissatisfaction. The US move is an interference in China's internal affairs, which is completely unacceptable to China.”
How did the US Embassy in China bring Chen into its premise “via abnormal means?” How did US interfere in China's internal affairs by allowing a free Chinese citizen to enter its Embassy? What kind of specific apologies US was requested to make?
The news from the official news media Xinhua appeared to be like a series of riddles. There were no explanations from Xinhua News. And other news media in China were not allowed to report this incident on its own, except reposting the riddle-like news from Xinhua News.
In the meantime, the largest internet user website Sina.com listed “left of his own volition” and “Chen Guangcheng” as forbidding words, which would return no search results.
The Key to the Riddle on Chen Guangcheng The newest updates on Chen was provided by Kyoko Yamaguchi and Guan Taiqing, two reporters from a major Japanese newspaper Daily Yomiuri’s Beijing office, which gave people some hints on the keys to Xinhua News’ riddle-like news:
“The Chinese blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng, 40 years old, who was under the protection of US Embassy, was transferred to a hospital in Beijing on May 2. He met with his family there. A high ranking US official indicated that this was the result of the under-the-table negotiation between US and China. According to the negotiation, Chen will stay in China and China guarantees his safety. With the approaching of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue on May 3, the two countries agreed to avoid making this human rights incident a big issue and came into an agreement.”
“It’s the first time for a high ranking US official to admit that Chen was under the protection of US Embassy. Chen didn’t want to be a refugee. The US official also indicated that Chen would be transported to a safe place with his family after leaving the hospital, so that he could get the college education he’s looking forward to. It’s believed that Chinese government also agreed to allow US embassy personnel to visit Chen on a regular basis. Besides, as the persecution he suffered from the local government in Shandong, the Chinese government promised further investigation.”
“It’s the first time for a high ranking US official to admit that Chen was under the protection of US Embassy. Chen didn’t want to be a refugee. The US official also indicated that Chen would be transported to a safe place with his family after leaving the hospital, so that he could get the college education he’s looking forward to. It’s believed that Chinese government also agreed to allow US embassy personnel to visit Chen on a regular basis. Besides, as the persecution he suffered from the local government in Shandong, the Chinese government promised further investigation.”
Xinhua News’ Another Story
The China official news media Xinhua reported that Foreign Minister spokesman Liu Weimin said on Wednesday that China requested the US to apologize for this matter, carry out further investigation, punish those responsible, and promise this kind of incident not occur in the future. And China noticed that US responded with urgency and concerns and promised to take necessary measures to prevent the similar incidents in the future. US should reflect upon its policies and ways of handling this matter, in order to maintain the healthy relationship between the two countries.
According to Xinhua News, Liu also said that Chinese government emphasized that China was a country governed by laws. Any individual’s legal rights were protected by the constitution and laws, while any individual had the obligation to abide by the constitution and the laws.
Liu didn’t say what sections of law, regulation or constitution Chen violated by seeking protection from US embassy.
Leaving US Embassy of his Own Volition Le Figaro reporter Arnaud de Lagrange reported from Beijing on Wednesday that the explanation provided by the US embassy for taking Chen into its premise was that their action was out of humanity reason, because Chen was indeed injured during escaping from his house arrest. And US embassy personnel did help him with his entry into the embassy. But US said it was totally legal to do so. Arnaud de Lagrange also reported that after his leaving one diplomat of the US embassy indicated that Chen left of his own volition.
“A US diplomat indicated that Chen left the US embassy of his own volition. One US diplomat requesting his name not be mentioned said Chen Guangcheng didn’t apply for asylum and he left of his own volition. Chen wanted to stay in China. Earlier, he got the promise from the Chinese government that he’d be treated like an ordinary citizen. Chen was accompanied by US Ambassador Gary Locke to go to the hospital for medical treatment. On his way there, he called his lawyer Li Jinsong, ‘I am free, and I’ve got definite promise.’”
Hilary Clinton, the Secretary of State, made a statement.
Clinton made a statement on Chen after he left the US Embassy and was brought to a safe place later:
"I am pleased that we were able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng's stay and departure from the U.S. embassy in a way that reflected his choices and our values. I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being reunited with his wife and children.
"Mr. Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task. The United States government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family in the days, weeks, and years ahead."
Chen’s Phone Call with Washington Post Reporter
About 3pm in Wednesday afternoon, Chen left the US Embassy with the company of US Ambassador to China, going to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. On his way to the hospital, he called a Washington Post reporter and told him that he was fine and was on his way to the hospital. Washington Post’s Beijing station reporter Keith Richburg reported in his article that he didn’t expect such a phone call from Chen. He said, “An employee of the US Embassy called me later after Chen’s phone call. He explained that it’s Chen himself requesting to call a Washington Post reporter, not Gary Locke. Chen knew the international media’s reports about his case. And he’s especially familiar with an article written by one of my colleagues Phillip Pan in 2005 on Washington Post, which was about forced abortion and sterilization in Linyi, Shandong. (When the international media heard of Chen’s phone call to Washington Post’s Beijing office,) numerous phone calls were made to US Embassy in China, complaining its personnel had been partial to certain media. ”
"Mr. Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task. The United States government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family in the days, weeks, and years ahead."
Chen’s Phone Call with Washington Post Reporter
About 3pm in Wednesday afternoon, Chen left the US Embassy with the company of US Ambassador to China, going to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. On his way to the hospital, he called a Washington Post reporter and told him that he was fine and was on his way to the hospital. Washington Post’s Beijing station reporter Keith Richburg reported in his article that he didn’t expect such a phone call from Chen. He said, “An employee of the US Embassy called me later after Chen’s phone call. He explained that it’s Chen himself requesting to call a Washington Post reporter, not Gary Locke. Chen knew the international media’s reports about his case. And he’s especially familiar with an article written by one of my colleagues Phillip Pan in 2005 on Washington Post, which was about forced abortion and sterilization in Linyi, Shandong. (When the international media heard of Chen’s phone call to Washington Post’s Beijing office,) numerous phone calls were made to US Embassy in China, complaining its personnel had been partial to certain media. ”
Not Everything was Good News
With the news emerging that Chen arrived at a relatively safe place, US Los Angeles Times and UK the Guardian Weekly quoted Chen’s friend Zeng Jinyan as saying that the reason why Chen agreed to leave the US Embassy was because he’s threatened that if he didn’t leave, his family members would be house arrested again. It happened earlier that Chen and his family members were beaten regularly during house arrest. And they were denied access to medical treatment even being injured.
The Guardian Weekly reporters Jonathan Watts and Tania Branigan issued a joint report, “Zeng Jinyan told people on her Twitter that the self-educated lawyer Chen Guangcheng chose to leave the US Embassy, because he’s told that if he didn’t, his wife and children would be sent back to Shandong. There in Shandong, they were harassed by the local government for years. It’s believed that during house arrest Chen and his wife experienced brutal beatings by the guards for many years. And the US Embassy officers couldn’t be reached for comments. Chen’s friends and other rights activists showed their doubts on the faithfulness of promise from the Chinese authorities regarding Chen’s safety.”
In the meantime, AP reported from its Beijing office that its reporter talked on phone with Chen, who was inside the hospital. Chen expressed his concerns about the safety of himself and his family in China, hoping to settle down in a location away from China. He said he chose to leave the US Embassy after being told by the embassy personnel that if he didn’t leave, his wife would be killed.
The Guardian Weekly reporters Jonathan Watts and Tania Branigan issued a joint report, “Zeng Jinyan told people on her Twitter that the self-educated lawyer Chen Guangcheng chose to leave the US Embassy, because he’s told that if he didn’t, his wife and children would be sent back to Shandong. There in Shandong, they were harassed by the local government for years. It’s believed that during house arrest Chen and his wife experienced brutal beatings by the guards for many years. And the US Embassy officers couldn’t be reached for comments. Chen’s friends and other rights activists showed their doubts on the faithfulness of promise from the Chinese authorities regarding Chen’s safety.”
In the meantime, AP reported from its Beijing office that its reporter talked on phone with Chen, who was inside the hospital. Chen expressed his concerns about the safety of himself and his family in China, hoping to settle down in a location away from China. He said he chose to leave the US Embassy after being told by the embassy personnel that if he didn’t leave, his wife would be killed.
US Department of State spokesman accordingly denied Chen’s such claims, saying that no one in the US Embassy mentioned such words to him. And Chinese officials didn’t ask the US to forward such words to Chen either. It’s Chen who insisted that he’d rather stay in China. But he also admitted that China was planning to send Chen’s wife and children back to Shandong. In Shandong, Chen’s family members were detained illegally and beaten constantly.
US and China, Each Has its Own Motives
Chen, who suffered abuses and mistreatment from the local government officials, entered into US Embassy in Beijing with the help of friends, and escaped the unlawful house arrest. His acts caused a problem in both political and diplomatic areas for the both countries.
Upon Chen’s departure from the US Embassy, the Mainichi Newspapers published its Beijing reporter Yamamoto Kenichi’s reports, which provided a brief introduction to the two countries’ standing and concerns on the political side of Chen’s case.
“Human rights activist Chen Guangcheng of Shandong, China, who had escaped from house arrest, first got the protection from US Embassy in China. Then he was moved to a hospital in Beijing. On Chen’s issue, the US and China government shared certain common areas after negotiation. The U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue was to be held on May 3 in Beijing. It’s believed that both sides agreed to avoid Chen’s case to become a long-term issue. In the meantime, international observers were impressed by the flexibility that China showed during the whole process.”
“Obama government is facing the coming election. If it responded in a weak way regarding the human rights issue in China, it will make the Republicans blame it more. Another problem is whether it can get China’s compromise on this issue. The US real motive is to avoid the acceleration of confrontation, because US needs China’s indispensable help on the North Korea issue and Iran’s nuclear problems.”
Translated by Qian Geng, and Posted by China Democracy Party National Committee
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