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Chen Guangcheng, Chinese Activists, To Fly To US

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: Updated: 19/05/2012 08:55

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Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is at the airport in Beijing and is expected to be allowed to fly to the US on Saturday.

The activist, who is blind, has been at the centre of a diplomatic storm in recent months, which threatened to increase tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Having escaped from house arrests in Shandong province in late April, the dissident, who has been highly critical of the Chinese regime, spent six days at the US Embassy.

On 2 May he left US protection, saying he wanted to stay in China. Chen then asked for passage to the US, as his family were being harassed by Chinese authorities.

According to AFP, Guangcheng has been offered a place at New York University where the self-taught lawyer intends to study.

According to the BBC, activist group China Aid, which is based in the US, heard from Chen early on Saturday morning. He told them he and his family were being allowed to leave

China Aid said that Chen had been “informed to pack up and get ready to leave”.

Chen then spoke to the Associated Press by phone from Beijing Airport.

He said: "Thousands of thoughts are surging to my mind." According to AP, Chen's family are with him and are awaiting their passports.

Chen also spoke to Reuters by phone. He said: "I'm at the airport now. I've already left the hospital. But there are many things that are still unclear.

"Yes, I might be heading for a flight to the United States, but I haven't been told, and I haven't received our passports, so I'm not sure yet. We're waiting to find out what's happening."

The US state department has already issued visas for Chen and his family.

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Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is at the airport in Beijing and is expected to be allowed to fly to the US on Saturday. The activist, who is blind, has been at the centre of a diplomatic storm i...
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is at the airport in Beijing and is expected to be allowed to fly to the US on Saturday. The activist, who is blind, has been at the centre of a diplomatic storm i...
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themadmajor
73 Fans
05:30 AM on 05/20/2012
He obtained a free trip to the US and a has been given a job there. The US authorities pretend he is some sort of student in order to save the face of the Chinese that he was not being granted political asylum.

In order to save the face of the UK government one must ask why do they not take students instead of bogus asylum seekers -- Most sorry, the UK Boarders Agency already lets in a massive number of so-called students who then find jobs in the black economy by using a college or University address such as National Car Parks, High Street, followed by a postcode.

They may have caught up with some but each so-called student entry is costing the UK taxpayer a massive amount of money as if you really want any in the first place.
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Rita666
7 Fans
12:10 AM on 05/20/2012
I've read the article but why is the man & his family going to USA? & why is he not aware of whats going on?.

Whats the Diplomatic Storm about"?. Can anyone tell me, I am as lost as this man is?.
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An Independent Woman
Honni soit que mal y pense
644 Fans
05:51 PM on 05/19/2012
Scam artist. What a way to get into America! Now, when will he leave? Ummm never.... sigh
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jfoste3
48 Fans
06:27 PM on 05/19/2012
WELL SAID.
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