Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng’s daring escape from house arrest late last month created a diplomatic stir — and set off a round of diplomatic tug-of-war between Chinese and American officials attempting to conduct high level strategic talks.
After at first agreeing to stay in China, Chen changed his mind, publicly declaring his desire to leave the country last week. Details of Chen’s travels to the U.S. have not been finalized, but behind the scenes, intense negotiations and preparations continue. Jerome Cohen, co-director of NYU’s US-Asia Law Institute and an adjunct senior fellow for Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations has been working to help make arrangements for Chen to travel to the U.S. to study at NYU, and has been in touch with Chen regularly.