Prominent Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has left the U.S. embassy in Beijing a week after seeking shelter after escaping from house arrest. He is having a check-up at a Beijing hospital. His lawyer said he was “happy” and “free.” A U.S. official said Chen Guangcheng had made no request to leave China.
The announcement came as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in China for high-level annual talks. Secretary Clinton said the Chinese activist left U.S. embassy in accordance with his choices and U.S. values.
Jonathan Fenby is former editor of the South China Morning Post and his latest book on China is called “Tiger Head, Snake Tails: China Today.”
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