Chen Guangcheng: a blind, Chinese Houdini

Even in a Beijing Spring of ceaseless surprises, the escape of the blind dissident lawyer Chen Guangcheng from rural house arrest into American protection was a sensation. The sensation soon turned into a catastrophe for him and humiliation for the United States.

After his astounding escape 2 weeks ago from 18 months of house arrest and arrival at the US embassy in Beijing, Chen stated he had no intention of leaving China. Six days later he was assured by his American hosts, who now say he had cancer, that he must go to a Chinese hospital for treatment and be reunited with his and then would be free, perhaps to enter a Chinese university.

There were touching scenes of Chen holding hands with Ambassador Gary Locke on his way to the hospital. According to Chen’s lawyer, Li Jinsong, Chen told him that he now had ‘true freedom’, national laws protected his rights, and he was ‘a free citizen’.