Chinese paramilitary police patrol outside the U.S. Embassy today in Beijing, China. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived Wednesday in Beijing, where a tense human rights showdown awaits over the fate of a blind Chinese lawyer said to be under U.S. protection after escaping from house arrest. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)MATTHEW LEE
BEIJING (AP) – A blind Chinese legal activist at the center of a diplomatic tussle between Washington and Beijing left the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday after six days inside, following what U.S. officials said were assurances from China of his safety.
Chen Guangcheng’s departure from the embassy came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Beijing for two days of annual strategic talks that are being overshadowed by the self-taught lawyer’s fate.
Chen left the embassy accompanied by the U.S. ambassador and went to the Chaoyang Hospital, where he was to receive medical treatment. On the way he called his lawyer, Li Jinsong, who said Chen told him: “‘I’m free. I’ve received clear assurances.'”
Chen also received a call from Clinton, whom he thanked in Chinese for raising his case, a U.S. official said. Chen then told Clinton in halting English, “‘I want to kiss you,'” the official said.