Good News - blind dissident leaving China.

Biggins

Newflash from my Times account:

Chen Guangcheng, the blind dissident who escaped an extra-judicial house arrest in China last month, is currently at Beijing’s international airport and is believed to be flying to New York in the coming hours. He is at the airport with his wife and child.

Looks like the man might finally escape (thankfully with his family) from the clutches of the Chinese government.
They consider a person exiled outside the country as less of a disturbance to those within and have come up with a PR excuse for letting him go (to study).

Glad he might finally have some peace in his life with his wife and child. He's one brave man.

Son Of A Vidic

Unfortunately several relatives have been put under house arrest by the Chinese authorities. Probably just more out of spite than anything else. He has expressed his wish to return some day, but I can't see it happening once they have him out of China.

Biggins

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Unfortunately several relatives have been put under house arrest by the Chinese authorities. Probably just more out of spite than anything else. He has expressed his wish to return some day, but I can't see it happening once they have him out of China.

Aye, the village of Dongshigu, where Mr Chen’s mother and other relatives remain, is still under lockdown.

Son Of A Vidic

Biggins wrote: »

Aye, the village of Dongshigu, where Mr Chen’s mother and other relatives remain, is still under lockdown.

Which comes as no surprise really. But as long as Chen can keep a raised profile on the issue issue, it should restrict the hand of the Chinese authorities.

Biggins

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Which comes as no surprise really. But as long as Chen can keep a raised profile on the issue issue, it should restrict the hand of the Chinese authorities.

I would like to think so too.
Sadly however it didn't stop previously, a bunch of government thugs from doing an all day beating of his wife in their very home.

I hope to god they get out and stay out, for their sake and their child.

Son Of A Vidic

Biggins wrote: »

I would like to think so too.
Sadly however it didn't stop previously, a bunch of government thugs from doing an all day beating of his wife in their very home.

Yes that was vicious, but rewind the tape 23 years to Tiananmen Square and Chen probably wouldn't know where they would have buried her.

Biggins

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Yes that was vicious, but rewind the tape 23 years to Tiananmen Square and Chen probably wouldn't know where they would have buried her.

True, very true.

Biggins

He's out.

Mr. Chen and his family departed around 5:30 p.m. on a United Airlines flight after facing earlier delays. The Chens, accompanied by American officials, were brought onto the plane shortly before takeoff and seated in the business-class cabin.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/world/asia/chen-guangcheng-set-to-leave-china-for-united-states.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Canis Lupus

So now they'll be benefits scroungers :P

IvySlayer

What will happen when China say they want him back? US cannot afford to piss China off.

Biggins

IvySlayer wrote: »

What will happen when China say they want him back? US cannot afford to piss China off.

They won't.