Chen Guangchen Study Abroad Deal Forged (Fellowship At US University-China Expected To Allow Travel)

Source: Huffington Post

Blind Activist Has Fellowship At U.S. University, China Expected To Allow Travel

BEIJING -- The U.S. and China forged the outlines of a deal Friday to end a diplomatic standoff over legal activist Chen Guangcheng that would let him travel to the U.S. with his family for a university fellowship.

After days of behind-the-scenes talks, reversals and emotional calls by Chen from a guarded hospital room, the U.S. and China made a series of announcements signaling a logjam had been broken.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Chen may apply for travel permits to study abroad. An American University has offered Chen a fellowship with provisions for his family, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, adding that the U.S. expects Beijing to quickly process their travel permits, after which U.S. visas would be granted.

"Over the course of the day, progress has been made to help him have the future that he wants, and we will be staying in touch with him as this process moves forward," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said speaking to reporters after two days of annual strategic talks in Beijing.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/chen-guangchen-study-abroad_n_1477372.html

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US expects dissident Chen Guangcheng to leave China soon
The US says it expects China to allow prominent dissident Chen Guangcheng to travel abroad soon.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17958429