Chen Guangcheng, Blind Activist, Offered Study Abroad Option To End Diplomatic Standoff [View all]

[monmouth]

BEIJING -- The U.S. and China made progress Friday in resolving a standoff over legal activist Chen Guangcheng "to help him have the future that he wants," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said.

Speaking to reporters after two-days of high-level talks in Beijing, Clinton said that the U.S. is encouraged by a Chinese government statement confirming that Chen may apply for permission to travel abroad for study.

"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," Clinton said in her first comments on Chen's case. "We are encouraged by progress that we have seen today, but there is more work to be done so we will stay engaged as this moves forward."

Clinton's assessment coupled with the Chinese statement were the first positive signs that the governments were nearing a deal on Chen and end one of their most delicate diplomatic crises in years.

Rest of article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/chen-guangcheng-blind-act_n_1476696.html