Hong Kong Activists Rally for Chen Guangcheng official
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In support of blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng, a dozen pro-democracy demonstrators marched outside China's de facto embassy in Hong Kong on Monday.
Chen's escape from house arrest to the US Embassy comes at a critical time as Chinese and US officials are preparing for talks in Beijing this week.
Chen was under house arrest for 19 months. He escaped from his home in Shandong province last week with the help of other activists.
Rights group ChinaAid says Chen is under U.S. protection in Beijing. He is widely believed to be in the US Embassy, although the US has not confirmed this.
Hong Kong Legislator Lee Cheuk-yuen believes Chen's high profile would help his case.
[Lee Cheuk-yuen, Hong Kong Legislator]:
"Being such a high-profile activist in China this is in favor of Chen Guangcheng. It will help the American government because of this high profile of Chen Guangcheng, it will not dare sacrifice the interests of Cheng Guangcheng in return for economic interests. So I would say, pretty much that we are optimistic about the future of Chen Guangcheng but at the same time we have to be vigilant."
A senior researcher for Human Rights Watch believes the Chinese regime would face difficulties explaining Chen's situation to Chinese citizens.
[Nicolas Bequelin, Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch]:
"Well the fact that Chen Guangcheng also sought refuge with the US is a huge slap in the face for China. This is something that they cannot explain to their citizens. If we're the second world economy, if we're respected by all the countries in the international community, how come our own citizens, when the going gets tough, run under the protection of the Americans."
Bequelin says Chinese authorities are retaliating against Chen's family members, as well as activists involved in his escape.
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In support of blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng, a dozen pro-democracy demonstrators marched outside China's de facto embassy in Hong Kong on Monday.
Chen's escape from house arrest to the US Embassy comes at a critical time as Chinese and US officials are preparing for talks in Beijing this week.
Chen was under house arrest for 19 months. He escaped from his home in Shandong province last week with the help of other activists.
Rights group ChinaAid says Chen is under U.S. protection in Beijing. He is widely believed to be in the US Embassy, although the US has not confirmed this.
Hong Kong Legislator Lee Cheuk-yuen believes Chen's high profile would help his case.
[Lee Cheuk-yuen, Hong Kong Legislator]:
"Being such a high-profile activist in China this is in favor of Chen Guangcheng. It will help the American government because of this high profile of Chen Guangcheng, it will not dare sacrifice the interests of Cheng Guangcheng in return for economic interests. So I would say, pretty much that we are optimistic about the future of Chen Guangcheng but at the same time we have to be vigilant."
A senior researcher for Human Rights Watch believes the Chinese regime would face difficulties explaining Chen's situation to Chinese citizens.
[Nicolas Bequelin, Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch]:
"Well the fact that Chen Guangcheng also sought refuge with the US is a huge slap in the face for China. This is something that they cannot explain to their citizens. If we're the second world economy, if we're respected by all the countries in the international community, how come our own citizens, when the going gets tough, run under the protection of the Americans."
Bequelin says Chinese authorities are retaliating against Chen's family members, as well as activists involved in his escape.
05/03/2012