Clinton in China as blind dissident row overshadows ties

Irish Sun Tuesday 1st May, 2012

• Visit comes as Chinese rights activist is said to have taken refuge in US embassy after escaping house arrest

• Obama, Clinton press for human rights in China

• Refrain from commenting on the blind activist row

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has left for Beijing amid a row following a blind Chinese rights activist reportedly taking refuge at the American embassy that has cast shadows over the ties between the two nations.

Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner were scheduled to travel to Beijing for the annual meeting between with Chinese leaders but the high-level engagement between the two governments is likely to be overshadowed by the case of blind activist Chen Guangcheng.

Chen, who has angered Chinese authorities by exposing and campaigning against forced abortions and sterilisations under China's one-child policy, made an audacious escape from house arrest and reportedly took refuge in the US embassy in Beijing.

The two governments have so far avoided official comment on the case and neither has confirmed that he is under US protection in Beijing.

But President Barack Obama and Clinton said Monday that they would press for human rights in China.

"A constructive relationship includes talking very frankly about those areas where we do not agree, including human rights. That is the spirit that is guiding me as I take off for Beijing," Clinton said, ahead of her departure to China.

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