A choreographed deal between the US and China over the fate of a blind Chinese human rights activist appeared to be unravelling last night, creating further tensions between the two countries as they prepared for crucial talks.
Chen Guangcheng, the blind activist who had taken refuge in the US embassy in Beijing, left the diplomatic compound for a hospital yesterday after a tense six-day stand-off once he had received assurances from Chinese officials that he and his family would not be harassed.
US diplomats said Mr Chen, who last week escaped from house arrest in Shandong province, planned to remain in China with his family. But within hours, confusion grew over the deal with Mr Chen telling western reporters that he feared for his family’s safety and wanted to leave China.