China announced Friday that Chen Guangcheng could apply to study abroad, perhaps opening the way for a resolution of the imbroglio surrounding the civil rights activist who had taken refuge at U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
The case of the blind self-taught lawyer caused a crisis in relations between the U.S. and China, when their annual “strategic and economic dialogue” held meetings in Beijing Friday for the second and last day.
Earlier, Chen spoke by phone to the U.S. Congress hearing on his case by calling a community activist, Bob Fu, who attended the hearing.
The civil rights activist said he wished to have the freedom to travel in order to have a rest in the United States. He expressed great concern for the safety of his mother and brother who stayed in their village in Shandong.
外交部发言人刘为民就陈光诚希望出国留学事答记者问
问：据报道，陈光诚目前希望出国留学。请问中方对此有何评论？
答：陈光诚目前正在医院接受治疗。他如果想出国留学，作为一个中国公民，可以像其他中国公民一样，依法通过正常途径到有关部门办理有关手续。