There are many discussions about what US did after Chen Guangcheng arrived the US Embassy in Beijing. Many accused US of betraying Chen. Many think US rescued Chen from arrest by the PRC government. Many think US should just fly Chen out of China. But let us consider the case if Chen wanted to stay in China, for whatever reasons.
There are several things US can do:
1. Fly Chen out, against his will, and try to rescue his family from the PRC government.
2. Keep Chen in the Embassy and not allow him to leave.
3. Let Chen leave the embassy.
I am sure US has the capability of all of these, including infuriating the PRC government in the process, and terminate Clinton's visit immediately. However, we should examine the consequence of each of these and see whether the US would have the will to do any of these.
We should also consider the consequence of each of these actions in the up and coming US presidential election.
Majority of Americans probably think (1) is a good way to handle things. However, this would be kidnapping and is a criminal act in the eyes of international community, when the word gets out that Chen actually do not want to go to the US. China would certainly be very angry, or at least pretend to be. Chen will be extremely upset, because his is concerned with the safety of his family and friends. It is certainly illegal.
Keeping Chen in the Embassy and not allow him to leave is also kidnapping. China would not be as angry as flying him out. But Chen will be equally angry. Americans would understand the difficulty of flying him out and would be satisfied with keeping him safe in the embassy for sometime. But the problem is this will create a long term (years ?) on-going continuous conflict with PRC, and will distract the ongoing negotiation between two nations. Furthermore, how is this different from PRC putting Chen under illegal house arrest ?
Letting Chen leave the Embassy would result in Chen in the hands of PRC, sooner or later. Chen would be happy at first, but will regret it later, as the prospect of being free by PRC is remote. Chen may get to meet his family, but not certain. Safety of Chen and his family will be questionable. American citizens would not believe their government would do such a thing. And international community would be laughing at US for mishandling the situation. China would be happy for this outcome, but must express displeasure at the highest level to save face.
So all three actions are horrible. Which one would you choose: kidnap Chen ? Get into a long term disagreement with China, or be laughed at ?
My interpretation of the whole event is:
1. Chen escaped from house arrest
2. Chen got help from friends
3. Chen's friend contacted the US Embassy in Beijing to arrange for transfer
4. Chen arrived US Embassy, Beijing
5. Chen told US he wanted to stay in China (to continue his work, etc. etc. etc.)
6. US Embassy contacted Washington re-situation, and was allowed to let Chen stay in Embassy
7. US States Department contacted PRC re-situation
8. This is the fuzzy part - how did Chen get word that his family will be harmed ?
9. Chen insisted he wanted to stay in China. US didn't think that's a good idea.
10. Chen insisted to leave the Embassy to go to hospital to meet his family.
11. Chen was driven to the hospital with Ambassador Lok.
12. Chen changed his mind about going to the US.
If Chen had decided to leave China before he left the embassy, US would have no doubt flew him out on Clinton's plane.
By the way, now that Chen is in the hands of PRC, US cannot unilaterally decide to fly Chen out of China. Chen has to agree with it. PRC has to agree with all the terms. PRC can unilaterally ship Chen out of China, or put him in prison again, or put him under house arrest, or do whatever they feel convenient.
Not just flying Chen out, US would have difficulty even to visit Chen when he is not in the hands of US. Even if Chen returns home, and is not under house arrest, PRC can easily prevent anyone to visit Chen. And expecting US to protect Chen when Chen is not in the US embassy is just wishful thinking.
Doing what a thug wants to do is easy. Doing what a civilized society would do is hard, very hard. And it takes a nation with spinal fortitude to be civilized.
From how PRC treated the freedom, rights and safety of Chen, one can see how trustworthy PRC is, not just in dealing with its own citizens and international affairs, but also in all commercial and trade transactions.
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