Was the escape of China’s blind dissident Chen Guangcheng from house arrest to the U.S. Embassy the failed attempt by a discredited man to enlist the help of a foreign power? This editorial from China’s government mouthpiece, the Global Times, not only seeks to diminish Mr. Chen’s significance as a global human rights champion, but hopes to persuade readers that seeking any kind of help or security from the U.S. or the West is futile.? This editorial from China’s government mouthpiece, the Global Times, not only seeks to diminish Mr. Chen’s significance as a global human rights champion, but hopes to persuade readers that seeking any kind of help or security from the U.S. or the West is futile? This editorial from China’s government mouthpiece, the Global Times, not only seeks to diminish Mr. Chen’s significance as a global human rights champion, but hopes to persuade readers that seeking any kind of help or security from the U.S. or the West is futile.
The Global Times editorial says in part:
Public complaints plague all countries. In the case of Chinese petitioners, there are a wide variety of motives. If the demands petitioners aren’t met domestically and they turn to the U.S. Embassy, it not only creates embarrassment in China, but it puts the United States in an awkward position as well.
The U.S. Embassy has no interest in turning itself into an office for Chinese petitioners. For Washington, it is easier to preach universal values to the Chinese public, and once in a while, perhaps, offer assistance in a few cases that best illustrate U.S. intentions. But it has never been willing to involve itself in large numbers of Chinese societal disputes.
Western media portrays Chen as a blind activist hero, and some Chinese echo this view. This has deluded Chen into adopting a mistaken impression of his importance to the United States and his personal influence in China. His assessment of himself has been ruined by exaggerated media reports.
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