Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng holds hands with Assistant Secretary of

State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt M. Campbell, with Ambassador

Gary Locke holding his arm, as Chen is escorted out of the U.S. Embassy,

where he had taken refuge. Was he threatened, or did he leave willingly?

[CLICK HERE FOR WASHINGTON POST PHOTO GALLERY]

Chen Guangcheng is West’s Latest ‘Tool’ to Undermine China’s Political System (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)

Based on this column from China’s state mouthpiece, the Global Times, Beijing seems oblivious to how heroes are made. Why is it that Chen Guangcheng, who began as a local activist battling forced abortion and sterilization, has become a worldwide concern? Whether Beijing is willfully ignoring the obvious, or just seeking to discredit a brave man standing up for his principles, this article by columnist Shan Renping suggests that Western media is making much ado about nothing.

By Shan Renping*

May 3, 2012

People’s Republic of China - Global Times – Original Article (English)

Yesterday it was confirmed that in late April, Chen Guangcheng, the blind legal activist, entered the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and after six days left of his own volition. The news broke a day before the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue is set to begin, which demonstrates that neither side wants the issue to affect relations.

Chen's case stems from a grassroots disputes in Linyi, Shandong Province. But due to interference from Western media and even diplomats, the case evolved into a far more complex situation. The issue has boosted Chen’s stature as a human rights advocate in the West and among some online activists. The political role he has now taken on is far from what it was when he began. The West and its supporters in China always need a tool to work against China's political system. Those who become such tools [are pawns] with few choices of their own.

Chen's case is without doubt a brief interlude amid China's development. It will not undermine social stability, nor will it hinder the normal development and progress of human rights in China. In the event such a case emerges again, China can take a composed attitude.

Using Chen's case to criticize China on human rights is futile. China’s progress on human rights over recent years has been noticeable and will not be beleaguered by attacks like this. The stability of the nation lies in its grassroots. Although many problems have emerged at this level, development is moving in the right direction. Due to China's immense scale, confrontations may occasionally take place, but they have not and will not dominate society - and will be diminished by the optimism of the wider population.

It is easy for the West to annoy China under the current pretext. But this will remain only a verbal war. Such criticism sometimes serves as a helpful reminder, but we can also choose to ignore it.

China's State media says that Beijing demands an apology

from the U.S. for harboring Chen Guangcheng, May 2.

[CLICK HERE OR CLICK PHOTO TO WATCH]

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Progress on human rights requires comprehensive public support and social development. This is a notion imported from the West and is not opposed to human rights. Conflicts often emerge when a specific problem is exaggerated.

It is to be hoped that the U.S. Embassy in China is able to distance itself from activities that don’t match its functions. It should try and win a favorable impression from the Chinese public rather than offering an escape route for additional extreme elements. For if it does take on such a role, it will be too much for it to bear. It should adopt a pragmatic attitude toward its capabilities and functions as well as their roles within the Sino-US relationship.

We would like to see the Chen case resolved. Those who want to plot against China through the use of Chen Guangcheng are likely deluding themselves.

* Shan Renping is a commentator with the Chinese edition of the Global Times.