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Chinese dissident asks Congress for US assistance

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    Diplomatic issue with China continues

  • Duration 3:29
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Good evening I'm John Roberts in for -- -- tonight for the second time in just a few days a blind Chinese political activist made a surprise appearance.

In American territory.

This time -- -- -- made himself heard at the US capitol not in person but by telephone.

Our chief congressional correspondent Mike Emanuel has our top story tonight.

Late today four year old Chinese dissident Chen -- Chung spoke by phone to a congressional hearing focused on him and appealed for US assistance.

I.

I want to needs with the Secretary Clinton.

-- hope I can get more help from her.

-- -- is greatest concern right now is the safety of his mother Brothers and neighbors who have helped him after US officials told the world Chen did not want to leave China.

He told reporters he's had a change of heart.

And I was inside the US embassy I didn't have all the information I couldn't get information now I have it and I send certain things so I changed my mind Chen told a fellow dissident the Chinese Government attacked his wife.

Basically that the interrogator.

-- hurt.

That she thought her -- -- Did not walk out of the US embassy.

They will -- this case has caused an international political dilemma for the White House at no point.

During his time in the embassy did mr.

-- ever request political asylum in the US and at every opportunity he expressed his desire to stay in China.

The activist -- vocal about China's one child policy which -- resulted in forced late term abortions or sterilization.

And he was under house arrest before daring escape with the help of supporters last week -- left the protection of the US embassy yesterday for the hospital after suffering a foot injury in his escape.

Today as State Department spokesman was -- when asked if Chen is in Chinese custody.

He's in the hospital I don't know the answer to that presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney blasted the administration for not putting in place verifiable measures to protect the -- family.

This is a dark day for freedom.

And it's a day of shame for the Obama administration.

We -- a place of freedom here and around the world and we should stand up and defend freedom wherever it is under attack.

The timing has been awkward since secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner are in Beijing for talks on economic and global security issues.

In fact -- -- told the reporter he'd like to leave on the secretary of State's plane.

Clinton did mention -- by name but talked about the broader concerns of human rights.

We believe that all governments.

Do have to answer to citizens aspirations for dignity and the rule of law.

And that no nation.

Can or should I denied those rights.

At that congressional hearing there was testimony saying that US embassy officials and American doctors have not been allowed to visit -- in the hospital since shortly after they dropped him off.

Republican Frank Wolf of Virginia says he called the State Department official in Beijing to relate Chen's request for Clinton to visit him in the hospital.

And we will see if that happens John just a moment ago -- you said -- -- would like to go home to the united sort of go to the United States.

On secretary Clinton's -- any chance that would ever happen.

That seems unlikely but it seems like there's pressure building to do something because pressure's been put on saying.

His security is the responsibility of the Obama administration -- watching it closely Mike Emanuel tonight Mike thanks to -- -- Ron.

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