Activist Chen to wait a fortnight for passports to US

Chen Guangcheng, the blind activist at the centre of a diplomatic tug of war between Beijing and Washington, said yesterday Chinese officials have told him the passports he and his family have applied for should be ready in a fortnight.

Mr Chen said it remained unclear if he, his wife and two children would be able to leave China after getting their passports. He was speaking from the Beijing hospital room where he remains under virtual arrest.

Mr Chen made a late-night escape from house arrest in eastern Shandong province last month. He and his family are now expected to be able to travel abroad for him to study in the US, under an agreement between Beijing and Washington.

Chinese officials brought paperwork for Mr Chen and his family to fill out on Wednesday at the hospital. The US State Department has said visas for Mr Chen and his family are ready once Beijing grants approval.

Mr Chen’s elder brother Chen Guangfu has told an online magazine he was tortured after his brother’s escape. He said he was cuffed, hands behind his back, shackled with a chain, slapped, punched in the ribs and had his feet stamped on. His son, Chen Kegui, is in detention, accused of attempting to kill officials who charged into the family home.