Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng

A pro-democracy activist holds a picture of Chen Guangcheng during an event to collect signatures in support of the blind Chinese legal activist in Hong Kong Wednesday, May 2, 2012. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived Wednesday in Beijing, where a tense human rights showdown awaits over the fate of Chen said to be under U.S. protection after escaping from house arrest.

Protester holds a placard with picture of Chen

A pro-democracy protester holds a placard with picture of blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng outside China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong Monday, April 30, 2012 as they urge Beijing government stop persecution of Chen.

Chen at the hosptial in Beijing

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is seen in a wheelchair pushed by a nurse at the Chaoyang hospital in Beijing May 2, 2012.

Blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng

Police watch journlists outside the hospital where Chen stays

Chinese police officers watch over journalists outside the hospital where blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is recuperating in Beijing, China, Thursday, May 3, 2012. U.S. officials said Thursday they are still trying to help Chen who says he fears for his family's safety.

Chen is helped with State Department aid

Chen Guangcheng, China, Gary Locke — AP Photo/US Embassy Beijing Press Office, HO

In this photo released by the US Embassy Beijing Press Office, blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng, left, is helped by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, right, and U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke as they leave the U.S. Embassy for a hospital in Beijing Wednesday May 2, 2012.

Chinese activist Chen on speaker phone at congressional hearing

Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng phoned into a congressional hearing pleading for asylum for himself and his family, Thursday, May 3, 2012. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) listens as a translator holds the phone and interprets the activist's statements. "The thing I (am) most concerned (about) right now is the safety of my mother, my brothers, and I really want to know what's going on with them," Chen said through a translator.

Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng

Chinese dissident causes diplomatic dance for White House — AP Photo

Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese dissident now under U.S. protection in Beijing, could create a difficult diplomatic situation for the White House.

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, in a wheelchair, is helped to a commercial flight Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Beijing International Airport. Chen was hurriedly taken from a hospital Saturday and boarded a plane that took off for the United States, closing a nearly month-long diplomatic tussle that had tested U.S.-China relations.