Chinese dissident Chen Chuangcheng asks for asylum (7 images)

In this photo released by the U.S. embassy Beijing Press Office, blind Chinese dissident Chen Chuangcheng is wheeled into a hospital escorted by U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke (2nd R) in Beijing on May 2, 2012. Chen left the U.S. Embassy and is under Chinese control in a Beijing hospital, but is now apparently asking for asylum in the United States. UPI

In this photo released by the U.S. embassy Beijing Press Office, blind Chinese dissident Chen Chuangcheng is reunited with his family at a hospital while U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke looks on along with other embassy officials, in Beijing on May 2, 2012. Chen left the U.S. Embassy and is under Chinese control in a Beijing hospital, but is now apparently asking for asylum in the United States. UPI

In this photo released by the U.S. embassy Beijing Press Office, blind Chinese dissident Chen Chuangcheng (C) shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke (R) along with other embassy officials in Beijing on May 2, 2012. Chen left the U.S. Embassy and is now under Chinese control in a Beijing hospital, but is now apparently asking for asylum in the United States. UPI

In this photo released by the U.S. embassy Beijing Press Office, blind Chinese dissident Chen Chuangcheng (2nd L)) is helped by U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke ( C ) and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Cambell (2nd R) in Beijing on May 2, 2012. Chen left the U.S. Embassy and is under Chinese control in a Beijing hospital, but is now apparently asking for asylum in the United States. UPI