It has been an unusual journey for Chen Guangcheng, but the Chinese dissident has finally landed at Newark’s airport to begin his fellowship at New York University Law School. Chen, his wife, and two children left for the Beijing airport late Saturday, after only a few hours advance notice and without knowing where they were going until already en route. The Chinese dissident, who took refuge in the U.S. Embassy after escaping from house arrest, was in the center of what could have become a diplomatic crisis as China and the United States struggled to agree on his destiny. Before boarding the flight, Chen told friends he still feared his remaining family would face retribution from the Chinese government.
