Contact: Bob Fu, President, Bob@ChinaAid.org; Mark Shan, News Analyst, 888-889-7757, 267-205-5210 cell, Mark@ChinaAid.org; Eddie Romero, LA Office, 323-521-6777, ChinaAid.LA@gmail.com; all with ChinaAid; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org  

BEIJING, May 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- ChinaAid has learned that blind activist Chen Guangcheng and his family have left China today and are en route to the United States.

Bob Fu talked with Chen just hours ago. Chen said Chinese official informed him that he would leave today, though he had not yet received his passport.  Chen was not told which city in the US he was going to but it is now confirmed he is headed to Newark, N.J.

ChinaAid and the Chen family deeply appreciate the international community's tireless efforts to gain his freedom, including the Church's passionate prayers, both the efforts of the US Embassy and the US Congress, who held two timely hearings on his behalf.

Chen also wanted to express his gratitude to the Chinese government who fulfilled one of its promises to allow his family to leave.

ChinaAid continues to urge vigilance and increased international attention to the situation faced by Chen Guangcheng's extended family members, including his nephew Chen Kegui and his elder brother Chen Guangfu as well as his sister-in-law Ren Zongju. They are all facing possible severe punishment as a result of Chen's escape from his house last month.

"We are happy for Chen and his family. This is a great day for freedom fighters," said Pastor Bob Fu who has been campaigning for Chen's freedom internationally, " this further proves that constructive dialogues with international pressure can surely produce concrete positive result. We pray for his family's safe journey."