Chinese Dissident Tian Guangcheng Delivers Pro-Trump Speech at US Republican National Convention

Chinese Workers and Farmers Seek Asylum in US in 2012 for Human Rights Activism
Trump Also Criticized for Lack of Interest in China Human Rights and Democracy

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chen Guangcheng (陳光誠), a visually impaired Chinese dissident lawyer who sought asylum in the United States, is scheduled to deliver a speech supporting President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention on the 26th (local time), where Trump will be nominated as the Republican presidential candidate, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP).

SCMP reported this on the 27th based on an announcement from the Trump presidential campaign, stating, "This shows the Republican Party's increasing efforts to portray the Democratic Party as weak on China."

The Trump campaign introduced Chen Guangcheng in the speaker's bio as "a victim persecuted by Chinese authorities for exposing corruption within the Chinese Communist Party."

Chen Guangcheng is a dissident who sought asylum in the U.S. after advocating for the human rights of Chinese workers and farmers.

In May 2012, while under house arrest, he fled to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and, with the help of American diplomats, sought asylum in the United States.

Since seeking asylum in the U.S., Chen Guangcheng has sparked controversy not only within China but also among Chinese dissidents living abroad.

Many Chinese dissident activists abroad criticize him for supporting right-wing positions and for not paying attention to human rights struggles within China.

Although he sought asylum in the U.S. with the help of diplomats from the Obama administration, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party, he has now become an ardent supporter of the Republican Party.

Chen Guangcheng criticizes past U.S. administrations for adopting a conciliatory strategy toward China.

Teng Biao, a human rights lawyer and friend of Chen Guangcheng living in New Jersey, expressed being "dumbfounded" by Chen's decision to speak at the Republican National Convention.

Teng Biao, who helped Chen in China, stated, "Supporting Trump is completely inconsistent for advocates of Chinese human rights," and argued that President Trump has no interest in democracy and human rights within China.