Chen Appeals to New Chinese Leader

It’s time for a change. Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng, who won his freedom and escaped to the United States earlier this year, in an online video urged new Chinese leader Xi Jinping to make reforms. Chen’s nephew was recently sentenced to three years in prison on charges that he assaulted officials. Chen, who won the freedom to travel to the United States to study after a lengthy diplomatic battle, said Chinese officials “have enacted revenge” on his nephew and other family members. The new leader can decide if China “will have the transition in a peaceful way or a violent way,” Chen said.