A US-based activist group and a prominent dissident yesterday confirmed that blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng is under US protection in Beijing.
US and Chinese officials are believed to be in intense talks over the fate of Chen, which threatens to cast a shadow over high-level Sino-US talks this week in the capital.
For a second day, neither Beijing nor Washington would comment on the case - fuelling speculation that Chen is sheltering in the US embassy.
Hu Jia , a prominent dissident, told the Sunday Morning Post Chen had taken refuge at the embassy after the pair met in Beijing last week. Hu was summoned by police yesterday.
The Texas-based group ChinaAid said that they 'learned from a source close to Chen Guangcheng that he is under US protection and high-level talks are currently under way between US and Chinese officials regarding Chen's status'.
Hu said Chen made a dramatic escape from house arrest in his home village in Shandong province last week and endured a dangerous 20-hour ordeal before reaching supporters who spirited him away to Beijing. Chen fell over 'at least 200 times' during the escape, Hu said.
Chen's friends and supporters say the blind activist has no intention of leaving the mainland and seeks direct dialogue with the central government.