Chen Guangcheng named GQ's rebel of year
After escaping house arrest and fleeing to the US, campaigner is hailed by GQ magazine
Six months after escaping house arrest in the Shandong village of Liyi, blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng has been named one of GQ magazine's "men of the year".
Specifically, the American men's fashion magazine dubbed Chen as its "rebel of the year", placing him alongside Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt (athlete of the year), Ben Affleck (director of the year) and pop singer Rihanna (obsession of the year).
Not to let the humble activist be upstaged, the magazine ran a photo of Chen looking heroic beside the sea in a stylish black utility shirt, slim-fit trousers and with a billowing crimson scarf.
It was dramatic change from when arrived to start his studies at New York University, wearing ill-fitting khakis and a cast covering his broken foot.
But he also shared his struggles adjusting to Western life and his continued concerns for his family back home, including his nephew, Chen Kegui, who has been charged with trying to murder a security official who broke into his home.
"This is just another instance of the persistent persecution of me and my family," Chen said.