Chinese papers launch propaganda war against Chen

The Beijing Times, the Beijing News, the Beijing Youth Daily, the Global Times and the English language China Daily labelled the 40-year-old Mr Chen as a “tool of the United States” who was being manipulated into a political attack on China.

The Beijing Youth Daily added that the United States had “violated basic diplomatic norms and ethics” in sheltering Mr Chen for six days after he miraculously escaped from his home village.

“Gary Locke (the US ambassador) is putting on an attention-grabbing performance, the usual hypocrisy of Western politicians,” said the newspaper. “The US does not have a benevolent role in getting involved in Cheng Chengguang’s affairs, but has found a way to disturb China”.