U.S.-China diplomats work on Chen case

U.S. and Chinese officials are racing to resolve the case of a fugitive human rights activist, and ensure it doesn't derail annual talks between top policy makers later this week.

Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell arrived Sunday in Beijing, earlier than planned, to prepare for the gathering, two U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner are still scheduled to meet counterparts in Beijing on Thursday and Friday amid reports the United States is protecting blind activist Chen Guangcheng, according to the officials, who declined to comment further.

The case may be one of the toughest challenges yet for President Barack Obama on managing relations with China, with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney charging the administration with failing to fight hard enough for U.S. interests.

Abandoning the talks would risk deepening tensions between the world's two largest economies at a time when global growth is already overcast by Europe's debt crisis.

Obama refused to comment on the case when asked about it yesterday at a White House news conference.

Chen, who is blind, escaped house arrest last week in Shandong province, where he'd been held since release from prison in September 2010, Midland, Texas-based ChinaAid, a U.S.-based human rights group, reported.

He's now under U.S. protection in Beijing, ChinaAid's founder Bob Fu said, citing people close to the situation.

Chen and his family may ultimately be allowed to travel to the United States, The Associated Press reported Fu as saying. Fu predicted a decision will be made by China's leaders as soon as within a couple of days, the AP said.