Mr. Chen crusaded for social justice in his native Shandong Province, and in the process threatened party officials’ record on keeping order and enforcing the one-child population-control policy. In August 2005, …he began a campaign to help citizens sue the local government over forced late-term abortions and sterilizations

(Editor’s Note: When reading, ‘defender’, ‘dissent,’ ‘activist,’ and ‘social justice’ are all secular euphemisms for pro-life evangelical Christian)

Chen Guangcheng, the blind legal defender who made a dramatic escape from house arrest and whose decision to seek refuge in American Embassy jolted American-Sino relations, left China aboard a commercial flight bound for the United States, according to friends who have spoken to him.

Mr. Chen left Beijing on a United Airlines flight bound for Newark with his wife and two children at around 5:30 p.m. after facing earlier delays.

Earlier Saturday Mr. Chen told friends over a cellphone that he was excited to be leaving China but that he was also worried about the fate of relatives he leaves behind. “He’s happy to finally have a rest after seven years of suffering but he’s also worried they will suffer some retribution,” said Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid, a Christian advocacy group based in Texas.

Mr. Fu, who spoke to him several times on Saturday, said the family had no idea they were leaving — or where they were going — until officials notified them to pack up their few belongings. .

The family was taken directly to Beijing International Airport by staff from Chaoyang Hospital, where Mr. Chen had sought treatment for a foot he broke during his scurry to freedom. As of 3 p.m., Mr. Chen told friends he and his family were still waiting for Chinese officials to deliver their passports.

The Chens, who have business class seats, were waiting for their flight in an area separated from other passengers. Airline officials beefed up security on the flight and reporters were told they would not be able to speak to Mr. Chen during the 13-hour trip to Newark.

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