Obama aide mum on whether US protecting activist

ANNE FLAHERTY Associated Press Published:







The U.S. has been looking to China for help on trying to curb suspected nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran, and to push Syria toward a cease-fire with anti-government protestors. Bilateral disputes over trade, China's currency and U.S. relations with Taiwan also were expected to surface during the talks.

While the White House has remained mostly mum on the incident -- and how much it might factor into next week's discussions -- Brennan suggested that the diplomatic dance with China isn't new.

"I think it would be fair to say the president has faced similar situations in the past in terms of this balancing requirement and so I'm confident that the president and others within the U.S. government will be able to find the right way forward," Brennan said.


"My hope is that U.S. officials will take every measure to ensure that Chen and his family members are protected from further persecution," Romney said early Sunday in a statement. "Our country must play a strong role in urging reform in China and supporting those fighting for the freedoms we enjoy."

