This claim was denied by the university, as well as by professor Jerome A. Cohen, Chen's mentor who arranged for his placement at NYU. Despite these denials, his departure followed within days of NYU's agreement with the Chinese authorities to open the NYU Shanghai campus. Chen's close association with conservative Christian and anti-abortion figures since coming to the United States, including representative Chris Smith, pastor Bob Fu, and media consultant Mark Corallo, has concerned old supporters like Cohen.
The claim was rejected by both the university and Professor Jerome A. Cohen, Chen's mentor who helped him get a position at NYU. Despite these denials, Chen left shortly after NYU agreed to open its Shanghai campus in collaboration with Chinese authorities. Chen's close ties to conservative Christian and anti-abortion figures since coming to the United States, including Representative Chris Smith, Pastor Bob Fu, and media consultant Mark Corallo, have caused concern among his supporters like Cohen.