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The move follows a similar invitation extended by New YorkUniversity as Chen waits for approval to travel to the UnitedStates under a deal struck between the Obama administration andBeijing. The 40-year-old activist took refuge in the U.S. embassy for sixdays after fleeing house arrest in Shandong, prompting fears that adiplomatic standoff over his fate could sour relations between theUnited States and China. He is now hospitalized for a broken foot and other ailmentsstemming from his 19 months of confinement and daring escape, andsays he wants to take his family abroad for their safety and tocontinue his studies. China's Foreign Ministry has said Chen can apply to study abroad,but it was not clear how soon Beijing would let him leave. The University of Washington, in a letter signed by presidentMichael Young and provost Ana Mari Cauce, invited Chen to come tothe Seattle-based institution to study either law or internationalrelations. "The University of Washington has a strong history and reputationin China Studies, with both a China Studies program and a China LawCenter," Young and Cauce said in the letter, billing its ChinaStudies program as "one of the oldest and most prestigious" in thecountry. "We have no doubts that we could provide you with a strongcollegial and academic environment where you could be involved intaking, and possibly teaching, classes as well as conducting otherscholarship," the letter said, adding: "It would be our honor foryou to join the University of Washington community." Administrators at the university contacted Gary Locke, the U.S.Ambassador to China and a former Washington state governor, to gettheir invitation to Chen, but yet to receive a reply, universityspokesman Norm Arkans said. Locke's Washington ties helped the university get the messagethrough, he said, but the connection wasn't a factor in thestate-supported school extending its fellowship offer to Chen. Chen, a self-taught legal activist, came to national fame forcampaigning for farmers and disabled citizens, and exposing acampaign of forced abortions in Linyi, Shandong, where officialswere under pressure to meet family planning goals. Arkans said the University of Washington was inspired to make theoffer by NYU's similar announcement, saying that Chen might prefermultiple options despite his existing relationship with NYU lawprofessor Jerome Cohen. "We think he would be a real asset here," Arkans said. "There are alot of folks who would be eager to have him here in residence andhave him be able to do seminars and research and perhaps have himdo some teaching." (Writing and additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by EricWalsh; Editing by Cynthia Johnston). We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Epoxy Magnets , Magnetic Kids Toys for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Rubber Magnetic Strip.
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