Yul Kwon:
To tell us more about the Chen Guangcheng deal between the US and China, we have Minky Worden with us today on Skype. She's the director of global initiatives for Human Rights Watch, and she's written a book about human rights in China, called China's Great Leap. Thanks for joining us, Minky. So what were the basic elements of the deal that was worked out between the US and China over Chen's future?

Minky Worden:
The basic elements were, the most important thing was that Chen himself wanted to stay in China. He has wanted to attend law school; he's a self-taught lawyer. And the elements of the deal that was worked out was that he would be able to attend law school, that he would be reunited with his family, and the officials who have persecuted him and made his life a living hell since 2005 would be investigated.

Yul Kwon:
And what happened to the deal. Is it in effect or did it fall apart?

Minky Worden:
It's hard to say. A lot of what's happened happened behind closed doors. But what we do know is that Chen left the US embassy after six days and was taken to a hospital. But it does seem from reports from his friends and from other supporters that things took an unpleasant turn there.

Yul Kwon:
At this point, is there any kind of clear idea of what's going to happen next and what Chen himself wants?

Minky Worden:
I don't know that there is a clear idea of what is going to happen or what Chen wants. But I think it's useful to look at the history of this case. You know, this man is a bit of a local folk hero in Shandong province. He represented farmers in land rights cases. He worked for disability rights issues. Then he took up the case that really brought him into conflict with the Chinese government, the Chinese authorities, and that was relating to forced abortions and really brutal tactics by local officials. What his overarching theme has been is helping citizens seek the justice that they are entitled to under Chinese law and under the Chinese constitution.

Yul Kwon:
This whole incident comes up at a very delicate time in US-China relations. Secretary of State Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner are scheduled to meet with Chinese officials to talk about issues ranging from North Korea's nuclear program to opening up China's economy to US goods. What impact has all this had in terms of how these [countries] have been handling the Chen affair?

Minky Worden:
Well, I think it's come at an inconvenient time for US-China relations. But I've got to say that the Chen case goes to the heart of the topics that should be in the center of US-China relations. And I think what we're talking about here is the rule of law, or rather in China, the lack of it. So any of the so-called strategic issues that the US is going to be taking up with China, whether it's trade and contracts or whether it's the environment and stopping environmental degradation, all of these things tie back to the legal system and the application of the rule of law in China.

Yul Kwon:
What's your assessment of how the US has handled this whole incident, and what do you think the Obama administration should be doing going forward?

Minky Worden:
The top priority should be keeping him safe, keeping his supporters and the activists who made his daring escape possible safe, and really ensuring that this case does not make his life even more difficult than it already has been.

Yul Kwon:
Thanks, Minky. Minky Worden is the director of global initiatives for Human Rights Watch. You can learn more about her at LinkAsia's website.