[flopay]

2012-05-19 17:30 BJT NBC

BEIJING – Blind Chinese social activist Chen Guangcheng
began the final leg of his long odyssey to freedom, leaving Beijing Saturday on a flight to the United States.

Early Saturday morning NBC News called Chen at the Beijing hospital where he has been held since leaving the U.S. Embassy on May 2. Chen said he
still didn’t know when he was leaving but remained optimistic that it would be soon.

Moments later, NBC News made a second call to Chen, during which a group of Chinese officials were heard entering the room. One of them was heard
telling Chen, “wrap up, you are leaving today.”

During a 10-minute conversation, Chen was told he would undergo some final medical check-ups and then he and his family would be taken to the airport.



News of Chen’s release from hospital and departure to the United States caused a stir online and foreign journalists rushed to Beijing’s Capital Airport.

At the airport, it was largely business as usual, with no apparent additional security around.