Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng urges no compromise on changing China

Dissident Chen Guangcheng voiced confidence Tuesday that China's political system will eventually open up as he urged fellow activists and the United States not to compromise on human rights. In an address in the US Capitol complex, the blind self-taught lawyer offered his most philosophical remarks yet about China since he dramatically escaped house arrest last year and was allowed to leave for New York. "There has never been a dynasty that was able to achieve longevity through forceful oppression," Chen said, quoting a Chinese proverb that "if you carry the hearts and minds of the people, you will carry all below Heaven." "We need to bring an end to this period of history during which the communist authority maintains a monopoly on power and enslaves the people through a leadership of thieves," he said.