Blind Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng, who recently fled de facto house arrest, left the U.S. Embassy in Beijing Wednesday after six days of being holed up there. 

Chen Guangcheng (Photo by heartisfree, via Creative Commons)

Chen reportedly agreed to leave the embassy and stay in China after the Chinese government promised they would treat the activist and self-taught lawyer humanely. 

UPDATE: However, it is still unclear why the advocate decided to leave the embassy. Chen reportedly told the Associated Press Wednesday that that U.S. officials told him the Chinese government threatened to beat his wife to death if he refused to leave. 

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State Department officials said they had reached an agreement with the Chinese government, that Chen would be reunited with his family, and that he might attend a university. "I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being reunited with his wife and children," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a statement.

"Mr. Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task. The United States government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family in the days, weeks, and years ahead."

Clinton was the first person Chen called, telling her in broken English, "I want to kiss you," according to a State Department briefing.

This comes as Clinton is set to engage in talks with China on a broad range of issues. The Chen incident belies the fact that, for all the other issues at stake -- Syria, Iran, and the economy, to name several -- human rights is never far below the surface.

Chen came to international prominence when his activities exposed Chinese officials forcing families to undergo abortions and sterilizations to comply with the government's one-child policy. 

Chen was released from jail in 2010, but had been under house arrest since September last year. That was until he fled last week. 

Chen finally broke a media silence on the incident with a phone call to Washington Post reporter Keith Richburg, in which he introduced himself and said he was with the American embassador on his way to a hospital.

The Chinese government has demanded an apology from the U.S. for harboring the escaped dissident. 

In a background briefing, State Department officials seemed to indicate an apology would not be forthcoming, given the circumstances. 

"This was an extraordinary case involving exceptional circumstances, and we do not anticipate that it will be repeated," an official said. "Recognizing the exceptional circumstances under which Mr. Chen entered the U.S. Embassy, we intend to work closely inside the U.S. Government to fully ensure that our policies are consistent and – with our values." 

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Photos below courtesy of the U.S. State Department.