China 'to probe activist's claims'

Blind activist Chen Guangcheng said today the Chinese government has promised him it will investigate abuses he and his family suffered at the hands of local authorities.

Beijing’s apparent willingness to look into Mr Chen’s complaints is another sign that his gambit late last month – when he fled house arrest in his home town for the US embassy and set off a diplomatic tussle – has succeeded in getting officials to address his concerns.