This is the Cato Daily Podcast for Thursday, May 3rd, 2012.

I'm Caleb Brown.

Chinese economist Malu Shoeh will receive the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty

tomorrow for his half century steadfast

promotion of basic liberties and the rule of law in China. We spoke today about the

chase of Chen Guang Chang, his reported plans to defect to the United States and the prospect for expanding civil

society in China.

You spoke out on behalf of Chen Guangchang, who's the blind attorney who's been critical of China's

government for some time.

It's not perfectly clear at this moment, but it appears that he's now asking for the

United States for asylum.

How do you think that situation ought to be resolved?

I wish the best solution would be good for Mr. Chengguantan.

And that means his personal safety could be protected.

And I wish more is about to, by this case case we should improve the human rights protection in China.

It's being widely reported in Beijing that your intention beyond receiving the Milton Friedman Prize this week is to defect to the United States, you have denied that.

Would you care to expand on that or discuss it any further?

On the internet, there are many rumors,

different saying.

Not only in this case, and it occurred many false information.

So the internet provides much freedom on speech, but also provides some distorted news which I don't drink.

Many economists are now concerned of the rise of a new economic model. It's simply called state

...