BEIJING — A blind legal activist who fled house arrest in his Chinese village is under the protection of American officials, overseas activists said Saturday, putting the U.S. in a difficult position days ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Chen Guangcheng, who has exposed forced abortions and sterilizations in villages as a result of China’s one-child policy, escaped a week ago from his guarded home in Shandong province in eastern China.

The U.S. and Chinese governments have not confirmed reports that he sought protection at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

“Chen is under U.S. protection and high-level talks are currently under way between U.S. and Chinese officials regarding Chen’s status,” said a statement from the ChinaAid Association. It cited a source close to the situation.

Chen’s whereabouts could be a major political complication for the two countries, with Clinton and other top U.S. officials due to arrive in China for the latest round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue that begins Thursday.

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing declined to comment Saturday, as have U.S. officials in Washington.