WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday sidestepped a question about Chinese dissident Chen Guangchen, refusing to confirm that the blind lawyer is under U.S. protection in China or that American diplomats are attempting to negotiate an agreement for him to receive asylum.

“Obviously, I’m aware of the press reports on the situation in China, but I’m not going to make a statement on the issue,” the president said at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko.

He added, “what I would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with China the issue of human rights comes up.”

Obama declined to provide any information as his administration and the Chinese government sought to prevent the biggest human rights issue since Tiananmen Square demonstrations to disrupt high-level strategic and economic talks set to begin in Beijing on Thursday.

The two governments have signaled that the global economic, North Korea, Iran and Sudan hold far more significance in U.S.-Chinese relations than the fate of one man.

Thus, the president’s reluctance to comment on Chen’s status was in keeping with a view presented in both countries that the dissident is an invisible man.

Earlier, State department spokesman Victoria Nuland was also tight-lipped.

“I have nothing for you on anything having to do with that matter,” she responded repeatedly to reporters’ questions before Obama’s news conference.