(Newsyndicate): The Chinese have always dreamed of winning a Nobel prize. But now, its leaders are furious, because their dream came true yesterday. Liu Xiaobo is serving a 11 year prison sentence until 2020, and won the Nobel peace prize on October 8. The Chinese government, if that's what you could call it, is angry at the Norwegian-based Nobel committee for their choice, but Xiaobo, according to many, was the right choice, because of his long-standing campaign for democracy.
For one, this isn't the first time he's been behind bars- this is his fourth prison term. Before, he'd been in jail from June 1989 to January 1991 at Qincheng Prison (the Chinese version of ADX Florence), and was discharged after he signed a letter of apology, served six months of a May 1995- January 1996 sentence, went to a labor education camp for three years from October of 1996 to October 1999, and is now doing time at Jinzhou Prison. He married Liu Xia in 1996.
President Barack Obama, who won the prize last year, has called for Xiaobo's immediate release. "Last year, I noted that so many others who have received the award had sacrificed so much more than I," the President remarked. "That list now includes Mr. Liu, who has sacrificed his freedom for his beliefs." The Dalai Lama, who was exiled to India and won the prize in 1989, joined Obama in congratulating Liu.
The Internet buzzed with activity before censors scrubbed all evidence of "Congratulations, Liu" from web pages and chat sites. Demonstrators in Beijing parks were arrested and Liu's wife was kept in her apartment by police.
Liu's prize has given encouragement to the Chinese dissident community, and the Chinese authorities are desperately trying to keep citizens under control. His wife told Hong Kong cable TV that she hopes to travel to Norway soon to collect the prize (and the money, worth about $1.5 million USD). Police have other ideas, and are watching her constantly. Many phone calls have come in, wishing her luck.
Many others were in government custody while chosen for the award- including Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) and German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky (1935). Others, including Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov (1975) and Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa (1983), were prevented by their governments from traveling to Norway to accept their award.
However, many people don't know why he has won the prize. Some conspiracies and rumors circulating on the web claim that the award was given for another secret reason- to show the world the "real" China, in hope that China's response would be deemed "inappropriate".
CNN was blacked out by the Chinese government, as were other media outlets and social networking sites to try and control the chaos that has overtaken the country, and also to try and stop and rebellions.
Liu co-authored Charter 08, which is circulated all over the web. The Chinese authoirites have tried to stop it from circulation, but it is almost impossible, considering the fact that some have even posted it in many successive 140-character Twitter status updates and Facebook posts, during rare times when they are not censored by Chinese officials.
It is up in the air whether or not China will release Xiaobo early, if pressure from the International community becomes to great. Other governments are expected to do something about the situation. Chinese officials have declined comment.
Many others were in government custody while chosen for the award- including Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) and German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky (1935). Others, including Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov (1975) and Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa (1983), were prevented by their governments from traveling to Norway to accept their award.
However, many people don't know why he has won the prize. Some conspiracies and rumors circulating on the web claim that the award was given for another secret reason- to show the world the "real" China, in hope that China's response would be deemed "inappropriate".
CNN was blacked out by the Chinese government, as were other media outlets and social networking sites to try and control the chaos that has overtaken the country, and also to try and stop and rebellions.
Liu co-authored Charter 08, which is circulated all over the web. The Chinese authoirites have tried to stop it from circulation, but it is almost impossible, considering the fact that some have even posted it in many successive 140-character Twitter status updates and Facebook posts, during rare times when they are not censored by Chinese officials.
It is up in the air whether or not China will release Xiaobo early, if pressure from the International community becomes to great. Other governments are expected to do something about the situation. Chinese officials have declined comment.
Sources:
AP Story- at the Bellingham Herald
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