Wikipedia entry: Liu Xiaobo

Nobel Peace Prize

On 7 October 2010, Norwegian TV networks reported that Liu Xiaobo was a candidate for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.^[45] On 8 October 2010 the Nobel Committee awarded him the Prize "for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China".^[46] The Norwegian Nobel Committee president Thorbj?rn Jagland said the choice of Liu as the recipient of the prize had become clear early on in the process.^[47] The Chinese foreign ministry had previously warned the Nobel committee not to give Liu the prize, as they said that it would be against Nobel principles.^[47]

All news about the announcement of the award was immediately censored in China. Foreign news broadcasters including CNN and the BBC were immediately blacked out after mentioning the award in China.^[48] Web searches for Liu Xiabo were immediately deleted and no information can be searched about him in China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement that said, "The Nobel Peace Prize is meant to award individuals who promote international harmony and friendship, peace and disarmament. Liu Xiaobo is a criminal who has been sentenced by Chinese judicial departments for violating Chinese law. Awarding the peace to Liu runs completely counter to the principle of the award and is also a desecration of the Peace Prize."^[49] The state-run Xinhua News Agency later carried a report saying that awarding Liu Xiaobo the prize “defiles” (褻瀆) Alfred Nobel's purpose of creating this prize and "may harm China-Norway relations". The spokeperson added that Liu had broken Chinese law and his "actions run contrary to the purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize."^[50][51][52]

In response to the award announcement, there were messages of congratulations from the world’s leaders. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, stated that, "The decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee is a strong message of support to all those around the world who, sometimes with great personal sacrifice, are struggling for freedom and human rights."^[53] The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the award “shines a spotlight on the situation of human rights defenders worldwide,” and the Foreign Secretary William Hague continued asking for Liu’s release from jail.^[53] US President Barack Obama said in a statement, “By granting the prize to Mr. Liu, the Nobel Committee has chosen someone who has been an eloquent and courageous spokesman for the advance of universal values through peaceful and non-violent means, including his support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. But this award reminds us that political reform has not kept pace, and that the basic human rights of every man, woman and child must be respected. We call on the Chinese government to release Mr. Liu as soon as possible.”^[54] TheDalai Lama praised the decision, and called on the Chinese government to release the jailed Liu and launch political, legal and constitutional reforms.^[55]

Official Chinese government response

The Norwegian ambassador to the People's Republic of China was summoned by the Chinese government on 8 October 2010 and was presented with an official complaint against the granting of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.^[56] The Norwegian foreign minister replied by saying that the Chinese government's hostile remarks are unnecessary, as the Nobel Prize nomination committee is independent from the Norwegian government.^[57]

Response from online Chinese community

After the announcement of the Nobel Prize award, the online Chinese community exposed the fact that Liu Xiaobo had openly stated that China need at least 300 years of colonial rule by the West and should abandon Chinese Culture so that it could reach the level of Hong Kong.^[58] Many Chinese viewed the award of the Nobel Prize another western plot against China. Some Chinese viewed Liu as a Hanjian (traitor of the Han Nation) and considered his sentence too lenient; a few extreme nationalists even called for Liu's execution.^[59]

Personal life

He is married to Liu Xia, who lives in the couple's apartment in Beijing.