WITH the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony looming large next month, China has sent official letters to western diplomats urging them to avoid the December 10th ceremony, which will give the award to imprisoned activist Liu Xiaobo.
China is furious at the award, saying Mr Liu is a criminal for advocating more democracy in China and that the award constitutes an infringement of China’s internal affairs.
Diplomats in Beijing confirmed that letters had been sent to European embassies in the Norwegian capital asking them to shun the event. The letter also calls on embassies not to issue any public statements in support of Mr Liu on the day of the ceremony.
Mr Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, has been under house arrest since the award was announced in October.
Many world leaders, including US president Barack Obama, have called for Mr Liu to be freed. The issue is likely to figure at the meeting of the G20 group in Seoul next week.