The New York Times reports today that the government of the People's Republic of China has issued a diplomatic note to its European counterparts, requesting their boycott of the upcoming Nobel Prize ceremony. The cause of Beijing's ire is Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiabo, a Chinese dissident who has publicly advocated for democratic reforms in the world's most populous nation. He has also called for the end to the Communist Party's monopoly on power in China. The black and white photos show Mr. Liu in 1989, and a recent demand for his release from prison.The PRC's economic leverage, compelling in these hard times, might be hard for the Old World to resist. Given that unsavory prospect, European citizens should speak out against Beijing's political extortion. Chinese citizens who imagine something better for its country than this embarrassing, counterproductive episode, should also denounce its government's heavy-handed power play.
The color photograph shows Vaclav Havel attempting to present the Chinese Embassy in Prague a petition for Mr. Liu's freedom. Havel's visit took place in January 2010. To date, Mr. Liu remains incarcerated by the Chinese government.
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