Congratulations to Liu Xiaobo — China's very own Vaclav Havel — on his historic Nobel Peace Prize win.
An honorable mention to President Hu Jintao and the Chinese Communist Politburo as well. (For without their tireless efforts, Liu's victory would scarcely have been possible!)
UPDATE: Will the current Nobel chairman publicly make the Carl von Ossietzky – Liu Xiaobo connection?
UPDATE #2: I knew that Liu had been sentenced to 11 years by the Communist politburo…but wasn't aware that Liu & his lawyers had only 14 minutes to defend him at trial. Can't wait to see Bev Chu & Taiwan's China Post spin the proceedings of that kangaroo court as a "fair trial".
UPDATE #3: "I have long been aware that when an independent intellectual stands up to an autocratic state, step one toward freedom is often a step into prison. Now I am taking that step; and true freedom is that much nearer." – Liu Xiaobo
UPDATE (Oct 9/2010): Gotta give Ma Ying-jeou & the KMT credit for at least pretending to be pleased with Liu's win. Hypocrisy may be the homage vice pays to virtue, but that's certainly more than Taiwan's China Post has done so far.
[Don't be so cynical, Foreigner — school bullying is a huge, HUGE story! Way bigger than the first Nobel Peace Prize won by a Chinese!]
From yesterday's Taipei Times:
Hours after the announcement, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) congratulated Liu for winning the prize and called on China to address human rights issues with a more liberal attitude.
The General-wuss-imo must be really worried about the coming elections, if he's that willing to piss off his Communist masters. What's next? An invitation to Rebiya Kadeer and the Dalai Lama to come help campaign for him?
UPDATE #5: Beijing summons the Norwegian ambassador for a dressing-down. Yet another Hitler "Downfall" parody in the making…
UPDATE #6: Heh. "…peaceful and friendly China" vs. "antagonistic and belligerent Norway."
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