China warns West from taking up dissident case 中共国警告自由世界

www.kaichenblog.blogspot.com

陈凯一语： Kai Chen's Words:

The growing economic/political clout of China makes the Chinese communist regime more and more illusory, restless and confident in defying the free world. Hardliners in China apparently take the upper hand now due to the weakness and moral confusion of the Obama administration. Bigger confrontations will come soon. --- Kai Chen

中共国在世界上日益增强的经济与政治影响使中共政权对自由世界越发蔑视、越发强硬、越发自我幻觉化。 中共强硬派显然感到了奥巴马当局的软弱与道德混乱。 更大的冲突很快就会来到。 --- 陈凯

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China warns West from taking up dissident case 中共国警告自由世界

Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:23am EST

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday warned Western countries against taking up the case of a prominent dissident, Liu Xiaobo, who is facing trial for subversion, after the United States and European Union called for his release.

Liu's lawyer said last week that Chinese prosecutors had decided to try him on charges of "inciting subversion of state power" for publishing essays critical of the ruling Communist Party and helping organize a petition demanding democratic transformation.

Liu has been among his country's best known critics of restrictions on citizens' rights, and was detained late last year while helping oversee the launch of the "Charter 08" petition for political change.

The European Union urged China on Monday to release him unconditionally, while the United States pressed Beijing to respect the rights of all Chinese citizens who peacefully express their desire for "internationally recognized freedoms".

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said such calls amounted to interfering in the country's judiciary.

"These accusations are unacceptable. China is a country of rule of law. The fundamental rights of Chinese citizens are guaranteed by the law," she told a regular news conference.

"I want to stress that Chinese judicial bodies handle cases independently. Outsiders have no right to interfere. We oppose any external forces using this case to meddle in China's internal affairs or judicial sovereignty."

Jiang's comments underscored that her government is unlikely to heed international pressure growing over Liu, who could face trial as soon as next week. Chinese courts come under Communist Party control and rarely reject prosecution accusations, especially in politically sensitive cases.

If convicted, the 53-year-old dissident could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

A former literature professor, Liu has been a thorn in the party's side since 1989 when he joined a hunger strike supporting student protesters days before the army crushed the pro-democracy movement centered on Tiananmen Square that year.

Liu's wife, Liu Xia, told Reuters on Tuesday that he had met with his lawyer on Monday and been told to prepare to stand trial "very soon."

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Ken Wills and Sanjeev Miglani)