Since Liu Xiaobo was announced as the winner of the Nobel peace prize in October China has barely been able to contain its anger. Officials in the country have labelled the award an “obscenity” and have openly warned against diplomats going to Oslo.
According to Beijing any countries attending the ceremony are “clowns”, warning they’ll face “serious consequences” if they turn up. These threats haven't gone unnoticed, a third of countries invited are staying away.
Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Afghanistan are just a few countries that have declined invitations. Publicly many of them haven’t given a reason for staying away but clearly they’re worried about repercussions.
Many in the west have labelled China’s approach nothing more than bullying. Are they right? Is this the best way to pressure China? How important is it to stand up to China? Will the peace prize change anything?
The Sacramento Bee says Beijing’s response has revealed a new side to the country:
A brittle, defensive one-party regime unable to handle criticism and willing to bully others into submission. On the other hand the media in China has accused the West of trying to put China on trial. The papers have berated the Norwegian Nobel committee, suggesting the country is inherently opposed to China's development.
The 鶹's mailbox is already filling up with plenty of comment on this, this is from Chuck in the UK:
It's very typical of China to use its economical status to force other countries to abstain from the Nobel ceremony. The chinese government is a big bully if things don't get their way, they throw the dummy out of the pram! Another view from the UK, SS in London:
Once again, it really frustrates me at the lack of understanding from the western world, You cannot impose western views through arrogance and pushing. There's also many views from China:
I do realize that human rights are good and china is not perfect on these issues. But I also hate people to point their finger in my face and tell me what to do or what not to do as if they are doing a greatest job. The western countries use their rules to judge others,this is not fair. We have our own sense of worth. So is China just protecting its own interests? Should the prize have been awarded to a jailed dissident? Or is this the only way to make China listen?
Your comments
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:54
113631290
Isabel, Philippino but in Hong Kong emails - I'm furious about my country, the Philippines, caving in to the neurotic threats by the Beijing authorities. Manila and the few countries who said they wouldn't attend the event showed their lack of principles by fearing the loss of any economic benefits granted by Beijing. I find it shameful.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:50
113631290
Michael in Nigeria emails - Why is China behaving this way now? They should help to encourage peace in the world.
Comment sent via SMS
18:49
115849928
The main purpose of the peace prize is to glorify the Norwegian Parliament, unfortumately. It would have done more good to award it to an Iranian dissident. The human rights situation in China is improving. In Iran, things are getting worse. from Andrew in London.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:46
113631290
Amare from India - The award has been given to the right person. The world must support human rights and democracy activists.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:44
113631290
Okoli posted on Facebook - Yes the award will make an impact because it has helped to bring attention to the plight of a freedom fighter in an oligarchic society like China.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:40
113631290
Sebastian in France emails - Is china really the target behind this nomination ?Is this a way for the nobel committee to remind the rest of the world that China is still a dictatorship when western countries especially tend to forget it, pushing business before human rights?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:38
113631290
Nicole posts on Facebook - I am wondering about the committee's choices for the Nobel Peace Prize. Is there such thing as an activist Nobel Committee? They are with this decision and the Obama decision seeming to want to play a role in the carrying out of peace in the way that they define it. It is not a prize so much as an incentive.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:37
113631290
Edwin posted on Facebook - Something that's killing me here. Why on Earth are we still calling this country Communist? Communism is an idea of a classless and governmentless society. Since Stalin took over the Soviet Union, there has been no such thing, or no such attempt by any government in this world to create a communist society. These governments are totalitarian dictatorships, and we need to start saying this. Communism is a utopian concept.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:33
113631290
Ramesh posted on Facebook - Nobel prize lost their credibility last year when they awarded Obama.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:30
113631290
Jake in Mexico emailed the 鶹 - Is China the Worlds Bully? Not yet but it can be and countries are already being very careful of what they say and do for fear of the world power will become within the next 10 years.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:27
113631290
Steve posts on Facebook - Why not? They gave it to Obama (for no reason), and Al Gore who has been dishonest about some of his claims on global warming. Seems the peace prize has made itself illegitimate.
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
114295205
China’s size and economy are the major weapons against communist china. The nobel prize is a only a small part in bringing change to the country. Mustapha Kawoje. Nigeria.
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
115849403
I am pained by the contribution of the man from China against the peace,how many times was he jailed even though he said he was a desident. Haggai Fom, Nigeria
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:25
113631290
Jeff in California emails - For the West to support the preemptory strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the many years before that of the US support of dictators in the Middle East and South America, and then call China a bully is at best a misdirection. While i disagree with China's dictatorship, and their treatment of Liu Xiaobo, i think it is time for the US in particular and its western allies, to stop being so disingenuous; the US government is a terrible bully.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:18
113631290
Paul in Nairobi posted on Facebook - Considering they gave the prize to President Obama last yearr just for signing a nuclear treaty then yes, this one makes more sense. As for China's reaction i'm really disappointed the Olympics came before today. Then i would have boycotted it.
Comment sent via SMS
18:17
115797920
Does the boycot of these countries show that they have a The same view of international issues With china different from the west or does it actualy show how much inflnence china has over these countries or are they just showing solidarity with china?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:12
113631290
Ananya emailed the 鶹 - I believe that China's actions and statements about the Nobel Peace Price are too inflammatory to have been ignored by other countries. On the other hand, the Nobel Committee should not have pressured China to release Liu Xiaobo as publicly as it did. This only adds fuel to the fire that the Chinese have started.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:10
113631290
Ayuen posts on Facebook - The award to Liu Xiaobo is very well deserved what ever. The conservative China must learn to respect human rights .
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:09
113631290
Richard in UK emails - I don't think the west are really in a position to criticise China after the wikileaks fiasco. We are holding Julian Assange in a London prison & refusing him bail. The USA wants to cook up a law they can prosecute him with. There are even people in America who want to give him the death penalty. Isn't this also suppression of free speech. To me criticising China is hypocrisy.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:08
113631290
Paolo in Manila emailed the 鶹 - I am saddened by the decision of the Philippine government not to send a representative to the nobel award ceremony. As a nation that sacrificed lives during the Marcos dictatorship and peacefully fought for the restoration of freedom and democracy, we should have been represented.
Comment sent via MSGBOARD
18:06
113631290
Moniker posts on the Scotsman - The Nobel Peace Prize is the biggest joke in the world today after Sarah Palin's Tea Party
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:05
113631290
Du in China emailed the 鶹 - It really sounds like an insult to China to award a prisoner the Nobel Peace Prize.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:05
115849257
@鶹_WHYS just look at Aung San Suu Kyi. she won the Prize and until today she has yet to collect it. will it make a difference? minimal.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:05
113631290
De in China emails - Mr.Liu is not worthy of a Noble Prize. If the West wants to give him one, go ahead but it means nothing. Please respect another country's law and different culture.
Comment sent via host
18:01
113631290
On air now talking about Liu Xiabo. Should he have won the Nobel Peace Prize? Will the award make a difference? Is China''s reaction justified?
Liu Xiaobo: the right choice for the Nobel prize?
| Friday, 12 Dec. 2010 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
Since Liu Xiaobo was announced as the winner of the Nobel peace prize in October China has barely been able to contain its anger. Officials in the country have labelled the award an “obscenity” and have openly warned against diplomats going to Oslo.
According to Beijing any countries attending the ceremony are “clowns”, warning they’ll face “serious consequences” if they turn up. These threats haven't gone unnoticed, a third of countries invited are staying away.
Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Afghanistan are just a few countries that have declined invitations. Publicly many of them haven’t given a reason for staying away but clearly they’re worried about repercussions.
Many in the west have labelled China’s approach nothing more than bullying. Are they right? Is this the best way to pressure China? How important is it to stand up to China? Will the peace prize change anything?
The Sacramento Bee says Beijing’s response has revealed a new side to the country:
A brittle, defensive one-party regime unable to handle criticism and willing to bully others into submission.
On the other hand the media in China has accused the West of trying to put China on trial. The papers have berated the Norwegian Nobel committee, suggesting the country is inherently opposed to China's development.
The 鶹's mailbox is already filling up with plenty of comment on this, this is from Chuck in the UK:
It's very typical of China to use its economical status to force other countries to abstain from the Nobel ceremony. The chinese government is a big bully if things don't get their way, they throw the dummy out of the pram!
Another view from the UK, SS in London:
Once again, it really frustrates me at the lack of understanding from the western world, You cannot impose western views through arrogance and pushing.
There's also many views from China:
I do realize that human rights are good and china is not perfect on these issues. But I also hate people to point their finger in my face and tell me what to do or what not to do as if they are doing a greatest job.
The western countries use their rules to judge others,this is not fair. We have our own sense of worth.
So is China just protecting its own interests? Should the prize have been awarded to a jailed dissident? Or is this the only way to make China listen?
Your comments
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Isabel, Philippino but in Hong Kong emails - I'm furious about my country, the Philippines, caving in to the neurotic threats by the Beijing authorities. Manila and the few countries who said they wouldn't attend the event showed their lack of principles by fearing the loss of any economic benefits granted by Beijing. I find it shameful.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Michael in Nigeria emails - Why is China behaving this way now? They should help to encourage peace in the world.
Comment sent via SMS
The main purpose of the peace prize is to glorify the Norwegian Parliament, unfortumately. It would have done more good to award it to an Iranian dissident. The human rights situation in China is improving. In Iran, things are getting worse. from Andrew in London.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Amare from India - The award has been given to the right person. The world must support human rights and democracy activists.
Comment sent via Facebook
Okoli posted on Facebook - Yes the award will make an impact because it has helped to bring attention to the plight of a freedom fighter in an oligarchic society like China.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Sebastian in France emails - Is china really the target behind this nomination ?Is this a way for the nobel committee to remind the rest of the world that China is still a dictatorship when western countries especially tend to forget it, pushing business before human rights?
Comment sent via Facebook
Nicole posts on Facebook - I am wondering about the committee's choices for the Nobel Peace Prize. Is there such thing as an activist Nobel Committee? They are with this decision and the Obama decision seeming to want to play a role in the carrying out of peace in the way that they define it. It is not a prize so much as an incentive.
Comment sent via Facebook
Edwin posted on Facebook - Something that's killing me here. Why on Earth are we still calling this country Communist? Communism is an idea of a classless and governmentless society. Since Stalin took over the Soviet Union, there has been no such thing, or no such attempt by any government in this world to create a communist society. These governments are totalitarian dictatorships, and we need to start saying this. Communism is a utopian concept.
Comment sent via Facebook
Ramesh posted on Facebook - Nobel prize lost their credibility last year when they awarded Obama.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Jake in Mexico emailed the 鶹 - Is China the Worlds Bully? Not yet but it can be and countries are already being very careful of what they say and do for fear of the world power will become within the next 10 years.
Comment sent via Facebook
Steve posts on Facebook - Why not? They gave it to Obama (for no reason), and Al Gore who has been dishonest about some of his claims on global warming. Seems the peace prize has made itself illegitimate.
Comment sent via SMS
China’s size and economy are the major weapons against communist china. The nobel prize is a only a small part in bringing change to the country. Mustapha Kawoje. Nigeria.
Comment sent via SMS
I am pained by the contribution of the man from China against the peace,how many times was he jailed even though he said he was a desident. Haggai Fom, Nigeria
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Jeff in California emails - For the West to support the preemptory strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the many years before that of the US support of dictators in the Middle East and South America, and then call China a bully is at best a misdirection. While i disagree with China's dictatorship, and their treatment of Liu Xiaobo, i think it is time for the US in particular and its western allies, to stop being so disingenuous; the US government is a terrible bully.
Comment sent via Facebook
Paul in Nairobi posted on Facebook - Considering they gave the prize to President Obama last yearr just for signing a nuclear treaty then yes, this one makes more sense. As for China's reaction i'm really disappointed the Olympics came before today. Then i would have boycotted it.
Comment sent via SMS
Does the boycot of these countries show that they have a The same view of international issues With china different from the west or does it actualy show how much inflnence china has over these countries or are they just showing solidarity with china?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Ananya emailed the 鶹 - I believe that China's actions and statements about the Nobel Peace Price are too inflammatory to have been ignored by other countries. On the other hand, the Nobel Committee should not have pressured China to release Liu Xiaobo as publicly as it did. This only adds fuel to the fire that the Chinese have started.
Comment sent via Facebook
Ayuen posts on Facebook - The award to Liu Xiaobo is very well deserved what ever. The conservative China must learn to respect human rights .
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Richard in UK emails - I don't think the west are really in a position to criticise China after the wikileaks fiasco. We are holding Julian Assange in a London prison & refusing him bail. The USA wants to cook up a law they can prosecute him with. There are even people in America who want to give him the death penalty. Isn't this also suppression of free speech. To me criticising China is hypocrisy.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Paolo in Manila emailed the 鶹 - I am saddened by the decision of the Philippine government not to send a representative to the nobel award ceremony. As a nation that sacrificed lives during the Marcos dictatorship and peacefully fought for the restoration of freedom and democracy, we should have been represented.
Comment sent via MSGBOARD
Moniker posts on the Scotsman - The Nobel Peace Prize is the biggest joke in the world today after Sarah Palin's Tea Party
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Du in China emailed the 鶹 - It really sounds like an insult to China to award a prisoner the Nobel Peace Prize.
Comment sent via Twitter
@鶹_WHYS just look at Aung San Suu Kyi. she won the Prize and until today she has yet to collect it. will it make a difference? minimal.
Comment sent via Facebook
De in China emails - Mr.Liu is not worthy of a Noble Prize. If the West wants to give him one, go ahead but it means nothing. Please respect another country's law and different culture.
Comment sent via host
On air now talking about Liu Xiabo. Should he have won the Nobel Peace Prize? Will the award make a difference? Is China''s reaction justified?