Nobel Peace Prize for jailed activist 'obscene', says China

The prize shines a spotlight on human rights in China at a time when it is starting to play a leading role on the global stage as a result of its growing economic might.

"We have to speak when others cannot speak," Norwegian Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. "As China is rising, we should have the right to criticise."

The award drew muted reactions from the European Union, France, Germany and Britain.

But last year's winner, US President Barack Obama, accused China of falling behind on political reforms as its economy surges, and urged it to free Liu Xiaobo as soon as possible.

Mr Liu rose to prominence as a strike leader during the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989.

He was sentenced to 11 years in jail last December for writing a manifesto calling for free speech and multi-party elections.

The Nobel Committee praised him for his "long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights" and reiterated its belief in a "close connection between human rights and peace".

China, which had warned against giving the prize to Mr Liu, summoned Norway's ambassador to protest.

"This is an obscenity against the peace prize," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement. "(Mr Liu's] actions are diametrically opposed to the aims of the Nobel prize. "

Beijing residents reported CNN and BBC broadcasts were cut when the prize was mentioned.

Activists claim human rights have dropped down the agenda of Western powers wary of upsetting China, now the world's second-largest economy.

Britain, France, Germany and the European Union all congratulated Mr Liu, saying they had lobbied for his release from prison, but were careful to avoid direct criticism of China. However, Mr Obama was more pointed.

He said China had made dramatic progress in fighting poverty, but "this award reminds us that political reform has not kept pace, and the basic human rights of every man, woman and child must be respected".

The Dalai Lama, whose receipt of the Peace Prize in 1989 similarly angered China, said the prize highlighted "the international community's recognition of the increasing voices among the Chinese people" pushing for reforms.

Mr Liu's wife, Liu Xia, said: "His friends repeatedly told me they thirsted for Liu Xiaobo to win the prize more than he did because they think it would be an opportunity to change China ...

"Xiaobo is innocent. The constitution guarantees freedom of speech. "

Outside the couple's apartment in western Beijing, there was a heavy police presence yesterday. Mrs Liu said the police were taking her to her husband's prison in Jinzhou, north-east China, in an apparent effort to prevent foreign reporters speaking to her.

Ru Shengtao, 38, a migrant worker with several bags of cement strapped on his motorbike, stopped to see what the group was shouting about.

He said he had not heard of Mr Liu, but did not believe anyone jailed for a crime in China should be receiving an international award for peace.

"If the person who won got it because he opposed the government, I don't think it's good.

"People who defy the government should not get this prize . If they do, it's because people overseas are trying to split China."