Obama’s China visit leaves dissidents disappointed
AFP[Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:00]
By Francois Bougon
BEIJING - Although US President Barack Obama raised the thorny issue of human
rights during his first visit to China this week, he left many political
dissidents — those who were not locked up — disappointed.
Obama spoke about his belief in "universal rights" during a town hall meeting
with Chinese youth in Shanghai on Monday and again Tuesday at a press
conference with President Hu Jintao, but dissidents said it was not enough.
"At first, I had a lot of hope for human rights, for Tibet and for Xinjiang,"
female Tibetan writer Woeser, who goes by only one name and is a vocal critic
of China’s policies in the Himalayan region, told AFP.
"But President Obama only touched upon these issues, without insisting on
anything. Even if he brought them up, he did it without force — it was very
disappointing."
Outspoken artist Ai Weiwei, who says he was beaten by police in August when he
tried to testify at the trial of an activist investigating the collapse of
schools in last year’s Sichuan earthquake, said Obama could have done more.
"Many Chinese, especially the young, hope for a more open and just society —
this needs the support of foreign leaders," Ai told AFP.
Ai said the US leader should be aware that China’s disrespect for the rule of
law and human rights and its refusal to allow freedom of expression constitute
a "threat" not only to the stability of China, but also the world.
"If he is not aware of this, then his visit will be a failure. Up until now I
have not seen any signs of success," Ai said just before Obama left the
country.
"I agree with some of the people who see his visit as a big Hollywood show. If
he does not make a greater effort, the Chinese will become disappointed with
these ’universal values’ as well as with the United States."
Obama did not have any meetings with human rights activists or dissidents
listed on his public schedule.
As always ahead of major political events, Chinese authorities stepped up
surveillance of the dissident community during Obama’s visit from Sunday to
Wednesday, detaining some activists and interrogating others.
"I have been under house arrest and have not paid much attention to this
visit," Zeng Jinyan, wife of jailed rights activist Hu Jia, told AFP in an
email.
When reached minutes before by telephone, Zeng had quickly hung up — she said
in the email that it was due to the police presence.
The Tibetan writer Woeser said that several police were also keeping an eye on
her movements from the doorway of her Beijing apartment building.
According to the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and
Democracy, more than 30 rights activists were either detained or under house
arrest during the Obama visit.
Ai lamented the lack of reaction from Obama.
"You come to China and a lot of people are arrested due to your visit — this
is an issue that you cannot ignore," the artist said.
"You cannot say that you will talk about this next year or in two years
because during this time these people will be sent to jail."
Rights lawyer Li Fangping, who was also under police surveillance and had a
police escort while doing daily errands, was less critical.
"Of course I had expectations, but these issues are tied to the economic
situation," Li said by telephone.
"He spoke of universal rights in Shanghai and Beijing, which could be seen as
a way to promote these ideas."
Ahead of the visit, rights groups and dissidents had feared that Obama would
sacrifice calls for improvements in China’s rights record to make progress on
major issues like climate change and the economic crisis.
They also regretted that China did not release any prominent dissidents from
jail during the visit, which has been done previously as a gesture of goodwill
ahead of trips by US leaders.
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+China+visit+leaves+dissidents+disappointed
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