20091104

A schizophrenic nation

Despite its incessant claim that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, China has recently made audacious attempts at exporting its censorship to other countries.

Here are some recent examples.

A few days before the start of this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, an official from China's consulate in the city called Richard Moore, the executive director of the festival urging him to withdraw a film about the Chinese activist Rebiya Kadeer, saying that the festival organisers needed to justify their decision to include the film in the programme. "It was a remarkable display of confidence and arrogance," said Richard Moore.

China complained to Japan for allowing Rebiya Kadeer to enter the country.

China asked the organisers of the Frankfurt Book Fair to ban writers Dai Qing and Bei Ling who had been invited to a symposium connected to the fair.

Amazingly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said when questioned about its policy of non-interference: "I believe the Chinese government has not violated the principle of interfering in others' internal affairs."

No justifications needed.

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