Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has entered the debate around the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.
Speaking to a parliamentary budget committee, Kan said that welcomed the prize award to Liu, who is a prominent proponent of political change in China. "From the viewpoint that universal human rights should be protected across national borders, it is desirable" for Liu to be released, commented Kan after an opposition House lawmaker had asked a question on the matter.
"I think it is important that human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are universal values, should also be guaranteed in China," he continued, although he has not issued any formal statement or request calling for Liu’s release.
The comments from Kan may risk reopening the recent tensions between the two neighbors, who have recently been at odds over the Japanese detainment of a Chinese fishing captain found in disputed waters.
China was outraged at the award, and has called Liu a criminal who was in violation of Chinese law. They have labeled the award and insult to China’s judiciary, and have also described it as a conspiracy by the West to impose values on China.
China has since cancelled a number of meetings with Norwegian officials, despite the fact that the Nobel Committee, which resides in Norway, has no connection with the Norwegian government. "If this decision is the consequence of the awarding of the Nobel peace prize, we consider this an inappropriate reaction," a spokesperson for the Norwegian foreign ministry said.
