Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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 Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:35 pm Post subject: China chastises Oregon town |
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China attempts to intimidate individual speech in America
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Citing �strong resentment from the local Chinese community,� the Chinese government has asked the city of Corvallis to force a Taiwanese-American businessman to remove a mural advocating independence for Taiwan and Tibet from his downtown building.
But city leaders say the mural violates no laws and its political message is protected under the U.S. Constitution.
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In vivid colors, the painting depicts riot police beating Tibetan demonstrators, Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule and images of Taiwan as a bulwark of freedom.
In a letter dated Aug. 8, the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco formally complained to Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning about the mural�s content and asked for her help in having it removed.
�There is only one China in the world,� the letter reads in part, �and both Tibet and Taiwan are parts of China.�
The letter goes on to note the strong economic and cultural ties between China and Oregon and suggests that Corvallis would benefit from cooperating with the consulate�s request.
�To avoid our precious friendship from being tainted by so-called �Tibet independence� and �Taiwan independence,� we sincerely hope you can understand our concerns and adopt effective measures to stop the activities advocating �Tibet independence� and �Taiwan independence� in Corvallis,� the letter states.
In a response dated Aug. 20, Manning expressed regret that the mural had caused concern but noted that local government has no authority to regulate art. |
Diplomatic SNAFU |
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