Securing release of Chinese dissident’s widow now top priority, say friends

Friends of China’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo, who died of liver cancer in custody, said on Friday they were unable to contact his widow, Liu Xia, and that ensuring her freedom was now a top priority.

Liu Xiaobo, 61, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for "inciting subversion of state power” after he helped write a petition known as ‘Charter 08’, calling for sweeping political reforms.

Liu Xia has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 and was allowed to visit him in prison about once a month.

Liu Xiaobo died on Thursday after suffering multiple organ failure. He was recently moved from jail to a hospital in the city of Shenyang to be treated for late-stage liver cancer.

Liu Xia was at the hospital as her husband’s health deteriorated over the past couple of weeks.

Rights groups and Western governments have mourned Liu Xiaobo’s death and also called for authorities to grant his wife and the rest of his family freedom of movement.

Beijing unhappy

China responded by lodging “stern representations” with countries that made remarks about Liu Xiaobo, including the U.S., expressing its firm opposition, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing

China also lambasted Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen for her comments on Liu and her calls for China to embrace democracy.

Mr. Geng said he had no information about Liu Xia, but added that the entry and exit of Chinese citizens would be handled in accordance with the law.

“Let’s not make any prejudgements here,” he responded, when pressed on whether Liu Xia was allowed to leave the country.

Mo Shaoping, Liu Xiaobo’s lawyer, said there was no legal reason for China to prevent Liu Xia from leaving the country.