Chinese threat after Björk's 'Tibet!' chant

Published on Friday 7 March 2008 22:50

CHINA is to tighten its control over foreign singers and other performers after the Icelandic singer Björk shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at a concert in Shanghai.

It appeared to be the latest case of the Chinese authorities struggling to handle outspoken western celebrities in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics – the film mogul Steven Spielberg resigned as an artistic adviser to the Games over China's policy on Darfur.

Bjrk's actions last weekend touched on one of China's most sensitive diplomatic issues. She chanted the name of the Chinese-ruled Himalayan region after performing her song Declare Independence. She has used it in past concerts to hail independence movements worldwide, in the likes of Kosovo.

But China's ministry of culture took a tough line. It said her performance "not only broke Chinese laws and regulations and hurt the feelings of Chinese people, but also went against the professional code of an artist".

It promised an investigation and said it would use the law to tighten the scrutiny of foreign artistic groups coming to perform in China to prevent similar incidents. "Any attempt to separate Tibet from China will definitely be opposed by the Chinese people and all righteous men across the world," the ministry said. "Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since ancient time, a fact that is widely recognised by the international society, including Iceland."

But the British-based Free Tibet Campaign issued a statement, saying it was delighted by Bjrk's performance.

"She's shown more courage than politicians like Gordon Brown and David Miliband, whose public silence on these issues during recent trips to China is a source of shame for the British people," it said.

Bjrk said on her website that her references to independence were more personal than political, but added: "The fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence."

When Spielberg resigned, he accused China of not using its influence with Sudan to end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Yesterday, Liu Guijin, China's special envoy for Darfur, insisted it was helping to resolve a conflict where five years of fighting have killed at least 200,000 and made two million homeless.

And he said there was nothing improper about Beijing's close relations with Khartoum, including its large-scale purchases of Sudanese oil.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials accused the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, of trying to sabotage the Olympics.

The Communist Party routinely accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to undermine Chinese authority by pushing for independence. Yesterday, Zhang Qingli, the party's regional secretary, said: "China earned the qualifications in order to host the Olympics. But he is even trying to sabotage this important event."

BEIJING CUTS CARS FOR THE OLYMPICS – AND OFFERS COMPENSATION

CAR-OWNERS forced off the road to reduce pollution during the Beijing Olympics will be compensated, China's state news agency reported yesterday.

Beijing plans to take as many as half of its 3.3 million vehicles off the roads to help cut emissions during the six-day Games in August. "Vehicles, excluding taxis, buses and emergency vehicles, are to stay off roads every other day in accordance with the even and odd numbers on the licence plates," the Beijing vice-mayor, Ji Lin, said. "The ban is aimed to ensure a better air quality during the sports events in Beijing."

Mr Ji said there would be compensation at a rate still being discussed.

Air quality remains one of the biggest problems facing organisers of the Olympics. Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in the world.