Taiwan urges Beijing to release dissident artist

Taiwan urges Beijing to release dissident artist

Taiwan is concerned about reports that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been detained by the Beijing authorities and hopes he will be released immediately, the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said in a statement released recently.

The country's top China policy planner also urged Beijing to clarify Ai's situation and the state of his well-being.

According to foreign wire service reports, Ai, one of China 's most famous modern artists and a critic of the Communist one-party rule, was detained at Beijing 's international airport as he prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong April 3.

Noting that demands for freedom, democracy, human rights and political reform have been increasing among the Chinese people, the MAC statement said Beijing should squarely face up to these new developments.

As freedom of speech, freedom of thought and greater political freedom are universal values, the statement said, China 's leaders should effectively respond to their people's calls by improving the human rights situation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media