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| China warns of ‘serious’ fallout if D.C. plaza is renamed for jailed dissident | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| BEIJING — China warned the United States on Tuesday that it will face “serious consequences” if it renames a stretch of street in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after a jailed Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner. | BEIJING — China warned the United States on Tuesday that it will face “serious consequences” if it renames a stretch of street in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after a jailed Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner. |
| On Friday, the U.S. Senate unanimously backed a proposal introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican presidential candidate, to rename the plaza in front of the embassy after Liu Xiaobo, who in 2009 was sentenced to 11 years in jail on charges of inciting state subversion. | |
| [Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years on ‘subversion’ charges] | [Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years on ‘subversion’ charges] |
| Liu had organized a petition in 2008 calling for an end to one-party rule. His wife, Liu Xia, has been placed under house arrest. | Liu had organized a petition in 2008 calling for an end to one-party rule. His wife, Liu Xia, has been placed under house arrest. |
| Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the proposal ran “contrary to the basic norms of international relations.” | Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the proposal ran “contrary to the basic norms of international relations.” |
| “If the relevant bill is passed into law, it will cause serious consequences,” Hong told a daily news conference. “We demand the U.S. Senate stop promoting the bill and hope the U.S. executive authorities put an end to this political farce.” | |
| The bill would make 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza the official address of the Chinese Embassy. The white-stone compound’s current address is 3505 International Pl. NW, located not far from the National Zoo and its panda house, home to animals on loan from China. | |
| The bill would need to clear the House of Representatives and be signed by the president before it can become law. | |
| [7 simple questions and answers to understand China and the U.S.] | [7 simple questions and answers to understand China and the U.S.] |
| That appears unlikely — at least under this administration. A White House spokesman has said President Obama’s senior advisers would recommend he veto the bill. | That appears unlikely — at least under this administration. A White House spokesman has said President Obama’s senior advisers would recommend he veto the bill. |
| Nevertheless, the move has angered China. On Sunday, the Global Times tabloid, which often reflects government views, called the proposal “futile.” | |
| “The U.S. has been at its wits’ end in dealing with China, as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire,” the newspaper wrote. “The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China.” | “The U.S. has been at its wits’ end in dealing with China, as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire,” the newspaper wrote. “The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China.” |
| Last year, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to instruct Secretary of State John F. Kerry to rename the street. | Last year, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to instruct Secretary of State John F. Kerry to rename the street. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
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| Look who’s talking — and who’s not. Western nations choose words carefully on China human rights. | Look who’s talking — and who’s not. Western nations choose words carefully on China human rights. |
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