The Chinese Saga of Olympic Shame Deepens : China to Tighten Control on
Singers After Bjork Embarassment
China to Tighten Control on Singers After Bjork Embarassment
Reuters
Mar 08, 2008
http://en.epochtimes.com/news_images/2008-3-8-80084590.jpg
Icelandic singer Bjork performs during her concert at the Shanghai
International Gymnastic Center. (China Photos/Getty Images)
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- China to Crack Down on Singers After Bjork Outburst Friday, March 07,
2008
SHANGHAI¡ªChina will tighten its controls over foreign singers and other
performers after Icelandic singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at a
Shanghai concert last weekend, the Ministry of Culture said on Friday.
Bjork chanted the name of the Chinese-ruled Himalayan region after
performing her song "Declare Independence", which she has used in the
past to promote independence movements in other places such as Kosovo.
The 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," the ministry said in a statement quoted by the
Communist party mouthpiece, Xinhua news agency.
"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 it would investigate the concert and handle the matter
according to the law. It did not elaborate.
More Courage Than Politicians
Bjork said on her Web site that her references to independence were more
personal than political, but she 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."
The Free Tibet Campaign, a British-based organisation which calls for an
end to China's rule of Tibet, issued a statement saying it was delighted
by Bjork's performance.
"She's shown more courage than politicians like (British Prime Minister)
Gordon Brown and (British Foreign Secretary) David Miliband, whose
public silence on these issues during recent trips to China is a source
of shame for the British people," the campaign said.
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