番譯to chinese.Thank
Beijing has denounced the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to dissident Liu Xiaobo as tantamount to "encouraging crime," as state media called it part of a Western "ideological war" against the nation.
The comments came as mainland authorities faced fresh pressure - with Norway criticizing Beijing's retaliatory steps over the award and the Japanese prime minister calling for Liu's release.
"Liu Xiaobo is a convicted criminal. Awarding the Nobel Prize to him is equivalent to encouraging crime," the foreign ministry said.
Liu, 54, was jailed last December for 11 years for subversion. Oslo's Nobel Committee awarded him the peace prize last week for his advocacy of political reform and human rights in the nation.
Japanese Premier Naoto Kan echoed US and EU calls for Liu's release, saying "universal human rights should be protected across national borders."
And Liu's wife, Liu Xia, flayed officials for placing her under " illegal house arrest" since the award was announced.
Beijing also hit back at Oslo by canceling ministerial meetings and a Norwegian musical show - reactions that Norway has called "inappropriate."