As international pressure mounts for the release of the mainland's most famous artist-activist Ai Weiwei, Beijing's failure to respond sends an ominous signal to the country's other dissidents and liberal scholars who fear further tightening of political controls.
The United States, France, Germany, Britain, the European Union and Australia joined Amnesty International and other rights groups in expressing concern and calling for the release of Ai, who has not been seen since Sunday morning when he was stopped from boarding a flight to Hong Kong by border police at Beijing Capital International Airport.
Ai's wife, Lu Qing, said yesterday that his whereabouts remained unclear, more than 48 hours after he disappeared. 'Up to this moment I have not received any news about him at all,' she said. 'I am now exceedingly worried, particularly as his physical health is really not good. He has high blood pressure and diabetes.'
The level of concern was highlighted by tainted-milk activist Zhao Lianhai breaking his silence since being released on medical parole late last year. In a Twitter account used by Zhao before his arrest, messages resurfaced late last night criticising the authorities for arresting dissidents. He said he and his family have been living under intense pressure.
An officer at the Beijing police bureau said yesterday afternoon they had not heard of Ai's case.
Analysts and other activists said the artist's detention marked a shift in the government's tactics as the 53-year-old outspoken critic had been previously widely thought to be untouchable due to his international standing.
'Ai Weiwei's detention is definitely a turning point in the ongoing crackdown because the arrest of someone of the stature of Ai could only have been carried out with approval of someone in the top leadership,' said Nicholas Bequelin from Human Rights Watch. 'It is designed to send a signal that no matter how prominent you are, the police can arrest you at any time they choose.'