‘No coincidence’: Liu Xia released as China seeks united trade front with Germany
Nobel laureate’s widow heads for Berlin as Chinese premier leaves German capital
Beijing’s decision to allow long-suffering Chinese artist and poet Liu Xia to fly to Germany after years of house arrest is a gesture of goodwill as it seeks to firm up ties with Berlin, observers said.
Liu, the widow of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, arrived in Helsinki on Tuesday on her way to Berlin, after years of campaigning by Western diplomats and rights activists.
Her release came just hours after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. As their countries grapple with US tariffs, the two leaders signed 20 billion (US$23.5 billion) in deals and underscored their commitment to free trade.
A western diplomat said Liu’s release, three days ahead of the first anniversary of her husband’s death, was the result of promises by high-level officials.
Analysts said the gesture was linked to Beijing’s desire for help from Europe to counter US trade protectionist measures.
Kristin Shi-Kupfer, director of research on public policy and society at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin, said the timing was no coincidence.
“This looks like a big gesture – a kind of offer – by the Chinese government ... This looks like recognition from the Chinese government saying ‘we need you Germany, now, as a partner in Europe’,” Shi-Kupfer said. “The human rights situation in China has been deteriorating in recent years, so this stands out as something special.”