Embassy blasts Swedish government in latest defence of Chinese tourists
China’s diplomats say satirical television show infringed the country’s ‘sovereignty and dignity’
The Chinese embassy in Stockholm has made its first direct criticism of Swedish state policy in an escalation of its complaints about Sweden’s response to a recent incident involving Chinese tourists.
In a statement on Sunday the embassy denounced the Swedish Chancellor of Justice for defending a satirical public television programme about the case as infringing on the “sovereignty and dignity” of China.
Previous complaints have been directed at Swedish media.
The Chancellor of Justice – Sweden’s only government agency with the power to prosecute in matters relating to freedom of the press – said the programme was not in violation of hate speech legislation, and did not warrant an investigation, according to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet on Saturday.
“The space for irony, satire and other expressions provoking debate is very extensive and also includes opinions that can be perceived as offensive,” the agency said.