The Nobel Committee decided to award this year? Nobel Peace Prize to an imprisoned Chinese human rights activist. Liu Xiaobo, 54, won the prize for his long and nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.

Liu has been devoting himself in advocating basic human rights and pressing for political reform in China. The former literature professor participated in the bloody pro-democracy protests in Beijing¡¯s Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Liu was sentenced to 11 years in prison on subversion charges last year. The leaders around the world praised Liu for his constant move for democracy in China and called for the immediate release of him.

In contrast, Chinese authorities released a statement blaming the decision of the Nobel Committee and threatening Norway for retaliatory actions. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its disappointment to Norwegian ambassador in China. Some of Beijing officials even said that the Nobel Committee¡¯s decision is an insult to Chinese people since there are no human rights violations in China.

The Chinese authorities should no longer neglect the criticism of the international community on imprisonment of Liu. China also needs to talk with the world rather than react aggressively whenever there are conflicts with other countries. China¡¯s rights abuses and suppression on people¡¯s aspiration for democracy look apparent to people around the world.

China has emerged as the world¡¯s second-largest economy after the United States. However, despite its breathtaking economic growth, China? societal and political environment has little changed. The country is under criticism for making little progress in political reform to move toward democracy.

The Chinese have established the booming socialist market economy at the sacrifice of human rights and democratic institutions. This might have been inevitable as seen in the process of industrialization in the past. But, now is the time for China to match its remarkable economic achievements with political reform if it wants to become a real power in the world.

1. Why has Liu won the Nobel Peace Prize?
2. What is China¡¯s reaction after the Nobel Committee¡¯s announcement?
3. What has been China¡¯s problem recently?