In a Friday morning statement, President Obama reiterated his appeal for the release of Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a Chinese civil rights activist who is currently serving out an 11-year prison sentence for "inciting subversion of state power."
Mr. Obama, who was awarded the prize in 2009, noted that "Mr. Liu Xiaobo is far more deserving of this award than I was," and called for him to be freed "as soon as possible."
"We respect China's extraordinary accomplishment in lifting millions out of poverty, and believe that human rights include the dignity that comes with freedom from want," Mr. Obama said in the statement. "But Mr. Liu reminds us that human dignity also depends upon the advance of democracy, open society, and the rule of law. The values he espouses are universal, his struggle is peaceful, and he should be released as soon as possible."