Chit Chat
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30 Jul 15
10:32
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05 Apr 06
Foreign office working with the Chinese communists(fascisto-capitalists in reality) ?
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33714740
Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been refused a six-month visa by the British government amid claims he lied on his visa application form.
Ai posted a letter on Instagram stating his entry to the UK had been restricted because he failed to declare his "criminal conviction".
But Ai, though detained in China for 81 days in 2011, has never been charged or convicted of a crime in China.
The artist was granted a 20-day visa to attend the opening of his London show.
However, it may mean he cannot supervise the installation of the landmark solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts which has a private preview on 15 September.
The letter, from the visa section of the British Embassy in Beijing, stated Ai's entry to the UK "has been restricted to the requested dates of travel... because you have failed to meet the business visitor rules".
The document, signed by an entry clearance manager from the UK Visas and Immigration department, continued: "It is a matter of public record that you have previously received a criminal conviction in China, and you have not declared this.
"While an exception has been made in this instance, any future application you submit must be completed as accurately as possible," the letter concluded, adding the artist might otherwise face a 10-year ban if he did not comply.
In a separate post on Instagram, Ai stated he "has never been charged or convicted of a crime" and had "attempted to clarify this claim with the UK Visas and Immigration Department and the British Embassy in Beijing over several telephone conversations".
"But the representatives insisted on the accuracy of their sources and refused to admit any misjudgement. This decision is a denial of Ai Weiwei's rights as an ordinary citizen," he added.
Last week, Ai had his passport returned to him after it was confiscated by authorities four years ago.
It was taken when he was arrested in 2011 during a government crackdown on political activists. He was held over alleged crimes of bigamy and tax evasion, but was released without charge.
Ai was fined 15m yuan ($2.4m, £1.55m) for tax evasion in a civil case in 2012. The artist lost an appeal against the fine - which he maintains was politically motivated in retaliation for his criticism of the Chinese government.
The artist posted an image of his 20-day visa on Instagram
In a statement, Britain's Home Office said visa applications were considered "on their individual merits and in line with the relevant legislation".
It added: "Mr Ai has been granted a visa for the full duration of his requested dates of travel".
The BBC has contacted the British Embassy in Beijing to query its decision, but has yet to receive a response.
The Royal Academy has yet to comment on the issue.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33714740
Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been refused a six-month visa by the British government amid claims he lied on his visa application form.
Ai posted a letter on Instagram stating his entry to the UK had been restricted because he failed to declare his "criminal conviction".
But Ai, though detained in China for 81 days in 2011, has never been charged or convicted of a crime in China.
The artist was granted a 20-day visa to attend the opening of his London show.
However, it may mean he cannot supervise the installation of the landmark solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts which has a private preview on 15 September.
The letter, from the visa section of the British Embassy in Beijing, stated Ai's entry to the UK "has been restricted to the requested dates of travel... because you have failed to meet the business visitor rules".
The document, signed by an entry clearance manager from the UK Visas and Immigration department, continued: "It is a matter of public record that you have previously received a criminal conviction in China, and you have not declared this.
"While an exception has been made in this instance, any future application you submit must be completed as accurately as possible," the letter concluded, adding the artist might otherwise face a 10-year ban if he did not comply.
In a separate post on Instagram, Ai stated he "has never been charged or convicted of a crime" and had "attempted to clarify this claim with the UK Visas and Immigration Department and the British Embassy in Beijing over several telephone conversations".
"But the representatives insisted on the accuracy of their sources and refused to admit any misjudgement. This decision is a denial of Ai Weiwei's rights as an ordinary citizen," he added.
Last week, Ai had his passport returned to him after it was confiscated by authorities four years ago.
It was taken when he was arrested in 2011 during a government crackdown on political activists. He was held over alleged crimes of bigamy and tax evasion, but was released without charge.
Ai was fined 15m yuan ($2.4m, £1.55m) for tax evasion in a civil case in 2012. The artist lost an appeal against the fine - which he maintains was politically motivated in retaliation for his criticism of the Chinese government.
The artist posted an image of his 20-day visa on Instagram
In a statement, Britain's Home Office said visa applications were considered "on their individual merits and in line with the relevant legislation".
It added: "Mr Ai has been granted a visa for the full duration of his requested dates of travel".
The BBC has contacted the British Embassy in Beijing to query its decision, but has yet to receive a response.
The Royal Academy has yet to comment on the issue.
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Replies: 18
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Only famous in the eyes of the bbc, a dozen or so guardian columnists and half a dozen guardian readers.
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Saw his sun-flower seed piece at Tate Modern ; millions of ceramic sun-flower shaped beads painted by hand.....made me think of all the waisted time by the painters....but maybe it gave them payed work that they would not have had otherwise?
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wasted....oc
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Bravvvvvvvoooooooo........
....six month visa granted......sanity reigns....... .....politically correct gesture toward the Chinese and "sensitivities" toward their upcoming state visit reversed........ ...well done Home Secretary....credit where it is due. |
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33738721
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May probably only scooping up easy Brownie Points to make her image 'nicer'
Civil Servant : "Maam, you are viewed as a Bit of a B*tch by the Hoy-paloy" Home Secretary Theresa May has ordered officials to issue Chinese artist Ai Weiwei a full six-month UK visa, reversing a decision not to grant him the travel document. The Home Office confirmed its decision following an earlier statement the home secretary was "looking into" the case. The six-month visa was initially refused as the artist was accused of lying on his application form. Home secretary Theresa May has also apologised to the artist. Earlier this week, Ai posted a letter on Instagram stating his entry to the UK had been restricted to a 20-day visa. Ai said he had been told he had failed to declare his "criminal conviction", however although he was detained in China for 81 days in 2011, he has never been charged or convicted of a crime in China. |
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...you may be right leopard......
...the guy is no threat to anyone in the country though ....correct decision......eventually. |
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....and fwiw......
...I do think she is genuinely one of the more sincere ....intelligent......sane and dare I say compassionate politicians around. |
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I predict Ai will ask for political asylum....he must have had enough of the BS he gets in China
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......it has probably crossed his mind....but I reckon he is a stubborn and contrary old geezer....
...he may think that doing that may give the totalitarians masquerading as pseudo capitalists a moral victory!!!!!!!!!! |
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Maybe he could be more radical if he campaigned from the relative safety of the UK.
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...and the way things are going.....
...in respect of how the all powerful one party think they can manage and manipulate markets....and control the emotions (fear and greed) of their citizens that propel such markets..... ....he may well be around to have the last laugh. |
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Maybe leopard......I just think he likes making mischief.......under their noses and in their jurisdiction......
....he is so popular now I doubt they can do much to him. |
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Ai was fined 15m yuan ($2.4m, £1.55m) for tax evasion in a civil case in 2012.
Sounds pretty heavy. |
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....it does...but he is still bugging them.....
....hopefully he will have the last laugh. .....if they were that secure in themselves and their authority I wonder why they would bother about him..... ....he bugs them....that's for sure. |
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They could kill him at any time....but are scared of being found out.
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.hopefully he will stay safe leopard.
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If the Chinese economy collapses then the bloodsuckers at the top will be overthrown.
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