Bjork's Tibet cry angers fans in China
By Richard Spencer in Beijing
Last Updated: 2:40am GMT 05/03/2008
Bjork, the Icelandic singer, has caused controversy in China by seeming to end a concert in Shanghai with an appeal for Tibetan independence.
The singer, who has a track record of supporting political causes, ended her concert by singing her song "Declare Independence" as an encore. Before its final rallying cry of "Raise your flag!" she intoned "Tibet, Tibet" repeatedly.
The song, originally written in support of independence movements in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, includes lyrics such as: "Declare independence! Don't let them do that to you!"
The singer spoke and sang in English, and the Chinese who made up half the audience may not have understood her. Tibet is known as Xizang in Mandarin.
There seemed to be no reaction at the time but condemnation was swift on China's hyperactive and often nationalistic internet bulletin boards and blogs.
"If she wants to be political, please go home and mind her own business, please don't buzz about other country's inner affairs," wrote one contributor on the English-language danwei.org.
"It was obviously arranged in advance," wrote another on the popular Tianya forum. "To play with people using language difficulties is contemptuous."
Others pointed out that not only would she be unlikely to be invited back to China, but she would make it more difficult for other performers with "edgy" reputations to be granted permission to come.
"At this gig, she may have taken a stance and made a name for herself - but it's a big loss for Chinese music fans and music agencies," wrote "doudouwei", from Beijing, on the Chinese website douban.com
However, the authorities may be kicking themselves for not doing their homework.
Last month, Bjork had an invitation to perform in Serbia dropped after she used the same song to welcome Kosovo's declaration of independence at a concert in Japan.
Bjork's Tibet cry angers fans in China - Telegraph
Bjork Voices Politics in Shanghai
y THE NEW YORK TIMESBjork Voices Politics in Shanghai - New York Times
Published: March 5, 2008
The Icelandic singer Bjork, above, stirred controversy in China when she finished her concert and a performance of her song “Declare Independence” at the Shanghai International Gymnastics Center on Sunday by shouting, “Tibet! Tibet!,” the BBC reported. China has ruled Tibet since 1951, and talk of independence is taboo. Some members of the audience were clearly uneasy and left hurriedly; others appeared not to have heard Bjork. Afterward, Chinese Web sites carried some negative reactions. “I like Bjork,” said one. “It’s O.K. for her to have a different point of view, but for her to do this is disrespectful to fans here ? very selfish of her.” The state-controlled Chinese news media did not report on Bjork’s behavior.
米次期政権への期待否定 北朝鮮
北朝鮮の朝鮮労働党機関紙「労働新聞」は５日、６カ国協議の非核化に関する合意履行の遅れをめぐって「北朝鮮が米次期政権相手に、より有利な交渉を期待しているため」などとの批判が米国内で出ていると指摘、「米国で誰が大統領になろうと、われわれには無関係だ」と反発する論評を掲載した。朝鮮中央通信が伝えた。米次期政権への期待否定 北朝鮮 - MSN産経ニュース
その上で論評は、米国が北朝鮮に対するテロ支援国家指定解除などに踏み切っていないことに不満を表明。「履行遅れの原因がどこにあるかは明白だ。米国がどのように動くかにかかっている」と主張し、早期解除に取り組むよう米国に求めた。（共同）