Saturday, October 13, 2012

China's Nobel Winners: Search Engine Results for Liu Xiaobo in 2010 vs. Mo Yan in 2012


On October 12, 2012, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hong Lei had the following exchange with reporters at a press conference:
Question: What is China's view of Chinese author Mo Yan being awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature?
Answer: We express our congratulations to Mr. Mo Yan on his being awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature. Mr. Mo Yan was recently awarded Mao Dun Literature Award, and his literary achievements are obvious to all. The Chinese people have a long history and magnificent culture, and these are the common treasures of all humanity. We welcome friends from countries around the world to better understand China's culture and to appreciate the charms of China's outstanding literature.
Question: Is there any possibility that, two years after Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Sino-Norway relations may soon take a turn for the better? Has China communicated with the Norwegian Nobel Committee about the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize?
Answer: Two years ago, the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision severely interfered with China's internal governance and judicial sovereignty, so of course China resolutely objected. Regarding problems with Sino-Norway relations, they are caused by the Noregian government's support of the Norwegian Nobel Committee's incorrect decision. The person who tied everything up in a knot is responsible for getting it untied, and Norway should do everything it can to restore and advance the two nations' relationship.  
问:中方对中国作家莫言获得2012年诺贝尔文学奖有何评论?
答:我们对莫言先生获得2012年度诺贝尔文学奖表示祝贺。莫言先生是最近一届茅盾文学奖得主,他的文学造诣有目共睹。中华民族拥有悠久的历史和灿烂的文化,这是全人类的共同财富。我们欢迎世界各国朋友更多地了解中国文化,感受优秀中国文学的魅力。
问:刘晓波获诺贝尔和平奖近两周年,中挪关系近期是否可能转圜?中方是否就今年诺和奖获奖人选与挪威诺贝尔委员会进行了沟通?
答:两年前,挪威诺贝尔委员会的决定严重干涉中国内政和司法主权,中方当然坚决反对。关于中挪关系,其困难是由于挪威政府支持挪威诺贝尔委员会的错误决定造成的。解铃还须系铃人,挪方应为两国关系恢复和发展做出切实努力。
These screenshots show the following search results:

Left: October 12, 2010, "Liu Xiaobo Nobel Peace Prize" (刘晓波 获诺贝尔和平奖)

  • Baidu: No results. Censorship notice.
  • Sogou:  No results. Censorship notice.
  • Soso: No results. 

Right: October 13, 2012, "Mo Yan Nobel Literature Prize" (莫言 诺贝尔文学奖)

  • Baidu: Over 1 million results.
  • Sogou: Almost 70 thousand results.
  • Soso: Over 3 million results.




Translation: Sun Daluo's Court Judgment for Sharing Books and Articles

The PRC government sentenced Sun Zhiming (孙志明, who wrote under the alias Sun Daluo (孙大骆)) to one year imprisonment for the crime of "di...