For most governments, an award of a Nobel Peace Prize for one of their citizens would be cause for celebration. Not so with China and the case of prisoner Liu Xiaobo, a democracy and human rights activist who has called for an opening up of the Chinese political system.

In fact, the government is so angry about this award that they've sent Liu's wife to prison to keep her away from news reporters. They also cut the television news feed when CNN reporters started reporting on the award. Needless, to say, this kind of proves Xiaobo's point, doesn't it?

For the record, this is how the Chinese goverment has treated their Nobel prize winner thus far:

June 1989 to January 1991. Charged with spreading messages to instigate counterrevolutionary behavior. Imprisoned in one of China's most well-known maximum security prisons, Qincheng Prison, and discharged when he signed a "letter of repentance."

 

May 1995 - January 1996. Charged with being involved in democracy and human rights movement, voicing publicly the need to redress mistakes. Released after being jailed for

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