Swedish papers praise Peace Prize winner Liu

Swedish newspapers praised the choice of Liu Xiaobo as this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, saying that as China's role in the world grows, it is important to continue to put oneself on the line to criticise the lack of freedom of expression.

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The Swedish press seemed to be in universal agreement on its editorial pages that Liu was a worth candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Finally!" wrote liberal-leaning Göteborgs-Posten on its editorial page as it expressed its pleasure over the choice of Liu as the Peace Prize laureate.

"A more worthy winner cannot be found. To draw the world's attention to China's repression is important because it is easy to be dazzled by shiny skyscrapers and big money promises from Beijing", fellow liberal-leaning Gefle Dagblad concurred.

"It was a good choice. It puts the focus on the world's largest dictatorship, China, and its lack of human rights," said Social Democratic-leaning Dala-Demokraten.

Moderate-leaning Västervik-Tidningen was pleased that the prize's status was restored after last year's "infection of Obamania."

Liberal-leaning Uppsala Nya Tidning agreed, writing, "Last year's award to Barack Obama was embarrassing," but it is now history.

"When freedom of speech becomes a reality in China, the whole world will change," the paper wrote.

Another liberal-leaning paper, Östgöta Correspondenten, expressed its approval of the winner, but glumly wrote, "Successful advocacy work requires that the object cares what others think. In China's case, it is unfortunately doubtful."

"The global financial crisis and China's growing economic and political power have if anything muffled criticism of the country," wrote independently liberal newspaper Sydsvenskan, which commended the Nobel Committee for disregarding China's threats.

Social Democratic-leaning Folkbladet noted soberly, "China is increasingly active in the world. It is learning that the world also has views on China."

Liberal-leaning Dagens Nyheter added, "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has shown the way: we must support the democracy movement in China."