Shadowy Chinese officials try to ground festival’s Tibet balloon [View all]
Source: Guardian UK
At nearly 100ft high the Tibet balloon is arguably the largest Tibetan flag in the world. But as the unique hot air balloon prepares to soar over Bristol this week, Chinese consternation over its controversial, eye-catching design appears to be also rising.
Mysterious individuals purporting to be Chinese embassy officials have made three attempts to ground the balloon across Europe – in Spain, France and the UK – since it was first launched four weeks ago. Organisers of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, beginning on Thursday, have refused to ban the balloon, which is flying as a symbol of peace and compassion, despite pressure to cancel its participation in the name of Sino-British relations.
An email, purporting to be from the third secretary in the political section of the Chinese embassy in the UK, urged the fiesta’s organising committee to give serious consideration to the issue, and stressed China did not want the event to be used as a platform for Tibet separatist activities.
The Chinese embassy did not respond to requests from the Guardian for comment.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/shadowy-chinese-officials-try-to-ground-festivals-tibet-balloon
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