The sculpture, to be unveiled July 13, the anniversary of Liu’s death, will be placed near the Taipei 101 skyscraper, one of the most popular areas in the city for Chinese tourists to visit and take photographs, in a move likely to anger Beijing.

 
The Seattle Times
By: Chris Horton, The New York Times

TAIPEI, Taiwan — In a move likely to anger Beijing, a sculpture commemorating Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner, will be unveiled in Taiwan’s capital in July to honor the democracy activist, who died this past year in a Chinese prison.

The sculpture, to be unveiled July 13, the anniversary of Liu’s death, will be placed near the Taipei 101 skyscraper, one of the most popular areas in the city for Chinese tourists to visit and take photographs.

“I have always felt great sadness because there is not a place where we can express our grieving for Liu Xiaobo,” Wu’er Kaixi, founder of Friends of Liu Xiaobo, a U.S.-registered nonprofit, said at the Taipei City Council. The group has led the drive to erect the sculpture and has received support from local lawmakers and funding from nongovernment organizations.

“Taiwan’s values are freedom and democracy,” Wu’er added. “It is the place that represents the most serious threat to the Chinese government, which makes it the place that knows best the value of fearlessness. A sculpture commemorating Liu Xiaobo here has great significance.”    [FULL  STORY]