BEIJING // Human rights campaigners have given a cautious welcome to the release late on Wednesday of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, saying many other activists remain in detention as part of a crackdown on dissent that began in February.
Mr Ai, who has achieved international renown as an artist but has angered the Chinese authorities over his support for political reform, was let out on bail for his "good attitude in confessing his crimes" and because he suffers from a chronic disease, according to police.
Mr Ai, 54, was arrested on April 3, and the Chinese authorities later said he was being held because a company he controlled had not paid taxes and had destroyed documents.
Mr Ai's detention came amid the arrest of more than 130 other political activists since online calls in February for protests in China to mirror those that have swept the Middle East. Human rights groups and western governments made high-profile calls for Mr Ai to be released.
Anu Kultalahti, a campaigner in the East Asia division of the London-based human rights organisation Amnesty International, said in Mr Ai's case the Chinese authorities had come under "enormous pressure from outside".
"[Some] other people have not been released," Ms Kultalahti said. "I don't think it's a sign of a relaxation of the crackdown necessarily. Certainly there's a crackdown still going on."
She added that many of those released had been "unusually silent", indicating "they've been threatened not to talk about their experiences".
Indeed, since his release Mr Ai has said he cannot talk about the case, only telling media he is happy to be free and is "fine". He cannot leave Beijing without permission, the Chinese authorities said yesterday.
At least eight activists are likely to face trial, probably on charges of "subversion of state power", according to Amnesty International, and others who have been released are under "illegal house arrest" or face other restrictions.
Dr Chung Chienpeng, an associate professor of political science at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, said Mr Ai's release may have been the result of "his profile and something particular to his case", rather than being an indication of a loosening of restrictions.
"The fear is if separate groups with different grievances coalesce, that worries the Chinese government," he said.
After Mr Ai's release, which coincides with a visit by the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, to Germany and the United Kingdom, the US State Department has called for other activists to be freed.
Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, called on foreign countries not to interfere in Mr Ai's case.
"China is a country under the rule of law. We hope the relevant countries respect China's judicial sovereignty," he said.
Mr Ai is the son of a distinguished poet, the late Ai Qing, who was detained by authorities during the rule of Mao Zedong, although he was back in favour with the authorities later in his life.
Although Mr Ai has had close ties to the Chinese authorities, providing input into the design of the iconic Bird's Nest Stadium used for the 2008 Olympics, he has angered the officials by exposing alleged corruption linked to the death toll of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. He has also criticised the slow pace of political reform in China.
The Chinese government has always been "very selective" in how it punishes critics, said Ding Xueliang, a professor and political analyst at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
It is not just question of "how offensive" their actions are, but how famous the individual is and the international pressure the Chinese authorities face.
"In Ai Weiwei's case, he's very famous. His detention has been widely reported and many international organisations and foreign governments and foreign politicians, not to mention the media, have issued very strong criticism," he said.
The Chinese authorities have become more eager to crack down on dissent recently because of an increase in the number of large protests in the country, even if these are not politically motivated, Dr Ding said.
"[Protests] have increased because … in their daily life, so many things are regarded by ordinary citizens as unfair, but effective channels to correct such wrongdoing become more restricted, so anger is always building up."
dbardsley@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
FA%20Cup%20semi-final%20draw
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Company%C2%A0profile
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD5
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
