WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Wu released the following statement in light of Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo’s win of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize:

“I was delighted to wake up this morning to find out that Liu Xiaobo had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In February of this year, I joined six of my congressional colleagues in nominating Liu Xiaobo for the prize because of his longstanding non-violent struggle to stand up for the fundamental rights of his fellow citizens.  Mr. Liu’s impassioned work to give voice to the voiceless and to sacrifice his own freedom in the fight for freedom in China underscores the unyielding courage that befits the Nobel Peace Prize. 

“Liu Xiaobo’s recognition as a Nobel Peace laureate should serve as a wake-up call to the Chinese government to be a responsible player in the international community and to uphold the human rights guaranteed under its own constitution and international law.  China should release Liu Xiaobo immediately.”

Congressman Wu is the co-founder of the House Global Internet Freedom Caucus and a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which monitors human rights and the development of the rule of law in China.