China media: Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo ‘led astray by West’

People walk by an image of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo shown on a large screen as a TV news reports Liu’s death in Tokyo, Friday, July 14, 2017. World leaders and human rights advocates expressed sorrow and anger over the death of Liu, who died Thursday, July 13 in police custody while being treated for advanced liver cancer in prison. The words on the screen, top, “Liu Xiaobo passed away. ” (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

BEIJING (AP) — A newspaper published by China’s ruling Communist Party is dismissing late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo as a political pawn of the West whose legacy will fade.

The rare mention of Liu in Chinese-language media comes as international tributes flow in for the political prisoner. He died Thursday of liver cancer.

The Global Times said in Friday’s editorial that Liu lived a “tragic life” because he sought to confront Chinese mainstream society with outside support.

Liu, a prolific essayist and literary critic, was serving an 11-year sentence for incitement to subversion. He was in prison when he was awarded the 2010 Nobel for advocating democratic reforms and human rights in China.

World leaders have praised Liu and called on China to release his widow, Liu Xia, from house arrest.