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BEIJING — The 11-year sentence handed down Friday to Liu Xiaobo, one of China’s most prominent campaigners for democracy and human rights, prompted strong rebukes in the United States and Europe. But it raised fresh questions over whether the West has leverage over a government increasingly self-assured on the world stage.
Many experts on Chinese politics said that Liu’s conviction on vague charges of “incitement to subvert state power” through his writing was a signal to the West that China would not yield to international pressure on human rights.
During his visit to China last month, President Barack Obama raised Liu’s case with President Hu Jintao. Leaders of the European Union have been pressing for his release.
