Bjork angers the Chinese with "Tibet! Tibet!" chant

by Aidan Maconachy

At the close of a performance in Shanghai, Bjork performed the tune "Declare Independence". At the end of the song she began shouting "Tibet! Tibet!", an add-on that wasn't a hit with the Chinese Culture Ministry. A spokesperson said that they would take steps to ensure that Bjork doesn't repeat her one-woman demo.

"If Bjork continued to behave like that in the future, we may consider never allowing her to perform in China."

The Ministry released a statement saying Bjork had "broken Chinese law and hurt Chinese feelings".

"Declare Independence" is a song that Bjork has customized before in order to lend support to other countries' bids for independence, for example Greenland and the Faroe islands.

The Chinese were obviously asleep at the wheel because Bjork's support for Tibet isn't exactly a secret. She performed at several fundraising concerts in the US in the 1990's in support of Tibetan independence.

Most Chinese view Tibet as a part of China and can get resentful when outsiders attempt to interfere. When news of Bjork's protest got out on the Chinese internet, she didn't have many supporters, even among her fans. One said she found the performer's behavior "Disrespectful" and "very selfish."

Discussion boards were full of criticism also - "Why do western stars give care about Tibet. Isn't Tibet ours?! Mind your own business!"

The UK based Free Tibet Movement was thrilled by Bjork's remarks. They made a point of contrasting the singer's stand with that of British PM Gordon Brown who decided not to raise the subject of Tibet during a recent visit to Beijing.

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