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Ai Weiwei calls anti-Japan protests ‘prepared by officials’

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A screenshot from a video taken by Ai Weiwei of protesters surrounding US Ambassador Gary Locke's car in Beijing. Photo: AFP
Anti-Japan protests in China were encouraged by leaders in Beijing, dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei said on Thursday, after he videoed demonstrators damaging the US ambassador’s car.

Ai was visiting a friend’s apartment near the US embassy in Beijing – which is close to Japan’s mission – when he heard the protest and began recording, he said.

The internationally acclaimed artist said he was “surprised” to see a group of 50 protesters target US Ambassador Gary Locke’s vehicle, surrounding it and damaging its flag.

They pelted it with objects before Chinese police rushed to clear a path for the car to accelerate away from the embassy area.

“I was quite surprised because we all can see the whole demonstration [against Japan] being prepared by officials,” said Ai, who spent 81 days in jail last year as police rounded up dissidents.

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