Book fair dismisses official for treatment of Chinese dissidents

The organizers of the Frankfurt Book Fair have fired project manager Peter Ripken after he prevented two Chinese activists from speaking at the fair's closing ceremony, bringing a sour note to an already disputed fair.
The decision to sack Ripken was made after he reportedly approached the Chinese environmental activist and writer Dai Qing before the closing ceremony and told her that she wasn't allowed to give a speech.

Afterwards, Ripken defended himself saying the German foreign ministry - which was co-hosting the book fair - didn't want Qing as a guest speaker, even though she had been informed by fair officials in September that she was to speak at the ceremony.
"These closing ceremonies had absolutely nothing to do with China," Ripken said.
"The foreign ministry has stated explicitly that this fair is not there just for China, and I acted in accordance with this wish," the 67-year-old added.

Reports said Ripken also prevented the Chinese activist and poet, Bei Ling, from taking part in the ceremony.

The full report at DW - World.DE