Wen Jiabao Arrives in Sweden, to Welcoming Committee and Protests

When Chinese regime officials visit other countries, they are often greeted by loud protests. On Premier Wen Jiabao’s trip to Sweden on Monday, there were protests, but there was also a welcoming committee drawn from a surprising source.
Wen Jiabao Arrives in Sweden, to Welcoming Committee and Protests
Gunsmoke surrounds the reconstructed 18th century ship Götheborg. Anders Eriksson/ The Epoch Times
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<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/practitioners_sweden_wen.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-226345" title="Wen Jiabao Arrives in Sweden, A group of Falun Gong practitioners waiting for Wen Jiabao's arrival" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/practitioners_sweden_wen-676x450.jpg" alt="Wen Jiabao Arrives in Sweden, A group of Falun Gong practitioners waiting for Wen Jiabao's arrival" width="590" height="392"/></a>
Wen Jiabao Arrives in Sweden, A group of Falun Gong practitioners waiting for Wen Jiabao's arrival

GOTHENBURG, Sweden—When Chinese regime officials visit other countries, they are often greeted by loud protests. On Premier Wen Jiabao’s trip to Sweden on Monday, there were protests, but there was also a welcoming committee drawn from a surprising source.

Early in the day, Falun Gong practitioners were demonstrating outside the Chinese consulate holding signs. One sign simply said “Welcome, Wen Jiabao” in Chinese.

Among the Falun Gong practitioners was Janette Wästilä, who recently moved to Gothenburg.

“We want to welcome the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, because we heard he is distancing himself from the persecution of our fellow practitioners in China,” she said.