Vladimir Putin may have problems with his image both at home and abroad, but to the Chinese leadership, he is still a great leader and a role model. This why he was just awarded the Confusius Peace Price, which was instituted last year, when Liu Xiaobo, who is still in prison in China, received the Nobel Peace Price. This obviously angered the Chinese government, because Liu had "humiliated his motherland" with his critisism.
China therefore instituted this new price to "promote traditional Chinese and Asian ideas of peace". The rather disturbing meaning of this is made clear in the price committee's motivation. According to AP:
The Confucius Peace Prize organization announced last month that Putin had been chosen to receive this year's award, saying that during his 2000-2008 tenure as president Putin "brought remarkable enhancement to the military might and political status of Russia." It also cited Putin's crushing of anti-government forces in Chechnya.
Putin himself was not on hand to received the price, which was instead given to two exchange students, identified only by their first names, who are to pass it on Putin the price next time he visits Beijing. The honoree of last years price, former Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan, also did not show up to the ceremonies - in fact he was unaware of the honor bestowed on him. The price was instead received by a girl whose name was kept secret.
I guess this should not come as a surprise, but I still find it astonishing that the Chinese Government is able to put this on with a straight face. I suppose next we should expect a Love Price awarded to the most repressive dictator in the word, a Truth Price to the biggest liar among the worlds politicians, and a Plenty Price to the world leader who has best managed to impoverish his people.
