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NY's Empire State Building chided for honouring China
Thu Oct 1, 2009 7:59pm GMT
By Claudia Parsons

The Empire State Building is seen lit red and yellow marking the 60th anniversary of Communist China in New York, September 30, 2009.


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Human rights activists slammed managers of New York's Empire State Building on Thursday for illuminating the skyscraper in red and yellow for China's 60th anniversary, saying the move honoured a communist entity responsible for human rights violations.

The government in Beijing celebrated the 60th anniversary of the birth of the People's Republic of China on Thursday with a high-tech parade featuring goose-stepping troops, gaudy floats and nuclear-capable missiles.

Managers of the Empire State Building, New York's tallest skyscraper, said in a statement the illumination was "in honour of the 1.3 billion Chinese people and the 60th anniversary of their country," adding that it celebrates "many cultures and causes" throughout the year.

Human Rights Watch, an international rights watchdog that has offices in the Empire State Building, said it had written a letter of complaint to building managers expressing "surprise and dismay" at the decision.

"We have no objection to honouring China as a nation, a great civilization or a vibrant people," HRW Associate Director Carroll Bogert wrote in the letter that was released publicly................>>>>.....................>>>>.....................................http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE5906BF20091001