Critical Chinese Author Not Attending Symposium before Frankfurt Book Fair

China is spending a huge amount, up to 5 million euros, it is said, in the run-up to the grand occasion.

But the first hitch has now occurred over the proposed participation of critical author Dai Qing of China at an international symposium over the coming weekend.

The symposium is entitled "China and the World: Perception and Reality". The objection by the official Chinese side is said to have led to a compromise which has not met with the approval of all observers.