He was responding to a question about the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London in November following comments on social media referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
His post, which was subsequently deleted, suggested the “sense of guilt around the persecution of the Jewish people” had been transferred and used against the Arab world.
Referring to his own family’s exile when he was one year old, the activist said: "I grew up within this heavy political censorship.
“I realise now, today in the West, you are doing exactly the same.”
He drew parallels with the disastrous purge under Mao, which took China to the brink of anarchy.
Criticising the suspension of two New York University professors for comments related to Gaza, Ai said: "This is really like a cultural revolution, which is really trying to destroy anybody who have different attitudes, not even a clear opinion.
Ai’s art often addresses political issues in China and he has frequently criticised Beijing’s record on human rights and democracy.
I have no idea what that means, but I assume, since you posted the article, that you agree with the person whose message got out in the Western media and who was not thrown into a “re-education camp” that censorship is just the same as what Mao did. Because his tweet got deleted. Correct?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Snowden
He leaked intelligence and fled the country to avoid detention.
Ah, I didn’t recognize him from the photo.
So no reason for OP to have posted his picture since Weiwei didn’t leak any intelligence.
“Man who fled country after commiting crimes to expose other crimes is a good example about how you can’t criticize governments” is a blistering hot take, and one I’m not surprised the OP is making, considering how ignorant they are in other replies.