China's Ai Weiwei says anti-Japan protests 'prepared'
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This still image taken on Sept 19, 2012 from video posted online by Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei shows protesters blocking a car carrying United States (US) Ambassador to China Gary Locke as Chinese police try to hold them back outside the US embassy in Beijing. -- PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING (AFP) - Anti-Japan protests in China were encouraged by leaders in Beijing, dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei said on Thursday, after he filmed demonstrators damaging the United States (US) ambassador's car.
Ai was visiting a friend's apartment near the US embassy in Beijing - which is close to Japan's mission - when he heard the protest and began recording, he told AFP.
The internationally acclaimed artist said he was "surprised" to see a group of 50 protesters target US Ambassador Gary Locke's vehicle, surrounding it and damaging its flag.
They pelted it with objects before Chinese police rushed to clear a path for the car to accelerate away from the embassy area.
