Authorities acknowledge police action against artist but still no word about his friend, Wen Tao.
An ominous editorial in the Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper stated, “Ai Weiwei . . . has been close to the red line of Chinese law. As long as Ai Weiwei continuously marches forward, he will inevitably touch the red line one day.” “Ai Weiwei will be judged by history, but he will pay a price for his special choice,” it added. The newspaper also hinted that Ai had infringed the law by attempting to fly from Hong Kong to Taiwan without completing his “departure procedures.” Chinese citizens require a special permit to visit the island. Ai's friends said Ai had steeled himself for such an outcome after years of criticizing the government. Hao Guang, a fellow artist in Beijing, said Ai “has known for a long time this day was coming.”
