Liu Xia, widow of Nobel winner Liu Xiaobo, arrives in New York for human rights events

First formal appearance since leaving China expected to be at panel discussion and awards ceremony hosted by Vaclav Havel Library Foundation

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Liu Xia, widow of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner and dissident Liu Xiaobo, is in New York to see her friend Liao Yiwu receive an award from the Václav Havel Library Foundation. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 26 Sep 2018Updated: 10:49pm, 26 Sep 2018

Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, arrived in New York late on Tuesday for what is expected to be her first formal appearance since settling in Berlin two months ago after nearly eight years of de facto house arrest in Beijing.

Her friend, Berlin-based exiled Chinese writer Liao Yiwu announced on Twitter that they were in New York, along with members of his family, to attend a panel discussion and awards ceremony hosted by the Václav Havel Library Foundation.

Chinese writer Liao Yiwu announces on Twitter that Liu Xia has arrived in New York. Photo: Twitter

The panel discussion, “The Power of the Powerless in China”, takes place on Wednesday afternoon and will also be attended by leading China specialist and human rights advocate Professor Andrew Nathan from Columbia University.

Joy for Liu Xia, widow of Nobel winner Liu Xiaobo, as she arrives in Germany

On Thursday, Liao will be presented with the Václav Havel Library Foundation’s 2018 Disturbing the Peace Award for a Courageous Writer at Risk. Liu Xia, who was also nominated for the award, is expected to accompany Liao to the ceremony.