ADELAIDE, Australia - A group of nearly 100 prominent Australian authors have signed a petition condemning China for denying a visa to an HIV-positive writer.
The Australian Society of Authors also demanded that Chinese authorities apologize to Robert Dessaix, an Australian novelist and essayist who had hoped to attend a writer's tour under way in China.
"This was an act of discrimination that appears to be founded in fear or ignorance and is behaviour unworthy of any nation that desires to be seen as enlightened and civilized," said the letter and petition issued this week by notable authors, including Nobel laureate J.M. Coetzee and Booker Prize winner Thomas Keneally, author of "Schindler's Ark," also published as "Schindler's List," which was made into the Oscar-winning film.
"We ask the Chinese government to explain its decision as a matter of urgency and to offer Mr. Dessaix the public apology to which he is entitled," the letter said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday that he did not know exactly why Dessaix' visa application was denied, but reiterated that Chinese law prohibits HIV-positive travellers from entering the country.
"We hope that the Australian side and the writer himself could understand this," Qin said at a regular briefing.
Dessaix, 65, is the author of the "Night Letters," "Corfu," and "Twilight of Love," and an autobiography, "A Mother's Disgrace."
The author could not be reached for comment.