Protester throws shoe at Wen Jiabao

Posted By Joshua Keating Monday, February 2, 2009 - 4:24 PM Share

It's catching on:

A protester threw a shoe at Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier, today as he delivered a speech on the global economy at Cambridge University.
Mr Wen was coming to the last part of his address when a young Western-looking man with dark hair stood up, blew a whistle and shouted: “How can the university prostitute itself with this dictator? How can you listen to these lies?”

To his credit, Grandpa Wen looks pretty unfazed:

EXPLORE:BRITAIN, CHINA

(2)

HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE

VIRGIL TIBBS

10:14 PM ET

February 2, 2009

Amazing that Wen still

Amazing that Wen still doesn't speak English. He's giving a speech on "the global economy", for christ's sake.

Please don't propagate this "grandpa Wen" nonsense. There's nothing nice about the man. Just another skilled operator.

CAMILLE

4:01 AM ET

February 3, 2009

How many western leaders speak a second language?

Mr.Wen doesnt need to speak English or any other language to give a speach on GLOBAL Economy. How many languages your president or PM speak? Westerners should stop adding arrogance to ignorance.

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.