China Pulls Top Music Festival Amid Olympic Clampdown

Officials in China have pulled one of the country’s biggest music festivals indefinitely as the 2008 Olympics draw closer.

The annual Midi Festival had been due to take place in Beijing Park next week.

However, the event has now been postponed, organisers say, because “the overall interests of the Olympic games must be safeguarded by everyone”.

Chinese officials have taken the decision to clampdown on a number of events over recent weeks where its feared demonstrations could tarnish the country’s image.

According to the Guardian, a European Carnival was cancelled last week after organisers failed to attain a work permit because of security reasons.

It’s not clear whether Bjork’s recent outburst, which saw the performer shout ‘Tibet! Tibet’ during a gig in Shanghai, is another factor behind the cancellation of the festival.

China’s human rights record in Tibet is in danger of overshadowing its role as the host of the 2008 Olympic Games.