British Embassy in China grants limited visa to Ai Weiwei

“Do those count as criminal convictions?”

Speaking to the Guardian, lawyer and friend of the dissident artist Liu Xiaoyuan explains that “Under Chinese law Ai’s case ended in the police investigation stage and has not reached the court”. He maintained that he has never been charged or convicted of a crime.

Ai said he was given a visa to travel to Britain from September 9-29 but added that he “may not be able to attend the exhibition installation and opening” of a retrospective of his work at London’s Royal Academy of Arts that month.

“We hope for a speedy resolution to this situation and we continue to look forward to welcoming Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy for his first major institutional exhibition in the UK this September”.

Upon his release on probation in June 2011, Ai was subjected to severe restrictions on his movements and later accused of tax evasion – charges that he rejected and unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Ai and his legal team said the tax case was rife with violations of legal procedure, and rights groups such as Britain’s Amnesty global suggested it was politically driven and showed China’s “deep insecurity”.

Last week, after the document’s return, Ai posted a photo of himself – and the passport – on Instagram for his 121,000 followers to see. (The artist posted an Instagram of a freshly minted German visa early this week).

“It drew hundreds of comments criticising Britain’s decision as a “disgrace” and embarrassment”.

“While an exception has been made in this instance, any future application you submit must be completed as accurately as possible”, embassy officials wrote in the letter – which bears the signature of an entry clearance manager at the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration department – adding Ai might face a 10-year ban if he did not comply with the visa rules. The artist posted a response in which he said he “has never been charged or convicted of a crime” in China.

“This decision is a denial of Ai Weiwei’s rights as an ordinary citizen”, Ai said on Instagram.

A representative of the UK Home Office in London said: “Reports that Mr. Ai has been refused a visa are incorrect”.

“All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the relevant legislation”, the spokesperson told the South China Morning Post.

It turns out the artist will attend-but he may make only a brief appearance because UK immigration officials have refused him a business visa he requested to come and install the show.

In contrast, Ai said last week that Germany, where his six -year-old son lives, had granted him a four year multiple-entry visa.

Britain’s governing Conservative party has sought to improve relations with China after its leader David Cameron angered Beijing by meeting with the Dalai Lama.

British-based Chinese dissidents, some of whom are known to Ai, plan to protest outside the Chinese embassy in London during Xi’s visit.