61-year-old Liu, who was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize while in jail and was represented by an empty chair at the ceremony in Oslo, died yesterday due to multiple organ failure following a battle with cancer while still in custody.
"President Donald J Trump was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent Chinese political prisoner Liu Xiaobo," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.
"The President's heartfelt condolences go out to Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, and his family and friends.
Today the world lost a hero of liberty and freedom, said Senator Ted Cruz, the Republican Senator from Texas.
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Liu Xiaobo, a voice for the voiceless and defender of the oppressed in Communist China, passed away. Although the physical cause of his death was cancer, Dr Liu's primary battle was one of the soul, he said.
Ever since leaving the safety and comfort of America to lead the protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989, Liu sealed his fate as a persistent focus of persecution from the authoritarian PRC, Cruz said.
Senator John McCain said the death of Liu Xiaobo in a Chinese prison represents an egregious violation of the fundamental human rights for which Dr Liu spent his life.
"Unfortunately, and as Dr Liu would have wanted everyone to remember today, this is only the latest example of Communist China's assault on human rights, democracy, and freedom," he said.
From protesting at Tiananmen Square to authoring a human rights manifesto for which he was unjustly jailed, Dr Liu was relentless in his pursuit of a democratic China. As he suffered from late-term liver cancer in prison, the Chinese government's delay in treatment was the last barbaric violation of Dr Liu's human rights, he said.
The news of Liu Xiaobo's death today is beyond tragic-for his beloved wife Liu Xia, for his family, and for the millions of supporters of his courageous efforts to champion human rights and democracy in China, said Senator Marco Rubio.
"Dr Liu's family must be given his remains and permitted to honor and bury him as they see fit. Liu Xia must immediately be granted an exit visa and permitted to leave China for a country of her choosing," he said.
"There should be an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dr Liu's death, his treatment in detention, the timing of the diagnosis of his late-stage liver cancer, and countless other questions that need to be answered.
Congressman Sander Levin said Liu Xiaobo was an inspirations to millions of people around the globe.
"History will remember Liu as a giant who sought to advance the debate on democratic governance, human rights, and rule of law in China, and for the way Chinese authorities mistreated him and other human rights advocates," he said.
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