China cancels Sweden business trips after prize for dissident

China has called off two business delegation visits to Sweden, China's ambassador to Stockholm said on Thursday, after Culture Minister Amanda Lind defied a Chinese threat of "counter-measures" by presenting a rights prize to dissident Gui Minhai

Tensions between the two countries have been strained since Gui Minhai, who is known for publishing gossipy titles about Chinese political leaders out of a Hong Kong book shop, disappeared in 2015 before resurfacing in mainland China. Earlier this month, Sweden's former ambassador to Beijing Anna Lindstedt was accused of brokering an unauthorised meeting to try to get the Chinese-Swedish Minhai freed. Lindstedt now faces trial and could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted. China had threatened "counter-measures" before 55-year-old Minhai was awarded the Swedish rights prize in November. "As far as I know, two large delegations of businessmen who were planning to travel to Sweden have cancelled their trip," ambassador Gui Congyou said. In early December, Sweden's foreign ministry said Beijing had postponed a visit to Stockholm planned for Dec 10.