A civic society comprised of professors and academics issued a statement Tuesday calling for this year's Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence in Beijing. The Taipei Society issued the statement ahead of the announcement of the winner, due Oct. 8. China, with its track record of abusing human rights and repressing political dissidents, naturally regards Liu's Charter 08 Initiative and his bid for the peace prize as threats to the legitimacy of its regime, and has warned the Nobel Peace Committee not to award the prize to Liu, according to the statement. The group said it stands in solidarity with Liu and called on the Nobel Peace Committee to award the prize to Liu, despite China's official warning. The society said that a Nobel Peace Prize for Liu would mean not only recognition of his long-term dedication to human rights and democratic reforms in China, but would also send a clear message to the Chinese communist regime that the world stands in solidarity with Chinese people who share Liu's vision for a strong, prosperous and democratic China that respects individual freedom and human rights. 