Elton hails dissident at China gig

Elton John publicly dedicated his only concert in Beijing to Chinese artist and political critic Ai Weiwei, sending a murmur of shock through an audience accustomed to tight censorship of entertainment.

Minutes into a more than two-hour show, Sir Elton told the audience that the performance was dedicated “to the spirit and talent of Ai Weiwei”, according to several audience members. They said the crowd rumbled in recognition that Mr Ai remains a touchy subject for the Chinese government.