Beijing , China ( CNN ) -- China on Tuesday stepped up criticism of Norway and the awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo , a leading Chinese dissident . Liu is serving an 11-year prison term after repeatedly calling for human rights and democratization . `` The Norwegian Nobel committee 's decision to give Liu the Nobel Peace Prize will damage bilateral relations . There is reason for every Chinese person to be unhappy , '' Ma Zhaoxu , spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , said at a news briefing . `` We already made our position clear . Since reform and opening up , China has made remarkable progress , '' Ma said . `` By giving a convicted person the Nobel Peace Prize , they show no respect for China 's judicial system . '' `` It not only disrespects China , but also reveals their true intentions . If you try to change China 's political system from the outside , or if they are trying to stop Chinese people from moving forward , that is obviously making a mistake , '' he added . Liu was sentenced in 2009 for inciting subversion of state power . He is the co-author of Charter 08 , a call for political reform and human rights , and was an adviser to the student protesters at Tiananmen Square in 1989 . Asked about Liu 's wife , Liu Xia , Ma responded : `` I do not know who you are talking about . I am not familiar with this person . '' Liu Xia remains under house arrest in Beijing and has been banned from talking to friends or media , Liu Xiaobo 's lawyer said . She is trying to visit the attorney to discuss an appeal to her husband 's sentence . `` She is negotiating with the police on the terms of the visit , '' Shang Baojun , the lawyer , told CNN . `` The issue of an appeal is not if , but when and how . '' Shang confirmed that Liu Xia said her husband wanted her to go to Oslo to accept the award in December , but he is not optimistic about the prospect . `` It 's way too early to think about her Norway trip , considering she ca n't even leave her house , '' he said . Liu Xia briefly re-gained phone access Tuesday , talking to Shang and several friends , as well as a few media outlets , from a new mobile phone after police broke her old one . The new number has been disconnected again , her friends tweeted Tuesday evening . On U.S. President Barack Obama 's call for Liu 's release , Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma said : `` We oppose anyone making issue of this and anyone interfering in China 's internal affairs . '' Asked whether Liu might be allowed to collect his Nobel in person , Ma said that , as a criminal , what he can or ca n't do is determined by China 's legal system .
NEW : Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo wants his wife to accept his prize , Liu 's lawyer says . `` There is reason for every Chinese person to be unhappy , '' the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says . Liu has repeatedly called for human rights and democratization . The prize shows disrespect for China , a spokesman said .