The notion that Liu might be capable of subverting the immense power of the Communist Party of China is patently absurd. And yet the authorities clearly believe that they had to make an example of him, to prevent others from expressing similar views.
认为刘晓波或有能力颠覆中共巨大权力的观点，显然是一派胡言。然而当局却明显相信：自己必须杀一儆百，以防他人发表类似观点。