
The Empire State Building has been lit in red and yellow in honor of communist China's 60th anniversary, amid criticism of the gesture.
The building is routinely lit with different colors to mark holidays and big events, but opponents have questioned whether Wednesday's lighting was the right gesture to commemorate a country with a poor human rights record.
Several people protested outside the skyscraper during a ceremonial lighting attended by Chinese dignitaries earlier in the day.
Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York said the lights should not be used to pay tribute to what he called "a nation with a shameful history on human rights."
A spokeswoman said in a statement that the building celebrates many world cultures with its lights.
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