Amy Cooper
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Australia must save Olympic dignity
As the tour de farce of the 2008 Olympic torch relay approaches our shores, it's become hard to see it symbolising anything but the ugly face of a world gone mad.
In Europe the relay became a grotesque travelling circus dominated by images of both torch bearers and protesters manhandled by the ubiquitous posse of blue-tracksuited Chinese paramilitaries sent to "protect the flame."
British Olympic committee member Sebastian Coe called them "thugs." Torch bearer Connie Huq - who was more concerned by the blue guards' intimidating behaviour than by the protester who wrenched the torch from her - said she was barged and "barked at" by the guards. In a sad, weird irony, this goon show appears to have generated the "journey of harmony's" only unity so far: widespread distaste.
Despite the outcry in Europe, today comes the news that despite all his claims to the contrary the prime minister, Kevin Rudd will now allow these heavies to be let loose on the streets of Canberra when the torch arrives on Thursday.
What a party it's shaping up to be. Canberra is already bracing itself for an influx of thousands of hot-headed Chinese youths whipped into nationalistic fervour by idiots such as local student Zhang Rongan, who's been firing off Kung-Fu movie-inspired public statements all week. ''Are we going to let our motherland be shamed again?" he rants. "Overseas students in Australia, we have a responsibility to go defend our sacred torch. We can't let our sacred torch be put out on Australian soil!''
There are more crazed outpourings on the same website - talk of putting down the "ethnic degenerate scum," and "running dogs." It's the sort of language taught in the Osama Bin Laden school of international diplomacy.
Rather than silencing Zhang and his fellow PR disasters, the Chinese authorities here appear to be tacitly backing them by supplying free transport and accommodation for Australian Chinese travelling to Canberra for the relay. Coachloads of them are expected to make the journey from Sydney on Thursday.
For me, this mustering of rabid zealots brings back unpleasant memories of the busloads of soccer hooligans who used to converge on English cities looking for a fight on match day. They didn't care much about the game itself - they were lured by the prospect of tribal violence. They were young and stupid too, and they did damage to the sport that will never completely be mended.
Neither this dangerous, partisan nonsense nor the inflammatory presence of the torch-guarding thugs should be welcome in this country, and especially not when its target is a small group of peaceful protestors whose only aim is to draw attention to the desperate plight of their people.
The Tibetans travelling to Canberra on Thursday would rather not be demonstrating. None of them enjoy the experience and in fact, many dread it. Most Tibetans prefer to shun the spotlight under any circumstances, but those who have been imprisoned or tortured - which is the majority of the community here - find public protest almost unbearably traumatic. Just being close to symbols of Chinese authority brings back terrifying memories and even the most stoic men and women find themselves overwhelmed by emotion. But they force themselves to front up because there is no other way to tell people how close they are to extinction.
It's hard to imagine how that small crowd of Tibetans (there are only just over 500 in Australia) will feel on Thursday if they are surrounded by jeering, triumphalist hordes and confronted by Chinese paramilitaries, knowing that if they lose their composure even for a second they're likely to be branded at worst, violent criminals and at best, spoilsport nuisances.
Without sensitive handling, the whole affair threatens to descend into the most grisly spectacle the torch relay has yet produced. And how sad it would be if that were to happen on the same soil as the "best ever" 2000 Olympics.
While everyone has the right to make their point peacefully and no-one should be banned from the parade route, any aggressive Chinese crowds should be kept away from the Tibetan protesters and the heavy-handed torch guards should remain inside their bus, as Kevin Rudd originally promised. In the run-up to Thursday, Chinese community leaders should be taking their lead from Tibetan protest organisers and urging calm, tolerance and moderation.
Less than 24 hours after the torch passes through Canberra this nation will commemorate its Anzacs and the values they fought for: freedom, democracy, respect, equality. If we also remember those values on the eve of Anzac Day and take a firm stance against bullying and bad behaviour, perhaps the tarnished Olympic torch will find its dignity again here in Australia.
COMMENTS
as a chinese australian, I can feel the comment in your's some articles are full of bias and prejustice which are full with double standards, to misled a lot of australian.
- by james on April 20, 2008 at 05:40 AM
Amy, you follow sport. That is a sign of madness.
- by Len on April 20, 2008 at 06:29 AM
I agree. The extreme nationalistic rhetoric from the Chinese students and the presence of the paramilitaries sends a very disturbing message not in keeping with the spirit of the Olympics.
- by Richwell on April 20, 2008 at 07:20 AM
I saw this coming when the torch was in London. The Tibetan protesters will now show the world a small piece of human rights Chinese style. The odds are about right and demograpics are about right, overwhelming. The Chinese are rapidly losing any credibility with their personal insults and "terrorist bombers and kidnappers"
The only winner will Mr Iemma for the rent on the APEC barriers
- by peter on April 20, 2008 at 07:39 AM
too right , Amy, the whole Olympic thing and its torch are a bad joke . i love sport , but not ugly nationalism , dollar -driven medal fetishism , flag waving and whipped up controversy. Pity .
- by daniel on April 20, 2008 at 08:00 AM
It's a shame that the Olympic torch relay has come to this, but then China fully deserves it.
The Chinese paramilitaries just show the same heavy-handedness and disregard for others, as their Government does in Tibet.
Hard really to blame Zhang Rongan, who has probably grown up brainwashed by the censorious Chinese Government.
It is such a vindication of the correct decision to award the Games to Sydney in 2000, just a real shame that Beijing were awarded 2008, but the IOC was warned...
- by AH on April 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Kindly remind you, up till now it's the pro-Tibetan protesters heavy-handed the torch relay, and consequently stirred up some much anti-tibet and anit-western emotions among chinese. So whom should be kept away from whom?
- by zhao on April 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM
The whole world was deeply saddened by the violent protests in Paris and London. We have all seen it on TV how Pro-Tibetan protesters violently attacked a torch bearer, who was a disabled girl on the wheelchair pushed by another disabled blind man. Are you saying that it is �peaceful� protest? I say it is disgusting behavior and should not be tolerated in Australia. I support whoever wants to protect the torch relay from violent protest. I just don�t trust that the pro-tibetan protesters would show restraint in Canberra.
The whole thing is just a �great game� played by CIA. The ultimate �rights� they would like to protect is the US� economic interest. How silly are those pro-tibetan puppets!!!
- by Canberran on April 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM
I imagine our brave new world would have saved the dignity of the Olympic to placate Hitler. Anyway, the sacred exigencies of the "free market" demand it.
- by Jimmy on April 20, 2008 at 11:17 AM
�Rather than silencing �, the Chinese authorities here appear to be tacitly backing them by supplying �� Amy, are you suggesting that the Chinese authorities shall silence the peacefull expression of Chinese students here for their supports for Beijing Olympic? What is your prove of your accusation that the Chinese authoritites provide free transportation and accommodation? How could you call the violent protests by Pro-Tibetan people peaceful, when score of them were arrested by polices in places like Paris and London, and yet call the Chinese students who peacefully express their supports for the Olympic �hot-headed�, �Idiots�, when none of them have ever been arrested by polices for protesting? Do you, in fact, accuse Paris, London or San Fancisco polices of arresting peaceful Pro-Tibetan protesters? Your judgements (or lack of) seem to have been coloured by your inability to distinguish between right and wrong, and by your inclinatiohn to call white black and black white to suit your whatever purposes.
- by DontCallWhiteBlack on April 20, 2008 at 01:54 PM
The Olympic torch relay (which was started by Hitler in 1936) has never, ever had any dignity. It should be cancelled and abolished at once.
- by David on April 20, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Nice try.
Did you think about how an average Chinese would feel for the humilation brought upon them by poeple like you? It is quite obvious that you are running a different campaign with a different agenda behind your "appears to be innocent" article.
We, Chinese, may have a past that we are not so proud of. But there is a difference between not proud of our past, and being humiliated.
US didn't leave Iraq alone. UK didn't let go of Ireland. Australia continue to play "god" in East Timor. The Western leader's intention is so obvious that everyone can see what you are trying to achieve. Enough is enough. Stop the non-sense and let's live together in peace without interferring each other's internal affair.
It is all chinese's responsibility to show their support on Thursday 24 April. Look for me on Thursday's news. I will be in Canberra supporting China.
- by Middle Age Lost Chinese on April 20, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Oh no Amy, sadly your tone is purely anti-Chinese. This is not professional. You should read more and do more research before exercise your privilege to abuse the Han and Tibetan Chinese rights. You probably choose not to know the threat that being posted by pro-dalie group. But the threat is real and bearing all the color of a terrorist group. Sadly, we couldn't see any balance point of view here in Australia especially when an Asian group involved. This could be a deep rooted perception being fed from a racist, irresponsible and jealous attitude.
- by Don Tan on April 20, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I am a Chinese in Australia, and I will goto Canberra to watch the torch relay to show my support.
But I have no intention to "protect" the torch relay since I start to planning my Canberra trip. I am fully aware that this is the duty of Australian government and Australian police force. I think this "protect" idea is navie, and probablly illegal. It is also a disrespect to Australian government, Australian police, as well as Australian people.
I am reallly surprised to hear that some young Chinese students have this thought. In fact, I am also disappointed for their stupidity. Olympic is all about sports, not polictics. We have seen enough ugly shows in London, Paris, and SF. We do not want to see a more ugly show in Canberra. Please just let's enjoy Olympics, not Politics.
- by Bear on April 20, 2008 at 04:54 PM
how do you know what the tibetans in australia faced, amy? have you spoken with them all? exactly how much do you know about what happened in tibet pr the chinese? did you know this 'peace' loving nation used to invade countries like bhutan? have u been to tibet?
while i am not condoning chinese behaviour and policy and i have consistently wondered why the tibetan issue gets more attention than the plight of other issues of unjustice around the world. not many countries can claim innocence with regards to their treatment of local people during 'colonisation.'
'tibet' and 'buddhism' are cool in the west. just like people wearing che guevara on their chest, i wonder how much people really understand what they're promoting.
Raja makes a good point here. I actually think that the Tibetan cause has been more disadvantaged than helped by its 'trendification' in parts of the West. Just as Africa became cool during the Live Aid campaign and then experienced a backlash, Tibet has at times suffered rather than benefited from the attentions of wacky celebrities and well-meaning but uninformed hippy types. Raja, you are right - anyone genuinely interested in Tibet should spend time there, talk to people, speak to specialists in its history, read everything you can (and that means both Chinese and Tibetan perspectives) and try to overlook the inevitable faddishness that popular culture attaches to issues such as this.
And yes, for many years my studies have included all of the above and regular readers of this newspaper will know that my assignments have involved a lot of time spent with local Tibetans. Their first-hand accounts are invaluable in building a picture of what's happened in Tibet both recently and in the past. While my opinions on this fraught subject will obviously not please everyone, I can assure you they are the result of a great deal of immersion in the subject and contact with those directly involved. AC
- by raja on April 20, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Hi Amy
you say the ugly face of the world gone mad, I think what you should be saying is that the world is letting everyone know what is happening in Tibet. !! and really its the ugly and cruel face of the chinese government going mad in Tibet. It was great to see the locals of paris and london getting behind and helping the tibetan people protest. The chinese dont deserve the olympics I think you will find that IOC now regret their decision. Unfortunately money talks. !!
Of course I dont like seeing the touch getting blown out it is a symbol of unity of the world, but its great to see that the world cares.
The anzacs fought and died for us so we can live in freedom, what are the tibetans dying for ???
Leanne Robertson
- by Leanne Robertson on April 20, 2008 at 05:10 PM
By calling those Chinese (and Australains)protecting the relay in Canberra /idiots/ is indeed not professional. By ignoring the fact that Tibetans attacked torch relay in London and Paris using violence to question Chinese protection in Canberra makes this article pointless.
- by Mike on April 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Who has the real motives to attack the torch and to incite violence in Canberra? It is ridiculous to imply that the Chinese students will cause trouble and violence. Please do not mess up the cause and effect here.
The exiled Tibetans are in no way representing the true Tibetans! Their violent tactics used in the London and Paris torch relay seen by a worldwide audience should NOT be encouraged in Australia. Why are we NOT condemning the torch attackers but accusing the torch protectors?
This type of misinformation is exactly the way the Western media choose to report the Tibet 3.14 unrest. The West seems to pay no attention to the 20 innocent victims (including a baby, 5 young girls and two policemen). The faked report of 2000 Tibetan casualties released by exile Tibetan government was used to manipulate the public opinion, and the whole Tibet unrest is designed offshore and intended to play with Western public sympathy and consumption. Have you seen any �Free Tibet� banner written in Tibet language if one�s crying out for protecting its culture identity?
To all those bandwagon jumpers, to impose human right by disregarding other people�s right is not a right thing to do. Before your going to gate crash, please think critically [See: http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56145]
Lastly, the torch relay is not for the Chinese but for all people around the World who love to see sports. As a host, the Chinese people feel obliged to protect the torch and its dignity simply because the sacred torch has become the real victim of some political motived forces.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic game belongs to athletics and spectators. Let�s build up bridges of peace and understanding!
- by haiscot on April 20, 2008 at 06:52 PM
In all this, I see one thing clearly: the world does not want the Olympics in China. Many people, if not most, are suspicious of China's motives, are at least uneasy about China's monolithic rise in the last ten years, and worry about the endless pandering and fawning by world leaders towards the Chinese regime.
Rudd needs to cancel the Australian part of the torch relay, on the grounds of security risk. No Chinese thugs, no protestors, no streets blocked off APEC-style. Just cancel it and move on.
- by Chris on April 20, 2008 at 07:12 PM
torch guards heavy-handed? if they were really so, the french wouldn't have been able to rip the torch from the hands of a wheelchair bound young woman. Why is it that no one ever remarks on the DEMONSTRATED violence of tibetant protesters but spends time insinuating that the peaceful albeit passionate chinese supporters are violent. 50 years ago, the chinese did not invade tibet. The current government took over China as whole by force from the KuoMingTan [nationalist party]. Takeover of Tibet was just the takeover of another chinese province in the general scheme of taking over the entire country. Tibet was part of China for hundreds of years before then. The Dalai Lamas had traditionally deferred to the authority of the Chinese gov. It was the 19th century British gov which came up with the idea of treating "tibet" as a separate entity for the purpose of splitting up China. The communist gov in china is guilty of many sins, most chinese recognize this. When criticizing China, one should observe the distinction between the communist government and the people. I think the anti-chinese rhetoric has gotten to the stage that it is no longer aimed at the misdeeds of the communist gov but aimed at villifying the chinese people in general. This is the primary cause of the nationalistic sentiments in China and amongst expats. Why is it that everyone is so bent on hating the chinese? When the europeans arrived in north america, native americans were nearly wiped out. The brits took over Australia from the Aborigines. Britain is still holding on to Northern Ireland. Think about the practices of european colonial powers. The Europeans and the Japanese once carved up China. The brits exported opium to China in order to reduce trade deficit, the europeans looted and burnt down the chinese imperial summer palace. Bloody hypocrites.
In short, i have no objections against criticisms of the chinese gov human rights record. The human rights prob isn't simply confined to Tibet but effects the entire chinese population. My great grandfather died in one of those re-education camps. But i strongly object the vilification of the chinese people and the idea of an independent tibetan state.
- by Jessica Lin on April 20, 2008 at 07:14 PM
All the Chinese are peace lover, they came out to support the torch relay but not protest the torch. The torch is belongs to the World. I have been living in Sydney for so many years and I do angry about the media bias and arrogance. Think about if this happen in Australia, and the Northern Territory want to be independence and do not allow the Australian to visit. How's ur guys feeling?
- by Micky on April 20, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Amy
shame on you! have you been to Tibet? how much truth do you know? who intiaited all these mess in London, Paris, these por-tibets! and you now say should keep away the CHinese supporter from supporting torch relay? shame on you!
- by kaite on April 20, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Amy, your comments: They were young and stupid too, and they did damage to the sport that will never completely be mended.
I would say you are stupid.
Sebastian Coe's comments is totally wrong. If no these pro-Tibitans violance during torch relay, how would blue guards push Sebastian? And mind you, these blue guards are allowed by IOC.
"nationalistic fervour"? I can't see why Australian people not angry if people call them stupid, idiot.
"bullying and bad behaviour" Who are bullying? Who had bad behavior? I hope you don't infiltrate violance.
You will be sad and you will be lost, because the torch relay in Canberra will be smoothly.
- by Roland on April 20, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Jessica says: "why is everyone so bent on hating the Chinese?"
Hm. Prison camps, totalitarian dictatorship, anti-democracy, suppression of basic human rights, torture, cruelty, and now rampant nationalism rearing up and showing its unpleasant face to the world...
What's not to love?
- by Su on April 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Greg, your comments is ridiculous:
Practice sport is Human Rights, not mean the country with not good Human Rights can't host Olympic Games, and also not mean people should boycott Olympic game because of Human Rights issue.
You should learn more about Olympic principles.
- by Roland on April 20, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Chris, your comments: the world does not want the Olympics in China.
The world? how many contries does not want the Olympics in China? I guess only a few countries, and most of them are from west. That's all.
- by Roland on April 20, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Su says: "Hm. Prison camps, totalitarian dictatorship, anti-democracy, suppression of basic human rights, torture, cruelty, and now rampant nationalism rearing up and showing its unpleasant face to the world...
What's not to love?"
Are you talking about chinese government or chinese people? Don't mess up.
- by Roland on April 20, 2008 at 08:19 PM
My understanding of the protests by pro-Tibetan people is not so much that the Chinese government are actively getting rid of the Tibetan culture (which I don't agree with, but being Australian and watching our Aboriginal culture disappear, I'm not one to talk), but that the Chinese government uses aggressive and violent means against people whose spirituality compels them to be mainly peaceful.
I find the concept of the Chinese government providing free transport to Canberra for Chinese students inflammatory. Encouraging people to make their way to Canberra to support the torch relay is one thing - to bus a mob down there stinks of politicising the whole event, and will no doubt result in massive confrontation.
Oh, and I am pro-Tibet, in the same way I am pro-any culture that is being actively overwhelmed by another.
- by Richard on April 20, 2008 at 08:24 PM
To Roland:
Firstly - so what if the IOC allows the blue guards? We're in Australia - and so Australian law prevails, not IOC rules.
Secondly - with regards the Human Rights issue, the Chinese bid for the Olympic games referenced improvements in Human Rights, as well as active change to improve air quality in Beijing (two issues the IOC were concerned about). Unfortunately China has been unable (or unwilling?) to actively, strategically address either issue. So, perhaps that gives good reason for others to boycott the Olympics, as the successful bid is based on incorrect information.
- by Richard on April 20, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Hi Amy, why do you only talk about Chinese students going to the demonstration on Thurs ? I work in Chinatown in Sydney and I know lots and lots of people who are not overseas Chinese students yet are going to Canberra as well. They are not brainwashed and they just want to support the Olympic games. And they are not aggressive as well ! Your article has to be fair !! Show all sides please !!
I don't mind if you direct your anger at the Chinese Government! Please don't direct it at the people ! It is so unfair that you use Zhang Rongan to represent every Chinese including those overseas Chinese students.
- by Kuok on April 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Amy, do you really know anything about China and Tibet? are you blind with the bloody & chaos scene caused by the so-called pro-Tibet violence against the torch relay in Europe? do you respect the fact & truth? I'm deeply sorry for your childish behavior.
Misunderstanding is due to lack of communication.
You're encouraged to collect more information and use your head to analyse it instead of by your out-of-dated long-term perception, and I bet you would definitely regret for what you have said or written!
I wish other people sharing the same perception as you learn something more about China, communicate with more chinese, or simply make a visit to China & Tibet, and you certainly will draw an absolutely differnt conclusion.
Let's keep in mind that there should be only love rather than hate in the world!
- by Sydneysider on April 20, 2008 at 08:38 PM
It is astonishing to read all these comments about the violent behaviour of Tibetan protestors. The only "violence" I saw on my TV was by greek authorities in Olympia, Chinese "torch attendants" in London, and French police kicking a photographer in the head in Paris.
It is also worth noting the hatred in some of the comments by Chinese nationals on this blog, remember people, the Tibetans dont hate you, why do you hate them?
- by Ian on April 20, 2008 at 08:54 PM
The road to democracy is not a highway it takes time, patience, understanding and tolerance. The torch relay, as always, has become a focus for extremists to vent their causes; the majority as always remain silent.
The games itself will make many Westerners sit up and take notice as to how �Westernised� China has become in the last 2 decades in another few years we�ll wonder what all the fuss is about.
Let the game begin!
- by KYC on April 20, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Well Roland I would like to think I was just talking about the Chinese government and not the people, but I have a nasty feeling a lot of Chinese people are quite happy with the way their government treats Tibetans and indeed anyone who doesn't agree with the party line. You have shown me no evidence that you think your government is wrong to suppress human rights and treat people badly- so why should I think Chinese people are any different from their government? Most Chinese seem to be cheering on their government's repulsive behaviour. I think it's really sad.
- by su on April 20, 2008 at 09:03 PM
To Ian, you said,
It is also worth noting the hatred in some of the comments by Chinese nationals on this blog, remember people, the Tibetans don�t hate you, why do you hate them?
Ian, you are totally wrong. We do not hate Tibetans at all. They are the same as us, they are Chinese as well, just like other 56 minorities in China.
We would like to see them enjoy the progress of better life in Tibet. We do not mind to see them enjoy more beneficial from government than ordinary Chinese people.
But we hate those separatists. Those people fled from Tibet in 1959, lost their privileges to rule in Tibet. They want to create some stirs with some help of biased western media and ulterior motivated western countries.
We hope the Olympic torch will pass Canberra with peace and harmony. Show some Olympic spirits instead of some chaos and comic scenes.
- by David on April 20, 2008 at 09:34 PM
To all the pro China protestors planning to turn up on thursday 24th:
.
Do you really support your governments policy in tibet?, do you know what it is? Have you read any books on modern tibetan history? Do you know any tibetans? Have you been to tibet? Do you calmly listen or read the numurous reports on the repression, torture and imprisonment of tibetans by your government? Are all the sources biased and fanciful? ( they have been remarkably consitent over the decades).
Or do you just listen to your governments party line that all these reports are lies?
.
If they are all lies, then let in some reporters to disprove them. Odd how the 2 patheric stage managed press tours of tibetan area turned into farce.
.
It comes down to credibilty on the issue of human rights in Tibet, who has it, who hasnt.
Before you shoot fromvthe hip over the minor errors in the press ( not controlled) why not forget ALL press for a day or 2, head off to your university libraries and do some research.
.
Tibetans are not better off under chinese rule- why would there be 60 years of refugees if this was the case.
.
Tibetans are ungrateful for all that China has given them? Just as australian aborigines are ungrateful for all the wonders that white settlement has done for them.
The difference is that Australia has got over its denial phase and is trying to make amends.
Stop you denial over the suffering of the tibetans, it is bewildering , cruel and breathtaking in the scale of injustice.
I will be turning my back to the torch on thursday in silent protest. I expect you to respect my right to peaceful protest.
.
note before you reply: i am not antichinese, i have travelled to china and tibet and nepal and will continue to do so.Dont mistake the world wide concern about tibet as being some attack on chinas role in the world. It is much more simple then that, some basic rights to live their lives and practice religeon and enjoy their culture withour fear.
Ask the Dalai Lama, dont scream in hysteria, he doesnt want much.
Give the tibetans these basic rights and we will ALL be able to celebrate the torch next week.
Sincerely,
Mike
- by mike on April 20, 2008 at 10:08 PM
KYU writes:
"The road to democracy is not a highway it takes time, patience, understanding and tolerance. The torch relay, as always, has become a focus for extremists to vent their causes; the majority as always remain silent.
The games itself will make many Westerners sit up and take notice as to how �Westernised� China has become in the last 2 decades in another few years we�ll wonder what all the fuss is about.
Let the game begin!"
.
Well i am not an extremist but am going to silently protest the repression china has practised in tibet. I will travel from Melbourne and wil represent my family and friends, who are also not extremists. I am the only one able to organise time off work , thats all.
Please do not belittle the cause of the protestors, we are not ill informed nutters, rather very well informed and that is what motivates us .
It would be a very large mistake not to understand what the protests are about: basic rights for tibetans in tibet. It is not anti chinese people.
But then the Chinese Goverment has spent 60 yrs not understanding Tibet and all there various policy of control and domination have still not resolved the tibetan to their rulers.
.
Yes China has become modern and western to some extent and belatedly started to protect its own culture after some decades of damage. DOnt pretend that all is well though.
.
May the games begin, but let some reporters travel widely now , during and after the games. That would make me sit up straight!
.
Sincerely
Mike
- by mike on April 20, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Jessica,
"But i strongly object the vilification of the chinese people and the idea of an independent tibetan state."
.
Perhaps you have misunderstood the protests: they are anti chinese government policy in tibet ( current and since 1949 ) not anti chinese people.
.
The Dalai lama is NOT asking for an independant Tibetan State. He repeats this daily.
.
So there is nothing for you to worry about.
.
( the may be debate about the history of china and tibet and their 2000 years of interaction but that is NOT what the protests are about).
.
Sincerly
Mike
- by mike on April 20, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I notice Mr. Rongan calls the the torch "our sacred torch", as if its the property of the chinese. In fact, these games have been hijacked by a dictatorship that would just as soon see us all attend "patriotic re-education." they want to be victims, with the hero in a wheelchair fighting off odious frenchmen, rather than admit they serve a government who murdered students just like Zhang. But of course, he wouldn't know, because they treat their people just like mushrooms-kept in the dark and fed lots of manure.
- by Wilber Varella on April 20, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I am a Chinese now living in China, and I definitely reject Olympics 2008, which is used by Chinese government to exploit our people.
Totalitarian Chinese goverment do not represent Chinese people. We hate them, we defy them, and we appreciate any international support which will make our people suffer less from this barbarian government of P.R.C.
- by Bromios on April 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM
To Ian who posted at 8:54PM,
I can only conjecture that, while (most of) the Chinese pro-China supporters do not hate Tibetans per se, they are angry because they feel the disruption of the Olympic torch relay � which the Chinese Government has been powerless to prevent � is causing China, the country to which they feel they owe their first loyalty, to lose face.
'Face' is more important than any moral right or wrong in the mindset of some Chinese people, and they'd eagerly turn on one of their own and allow him to be beaten to a pulp if he caused public embarrassment to the group. It's little surprise that "troublemakers" who portray (rightly or wrongly) themselves having been forced into the group non-consensually would bear the brunt of seemingly undeserved wrath!
I take no sides in this conflict, and I care as little for 'face' as I do some absolute, extrinsic standard of right-or-wrong. If Tibetans and pro-Tibet supporters want to protest, as allowed by the nation's laws, they can go right ahead. If pro-China supporters can bait the other side into a confrontation, without breaking any laws prohibiting the incitement of racial hatred, they should be allowed to organise that as well. I'm simply sorry to see those two groups are now choosing to 'play chicken' in the country I call home.
- by Churchie on April 20, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Amy, just let me say I am an Australian Chinese (Han ethnicity), arrived in Sydney since Yr7 and a university graduate professional. I hope you understand Chinese government propaganda does not have a great influence on general Chinese in China, and even less influence on overseas Chinese. You can expect us to make better informed decision, with better understand of the issue from both side’s story, not simply out of patriotism.
It is extremely easy to be generalising issues when you criticise someone.
I understand how China isn't exactly clean on human right record, but I can stand and point out human right abuse in almost every country in the world with(out) some in-depth study.
Amy, I feel extremely disappointed with some of your comments. Public opinion is one thing, but using your editorial power to address someone merely expressing their patriotism in their own way as "idiot" and implying international Chinese students are intending to stir up violence in Canberra is utterly disgusting!
I think the following comment should really be more appropriately applied to protesters against Olympic relay.
"They didn't care much about the game itself - they were lured by the prospect of tribal violence. They were young and stupid too, and they did damage to the sport that will never completely be mended."
- by Barry on April 21, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Bromios,
Is this for real? Good to hear some different voice from Chinese people otherwise it will be too boring.
What your comments can tell us?
First, there is no media or internet control, otherwise how can you post such comments from China? It is not hard for anyone to find out where you post this kind of comments from? If you are really in china, we will be so worried for your safety.
Second, you are just another disguise, no matter what you are stand for, either Tibetans or Chinese government, you just want to make a falseful and irresponsible comments.
But one thing is quite clear, you are not speak for ordinary Chinese people, so don't use the word "We Chinese". It is only "you" and you cannot represent any others.
- by David on April 21, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Bromios, didn't you know that Chinese living in mainland China cannot access this web site because of censorship? Didn't you realizing that you will be punished by Chinese goverment because of your anti-goverment comment?
- by freeman on April 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Why are the Chinese so angry at the thought that Tibet might want some degree of autonomy? Empires break up. Indonesia lost East Timor, USSR lost plenty of countries - they all learned to live with it. I would ask the Chinese, how would you feel if your country was still occupied by Japan, even it had brought more development and prosperity?
- by Jasha on April 21, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I am really appreciate the author's interests about China and Chinese Tibet Issue. I have to remind the author is that before the Canberra, overseas Chinese held plenty demonstrations in Canada, America, Europe and in Sydney and Melbourne which was too peaceful to be ignored by western media according their moral. On contrary, the few Tibetans, as you said only 500 in Australia, could put their images in the spotlight of the world and Australia media by attacking Olympic fire and Chinese Embassies with real violence.
Chinese people are peace loving people, they were so shy to speak their rights during the White Australia Policy during the birth of the Nation called Australia with the ANZ spirit of freedom, democracy, respect, equality. Just like the former Australia PM Edmund Barton said" the doctrine of equality of men was never intended to apply to the equality of Englishman and Chinaman."
We don't want to hate anyone, because we know that the seed of hatred(like the hatred by exile Tibetans and their supporter like you only can grow deeper hatred, and the seeds of misunderstanding and prejudice like Mr. Edmund can only grow the tree of racism.
I want to tell the author is that you know nothing about Tibet and China, think before action. Don't compete the tragedy happing in Iraq which is the prejudice example of the West, including Australia
- by zhengzhi1 on April 21, 2008 at 05:26 PM
As others have said and the Tibetan people keep saying too, the Tibetans both in and outside Tibet do NOT hate Chinese people or their government. They keep telling you that. They just want you to leave them alone to live in peace. Not much to ask.
Instead of concentrating on hating them, why not try to listen for once? Is that so hard?
- by Su on April 21, 2008 at 06:06 PM
David,
Yes, I am a Chinese who DO live in China right now.
What I want to say in this post is following:
First of all, by we, I mean my friends and I, and a lot people who stand at the bottom of this hierarchical society, in which 80% property is owned by kin of communist party members and themselves. We are ordinary people, who will not sacrifice our dignty to join this ugly party, and live a life without freedom of speech and freedom of the press. For example, my brother-in-law works beyond 340 days a year, yet earns only average 1200 Yuan per month, which is only AU$200 or so, while some of the factory leaders, most of them party members, earn a lot, own cars and large apartments. If those hardworking people complain about this, they will for sure be deprived of the work opportunity or even put into prison, which is quite common throughout the country.
Secondly, there IS media and internet control, but not to narrowly influenced media such as Sun Herald. The internet traffic is heavily monitored, the traditional media is strictly censored, TV broadcastings are even delayed when live broadcastings are required in the case of World Soccer Cup. We cannot visit websites which are defined as "sensitive and harmful to national security", some of us even get sentenced to prison for writing articles for those banned media abroad. We cannot publish any books and leaflets which say something unauthorized by the government. But I, as an IT professional, know how to disguise my IP address lest they can identify me, so, do not worry about my safety, althought I am a little concerned about saying this too much.
Thirdly, I stand for neither Tibetan nor the government. I stand for people I know and love. I do not know what truly happened in Tibet because of the media control, for what I have learned is only from state or party controlled media. But I do not trust the government, for I have been cheated by them for dozens of years--I do not know who is telling the truth, but I do know who is telling the lies. Therefore, I am not making a falseful and irresponsible comment here, for most of the people I know, we really hope communists ruling be ended as soon as possible.
Last but not least, I believe I am a true patriot, who do not confuse government with country. I declare that this barbarian government a vampire to our country, the members of this government parasites to our motherland, where our people suffer tremendously under its cruel oppressing.
- by Bromios on April 22, 2008 at 10:48 AM
i think a general clash of cultural understanding is occuring here. Refering back to churhcies blog, losing face may be one of the greatet insults a person can bestow upon a chinese person. This may be a generalisation however there is an immense amount of depth to it.
The protest upon the torch and the blogs such as these written by Amy are seen to be punches in the guts by many chinese, and when one gets punched in the stomach unfortunately it wont change the view of that person instead it will incite more anger.
- by joe on April 22, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Those Chinese being bused in are paid agitators--paid by the Chinese Communist Party. Arrest them if they disobey the law. The Chinese boycotted an awful lot of Olympics themselves, but can't stand it when they look ridiculous.
- by Mary on April 24, 2008 at 08:43 AM
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Its ironical that the Chinese students in Australia that plan to protest to support the Olympic flame wouldn't have any right to protest if they were back in China.
As statements are made about sport and politics not mixing lets all pause and remember the 8th Principle of the Olympic Charter and that is that the practice of sport is a Human Right.
Sounds like more a political than sporting statement.
I wonder how many Tibetans will be taking part in this years Olympics.
Will the IOC be able to ensure that is very own principle number 8 will be met in China?