Tibet Through Chinese Eyes
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/199902/tibet-china

It brings up some interesting points, like how many Chinese see what they’re doing to Tibet as humanitarian aide. And many of the teachers, doctors, and also social workers are willing to risk their health and possible career advancement to work in Tibet instead of the larger cities.

Controversy regarding the Olympic games in China was bound to happen. The Olympics although a sporting event is one which represents liberation and unity. I have mixed feelings on the Olympics and this matter in general. I believe that whilst politics should not interfere with the event it has in the past and probably will do in the near future. Some examples of political interference includes the Olympic games in 1936 in Berlin and in the 1968 olympics in Mexico City. This event is one which is a great opportunity for many, especially those whose voices are supressed to bring about many controversial issues due to the wide media coverage and scope of the event. Whilst the behaviour and treatment towards Tibetans and Tibet by the Chinese government past and present is terrible they have not appeared to openly acknowledge any wrong doing nor any remorse or much concern. This is I believe a contributor to much of the controversary. In response to Anonymous in regards to the Sydney olympics, I myself am from Australia and although my nation has had a bad past record in regards to racism and performed terrible actions towards Indigenous Australians, the nation is actively taking measures to address this issue including education and creating more awareness. For many years protests regarding unfair treatment and reconciliation have occured on a consistent basis. My government much unlike the Chinese government has acknowledge this unfair treatment, made efforts to correct past wrongs and is worker towards a less ignorant, open minded, multi-cultural society. I am not saying Australia has solved these issues or that unfair treatment does not still occur however many citizens endeavour to make the nation a fair, liberated nation. We cannot deny that China is not a nation which has had especially in the past a bad human rights record. In saying this however no nation in the world at some point in time has not disregarded basic human rights.

i am not surprised that there was controversy in seoul when the olympic torch arrived. But im sick and tired of listening to arguements of people constantly bringing up China’s poor human rights record – i admit it is not great but still the olympics should not be taken over by politics. It has a long thousand year history of it celebrating the talents of althetes and it should be kept that way. Boycotting the olympics would be punishing the athletes who have trained so hard for this event. Furthermore, people making uninformed statements on the issue Tibet frustrate me. Do you know there are more Han Chinese in Tibet than Tibetans?

—ahh i think i finished my rant for the day lol~~

i’m with sf… unfortunately political protest is not an effective way to deal with the chinese government.. diplomacy or some kind of reward for improved policies maybe.. but not protest.. the chinese gov doesn’t take s#@% from no one.. btw bada does look great here.. i always get depressed by the ajumma jokes on popseoul..

I read that the protest in S. Korea was mostly by N.Korean defectors protesting the ill treatment of N.Korean defectors in China not so much about Tibet.

I don’t think the Olympics should be boycotted, but I think the protesters should be heard. I think that any worldwide event is an open venue for protest and demonstrations. Yes, the Tibet issue has been around forever, but this is a great opportunity to bring it back to the attention of the world. Unfortunately, China has put their own spin to the protests to the Chinese public, as well as blocking internet access, so the Chinese people gets only what the government wants them to hear and see. Which is too bad. If China really wanted to open up to the world, they should allow the people to see and hear what the world is saying.

i find this whole issues displays the amazing way in which the government and media propagate news or more appropriately propaganda to sway public opinion. Why did the people not protest when for example the Olympics were held in Sydney? Australia has a disparaging human rights record not only against refugees but also the Aborigines. But the media focus was not on protesters or politics at all.
I don’t at all support China’s policy on Tibet but i do think that had China been a desired ally to America and Britain and Europe the coming Olympics would not be surrounded by such controversy.