2008 Woodie Awards
Unfair boycott will tarnish Olympic spiritUnfair boycott will tarnish Olympic spirit
Nini Wu/Guest Columnist
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Opinion
The Olympics being used as a means of political manipulation is not new. It was seen in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and its boycott by Africa, which was aimed at New Zealand's support of South Africa's apartheid policy, and the multi-national 1980 boycott of the Soviet Olympics in Moscow. Now there's talk of a Tibetan boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as a form of "protest" against Chinese political policies.
When we say protest, we usually think of a group of people holding banners and marching on the street. This might be true in America; but I was not sure, in my republic homeland of China, what a protest in Lhasa, Tibet, might be like.
To research the issue, I searched for some videos on the CCTV international web site. In one, I saw a group of Tibetan followers of Dalai (Tibet's spiritual leader) holding knives and long sticks, beating and stabbing passers-by, with fires burning fiercely everywhere. Many other Tibetans were covering their heads and fleeing the scene. Chinese troops were dragging injured people into ambulances and military jeeps.
I've often heard the media say that this was a peaceful demonstration of Dalai's followers pursuing freedom of their faith. But it did not seem very peaceful on film.
There's long been a struggle between Tibet and China. Each year, the Chinese
government subsidizes Tibet at least $170 million through appropriation and taxes from other provinces. The Chinese government spent $3.77 billion and took seven years building the Qinhai-Tibet Railway, which connects Tibet with the prosperous southeast Qinhai region in order to boost Tibet's economy. But many Tibetans do not need to pay taxes; low-income Tibetans will receive health care from the government. Tibetans also have cheap schooling, cheap health care, and cheap commodity prices. Due to all these advantages, its population grew from 1.2 million to 2.2 million and is still growing.
So why does China treat Tibet so well, and why do we insist on tough policies against any intention of separation? Back in the 19th century, after the shameful "Opium War," most of China was occupied by other countries, and its people were all struggling in endless wars. That is also why China is so dedicated to developing its economy and technology. Chinese people want to be strong, so others will not bully them again.
When we say protest, we usually think of a group of people holding banners and marching on the street. This might be true in America; but I was not sure, in my republic homeland of China, what a protest in Lhasa, Tibet, might be like.
To research the issue, I searched for some videos on the CCTV international web site. In one, I saw a group of Tibetan followers of Dalai (Tibet's spiritual leader) holding knives and long sticks, beating and stabbing passers-by, with fires burning fiercely everywhere. Many other Tibetans were covering their heads and fleeing the scene. Chinese troops were dragging injured people into ambulances and military jeeps.
I've often heard the media say that this was a peaceful demonstration of Dalai's followers pursuing freedom of their faith. But it did not seem very peaceful on film.
There's long been a struggle between Tibet and China. Each year, the Chinese
government subsidizes Tibet at least $170 million through appropriation and taxes from other provinces. The Chinese government spent $3.77 billion and took seven years building the Qinhai-Tibet Railway, which connects Tibet with the prosperous southeast Qinhai region in order to boost Tibet's economy. But many Tibetans do not need to pay taxes; low-income Tibetans will receive health care from the government. Tibetans also have cheap schooling, cheap health care, and cheap commodity prices. Due to all these advantages, its population grew from 1.2 million to 2.2 million and is still growing.
So why does China treat Tibet so well, and why do we insist on tough policies against any intention of separation? Back in the 19th century, after the shameful "Opium War," most of China was occupied by other countries, and its people were all struggling in endless wars. That is also why China is so dedicated to developing its economy and technology. Chinese people want to be strong, so others will not bully them again.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Sara Berry
posted 4/03/08 @ 9:41 PM CST
Atlas Travel Network Profits from Tibetan People's Suffering
Nessa Hutcheson, Austinites for a Free Tibet 16 Sep 2007 07:11 GMT
Let them eat cake
The infamous China-Tibet railway is used to increasingly militarize Tibet, maximize the Chinese population transfer into Tibet, and exploit Tibet's natural resources while damaging its fragile ecosystem. (Continued…)
Sara Berry
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:06 PM CST
This article is parroting disgusting chinese propaganda. Attacking the Dhali Lama and his intentions is like attacking Mother Teresa or Ghandi. The chinese government doesn't have Tibetan welfare in mind. (Continued…)
Rigzin Latoe
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:38 PM CST
Nini Wu,
Have read only Chinese version or even doubt he read any history relating to Tibet. He might have seen Chinese Govt. news and proclamations in CCP meeting or something. (Continued…)
Pat Chan
posted 4/04/08 @ 3:31 AM CST
For those who have no knowledge about history of both China or Tibet but chose to be brainwashed by the propaganda of Tibet Government in Exile:
1. (Continued…)
Sara Berry
posted 4/04/08 @ 9:40 AM CST
1. The idea of Indian reservation is actually as close as our government will get to giving back land to the indian. They have there own police etc. Kind of the point!!
2. (Continued…)
Pat Chan
posted 4/04/08 @ 11:19 AM CST
1. Indian reservation having their police or not, it is still belongs to the USA today. Any argument about this?
2. Shame on those who used outdated picture as an "evidence" that Chinese officials put on monk's robs. (Continued…)
Sara Berry
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:49 PM CST
The Indians are allowed their reservations because of the mistakes we made in claiming their land... The site you posted, i tried to check, but alas i only speak and read english. (Continued…)
Pat Chan
posted 4/05/08 @ 1:54 AM CST
American people have been brainwashed for too long by the media and Tibetans. A few Chinese people, Fa Lun Gong, also made up stories about human rights abuse so they could stay in America as refugees. (Continued…)
Pat China
posted 4/05/08 @ 2:35 AM CST
seeing is believing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSQnK5FcKas
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/15/tibet.china2
Pat Chan
posted 4/05/08 @ 3:37 AM CST
Actually, violent Tibetan riots can not compare with Fa Lun Gong. Fa Lun Gong has always been peaceful and may have their reasons for protesting. They never did any violence activities. (Continued…)
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