The Country That Never Learns

Reading 8Asians and Watching BBC, there are a lot of mention of recent development of China. With the approaching Olympics and their vibrant economy, China has become the focus of the world. Understandably, some people cease this opportunity to voice their opinions of the country.

Tibet has always seen themselves as being invaded by the Chinese government. Their spiritual leader Dalai Lama, has long fled to India and settles in the US. The Chinese has named a new Lama to control Tibet but was rejected due to religious lineage. The Tibetian has been waiting for an opportunity to take back control of their own territory. Protests and riots can be seen on the street of Lhasa, police cars has been set on fire, stores owned by Chinese have been destroyed and people who look more Chinese than Tibetians have been beaten up.



Instead of using tact and showing people how great a nation China is, they are using violence. The Chinese are not letting journalists to go into Tibet to report what is actually happening. It is more like a "Close the doors and beat your kids" kinda deal. While I'm all for beating your own kids, I draw the line when the kids start dying. Unofficially, 80-100 deaths so far has been estimated. It's Tiananmen all over again.

Add to that, no protests will be allowed en route of the Olympics torch relay. The air of Beijing is so polluted that the athletes are considering wearing breathing masks. That is, if they show up at all. Lots of them might just not show up for health reasons or in protests for human rights, violence in Tibet and loads of other reasons. It is a shame for a country with such rapid economy development to stay behind at so many other departments. Instead of admiring what China has to offer to the world, now athletes will have the violence in Tibet, the lack of human rights, media censorship, lead in children's toy, and the pollution in the back of their minds.

At least in the US, if you don't like the person in charge you can wait for their turns to expire or die. In China, there are a whole group of old folks and when they do die, there are tons others just sitting there. Nothing ever change.



"Welcome to the 2008 Beijing Olympics! We'll beat you if you don't behave!"