8th of the 8th, 2008
I write these words a few minutes after midnight in Beijing. It's now the 8th of the 8th, 2008 - the Olympics begin today. I've just been for a late night wander about Tiananmen Square. Late at night there were hundreds of people milling happily around the Olympic countdown clock - which now has just hours to go before it hits zero. When they saw our TV cameras, some shouted out "Go Olympics, Go China!"
I'm not sure if President Bush got to see any of this from his motorcade as he arrived in Beijing this evening. The most powerful man in the world has now arrived for the most important event ever held by the world's most populous country. George Bush is the first US president to attend an Olympics on foreign soil. He insists he's here to watch a bit of sport and cheer on the US team - not to talk about politics or to offend his hosts.
So, he got his offending - or plain speaking - out of the way just before he got to Beijing.
Earlier in the day, in Thailand, the US president spoke about China - he said he had deep concerns over religious freedom and human rights.
China won't like what he had to say. The government wants everyone to come and applaud - not criticise. Tonight Chinese officials say that they oppose any interference in this country's internal affairs. That's a message directed straight to its most important overnight house guest - the president of the United States.
I’m 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~26~RS~)
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James, you know 8 is a good number in China, this is good for you, you gave me the impression you knew nothing about China before that.
I got my highest degree from Cambridge too, but I have to agree I know very little about Britain history(apart from some scientists like Newton, Darwin), I should not assume you know China in 1.5 years time in China, and you do not have any interest, you also assume what you thought is right.
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Too right the officials should complain. You don't go to someone's house and telling them that their children are dirty. Nor should you bad-mouth someone just before going either. Would you be impressed if I said "You smell and you're ugly, but I'll be coming to your birthday party to have some cake." ?
James, tell us more about what the atmosphere around Beijing is like. I really wish I was there.
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President Bush might not be a great president, but he is a very genuine man. I like him very much as an individual.
At the moment, he is a politician, and he has to do his job. He says something he might not really mean it that much. Just a political talk. I don't believe he enjoys criticizing China at all, because that offends Chinese people.
China doesn't need foreign criticism. Chinese people are smart enough to handle their own affairs. The more threat from outside, the slower China will evolve to the kind of country the west like. Foreigners can say whatever they want, but they don't have the right to interfere Chinese internal business, which is insulting to all Chinese, including who live abroad.
That's my comment for today, James. Enjoy your Olympics there in Beijing.
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There is a word called 'etiquette'. I'm not that sure about the west, but if you ever come to my house, please remember not to insult me over my hospitality. It's deemed as lacking of basic decency.
The political talks can come when the party is over, and internal affairs will still be internal affairs whether you like it or not.
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The big player finally comes to the front stage. The current "relgion freedom" and "Humanrights" is another card the USA is playing with China.
A:With China growing stronger and stronger the old tactic of guarrilla warfare sponsored by CIA in Tibet would not work anymore.
B: The well educated Chinese popullation understand much better what democracy and freedom are than they did in 1980s. The word democracy and freedom can no longer mobilise many people to protest anymore.
C:The majority enjoys the fast developing economy and the support they give to the current Chinese government is high.
D: Taiwan is trying to develop more social, economy, and political ties with the mainland.
No card for the USA to play. Then here comes another new geopolitical game the US plays with China, using religion as a weapon.
With millions Chinese joint Cathlic Church and brand new buddhist temples built everywhere in China this religion card can be only play in certain area. The old card of Dalai Lama can be reused again. Although he had a slave master past this can be cover up by effective media propogandas. Few might find out Tibet's feudal socienty past but majority of the public will enjoy the dinner time news, every thing show at peak hour will portray him as a peaceful religious leader to "all" Tibetans. Force China to accept him back then he can work from within.
China is too big if she is not reduced to small pieces then she will threaten the USA's future global domination.
Here comes the show, very good time for the media to broadcast its propogandas.
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Thanks James.
I hope you will continue to applaud - and criticise. Today seems also the end of China's long wait to arrive on the world stage.
So voila - here China is, but still it does not seem to realize what all of this means: the big players cannot only only expect applause, but also criticism.
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Hi James,
I hope you are enjoying yourself in Beijing!
What does this 8.8.08 mean?
Thanks
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For all of his good and weaknesses, i admire President Bush for being level headed and pragmatic when it comes to China. He respects the Chinese leadership, and unlike the zealots from the 'free tibet' or Darfur clubs, he doesnt let his emotions and misplaced passion dull his sense of propriety and judgement.
Despite what you might feel about Iraq, i think he is more in a position to criticize China than those tibetniks who dont even know where Lhasa is....
And he can criticize China's leaders, but still honor/respect the Chinese people by showing up at their important national event. I give Bush a big thumbs up for this.
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Hi James,
I hope you do not write any article about the opening ceremony this night. This is the happiese moment of all Chinese people, I do not want feel angry after I read our artcle.
And I suggest you to enjoy this night, because you will see the efforts of our Chinese people to prepare for this moment for so many year. Just enjoy for one night.
Give some respect to us, thank you!
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about bush's comments - the oppressor has no right to speak on behalf of the oppressed. his administration has done its best to tear down precisely the same rights he champions for china.
bush would be best advised to keep his mouth shut - it tends to conspire against him at the best of times. he has no credibility on human rights, and in criticising china, he only highlights his own insincerity.
it's very exciting time for china! i can't wait for the opening ceremony.
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James.
The current Olympic circus is planned by western countries last year. This is not criticise. This is a propoganda to split Tibet from China. The USA had supported Tibetan Separists in the past and will continue to run their effort after Olympic. They are currently using the Olympic peak hour and the anti-china view of right-wing journalist like you to portray China as a horrible place then make it more sound to western public. What they really want is to split Tibet from China
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A bit sick of talking politics before and during Olympics. Wondering can those "human rights" defenders stop criticising for only a month? Can they just leave China along to enjoy their rights of having a happy event they looking forward to for years?
Probably, not letting others to enjoy one of their happiest moments is the way those ?human rights? defenders to express their care and kindness to those.
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To James and all westerns read this blog
James, have read many your blog and a lot of comments posted. Have some interesting findings.
1. James wrote much more negative comments than positive ones.
2. Most westerns criticised China while most Chinese defending our country.
3. Chinese here admitted that our system is not good enough. There are a lot need to be improved, while mostly satisfied with the progress we made so far, and looking forward to continuous improvement in the future optimistically, no matter they are in China or overseas at the moment.
4. The westerns general hold much more critical view, and tend to ignore or fail to appreciate the improvement China made.
5. Few westerns admitted their government?s wrong doing or believe they need to fix their own problems before criticising the others.
Thinking maybe Chinese is way too easy to be brainwashed or fooled by their government, although we have accumulated thousands years? wisdom. Thinking westerns are just knowing everything in China, even most of them have never been in China and are unable to read even a piece of Chinese. Although I am far from a fan of Chairman Mao, I do agree one of his comments from the very beginning ?one should not make judgement without experiencing it themselves?.
When I was educated in Australia, the thing I appreciated most is that we were praised for every single progress. However, it seems it?s not the case when the westerns turn to another country and the people there.
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It seems BBC only paid attendtion to Bush's concern of human rights and religious freedom, but deliberately filtered out the following paragraph of his speech:
"One question on the minds of many here in Asia and many around the world is the future direction of China. I have been fascinated by China since my first trip there in 1975, when my dad was head of the United States Liaison Office in Beijing. At the time, the country was just emerging from the Cultural Revolution. Poverty was rampant. The streets swarmed with bicycles. People were wearing almost identical clothes. And it seemed unimaginable that three decades later Beijing would be sprinting into the modern era covered in skyscrapers, filled with cars, home to international businesses, and hosting the Olympic Games."
"Ultimately, only China can decide what course it will follow. America and our partners are realistic, and we are prepared for any possibility. I am optimistic about China's future. Young people who grow up with the freedom to trade goods will ultimately demand the freedom to trade ideas, especially on an unrestricted Internet. Change in China will arrive on its own terms and in keeping with its own history and traditions. Yet change will arrive. And it will be clear for all to see that those who aspire to speak their conscience and worship their God are no threat to the future of China. They are the people who will make China a great nation in the 21st century."
Bush is starting understanding this complicated country now. Well done Bush even I do not agree to your speech 100% but there is sth I can feel Chinese and American will have a better collaboration in the future. Good for both countried.
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I support the Dalai Lama as He wishes China and the Chinese people all the best with the Olympic Games.
I also support the Dalai Lama in His endeavours to bring peace and freedom to the Tibetan people living in Tibet.
I hope that in hosting these Games, China will see the need to make changes necessary in the eyes of the Western World, to meet basic Human Rights Standards.
To quote the Tibetan Solidarity Committee:
"In view of the ongoing critical situation inside Tibet, we urge the United Nations and the International community and organizations to the following urgent needs:
To immediately send an independent international fact-finding mission into Tibet
To exert pressure on the PRC government to allow unfettered access to free press in whole of Tibet
To pressure the PRC to end the brutal killings in the whole of Tibet
To immediately release all the arrested and imprisoned Tibetans
To extend immediate medical assistance to those injured Tibetans
To allow free movement of people and provide access to daily needs"
- Tibetan Solidarity Committee
Good Luck China...It is up to you now....
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I would challenge the critics of religious freedom in China. BBC tried very hard to interview the underground church leaders, but the first question is: why do these underground churches not register themselves to the government? This is simply the Chinese law and it is to prevent cult or other organised crimes. In Great Britain, you also need to register as a charity or government sponsored organisation if you would like to raise fund for your church or carry out other activities. To register yourself is simply a common sense and any government will require it. Otherwise what is the meaning of anarchism? My question is: if you do not have plan to do any illegal in China, why are you afraid to register yourself. Many of my friends in China are either buddhist, christian, mulism, I do not see there is any religious repression to them.
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James:
I know many people here criticize you for "anti-China", but as a Chinese, I actually feel that amoung most of the journalist and correspondent you are relatively fair and not biased. In fact everyone has their own opinions and it is impossible to be completely not biased in the first place.
In respond to your article, I'd like to say, not only the government dont like to hear criticism, neither do most of the Chinese like to hear criticism. Most of us know that our country is not perfect, there are police brutality going on behind the scene, corruption and the social problems are big. Yet, Olympic and being able to host it is a great pride for all of us. The human rights problems.......please leave them after the Olympics, and in fact I believe that it is more important that the voices are heard after the Olympics instead of during it.
On the other hand, please remember, that we, people of China, also made great sacrifices to host this Olympic, we spent around 70 billion dollers, (roughly 40 billion pounds), we made economic sacrifices by forcing cars off the road, closing down polluting industries, and limiting amount of traffic allowed, just hoping that the athlete will have much clean air to breath as possible. Yet our efforts are unfortunately met with either ignorance or ridicule, several members of the USA team decides to wear black face masks and made headlines in BBC. Yet when they decides to apologise, the BBC simply refused to cover their apology.......please tell me why is that.
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Just to add to my comment, the general thoughts of the Chinese are:
"we spent lots of money and effort trying to make you comfortable, please at least show some appreciation instead of bombing us with ridicule and destructive criticism"
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Actually, I don't think there is any note of disrespect or offence in China's opposition to Bush's comments on the so-called religious freedom and human rights. Anyway, President Bush is not to blame for what he said, for he'll be in Beijing on behalf of his country, not himself. And as a politician, you 'll have to wear a mask of finesse, wielding skilful dipliomacy. Or rather, you are simply not ypurself when you get involved in politics. What's more, it's really not strange to hear such remarks made by a Western leader, the US in particular, even right before the Olympics. Here, I just want to shed some light to the truth concealed in the shadow.That is, no country on this planet can fully pledge religious freedom if it poses a threat to stability and prosperity.As for human rights, well, it's a topic that the West frequently uses to criticise China, I just can say that we differ a lot on the way we see human rights and I wonder why the West always picks on China even though tremendous progress has been made in this field.And once again, no country in the world keeps a better human rights record!Anyway, BJ Olympics will turn out to be a huge success and I wish President Bush to have a good time in China.
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James,
thanks for your interesting blog entries - I hope you will bring more background stories on the people of China over the next few weeks!
One thing I would be interested in knowing:
As there is so much focus on China right now do foreign journalist who come to China on a short term basis (ie for the Olympic games) receive a cultural introduction/cultural training before they start work (a bit like Expats going on foreign posts)?
Whilst I know that you can never know all about a country/culture in a short introduction course it may at least be a start and help increasing 'intercultural understanding'.
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Fairreport, please please get over yourself. We now know you went to Cambridge, have a house in London and earn more than 90% of the population.
I'm sure there are people on here much richer and cleverer than you (who would write 'British history' correctly instead of 'Britain history'). I'm sure you are the talk of your town back home in China but it really isn't the done thing here.
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Chinayan Reports from Beijing.
Beijing is misty and hot today. it is the 8.8.2008, 32 centigrade. a very lucky date.
citizens in Beijing get one day off. everybody, including those cynical Chinese who mock the Gov and Zhangyimo all the time are looking forward to eight oclock. I tried to invite some friends to Casino but no one will go, for they don't want to miss the broadcast of openning ceremony.
there will be 29 firework places all over Beijing, to memorize the 29th Olympics.
The torch is passed around and people are happy.
I decide not to complain. We were once jealous of the foreign guests-athletes and reporters. Chinese are doing so hard to be hospitable where some people are so fussy. some are unhappy with the cheap price of meals for reporters, one dollar buffet, for it is a waste of tax payer's money. BBC has a huge delegation there, more than 200 people, I am told, are they here for lunches?
I know some people are not happy that 80 top leaders are here. They will be disappointed when China has something good. unfortunately they will be hauted by this bad feeling for a long time.
Dear world, China is not your enemy. Bad air quality and embrassed Chinese won't make your life any better. you have to learn to sleep with a stronger China.
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31. At 10:07am on 08 Aug 2008, chinayan wrote:
citizens in Beijing get one day off. everybody, including those cynical Chinese who mock the Gov and Zhangyimo all the time are looking forward to eight oclock. I tried to invite some friends to Casino but no one will go, for they don't want to miss the broadcast of openning ceremony.
-------------------------------------------
You know , as usual the BBC described the mood in the city as muted~typical!
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Hey James,
I've really enjoyed your reports in the past few months. Its all gravy!
As Premier Wen very wisely said: any small problem multiplied by 1.3 billion will end up being a very big problem. For a very big aggregate divided by 1.3 billion, it will come to a very tiny figure. This is something that is quite difficult for foreign visitors to understand and appreciate.
1.3 billion is of course the number of people in China.
I was born into the late 80's Beijing. My childhood there were the most beautiful and cherished memories I have.
I welcome the changes in China, the good, the bad and the down right indecent. I also think the outpour of criticism sparked by the departure of Mr Speilberg is good in the long run. Although very biased and unfair, it has created buzz and pressure. Moreover it has given a sense of unity in China, not least reflected by the patriotic reaction in the aftermath of the Sichuan Earth quake.
China has delt with a lot this year, I hope the Olympics will indeed unfold as it meant to be - a celebration of sportsmanship!
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As a Tibetan, it makes me deeply frustrated every time when the Chinese government states that countries should not interfere each other's 'internal affairs' when, in fact, it occupied my own homeland, Tibet, in the name of 'peaceful liberation' 50 years ago, killing thousands of my fellow Tibetans. What can be a worse senerio of interference than this?
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chinayan, please keep reporting from Beijing. I have been fed up with BBC and James. I live in Washington DC and I can not take any words BBC/CNN/NBC/CBC (etc.) publishing without a grim of salt now. Unfortunately, after enjoying the freedom of speech for 8 years in the U.S, I have realized that the free press is just a dream. The situation in the "free" world is almost as bad as in China, but the propaganda here has better skill and more delicacy.
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Just taking todays report from Michael Bristow as a clear example of how BBC is misguiding their readers.
Michael said "Chinese officials - and the country's people, after government prompting - turned on the Western media, whom they believed were distorting the truth about China. "
This is NOT the truth. I live in the US. And most of my Chinese friends and I are in the U.S for over 5 years. The media we access are mostly west media. But all of us are angry about the west reporting the recent events in China. I do believe that Chinese need to come up with a better way to preserve the Tibetan culture, but the recent event is clearly aggressive Tibetan youth killing civilians. The west media did a spectacular job on turning black into white. Where is the humanity toward the true victims, let along all the complicated history issue in that area?
In fact, I am one of the people who still have some good feeling about the west media because I am still reading the news from the west. Some people have totally quitted BBC. If you try to promote your belief, is this the best way to do so? Agitate them and turning them against you? Please think about how the Islam Jihad starts, and how it will end if this is your best strategy.
When you have done something wrong, admit your mistakes and please do not resort to excuse of a scapegoat. I have long admired many western friends for their candidacy, fairness and honesty, but I have recently lost my confidence in the west media.
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To Newborn_Khampa:
Please ask your parents or grandparents how life it was in Tibet before 1958. Oh, if you are from one of the families of serf lord, no surprise you want to "free Tibet". You need to know that 90% of Tibetan population who used to be serfs serving your families, are now completely free, and enjoy their happy life.
You do need to read some independent historian of the real history of Tibet, the historical relationship between China Tibet and China East. Don't be silly, that's not your land. It belongs to Chinese tibetans... Serf lords are deem to be kicked out of China Tibet.
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I have to say that I love this comment made by the BBC:
"China calls itself the middle kingdom. Tonight felt like it was the centre of the world."
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Some have concluded that the angry posts on this blog are mere results of the Chinese?s lack of capacity to take criticism. It might be partially true (at least for some), but there is much more to that. We all know that criticism comes in different forms: some are constructive and some aren?t. What make the difference are the intentions behind such criticism. The Chinese, like everyone else, have the ability to distinguish good-hearted criticism from those that are not so good-hearted. For example, the report by Mr. Rupert Wingfield-Hayes is a somewhat balanced one: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7545344.stm
After reading the article and watching the videos, it was clear to me that Mr. Wingfield-Hayes cared about the problems and the people he was reporting. He walked into the petitioner?s village and people just surrounded him to talk to him, you can see the trust and hope in their eyes. It was clear that he respected his interviewees ? however humble they may be. And did you see a young Chinese policeman coming up to him and tried saying welcome to him in English (it was in the second video in Taishi)? He understood the desperation of the petitioners, the indifference of the artist, and the excitement of the tattoo boy who traveled long distance to enjoy the party of his life time. It was also clear that he *respected* the people and the culture. That was why he concluded: ?But beyond the hype and the rhetoric there is genuine excitement here. The Games will be spectacular. They are a moment for China and its people to savour.?
There was plenty of criticism in the article, but somehow I for one respected his reporting. It was journalism with genuineness and compassion ? the best kind.
If I were Mr. Reynolds, I?d drop my condescension and sarcasm, at least for the next 16 days, and try a more open-minded and interactive approach (and he may just like it!). And of course, try to enjoy the Games!
Peace for all.
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Maybe you can't understand why Chinese people say your reports are totally distorted and don't actually reflect the real China. The point is simple, like if I want to learn more about Britain, I should have to go there, learn English and British history, talk to native people with their language, live for long years. However, probably you did none of the above. You may not know a single word of Chinese, you may not know how to say "hello" in Chinese, you may only use your "thick" British accent to talk with Chinese people. The says that Chinese and western people think are extremely different. You are only able to understand the information you got in your own way but fail to know what they really mean. E.g., when people say they are supporting the Olympic games from their own heart, you would say they fake, they are forced by the government to do so. Also, when one or two passengers complain about the restrictions in Beijing, you would catch it immediately and exaggerate it as a general point of view. Also, if China didn't take any measure, you would say Chinese government did nothing. But now they have done that, like executing extreme strict security check, you just catch the few complaints and say Chinese government only considers Olypic games but not the people's right. Seriously, if you read NY Times or BBC every day, you would agree with what I said. Besides, what you look at China is so negative. I will be more than happy to accept your opinion if what you reported is correct, e.g. your colleagues who measure the environment data every day in Beijing and the relative reports, I appreciate it. And I also agree that China is still a developing country and there are too many issues to be solved. However, I can't accept the way you criticize China with no sense and just chide her as if you were God. I have read too many such kind of reports by western media.
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hi,wonderfulchinese
Let us debate intellectually and sensibly for mutual benefit.
What you have
written is a repetition of what the Communist party has been saying
For decades. And you can not ignore the opinion of the World?s over 58%
Democratic countries that holds the Human rights and freedom as the pivot
Of their constitution.
Yes, the Chinese people will learn about democracy and freedom and will flourish as the Party?s grip over people diminishes. Now it is the turn of a new dynamic capitalist, culture rich and one world China. I truelly believe that the Chinese younger generation is eager to join the world family from which they have been kept away so long by the communist Party. They will find real warmth,compassion and freedom that every human being needs--with out
side world.
c.tashi
N.Y.
C.tashi
New york
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Maybe you can't understand why Chinese people say your reports are totally distorted and don't actually reflect the real China. The point is simple, like if I want to learn more about Britain, I should have to go there, learn English and British history, talk to native people with their language, live for long years. However, probably you did none of the above. You may not know a single word of Chinese, you may not know how to say "hello" in Chinese, you may only use your "thick" British accent to talk with Chinese people. The says that Chinese and western people think are extremely different. You are only able to understand the information you got in your own way but fail to know what they really mean. E.g., when people say they are supporting the Olympic games from their own heart, you would say they fake, they are forced by the government to do so. Also, when one or two passengers complain about the restrictions in Beijing, you would catch it immediately and exaggerate it as a general point of view. Also, if China didn't take any measure, you would say Chinese government did nothing. But now they have done that, like executing extreme strict security check, you just catch the few complaints and say Chinese government only considers Olypic games but not the people's right. Seriously, if you read NY Times or BBC every day, you would agree with what I said. Besides, what you look at China is so negative. I will be more than happy to accept your opinion if what you reported is correct, e.g. your colleagues who measure the environment data every day in Beijing and the relative reports, I appreciate it. And I also agree that China is still a developing country and there are too many issues to be solved. However, I can't accept the way you criticize China with no sense and just chide her as if you were God. I have read too many such kind of reports by western media.
I noticed that there is " All posts are pre-moderated." here. Maybe you think this is reasonable, and I also agree. But I can tell you, this is exactly what has been executed so called "news censorship" on some of the big websites in China. However, undoubtedly, since this is done by a "reliable" western media, every one will say it is reasonable. But if it is done by Chinese government, you would say this is "censorship" and Chinese people have no freedom to express their own views. But I can tell you another fact, you should feel lucky that China still has "censorship" at this time. If it were canceled, you western guys would be in tens of thousand of more troubles. I hope you remember what I said and see whether it is true when that day comes
Finally, I didn't mean to specifically point to you, but the general "western journalists". If you think you don't have the problem that I just pointed out, just ignore it.
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We all love freedom and human rights, a minority group of people in Asia love dogs, cats and horses, they love them even more if it is in their tummies.
It is allowed in Korea, China and Viet Nam to eat them. So can they go to the west in the name of human rights to eat them freely without breaking the law?
They would love to come over to Canada and to the US first, your dogs and cats there are so cute they can eat them all up.
It is for their health and it is ones human right to stay healthy.
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So it's okay to badmouth about the host and his family, then come over for a friendly visit and stay for dinner. What a man, he is so cool.
That reminds me to tell you, the west needs to have more human rights for minorities.
We all love freedom and human rights, a minority group of people in Asia love dogs, cats and horses, they love them even more if it is in their tummies.
It is allowed in Korea, China and Viet Nam to eat them. So can they go to the west in the name of human rights to eat them freely without breaking the law?
They would love to come over to Canada and to the US first, your dogs and cats there are so cute they can eat them all up.
It is for their health and it is ones human right to stay healthy.
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I agree with you, clearUynix.
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James, I just want to let you know your report on the Opening Ceremony on this morning's BBC News 24 was the most ridiculous and biased report I've ever seen. I have read through most of your blogs, the impression you gave me is that you are so systematically trained to be biased and you can't see anything beyond your knowledge or I should say your intelligence, which I doubt you have. I wish I have recorded your reporting and put your words here, which will absolutely help people in interpreting your blogs.
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This web of Mr Reynold's /or BBC serves a distinct func tion. Through this, I read some of the 9overseas) Tibetan 's view, some westerners and many Han Chinese ( overseas or Mainland.)
Tibet issue is a ongoing one until oneday, both parties realise the coexistance is for common good. Millions of mainland Tibetans may rate their life improved since under the current political situation. They are not in deep soorw awaiting rescue, rather the overseas Tibetan has their problems and restrictions imposed by growing up in foreign soil.
There are German Americans, Korean American, Italian Americans, one day Tibetan (overseas) Tibetans will learn and realise their wishes of being an autonomus region in their homeland, as a proud Tibetan Chinese.
China is a multicultural country, the only peaceful way is through education and civilised negotiation , to remain as a unified country.
Most overseas Tibetan may not have realise their homeland's improvement. To argue for independence would destropy the millions of native Tibetan who has enjoyed a much better life now as compare to before.
For the BBC and the west, we look forward to have great visions and wisdom , to convince the world that The west deserve the respect and highest civilian civilisation ever achieved in mankind.
The greatness of any civilisation has to have a world value incorperated.
This is the hope I have on the evening 8th of Aug, 2008, as Gold medallist Li Ning ran round the stadium symbolically carrying the olympic fire.
Let advancment be fair and according to civilised step. Why settle by guns and terrorism. Sure there are better ways to settle difference.
I always look on BBC to provide a fair platform.
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Many thanks, sir. I have never been as devotedly interested in Beijing as now and hence took the detour to your blog. The feel-of-the-moment narrative will definitely make me revisit this page frequently in the days to come. I shall continue to expect to vicariously visit there through you. Thanks again.
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more reports on the Olympics please, with photos and videos~!
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It does'nt matter where you shop, or the brand name. Look at where it's made and nine times out of ten it will say "Made in China",or "PRC". With the west's demand for good's it is very unlikely that the west will bite the hand that "feeds them". We can only, therefore expect a token condemnation of China's human rights record...
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re "Foreigners can say whatever they want, but they don't have the right to interfere Chinese internal business, which is insulting to all Chinese, including who live abroad."
Are you kidding? Of course the Olympics is NOT INTERNAL BUSINESS OF CHINA!!!
It's international in its very essence. You couldn't have it there without the rest of the world, as much as you would like to.
Out here in the Free World, we have every right to state our negative opinions about the Olympics.
Get used to it!
The O-Limp-icks is boring.
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If China wants to become a world player, it must learn to take the good with the bad. Every other country gets criticized from time to time. It is a fact of life. That said President Bush called on China to respect human rights at a conference in Thailand. After he entered China, he ceased to criticize China on issues and instead became a spectator to the games. As an American, I don?t agree 100% with everything Mr. Bush does in his presidency, but I not only agree with his decision to attend the Olympics but support his reasons for going. Bush has said from day one that he was going to attend and he has stuck to his promise on this. Mr. Bush rightly thinks that politics have no place or business in the Olympics. It is a contest for challenge and sportsmanship. Boycotts hurt only the athletes of the nations that boycott the Olympics and not the host nation or the Olympics themselves. A boycott of the games by countries will not force overnight change in a host country or a world injustice. For example: in the 1976 Summer Olympics hosted in Montreal, a large number of African nations boycotted the Olympics due to the fact that New Zealand played a rugby match in South Africa earlier in the year, which had nothing to do with the Olympics. In the end it was only the athletes of those African nations that suffered having trained for games they were not allowed to compete in and for what? New Zealand not only competed but won medals and apartheid lasted in South Africa until the early 1990?s, which were many years after the 1976 games. Another example was the 1980 boycott of the Moscow games in which many nations in the West including the USA, boycotted the Olympics in protest of the then Soviet Union?s policies in Afghanistan. Again this only hurt the athletes of the boycotting countries as the Olympics went on and the Soviet Union stayed in Afghanistan until 1989. In 1984 as retaliation to the 1980 boycott of Moscow, the USSR and 14 other countries boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. As with the previous boycotts, the only folks hurt were the athletes of the nations that boycotted the Olympics as the Olympics themselves still went on. The boycotts of those three Olympic Games only hurt the athletes. It did not change a thing politics wise, which is why there have not been any real boycotts since 1984, as they don?t work.
In the past 30 years China has went from being a closed and rural country to opening up and becoming an economic powerhouse. China?s government and its policies are not going to change overnight; it will take many years to achieve this. But to boycott a huge sporting event that almost every Chinese citizen not only supports but is a source of national pride, is an affront to the Chinese people and could cause China to return to the old closed days. First and foremost the Olympics are a sporting even that promotes brother and sisterhood among the world?s athletes and should not be used as a forum for politics.
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Worlddonotforgettibet.
I hope I can have an open discussion with you about every thing. However BBC had deleted most of my posts recently. In some of my post I posted web address of some articles I read reg Tibet ( by western scholars). You claim what I said was Chinese government's propogandas. In fact I did not know much about Tibet before this Olympic Circus. Tibet was only another province to me. I learn about Tibet through my independent research and through my talks with people who have been to Tibet. I left China when I was 30 and I go back to China regularly I kwon the changes. If you are posting from Newyork then you should know Chinese city such as Shang Hai is 8 times the size of NewYork. I do not think you have been to China at all. Come to China and talk to ordinary people and see how much their life have improved.
If you are not blinded to the facts then you should have already learned some thing from Chinese bloggers posted in this forum. You should have learned something from world wide counter protests by oversea Chinese in which they rejected Tibetan seperasts, showed support of an united China.
I do not know why you refuse the simple fact that majority of Tibetans lived miserable life under Lama rule. They were serfs and slaves.
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To .manpet,
Do you know where KHAM is? It is in the eastern part of Tibet where warrior tribal system prevailed for centuries. Not a feudal system. So your knowledge of Tibet has let
You down.
As for your real history, have you read these:-
4Tibetan Empire 4.2 Reign of Songtsän Gampo
4.6 Reign of Trisong Detsän (756-797 or 804)
4.9.1 The Great Sino-Tibetan Peace Treaty of 821/822 CE
6 The Mongols and the Sakya school (1236-1354)
11 Khoshud, Dzungars, and Manchu
14 British invasions of Tibet (1904-1911)?
Guess not. You are only echoing the obsolete mantra of the Communist Party?s justification for invading Tibet. Do you know what the approximately 11million Red Guards did to its own people, culture and country in 1960s? May be this is not true?
Communist Party is weathering away. The thoughts of Chairman Mao is a fading memory. So be free from the old ideology and catch up with the rest of the world .
Join the fresh dynamic, economically oriented and the One World new china. This Olympic is saying to the world that china is changing and the whole world and the Tibetans are welcoming this aspiration for change.
C.tashi
N.Y
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Dear Young James,
In your 1.5 yr stay in China and reporting the events there, you have attracted a lot of criticisms and praises, as well. It must be noted that the former outnumbered the latter many folds. And I would say they are geniuine opinions.
Confucious said "live till old and learn till old" literally translated. Hence, I hope through all these opinions on your blog, you are learning to understand China and the Chinese people. It is another form of continous learning. Another quote "years rinkle your skin but cease to learn wringle your soul". So James, take this blog as your teacher. And do make an extra effort to know China's culture and history. Hopefully, at the end of your reporting job in China you will be a "richer" person in terms of knowledge of China and its people, and the Chinese people would have a less biased foreign friend.
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To Manpet;
Thank you for asking me to hear real stories from my parents and grandparents. For your information, I have heard their stories thousand of times in the last few decades, and it is exactly their narration of their own tragic experience resulted from Chinese occupation and repression has built in this passion for struggle within me, like other Tibetans of any generation. My parents, especially my grandparents fought bravely against the Chinese occupation. Their stories of Chinese atrocities and assault have never been more vivid after what have been taking place in recent days. You and like-minded can continue believe your own lies that Tibetan national struggle is just about the struggle of your so-called '5 percent' serf-owners while the majority 95 percent is against it. My family is neither 'serf-owner' nor 'owned serfs'. They were ordinary Miser, a Tibetan term often mistranslated in Chinese as serf or sometimes slaves, depending how bad you want to portray Tibet prior to Chinese occupation. Having said that, I am not claiming that the system in Tibet prior to Chinese occupation was perfect. In fact, social and political reforms were already under way by Tibetan political leaders, intellectuals and businessmen. After all, it is a Tibetan business to reform and run their own country, and no need for China's 'interference' and occupation. Chinese occupation may have brought 'modern' schools, railway, new roads, and other modern change in the Chinese way, it has, however, been a big blow to Tibet's own development in the true sense of the word.
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The comments to your blog are really very interesting and informative. You can see that it is a loophole for views from the Other side of the Coin which the Western Media has so effectively stonewalled. It is a great service for your audience by not censoring comments like practically everywhere else on BBC website, just as on other Western media sites.
The overhelming majority of these comments are telling that a Western collaborations of Media, NGO, Bush, Sarkozy, Merkel, Pelosi, Helm, and such are emperors without clothes whenever they lecture to the Chinese. We see through the veil and with contempt at how much lower they're going as China marches rapidly forward. The Western Media is cheering them on with some fig over their vulgarities.
When the Olympics Open, it was like Open Season for the Western Media at China bashing. All their media including Brits-run Aljajeera were flush with Beijing reports with very strong and subtle negative spins. Though the weather held up, they rained incessantly on Beijing's parade. BBC TV run and rerun an hour or two program linking Darfur crisis to China on Sunday alone.
China's Olympic message is reach out, unity, welcome, and hospitality, and at the same time avoiding any theme that foreigners might interpret as nationalistic. But the Western media pick would link even this directly or indirectly to Nazi Berlin Olympics.
The Chinese can't help feeling that they are unfairly contained, Again. Today they're more self confident. Even when Spielberg quitted, the Chinese can produce spectacular Olympic events. In similar fashion even if the US hamstring China's space program by isolating China from the 16-country ISS and banning any US technology from China commercial space launching, China is going alone. It is not China shutting its doors again, but it is some countries trying to lock China in for their own advantage. We can all see the naked truth, it is ugly, impolite, and embarassing.
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The opening was awesome to say the least. Anyone who can't enjoy this spectacular event have their own reasons... I hope they are peaceful.
If a neutral couldn't enjoy this event, then I don't see how they enjoy life. It was amazing!
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To Nabesiii #4
And if you went to someones house for a party and in the cellar there was a Tibetan monk imprisoned there, being tortured for his beliefs, would you eat your cake and keep quiet?
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#63: Prior to the violence unleashed by separatists in Tibet, it was quite common to see monks going about their daily business in an ordinary way - free to practice their religion and to recruit and nurture others. The BBC ran a series called A Year in Tibet in which it was quite obvious that religious and cultural freedom existed, within the boundaries of the law; we saw a 13 year old monk was preparing for his exams and a young girl was preparing for marriage to two brothers. Obviously there are restrictions - after all, the Tibetan monks and aristocracy, with their own army, sought to declare independence, so it's obvious that restrictions have to exist, but most people appeared to be able to make the appropriate accomodations.
The fact is that the BBC TV series did not find any torture victims to film in Tibet. For this reason, the series was denounced as propaganda by the overseas separatists!
Have monks been maltreated? Perhaps in the same way the Nato soldiers mistreat people in Iraq? Or how British police shoot multiple bullets into the body of an innocent person? Or how people die in police custody in the UK? Or what about those protestors who want to keep the UK countryside open for fox-hunting, but were attacked by Police with many being carried away bloodied and bruised? Perhaps you might want to campaign on issues a little closer to home, rather than become involved in overseas matters you clearly know very little about.
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To #56, wonderfulchinese:
? I do not know why you refuse the simple fact that majority of Tibetans lived miserable lives under Lama rule. They were serfs and slaves.?
The majority of Chinese still support their Communist Party in spite of the fact that this Party caused the deaths of millions of Chinese, led the Chinese people to prolonged poverty , and jailed peaceful Chinese citizens. That?s probably why the Tibetan slaves loved to be ruled by the Lamas--- any Chinese should be able to understand this.
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To those really interested in Tibet issues, recommend an american independant historian: Michael Parenti. Just google his name and you will be directed to his personal website. He is not brainwashed either by Chinese communism, nor by Tibetan in exile.
History is history, no one can deny. Reality is reality, no one cannot not recoganise.
This is life. Admit or not admit, just take it!!!
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#64
People dont just riot for no reason, Tibetans are fed up with the Chinese rule. Why do so many make the perilous journey, risking their lives to cross the himilayas for freedom.
I saw the BBC documentry and as well you know if anyone spoke out against the communist party they would be imprisoned for a very long time. The monastaries and monks are closely controlled.
Perhaps you should research the Drapchi Nuns who were recently in the UK, who were imprisoned and tortures for years for peaceful protesting and recording songs.
Why are their so many thousands of monks, nuns and ordinary people protesting everyday in India and Nepal, perhaps you should listen to their stories.
And Terry, my son is half Tibetan so this is very close to home and my research is much more than watching a BBC documentry.
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#68. People riot for all sorts of reasons. We all know that. In the UK we have had horrendous riots over race and local taxation. We have also had riots after football matches. Our football fans have rioted in other coutries too. Riots happen everywhere for many different reasons, including riots to seek to gain control and overthrow a Government. It doesn't mean that all riots all justified; to suggest that anyone who riots must always be justified in doing so is incredible.
Clearly, Tricky, you have your own perspective and interpretation. But that is your right.
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To manpet No.66
thanks for the recommenation. It was very informative. Everyone debating about Tibet should read Michael Parenti's piece.
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To whinejunkie in post 65.
"Tibetan slaves loved to be ruled by the Lamas?"
Did you get that idea from a slave or from a Lama/slave master?
Chinese people do not like to be ruled by communists. The current CCP has nothing to do with communism. What they are doing is pure capitalism. I support the current CCP because I think they are indeed Chinese Capitalism Party(CCP still). Got it?
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To londonlurker, #71 :
Anyone interested in Tibet should read from various different sources, including the Chinese side of the story, the Tibetan side of the story, as well as different foreigners' versions of the story.
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To whinejunkie No.75 :
Of course. Have I said like this: we should only read that piece?
For your information, Michael Parenti is an independent political writter. His view has never been shown by the western media. I couldn't help but wonder why.
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To #76, londonlurker:
Michael Parenti fiercely criticized US policies. He says the Dalai Lama was a dictator. That goes to show how independent he is.
And Michael Parenti received a Career Achievement Award in Washington D.C., as well as a Certificate of Special US Congressional Recognition.
I wonder why the US Congress would give someone who fiercely criticized their government an award. I guess western culture is different from Chinese culture.
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I didn't think James is offending Chinese or China here...
About politics and USA, I can add something here...
Why those so called democracy and freedom protestors did not come to China and save billions there before 1980's??
Why those pliticians with good will did not come to China when her people were hungry and angry??
Good neighbours come in time of needs. Others can only be called pharisees.
That's how a Chinese see western critics on China...
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Nice Tie
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RESPONSE TO MR REYNOLDS,
My e-mail to a Chinese friend in Beijing,
Well, Lucky Me.
I did get to watch the Beach Volleyball last night. I saw the Tian/Wang VS Walsh/May match. The Chinese women played well. The game was fairly close in the end. Tian and Wang looked happy. They knew they at least had the silver medal locked up for China. Mere mortals, however, cannot be expected to beat the gods.
The match ended here at after 3:30 in the morning. I was fighting sleep and drifting off in the first half. Awake for the second half.
Having lived in China, and often having talked with ordinary Chinese people, I know how proud you are to host the Olympic Games and present China to the World with a shining light. You know, in a spiritual sense it makes many Chinese people feel that even with the sacrifices of the Great Leap Forward and of the Cultural Revolution that in the long run their sacrifices have been worthwhile. Often people there would ask me the same question, "How long will it be before we catch up with the West?" I think now you have.
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People in the media are too skeptical of Chinese motives.
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