A pro-Tibet demonstrator stands in the snow as he takes part in an anti-China protest in London April 6, 2008. Thousands of anti-China protesters draped in Tibetan flags disrupted the Olympic torch relay on Sunday through London, billed as a journey of harmony and peace.
6 comments:
Nearly 40 years ago, the exchange of table tennis players of the U.S. and China helped pave the way towards a thaw in their long-stalled relationship. At that time, China's human right was at its 59 years nadir due to the culture revolution. However, without the "ping pong" (table tennis) diplomacy, China today may still be ruled under a radical politics-oriented and self-sustained policy.
The incoming Olympics is another chance for the Chinese people further reach out to the world. Sports is a common language we all speak, regardless of our race, religious beliefs and political views. Fostering dialogue and connecting people is the true spirit of Olympics.
There are other channels for you to criticize and bash the Chinese government. Olympics is not one of them.
If the Olympics are about uniting the world in peace and harmony the IOC should not have awarded them to a country with one of the worst records on human rights. Lets not forget about the rape and murder of hundreds of thousands going on in Darfur. China continues to be invested heavily in the Sudan Gov't who lets this genocide continue.
Awarding the Olymics to Nazi Germany in 1936, did not get them to change their ways. China as with all countries who host, use the Games to show off all their good qualities. Protests of the Games and China are necessary to point out their atrocities, THAT is what will focus attention, put pressure on, and bring about change.
Clemons on Hilary Clinton's call to boycott Olympic ceremonies:
"[Hilary Clinton] is out of bounds and reckless when calling for the weight of the presidency to be used to punish another nation at an event which is drawing China into the blue chip end of the international order, into global institution building and stakeholding, and which is stroking China's national pride at a key point in its ascendancy as a self-realized important power.
Hillary Clinton's call for boycotting the opening ceremonies is an example of a simple-minded, binary approach to US-China relations."
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/04/hillarys_call_t/
"Awarding the Olymics to Nazi Germany in 1936, did not get them to change their ways."
Well, I never said Olympics could change a country. But it definitely has positive influence. On the other hand, boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics did not bring peace to Afghanistan and only led to a retaliatory boycott of the 1984 LA Olympics from Soviet Union and their allies. Ironically, China, despite being a Communist country, did not follow suite. It made its debut in the Los Angeles Olympics after a 32-year absence. That is the spirit of Olympics.
Hmmm...Genocide or a sporting event...which is more important?
I think working to stop Genocide should be a much higher priority than stroking China's ego or promoting Corporate investment. Whether we actually boycott or not, the original comment suggested people leave the Olympics out of it. The Olympics puts the spotlight on China, they can't only reap the benefits. China, the world is watching...time to step up.
It is very intriguing to me that the Western countries blame China solely for what happened in Darfur. If there is a Genocide going on right now, right there, why don't the US and its allies (aka the "human right fighters") sent troops and save the Sudanese people. It is certainly not the first time the US invaded another country in the name of human rights.
The Olympics indeed puts the spotlight on China. But sorry to disappoint you, it only makes the Chinese people around the globe realized that what a distorted view most Westerners held in their heads about our country and our lives. I am usually not politically active but this time I decided to make my voice heard: we do not live in hell. China, like any other country, is not perfect. But at least I can walk in any street in Beijing at 2AM without worrying about being robbed or shot or go to a gay bar without being beaten to death.
Post a Comment