When I heard that China will be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, I was very ecstatic. Finally, China will be known as something else than a post-Communist country whose population is the largest in the world and where all our stuff are made at. I was happy that the Olympic Games will bring attention to China in a different light and also bring business that will finally prove that even though the Communist Party has a great influence in the country, the economy is mixed between communism and capitalism.
But after reading the newspaper, I realized that there is something much more important going on. Many of the monks in Lhasa and other factions in neighboring provinces are using the spotlight on China as a way to gather an audience for their cause. Many are advocating for democracy, religious toleration and Tibetan freedom from China's sovereignty. They want the worold to know that there has been more than enough injustice going on and they want support. This blog gives them that support. I advocate freedom for the Tibetan region. Tibet has been in China's hands after the Seventeen Point Agreement in 1951 even though Tibet has proclaimed its independence from the Qing Dynasty since 1911. They want the world to recognize them as an Autonomous Region, their own country.
Officials are now tightening security for the games. Policemen are placed all around the games to ensure the safety of the players. I think that its sad to deem activists who plea for freedom and democracy and equality as "troublemakes."
What do you think?
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I'm in China now and I hadn't heard those details about the protest during the torch lighting. China can't keep the media out as much as they would like. They really are trying to crack down. I plan on visiting Tibet while I'm here, but it looks a bit precarious at times for foreigners. They want to make sure no foreign reporters will get in. We'll see.
At first, I was excited about the Olympics too and was even going to try to go. After the talk of boycotting the games because of the human rights abuses came up, I started to back away. Now, it's not convenient for me to stay until August and I just don't care. I'm over the Olympics, but I want to do what I can for Tibetans.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina