Paris, Kuala Lumpur & Canberra on Olympic Torch Relay & Tibet
Saturday, April 26th, 2008Three cities, three different political scenarios on Olympic Torch Relay.
Paris: Ugly protestors
A group of violent protesters who wanted to “free Tibet” attacked wheel-chaired athlete, Jin Jing. Concurrently the entire Western media showed sympathy to such protests over China’s human rights record in Tibet and muted the larger group of demonstration of overseas Chinese from press. Worse than such media blackout of overseas Chinese, CNN & BBC fabricated photos. For instance, CNN showed civilians beaten by Nepal soldiers, but described as the act of Chinese soldiers. You can find more of such at youtube.
“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one” — journalist A.J. Liebling
(This was the point triggered my sense of obligation to show support to Olympic Torch Relay and fight against the twisted Western media like CNN and BBC. I started to write about Olympic Torch Relay and Tibet issue in this blog.)
Kuala Lumpur: Ugly Chinese students
I was there at KLCC Twin Towers. I saw many Chinese students. While waiting for the torch bearer in the rain, they sang (probably China’s National Anthem) and waved China PRC’s 5 stars red flag. (Hello, this is Malaysia) Patriotism was pretty over-flown and unnecessary.
I was sad to read about the intimidating tactics used by these Chinese Students against peaceful protestors like the Japanese family and another two Malaysians. You can read the story here.
These Chinese students simply did not understand the importance of protecting the rights of different opinions. They behaved like Mao Zedong’s “Red Defend Army” during their culture revolution. For 50 years, nothing had changed. When they are the majority, they physically intimidated the minority. They humiliated their own country.
With of without Olympic, it is still a long way to go for a modern and civilised China.
In Malaysia, a democracy country, even though our opinions are different, I respect your rights to express and to protest. When I wish for “one China & true autonomy for Tibet” and disagree with you who want “independence for Tibet” (that will cause war), I will not mute you. CNN, BBC and Chinese students are very similar in their ways of muting and blacking-out voices of different opinions. All three are uncivilised.
Canberra: Fair and I give 100% mark to Australians
We first have Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s warning:
“What I can say loud and clear, if any protester irrespective of their political point of view engages in unruly, disruptive, violent, unlawful behaviour then the police will come down on them like a tonne of bricks.
Peaceful protest, yes – violent protest, under no circumstances.”
I really like this guy (who apologized to the aborigins). He showed true understanding of democracy and fairness to both protestors and supporters. (We really need more cente left leaders like him.)
Then we have both voices heard, like this one. I am satisfied. Aussie, you are the best.
Western media (again?)
Off course, as usual we could not run away from Western media’s twisted comments like this, claiming that the support of torch were “rented” and not genuine.
No, it wasn’t. Being a 3rd generation overseas “non-China” Chinese (free from China government’s propaganda) I can tell you, with or without the organizing effort, supports from overseas Chinese for Beijing 2008 Olympic are genuine. Ask other Malaysians ethnic Chinese like my father, mother, all my aunties, uncles, siblings, cousins, friends, colleagues, etc. I can only hear one voice, support Beijing 2008 Olympic.
You may feel sad, angry and “why” “why” “why”. Why we support such China’s government. You must know that our support has got nothing to do with their (China) government.
But ultimately, slowly we can now hear fair views from moderate Western politicians.
“The Chinese government should seize the opportunity to talk to those Tibetans, represented by the Dalai Lama, who oppose violence and do not seek independence for Tibet,” Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told a U.S. Senate hearing.
“Through outreach and genuine dialogue, China and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the vast majority of Tibetans, can begin to bridge differences, explore the meaning of genuine autonomy and address long-standing grievances,” he said.
Finally, let us wish peace and true autonomy for Tibet. If you understand Buddhism, you will trust Dalai Lama. Let’s hope the dialogue will start quickly with genuine intentions from both sides to bridge the differences. We wish for peace and true autonomy for Tibet, just like Hong Kong.
(As to Western media and weapons sellers, too bad, there will be no war.)
