Tibet, China and the Olympics

Tibet, China and the Olympics -

Lately I without hearing not been something about Tibet, China will be able to turn on the news, and the Olympic games. It seems that with the Olympics fast approaching, many activist groups use this opportunity to shine a light on China's terrible human rights record, Tibet and China's relations with Sudan. This attention has been intensified only by the recent crackdown by China in Tibet, resulting in the death of 20 to 100 people, depending on what news agency you ask.

Yesterday demonstrators in Paris disrupted the torch relay, forcing officials the torch to remove five times. Similar incidents happened when she lit the Olympic torch in Greece and when the torch was carried through London. There is talk in the United States to boycott the opening ceremony, Germany talks about the entire event to boycott, and calling for many groups to the general population and to boycott for athletes, the event entirely.

All of this is designed so as to cause "shame" China on its human rights so much embarrassment that they will change their habits. I think that view shows a complete lack of understanding of the Chinese government and history.

None of this is to get them to change their ways for two reasons. For starters, China has to remain a long policy of people had affairs. You stay out of other business people because they do not want anyone getting in her. China does not consider anyone's place to tell others how to live their lives and therefore takes a big nuisance when people tell them what to do. Their sense of national pride is at stake, and they will not bow to foreign pressure. Chinese history is filled with Western intervention, and still cherish the Chinese have a lot of trouble about her past with the West. Issues such as Tibet and Taiwan are seen through the prism of historical events such as the Opium Wars. All talk of what "China needs to" just go their resistance to increase and hardened their position.

Second, the general population of China is not anything modest about it. Most people do not get there, read the news or what's going on. You just listen to the Chinese national media and that's that. China filters sites the government does not like, so most people do not simply know and really do not care how they are just trying to live, and to receive.

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All boycotts and protests in the world 't change China's position. China entered the world through engagement in the 1970s and will change only through a further commitment. The best that can be done is that people are going to talk, and engage the Chinese people, because when both internal and external pressure, there could be some changes.

But if the Olympics are a disaster and China sees this as the west to shame them and makes them lose face, they will become only more resistant to work with us on many other issues. We can not let that happen. China is too important-we need them on large, global issues such as climate change, Darfur and Iran. You role, and they know it. Yes, its human rights record is horrible and I do not support all of their actions, but searches on Chinese history, will show you how they will act now. We should work on solving these problems with them, but to boycott the Olympics, an event that will see the Chinese as their coming-out party, do not get them going to do that.

Do not boycott the Olympics. Go to China, see as much as you can, and perhaps spread some ideas in the process. This is how to change China. From bottom to top.

willing to go to China? Check out my guide to travel to China to help you plan your trip.

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