http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/20/opinion/edletmon.php
Chinese youth and Tibet
Published: April 20, 2008
Chinese youth and Tibet
Regarding "Keep Tibet separate from the Games" by Anne Wu (Views,
April 16): The author's observation that the Western media has ignored
some troubling aspects of the Tibetan protests is well taken. Indeed,
mention of the violence against non-Tibetans during the recent
protests was largely absent in most media outlets.
Unfortunately, Wu seems ignorant of all the other issues that motivate
anti-Olympic protesters. China's sup****t of the Sudanese and Burmese
regimes, and its persecution of human rights and environmental
activists at home, also motivate criticism of the Beijing regime.
Equally disturbing were the actions of the pro-Beijing demonstrators
in London and San Francisco who often violently confronted the anti-
Beijing protesters. This also received little play in the media.
Wu claims the Chinese sup****t the games. Of course they do - Chinese
who don't sup****t them are arrested and sent off to prison as
witnessed by the detention of anti-Olympics bloggers and activists.
By evoking her love of Tibetan dance and music, Wu falls into the same
patronizing that we see during China's Communist Party congresses,
when representatives of minorities show up in their ethnic costumes to
prove the inclusiveness of the regime. The dissatisfaction of the
Tibetans, Uighurs and others would indicate this inclusiveness is not
a reality.
Peter Ripley, Tokyo
Regarding Matthew Forney's "China's loyal youth" (Views, April 16):
Many of the writer's observations would have also applied to young
educated Germans present at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games - and we all
know how that story ended.
A just society still requires open debate and transparency. China is
woefully lacking most of these crucial ingredients. China's economic
progress should not make us blind to this.
Ronald Vopel, Brussel
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