“I’d … like to emphasize that in China, activities that support Tibet independence will be strongly condemned by the Chinese people and will not be welcomed,” Qin Gang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters Wednesday.

more like condemned by party officials…

Hey! Party officials are Chinese people too! /sarc

When I was in Beijing last month, I met a Chinese academic who said that where he and some of his colleagues criticise the nature of the Chinese state (it is illiberal and corrupt), too many Western human rights activists criticise the existence of a ‘Chinese centre’, the very idea of a Chinese nation that incorporates many different peoples. He said this is not helpful to the demand for reform of the Chinese state.

Western encouragement of separation in China, its celebration of ‘distinct identities’, not only threatens to unleash instability in this vast nation – it also undermines the case for equality and freedom in China by elevating special interests over the universal needs of the Chinese people.

But the comments about not feeling sorry or respecting the people who go to China to protest is just stupid. Those people have courage and should be respected, even on this blog. Sometimes I think the ideologues on both sides need to get a grip.

Sorry, but no.

The protests for a Free Tibet are plain and simple, stupid. Let me elaborate.

1) Why do we want a Free Tibet?
2) Does the CCP merely oppress Tibetans, or do they oppress *all* Chinese?
3) How do Westerners who have no concept of the _real_ political situation in China, jumping on the Free Tibet bandwagon affect the average Chinese?

Think on those for a minute. Then read on.

About point 1, why should there be a free Tibet? The borders of _all_ countries are decided through conquest. How would people feel if some Chinese turned up outside the White House demanding for the return of certain states to Mexico? Or turning up outside of Downing Street demonstrating for a free Scotland and Wales? Would you support that? If not, why not?

On to point 2. The CCP oppresses _all_ Chinese who do not toe the party line. Freedom of speech is just not present. This applies to _all_ Chinese and not just Tibetans or Uighurs.

Following on from that, on to point 3. By jumping on the Free Tibet band wagon and pushing the Olympics as a platform for airing grieviences against China, the West has without a doubt contributed towards violence against Chinese. See the violent protests against chinese shopkeepers by Tibetan mobs in March, and the recent brutal attack by Uighurs against chinese police officers. The net effect of all this Western interference is to set back the efforts undertaken by Chinese political dissidents. The CCP now has a convenient excuse for introducing more draconian and oppressive measures which the average Chinese will welcome since the great and glorious CCP is merely protecting them from the destructive influence of the West.

The political situation in China is complex. Outsiders who know jack sh*t about the real situation should just shut the h*ll up and let others who know exactly what is going on get on with their work. With each passing year, China is becoming more and more open. Ever heard of a concept called “face”? This retarded action by a few stupid people who mistake China for the West think that throwing a hissy fit and doing brash protests will set back China’s political progress by _YEARS_.

So no, I do not feel any pity or sympathy for the fools who went over there and got themselves locked up. I hope that teaches them about the reality of the world and maybe they’ll grow up.

But the comments about not feeling sorry or respecting the people who go to China to protest is just stupid. Those people have courage and should be respected, even on this blog.

You beat me to it. Shouldn’t we respect them for the courage to protest in a real fascist country where the actual consequences are severe? These are no Dumpster Muffins.

“I’d … like to emphasize that in China, activities that support Tibet independence will be strongly condemned by the Chinese people and will not be welcomed,” Qin Gang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters Wednesday.

more like condemned by party officials…

On August 20th, 2008 at 8:25 pm, Wellsy said:

No, I would still think China is far worse no matter which convention the college kids were detained at.

I suppose you’re right, now that they’ve decided to take down the razor wire.

graysonret said:

If the government here doesn’t like what you say, you are also picked up (for a “hate crime”) and put in a re-education center (prison) and work (in laundry or license plates) there. Different names, different methods, same result.

Do you live in Canada or England? I know you can’t be talking about the U.S. Other wise, Jihad Jane Fonda, and Cindy Sheehan and friends would all be in prison by now. And the party in Denver wouldn’t be near as much fun to watch.

Two elderly Chinese women who applied to hold a protest during the Olympics were ordered to spend a year in a labor camp, a relative said Wednesday. Police later squelched a pro-Tibet demonstration.

I think going to apply for a permit to hold a protest against a communist government wasn’t the best way to go about it.

On August 21st, 2008 at 8:15 am, pgtips said:
Like some have said, I feel no pity for these American students who are now locked up in some Chinese jail……….Then they go to a real fascist state and receive real fascist treatment … Good on them. Let’s hope this experience will cause some of them to grow up.

I agree; More of the ‘enlightened’ should participate in demonstrations over there. Maybe they will better appreciate our model vs. the world.

And send Michelle Obama. Maybe she will be proud of her country then.