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From The Sunday Times
March 23, 2008

Tibet: the West can use the Olympics as a weapon against Beijing

Michael Portillo

Olympics news

Adolf Hitler’s glee at exploiting the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a showcase for Nazism turned to fury when the black American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals. The Chinese leadership must by now be wondering whether staging the Games in Beijing will bring the regime more accolades than brickbats. Be careful what you wish for, as Confucius probably said.

In defence of the Olympic movement, Berlin had been selected before the Nazis came to power. No such excuse covers the decision to award the coveted prize to Beijing. In 1989 the Chinese government crushed the peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square as the world looked on in horror. China still secured the Olympics and a propaganda triumph and has looked forward to showing off to the world.

The authorities must have reflected that other governments are rarely brave enough to boycott the Olympics. The Berlin Games proceeded even though the Nazis had by then implemented the infamous Nuremberg laws that deprived German Jews of basic human rights.

Admittedly the Americans led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics because Soviet troops had stormed Afghanistan (Russian invasion bad, American invasion good). China knew that, short of marching into neighbouring territory, nothing it did would put its show at risk.

All the indicators suggested that China would be given a soft ride. When President Jiang Zemin visited Tony Blair in 1999 the Metropolitan police treated pro-Tibet demonstrators roughly. Double-decker buses were used to shield the protest from Jiang’s sensitive eyes. As Washington became embroiled in the scandals of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and extraordinary rendition, not to mention the tremendous loss of civilian life in Iraq and Afghanistan, Premier Wen Jiabao, the prime minister, must have been confident that America would avoid dialogue on human rights.

In any case we are all in awe of China’s economic power. When Gordon Brown toured there last month, he talked of business opportunities. Prime ministers loathe being asked to raise human rights issues that threaten to interrupt the smiles, handshakes and toasts by which the success of visits are measured. Brown probably limited himself to the vaguest urging of reform.

China’s economic sway is such that it has undermined US foreign policy with impunity. America aims to use its muscle to shape a world that embraces western values. In developing countries it insists that governments respect the rule of law and reduce corruption as a condition for trade and aid. China, on the other hand, has extended the hand of friendship to gruesome regimes (including Sudan’s). Beijing’s requirement for natural resources is its only consideration. Maybe it has enjoyed thwarting America’s attempts to export its liberal values.

So China had every reason to expect a trouble-free Olympics that would show its best face to the world. In Berlin the anti-Jewish notices were taken down in the weeks preceding the Games. In Beijing the use of cars has been restricted to reduce air pollution.

In the modern world governments are not the only players. Steven Spielberg, the film director, withdrew as artistic adviser to the Games’ ceremonies, remarking that his conscience did not allow him to continue while “unspeakable crimes” were being committed in Darfur.

His decision has transformed the situation. In that moment the Beijing Olympics flipped from being an opportunity for the Chinese government and became a threat. China’s deep concern that the Games should be a success provides those who oppose its policies with a narrow window of opportunity. It delivers leverage both to domestic dissidents and to the outside world, unparalleled since Tiananmen.

With the news blackout imposed by China on the country’s interior we cannot know whether the Tibetan protests are opportunistically linked to the forthcoming Games. But the Olympics are a political factor and the situation is dynamic. The eyes of the world are turned disapprovingly on Chinese policies.

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Dennis Higgins, what freedom do you want to give back to the Tibetans? Slavery and serfdom before Dalai? So you want to bring Dalai back, surely Tibet will be under a one-ruler system, what do you call this in the west, isn't it dictatorship? Also, wasn't it UK who invaded Tibet first?

Crystal, Birmingham,

Wow, looks the public in the west really accept whatever they are told by the media. The chinese government must be quite envy of this: they lost credibility and chinese people don't believe them anymore. But brainwashing is an easy job here, the only difference is that it is done by the media here.

Crystal , Birmingham,

the chinese government has its wrong, even the chinese citizens know that, doesnt mean that the rest of the world have to stereotype the chinese, and boycott the Beijing olympics,not like the americans or any other government is perfect, china just lets the world know, they dont keep it a secret

tony, arcadia, california USA

To all my dear Chinese Friends ~

We dont need to fighlt here and I just think it waste our time to argue with some people only just follow what the media has reported. Fact is nothing to argue about, for instance, if I take my son to my work . I dont have to repeate myself to intorduce him to all my mates over and over again. The wise one will be already know he is my angle by a FACT.

To the rest of world

Fist all all , thanks for all of you guys. Your kind attention about China has really cheer me up~ I was so proud of myself as an Chinese, because you guys show your passion here to my country .

Come guys ~ I thought you guys are well educated and I am sure you will figure it out why some people has such great interets for BEIJING GAME. You konw it , so do I ~

Thanks all and have a great day.

FAN LONG, Perth, AUSTRALIA

I'm a student in Shanghai .And I know little about politics,but one thing I know that ALL CHINESE LOVE PEACE and JUSTICE!
You are truely hurting Chinese hearts!
Nazi?How come?
Compeletely different!
Long live China!

Jianning Wang, shanghai, China

Switch from Visa and don't drink Coke.
China politicized the Olympics.
Coke and Visa bank rolled them.
Deny them their profit stream!

Phil Green, Dublin,

"Tibet issue" was out of concern When Beijing was chosen to host the Olympic. The recent change is due to the riot violence over Lasha and protests otherwhere. Now, to advocate a boycott of Olympic seems to encourage the riot violence and to hurt the billion Chinese when they are warming up their huge enthusiasm to embrace the world. When the Olympic used as a tool, it first hurts the advocator as disregarding of the spirit of Olympic and enlarging the split of world. The Chinese critize the government as other people critize theirs, why they turn to help the government this time. Go to the Beijing and may you find the reason.

shinga, Sendai, Japan

Seeing is believing.

Come to China and make your own judgement.

Please add your standing points: have you ever been to China?

Li, Shenzhen, China

Tibet being controlled by China is similar to Japan controllin Manchuria in the 1930's. They had no right to be there, vulturally, thenically, or on any grounds. They took it upon themselves. Now China is imposing itself on Tibet, and has done for 50 years. We gave autonomy to some countries in Europe but forgot about Tibet in 1949. About time we rectified this i think..i would be proud id we did boycott them, even though i want to see our athletes prosper

R.A, Kent, UK

As a Chinese, who lived in China and now living in London, I can reassure you that we perfectly understand the meaning of free speech - we value and appreciate it like the rest of the world.

But we have no respect for and trully despise hypocrisy and double standard shown by the western world. I believe that western world has no right in lecturing China on human rights, given what they have done in Iraq. Both US and UK legitimised the invasion withouth international approval by falsifing evidence. After having destroyed Iraq as a country completely and ruined Iraqi people's life totally, and now UK is starting to teach chinese about respect for different regions and other cultures??? I find it way too ironical!!!

MeiFan, London, UK

The tibetan policy of the chinese government obviously can not be heralded as a success. Dalai Lama's call for greater autonomy and cultural preservation should be supported by all Chinese. (I'm a chinese myself). If we look at the atrocity the government have committed to all those important aspects of chinese culture (Destroying ancient buildings, little respect for environment, etc.), it is not difficult to imagine why tibetans have such grievance against the government.

I'd like to point out, if there are only two political entities in the world, china and tibet, nobody in china will care if tibet is independent. It's precisely that there are these western countries that to a large extent created this problem, such as the Great game, and british invasion of tibet, that china will not let tibet independent. So, please fight for Tibet's culture preservation. westerner's chatting for tibet independence will create more chinese anger and tibetan sufferings.

aaron, Santa Fe, USA

Though I agree with the spirit of this article, I cannot help but feel that spurious comparisons with the Berlin Olympics (I fail to see the validity in comparing the taking down of anti-Jew posters to an attempt to make the Beijing air breathable) do not achieve anything positive, and instead hand organs such as the People's Daily a stick with which to beat the Western media.
This comparison helped provide the People's Daily with enough evidence to today portray Mr Portillo as "wildly arrogant" and "competely ignorant", among other things, and accuse the article of having "low-IQ bias". This in turn helps build a picture of the Western media as being baselessly and implacably anti-China and gives credence to a charge of "steroid-enhanced mud-slinging".
Emotive comparisons with Nazi Germany are inappropriate and unnecessary. The recent events in Tibet and the question marks on China's human rights record are serious enough on their own.
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/1030/7059943.htm

Alastair, Dingwall, UK

On the issue of Tibet I am amazed to see all the Chinese comments here and elsewhere on the internet as of with one voice supporting what their government says and does.
Its frightening - like watching the Chinese police and military running in line like ants and giving no room for protest or other view on matters.
Apparently we should ALL ONLY thank Mao´s heroic soldiers that so unselfish climbed to the top of the mountainous land and freed the Tibetans from Dalai Lama and his religious and suppressive rule that kept its people in a stone age like state.
Sorry, but to me from what I have heard and seen on TV through the years, and always through Chinese eyes, as all film crews have been on guided tours thanks to the generous help of the Chinese authorities, I am of the opinion that all Chinese effort of helping this poor undeveloped province of China with goods and not the lest manpower by the millions, is indeed heartbreaking - Dear Tibetan natives, as the saying goes “with such a friendship – you do not need enemies!”
Not all souls can be bought the Tibetans have shown. It’s a hardy and injuring people that build their home in those hills in the first place – they are indeed the true caretakers of that region and have given the world more gifts and prosperity than communist China ever can.
Steven Spielberg “flew over the Beijing Nest” - it is possible - the choice is yours.
Sven Hansen
Denmark

Sven Hansen, Horsens, Denmark

All chinese cann't endure more for western use Dalai lama to against Beijing Olympiad as a soft weapon. If western know how hot we welcome Olympiad in Beijing, and Dalai lama is regional slaveholder in Tibet before 1956, the western will be shame what they done for Dalai lama.

Harold, Wenzhou, China

To John, Shanghai, China,
Then we post comments in Chinese, let reporters of CNN and RTL fabricate a juicy and fresh translation. Or ask your compatriots to learn the modern Chinese to argue with us on things in China.

to Bill, Shanghai, China
If we are brainwashed, so are you by your education system and your media, which repeat old stories yrs and yrs.
It is easy for us to connect your behaviours to the Opium Wars because Michael Portillo has compared the OG 08 to OG 1936 so easily. We have the same reasoning since we are normal men.

jaimetra, Shanghai, China

Jasper Green?

Seems an incongruous name for someone who, as is made clear by their ropey English, is actually Chinese. A somewhat transparent attempt to disguise a tiresime regurgitation of the party line, methinks.

John, Shanghai, China

The comments on this forum are a grim testament to the extent to which the Chinese are systematically brainwashed by their education system. I've lost count of the utterly irrelevant references to the Opium Wars, uninformed nonsense about Northern Ireland and Scotland (!), and various other mono-opinions force-fed to the Chinese through their textbooks. The Western commentators here offer opinions, the Chinese merely repeat what they've been told.

This is a nation where the Great Leap Forward is swept under the carpet, where the monstrosities of the Cultural Revolution are are blamed on one person (not Mao!), and the development of Hong Kong in the latter half of the 20th Century is conveniently overlooked. History in China is wilfully twisted b y the government to suit it's own ends.

I suggest to any would-be Chinese readers that you pause to consider whether what you're about to post is actually something you've come to the conclusion of yourself, or if you're merely regurgitating

Bill, Shanghai, China

It seems that the Chinese people (at least as represented in a couple of the above comments) are as brainwashed about their government's illegal occupation of Tibet as the American people are of their government's occupation of Iraq. Both believe that have a legitimate right to do as they wish despite the obvious unethical, immoral nature of their acts. In history, I agree that these two nations will be compared to Nazi Germany. This is almost inevitable. So, what should be done? IMO, and I'm sure many agree, sanction the Chinese suppression of Tibet by revoking china's right to host the Olympic games. For America: cut economic relations entirely and re-establish with neighboring nations.

Peter, Toronto, Canada

I am amazed why the Chinese don't talk about:
Why the peaceful Tibetan resorted to this means?
What was the root cause of this?
Why are the Chinese reluctant to talk about the clampdown, arrests and killed?
Why are the international media not given free access?
All these makes me really suspicious of the Chinese government.

jiang, london, UK

The west better start getting used to the fact that they are in no position to push China around. They can talk all they want but they know they can't do anythig to China. Boycott the Olympics?? If they have the guts then do a complete boycott and not some half bake threat like sarkozy's to skip the opening ceremony. If France, Britain, Germany and the US really have the interest of Tibet at heart then send in the troops. Lets see who have the guts to take the first step.
Money talks and China have $ flowing out of their ears. Their next passenger jet order is just round the corner.......thats why Bush says he's attending. The west may not like China but they will all prostitute themselves to the vast China market.

Roger, Singapore, Singapore

i would think this person's article a refelction of the imperialistic pity on him/themselves because today's world is becoming harder and harder to be a paradise on. this twisted mindset is terrible, very bad for the world. it's fortunate he's no longer the country's defense minister any more; or otherwise this world would be a more troubled one.

yuping, london,

If the olympics are to be used against China for their abuses ten I am all in favour of a boycott of the London games because the UK has taken part in far greater bloodbath in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have flouted international law, invaded soverign countries and perpetrated countless human rights abuses. Let´s also not forget our own internal issues in Northern Ireland which in the 1970´s saw imprisonment without trial and the shooting of innocent protestors. Or the situation facing the rightful inhabitants of the Chagos Islands who were removed to make way for a US air force base.

Likewise where was the boycott of the Los Angeles games when the USA was funding slaughter in Central America? Or of the Atlanta games when the US was maintaning a sanctions regime against Iraq qhich cost the lives of thousands of Iraqi children.

I am no apologist for China but winning the Second World War has meant that there is one rule for us and another for the rest of the world.

Philip Duval, Manchester, UK

There are untold people expressing that too many complained a lot on biased west media and they are sceptical of the quality of chinese media. Here I wanna speak for chinese media which had tried utmost to report truth. I don't know whether you had been the scene of the riots. If not, I hold that only when you were on the spot can you know how brutal and murderous those who launched the commotion are. One of journalists was chased with knife and other lethal weapon by those riotous people, what's more, many innocent people was killed by mutinous mob in riots, I wonder what the hell those innocent people had done wrongly so that they need to bear such brutal treat. Perhaps some people say so there is none to talk about the riots, but it's exactitude, I am afraid not, Have a look at the comments by so-called people with fairness at the website of ABCnews. how many people not knowing the truth made unjusticed comments. Now I can tell you, quite quite a lot.

Jasper Green, Dongguan, Guangdong / China

No matter some people here would like to admit it or not, they have acturally been far more "brainwashed" than Chinese,by their media and politician. Not only in this case, we can read chinese newspaper as well as Times,FT, Guardian, we can touch both sides' view and comments. We can judge by our own brain which side is more close to the truth. Can you? ??How many of you know our language? How many of you can even show me where Tibet is on the map? ?? What you got about China is what your media give to you ,do you have any choice? ? How ironic and pathetic of your sense of superiority .....where is it from any way?

Peng Yan, Jinan, China

Many of the comments posted on here remind me of the Chinese view of the Treaty of Nanking. While perusing the the Hong Kong Museum exhibition I found a plaque stating that the treaty was the "first unfair treaty the Chinese Kingdom ever signed". I think they actually meant the first treaty that wasn't wholly in the Chinese Kingdoms favour.
We no longer only act in self-interest, a very good thing for China, as if we did the world would be a very different place. The Chinese have taken gross advantage of this fact, but you can't cry foul when this policy backfires on you. At the moment China isn't the leading world power, and they need to recognise that they haven't yet (and maybe never will) be able to do what they want and not be vilified for it. No man is an Island.
Excellant article Mr Portillo

James, cambridge, UK

it's not just the west that opposes china's treatment of tibet, it's support of burma's military junta, and it's role in the genocide in darfur, sudan. i'm indian from "the east" and i am opposed to china's record on human rights. there are plenty of other people from the east who share my view!

Rishi, Mumbai,

No, the Tibetan rioters should not kill their Chinese neighbours, that is awful, and it is certainly not what the Dalai Lama preaches.

However, the Chinese government should discontinue its deliberate policy of turning the Tibetans into a minority in their own country, and an increasingly, desperate, poor, disadvantaged minority at that.

There is absolutely NO CHANNEL for Tibetans to express any discontent with this situation, which is threatening their survival as ethnicity and nation.

So exactly what do the Chinese see as legitimate avenues of struggle? None at all, only submission!!!

Chinese friends, in most ways, your country is great and admirable, and certainly not more imperialist than Western countries historically. However, now is 2008, and two wrongs do not make a right. The Dalai Lama is talking about autonomy, not independence. Take a chance on him!

Tarik, Copenhagen, Denmark

This is UK???Why do you occupy North Ireland???Why do you don`t allow everyone`s say???

Bulan, LONDONG, Ireland

(cont.)please do not hurt the Chinese people’s feeling. Even if you have a problem with CCP, it’s not the ordinary people’s fault.

I admit we have a lot of problems, but please give us more time. We have a super long feudalism, which ended only at 1912. Then the warlords started to fight each other, WW2. Only till 1950 we became a united country again. It is a long way for people to get to the idea of democracy. Even today, there are still many Chinese with little education. How you suppose to let them understand the advantage of democracy? If every Chinese can vote for a president, their votes can be easily bought by the rich. The west ended feudalism ever back to 1700s, and even today you still can’t find a perfect way to implement it. If you really care about the Chinese people having a more democratic government, instead of boycott the Olympic, please do come over, share your idea with ordinary Chinese, let more people understand how your government is run.

Xiao, Stony Brook, NY, US

(cont.)please do not hurt the Chinese people’s feeling. Even if you have a problem with CCP, it’s not the ordinary people’s fault.

I admit we have a lot of problems, but please give us more time. We have a super long feudalism, which ended only at 1912. Then the warlords started to fight each other, WW2. Only till 1950 we became a united country again. It is a long way for people to get to the idea of democracy. Even today, there are still many Chinese with little education. How you suppose to let them understand the advantage of democracy? If every Chinese can vote for a president, their votes can be easily bought by the rich. The west ended feudalism ever back to 1700s, and even today you still can’t find a perfect way to implement it. If you really care about the Chinese people having a more democratic government, instead of boycott the Olympic, please do come over, share your idea with ordinary Chinese, let more people understand how your government is run

Xiao, Stony Brook, NY, US

london: the Chinese can use the Olympics as a weapon against london in 2012.
the writer is ridiculous and foolish.

charlie, china, china

I agree with Tom Porter of Singapore. We should be lenient to each other. The forum is a good class room. The English-speaking young people of an emerging China should learn the CONCEPT of Free Speech et and get used to critiques with tolerance mo matter how naive, incorrect, blasphemous, insightful or truthful they are. My compatriots should be enlightened by Bush. He receives furious protests wherever he arrives. He doesn't care. Contrarily, he smiles. You, the westerners, should be a good example to the Chinese fervent nationalists since you have many years' experience.
I have lived several yrs in France. I know well that the Western media is eager to criticize this or that. It is hard to hear their praises. When they do that on their internal issues, like the paparazzo with regard to the Princess Diana, your people can justify things thru many channels. But when they report things in the depth of the world (China for you), your people cannot justify. Without fear of being check.

jaimetra, Shanghai, China

To Tom. The freedom of speech doesn't mean you can make irresponsible remarks,especially when you are a journalist. The freedom of protest doesn't mean you have right to attack innocent people as you like.
Also, to Paul. You think we Chinese don't want to solve the problem in a peaceful way? I bet nobody in this world more than Chinese want to adopt a peaceful solution to the Tibetan issue. We comment here not because we are unwilling to consider a peaceful solution,but because we are angry.We are angry because you call the killers peace-loving protesters.We are angry because you show no sympathy to the death who were killed by the so-called "peace-loving" protesters.We are angry because it seems you don't want to have us a chance.We are angry because you are not willing to view this event from our position. Suppose this happen in your country,what solution will you take.Suppose one of your family was killed by these violent protesters,will you still call them peace-loving people?

Xin, Gunagzhou, China

to zara22,
I'm a Chinese studying in US. I apologize if you and other western people feel insult by my country folk’s comments here. We are very pissed about this article, and we do have our reason. Please try to understand.

After the first Opium war in 1840, our country has suffered for almost more than a century. I’m not going to whining here, blaming you western people. Because that’s how it goes in that era, strong always got its way, and it’s your past government’s fault, has nothing to do with you guys. And now we finally get our way back, and want to host the biggest party in the world. Every Chinese is very eager to this event, see this as a great opportunity to show the world a new China. We want to welcome people from all around the world, let them see our real life, make friend with them. If you ever been to China, you will know what I said here is true, I think most of Chinese think the same way. So what I’m trying to say here is,

Xiao Yun, Stony Brook, NY

contd...

And American,Aussies, British people are too busy lashing out each other`s government, blackening each other ruthlessly as if there is almost nothing good in these western countries. With all due respect, having lived in occupied Tibet, China and USA, I would chose USA anytime over China. At least in this country I have the right to practice my religion, say what I want, write what I want and be not murdered for it.

Isn't it just amazing how American has suddenly become the Aggressor in the last 5 yrs because of Iraq as if there is nothing good USA has done for the world, the same case with UK and Australia? Isn't it amazing how instead of blaming BUSH government, everyone blames every citizen of the country?

zara22, arvada, usa

But in China, it looks like they know the difference, they never say I love PRC, their government...but they say "I love China, and that people are friendly, peaceful and blah blah" and I believe them. I believe common citizens are really nice people but what the world is against it your government, PRC, the one that doesn't respect your freedom of speech. Seriously, Chinese commenting over after me saying they have freedom of speech, try going out in the street and speak your mind and see what happens.

What I love about Chinese is there LOYALTY to their country despite knowing the truth, and how they stand up behind it when things get tough.

Loyalty wins over honesty in this case I would think. May be honesty is such so over-rated, because it creates rift and hatred between nationalities.

I don't know, I let you guys be the judge.

PSE IN TIBET, CHINA, AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. HOPE SOMEDAY A MIRACLE WOULD HAPPEN THAT WUD BRING BOTH TIBETANS AND CHINESE TOGETHER INSTEAD OF PARTING

zara22, arvada, usa

Scuse me, may I just interrupt the quarrel?

Welcome, Chinese people! I hope you take full advantage of your new-found freedom on the Interwebs! And don't assume it's not true because it's not Chinese, 'kay?

M. Ross, stockport,

Right.

If the "Unhuman Kingdom" let North Ireland free and the "Unhuman States" move away from Iraq, Chinese may consider talking to the old Dalai Lama.

Andy, York,

I agree that, as Tom Porter said, "Free Speech means being free to have a point of view". But anything in this world MUST have a clear boundary or necessary limits. Especially as an important institution with information power, the mass media must be careful to express something so-called "the truth". I don't agree with Tom when he labels Chinese anger as nationalist or naive impulse. When you express your point of view freely, would you please respect the PATRIOTISM of us, the Chinese people? Individual rights and the national identity are the same important and essencial in our daily life. Please don't tell us that "what is right, what is wrong" with some unconscious, normative, but naive superiority complex.

Michael Portillo is just a naive politician, but when he criticize the Chinese government like Nazi, it is not liberty, it is LIBEL!

WWH, HONG KONG, CHINA

as a chinese,I still hold the view that Tibet is part of China.Even through there are still some people want to against the goveronment of China,our motherland tend to be peaceful.

xiaojun, deyang, china

There's no evidence to support the claim about Hitler and Jessie Owen. It's a historical fiction. And the suggestion that China's human rights record is somehow worse than other countries that have hosted the games is bizarre. Who would be better - the US? The UK? Get off it.

Phil Hampshire, London,

The Olympics have lost their credibility, let Beijing enjoy there 10 minutes of fame. Let China revel in the fact that the West gave in. We ( The free world) should be ashamed of ourselves for this and what WE have done as well.

Eric, New York City, USA

The Chinese saying that the West is culturally imperialist are right. Westerners believe that democracy is the most just system of government because they're told to. And mostly people are sheep.

Westerners saying that the attitude "China is more important than anything else" infringes on human rights are right. It does. But many Chinese think this is OK because they're told thestate is more important than the individual. And mostly people are sheep.

Portillo saying "Maybe [the Chinese Government] has enjoyed thwarting America’s attempts to export its liberal values." comes close to insinuating that they take pleasure from the atrocities in Dafur and Sudan and should rethink this. I imagine they take tremendous pleasure in the financial gain this brings China and little else.

No country is innocent of having placed money before morality.
Cough. Iraq. Cough. Guantanamo.

Zhongguode pengyoumen. You are right to be upset at the comparisons to Berlin. Use the games to prove them wrong.

Richard, London, UK

To all Chinese comments.

I have not read a single Chinese comment here which is willing to consider a peaceful solution to the problems in Tibet.

You all write as if you think 'all Westerners want to attack you. Describing us as imperialists. This is 2008, there is clearly a problem in Tibet and with Tibetan people in China.

What do you Chinese think is the solution?

I am not attacking you here I am just asking you to think for yourself and answer the question. Do you want a peaceful life with the Tibetan people? and if so how will that work?

I am a British Citizen who has lived in Chengdu China and travelled extensively in the country, including Gansu where there is a big Tibetan population as there is in Sichuan. I have friends both Chinese and of Tibetan origin. What is the solution in your eye's?

Paul , Chiang Mai , Thailand

I agree with Tom.
but i still insist that tibet is part of china.

Xman, Chongqing,

The fascinating thing about the comments from Chinese nationals is how poor their understanding of the CONCEPT of Free Speech is. Free Speech means being free to have a point of view even if that view is naive, incorrect, blasphemous, insightful, truthful or anything else. The point is one should be able to express it without fear. China's restriction of the media fuels negative opinion. Just as America has fueled suspicion of its aims in Guantanamo Bay by its secrecy there, so too does China's restrictions in Tibet. For China and the Chinese to accuse Western Media of bias is disingenuous when they actively bar the media from reporting without hindrance. Many of the Chinese comments seem rooted in Nationalist fervor and a failure to understand that when the time comes there will be legal homegrown protests to the UK Olympics as there were over the Iraq war. No media system is perfect but a free media is the least imperfect of all media systems. It is a pleasure to see Chinese comments

Tom Porter, Singapore, Singapore

A question to all western journalists:The pro-Tibetan killed person,fired houses,what do they think humanright as?You support them,and what do you think humanright as?

donna, zb, china

Mr. Michael Portillo:
I am an ordinary Chinese. When I read your article, I am very angry and so pity for what you wrote. My question is have you even been to China, have you even been to Tibet? How much do you know China?
I am from a poor family, but through my hard work, my courtry gave me a chance to UK for studying. To be honest, the days in UK is the most important and happiest time for me so far. The most British people are friendly, so I could not understand why you just see China from your color glasses.
I can read you article, which means it is free for us to log on oversea websites. We can receive the different comments about China everyday. But the above one is the most absurd one.
Finally, I'd like to invite you to China, just see what happened in China by yourself. Frankly speanking, how readers can believe in an article imagined by someone who never been here.
Thanks,

john, Shenzhen, China

All I read here is cultural imperialism.

Let me come to the point directly. At any single moment, we are forced to choose one interest over another or the rest. We simply cannot have them all.

Be this granted, my argument would be simple. Nothing--including the very life of the author of this post---is worth mentioning when our national interests are at risk. This is our position.

You can place human rights above anything else. But allow me to remind you: That is your position and your position only. Don't try to force it on us.

See, it's all a matter of choice. Yours can be wrong, so is ours. But please leave us alone and stop being self-righteous, as we do.

The Chinese understand that many of "the sun never sets on the empire" subjects just hate to see a stronger China. But why don't you complain to your God that he did rush you to this world 150 years ago when western powers could force their will upon China and rejoice over their atrocities in this land?

LEI Yuanmin, Shanghai, China

I from China,now I can not to bear the idea of this writings ,
PLEASE!!! DON"T to compare1936 Berlin Olympics with 2008 Beijing Olympics OK!!!

韩, Yancheng, China

Two Tibetans burn a shop where five girls are died. Have Tibetans have the right to kill girls?

rok, NY, USA

I enjoyed some western media before as I think they worked under strict, objective, rational rule. But this ridiculous article shifted my mind about west media totally and so disappointed about it.

Those journalists and columnist are in some common backgournd: 1) lack of common knowledge about chinese long long history and culture; 2) never or seldom visited China before; 3) never or seldom talked with native chinese people. And those points are the basic requirements for a journalists/columnist who want to judge this great coutry.But how can you expect them can write a profound article in the name of rational spirit if they lack of these experience ?

Olympics is a dream for 1.3 billion chinese, why don't you respect our right? Is the chinese human right diffirent from yours?

Ivan, Canton, China

While westerners are saying Chinese goverment is blocking information from Tibet, Do you westerners find out your government and your media is blocking the voice of Chinese victims attacked by Tibetan, and the voice of Chinese government ? The "Tibetan" in your news is a tiny part of Tibetan. Those Tibetan have different view about government is very common. Howerver , They use a violent way to express their view !!! And , Da Lai Lama is not only a religous leader and also a slave owner in history. So it is so rediculous for westerner giving him a noble prize on human rights!!

I suggest westerners who want to comment on this issue to learn history not only Tibet but also the history How to invade China based on HUMAN RIGHTS several decades ago. Then , I believe you will have another point.

Thomas, Beijing, China

To Wangchuk, NYC, USA,

I present my people in China to say " We don't need your help, We are enjoying better and better life , more and more rights to express political view".

To someone said Chinese can not watch news for west,

If we can not , why here have so many Chinese???

Actually, you guys in WEST also can not find real situation news in China.

Thomas, Beijing, China

Hursh your mouth boy,
Do you remember what have you done in Scotland and Northern-Ireland,
Do you remember the William Wallace
Do you remember the <<BRAVE HEART>>

Chinese, Beijing, CHINA

just one question to ask: If I personally like to see the indepandence of North Ireland which was claimed as part of Great Britain, should I encourage the violence that once existed there in the name of independence and use this as a weapon against the 2012 London Olympic Games by all means then??

Kathy, Wuhan, China

A question to all western journalists:The pro-Tibetan killed person,fired houses,what do they think humanright as?You support them,and what do you think humanright as?

donna, zibo, China

Eroding the Chinese government's sovereignty whilst maintaining warm relations with it seems to be a tricky undertaking. It may feel very, very good to rattle an Olympic sabre in the face of Hu Jintao and club him over the head with its hilt, but I doubt it will amount to much. What we need to do is politicise our Chinese overseas exchange students to encourage a gradual transfer from autocracy to democracy. A few ideas sprinkled here and there, wait a few decades, and viola! Elections and accountability. All of the Chinese people are much happier and the whole world can breathe a sign of relief. So when you next have the pleasure of meeting a Chinese chap, instead of wounding his national pride over whether Tibet should be free or not, ask him "If he was in charge in Beijing, what would he do?"

mark, london,

first of all ,I have to tell you guys that timeonline is NOT censored here and we have lots of channels to receive foreigh news. Every government has the right to keep a eye on what is circulating locally and some websites are blcoked for various reason. Like US have NSA and UK have MI5 or 6(not know for sure),if anything suspicous happens then action will be taken. For those rioter who killed innocent people and burned the building, we call them terrorist, how about your guys?

Alex, Yantai, China

Mary, New York (Columbia U.)
A question to you: If Califonia wants to be independent, how Americans behave ? Do you agree or not ? and what about other states in US ? Do you know the history of US ? You'd better read it and you will know you took land and forced people to be your part. How many people were killed, the Indians, please fresh your mind. If Chinese support Indians to be indenpendent, what will you do ? Take care of your owns affairs please. US is not a world policeman.

Austin, Hong Kong , China

So far about 1 million (the number is still growing) Iraq people died, directly or indirectly, since the US and UK started the librating war to give them freedom. Hope those people died in happiness of freedom. Great job! US and UK!!

Tomy, Athens, US

Our Govt is a Wartime government, still it is.

Our national anthem goes: those who don't want to be slaves, stand up. Our memories about losing sovereignty to foreign powers, especially UK, & Japan remind us the right to survive through mili&econ power is the priority, above all other human rights

This is a sad fact, very, yet still a fact. Ironically this sad fact all started by those who invaded us before and now tell us what is right or wrong. That's all history, fair enough. But don't pretend nothing happened

We don't want to live under suppression injustice corruption, but as long as this govt leads us towards a stronger China, we support it wholeheartedly at the cost of all sufferings. Bottom line is, we suffer in our own country with hope and we'r doing pretty ok(not like Iraq)

All democracy and freedom are relative so let people choose their own ways, make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons at their own pace. Tibet? internal affair, mind ur own business

Harry, London,

Michael was rightly pointing out that ‘western statesmen are even more craven towards their celebrities and media’. He was a good example himself when he was forced to leave the carbinet. Fortunately, not the public. To those who overreacted on this article, they should know that the readers in the UK are well educated by the long time practice of demontracy. Any matured reader knows how to treat what’s written and the motivations behind.-take it easy

Richard, Edinburgh,

I agree with you. I am a conservative American Republican at heart, but I am appalled at how much we let China have it's way in the world, without comment. China has demonstrated time and again how willing it is to violate human rights without regard to international opinion, yet because we are so engaged economically we let it pass. Does the policy of engagement really work? Are we influencing them for good? I hardly think so. I see the social fabric of our country being more undermined by rampant materialism than China learning tolerance and democracy. Make no mistake about it: China wants to undermine the US and they don't respect us. We are not in a cold war. Rather we are in a war of moral attrition, and we are losing.

Nalani Brown, Delanson, USA / NY

OK,Guys . What I want to say is that making an successful Olympic Games is not only the dream for Chinese government, but also for Chinese people.If the western country decide to boycott the olympic games ,they broke the common dreams of most chinese people. You guys may know that many chinese people feel angry about the ways western medias reporting the riot in Tibet, because your viewpoint is not objective. Chinese people love peace and we want to make friends from all over the world.Olympic games is an good channel to show off our achievement which made during past 30 years.The action of boycotting the Olympic Game harm the face of Chinese government , at the same time ,the emotion of ordinary Chinese people. This kind of hostile attitude towards the Beijing Olympic Game will not bring any positive result you want, but only the enmity between chinese people and westerners. I appeal to all the people who love peace reconsider the conseqence of your action if you guys really care us.

Dennis Luo, Southern China,

James in Sydney,
I'm in an American living in Beijing, and I want to tell you that I'm writing this in a western-style coffee shop right here in Beijing. So no, this article isn't blocked. The Great Firewall is very inconsistent. Wikipedia and Livejournal are blocked in their entirety, but many critical pieces in the New York TImes, here, and other news outlets are available. I heard that supposedly, the Chinese promised to allow more western media through in 2008 as a condition of getting the Olympics. But I think it has to do with what "key words" are in the URL, like "Dalai Lama," "Falun Gong," etc. One piece in the NYT I read yesterday had to be filtered through proxies before I could see it, but the rest of the newspaper was fine.
Mind you, native media are ruthlessly controlled by the State, and you should be careful what you post in public message boards, but native Chinese who really want to know the truth do have some opportunities. At least, so far.

kraorh, Beijing,

To the Western, as an exporter I have more chance to contact western people, obviously, western lack enough knowledge of China and our history though most of you are kind. The western media, the main channel through which you know China are not fair, evil-minded attacked on China are found anywhere, for example, even when we built a railway to Tibet, we suffer attack, is the railway a bad thing to the Tibet? Can any one answer this question? I'm not a member of Communist Party and refused to be, but I love my country.

Fisher, Ningbo , China

To James:
I am mainland, and certainly we can read all news in western media.
Sorry if it hurts your feeling of superiority.

Billord, Shanghai,

I am afraid that by now the articles on timesonline are fully accessible in China, behind the Great Fire Wall. However, we have lost in touch with Wikipedia for quite a long time. YouTube had been blocked for several days recently. We have problems in visiting many other sites, too, but not including Times.

Lloyd, Urumqi, China

China do have a lot of problems in dealing with its so-called autonomous regions, like corruption, unbalanced policies, etc. But I don't think it is wise for the people in Xinjiang and Tibet to go independent now. And I, personally, am against any form of violence, including both the riot and violent suppression.

As a "Han Chinese" who was born and raised up in Xinjiang, I can say that everyone in China should be responsible for the tragedy in Tibet. We can't just blame the "Tibetan mobs". It is their fault to choose violence against both the codemned and the innocent, but it is our indifference that caused them to make that choice.

I strongly recommend all the Chinese who blame the Tibetans to visit Tibet and Xinjiang, not only Lhasa and Urumqi, which do not matter much, but also the remote areas, and make friends with Tibetans and Uygurs, and I believe you will have a fresher understanding about the matter.

Lloyd, Urumqi, China

I think a great solution to protest Chinese human rights violations in Tibet, E. Turkestan & China is for athletes & governments to boycott the opening ceremonies. This won't hurt athletes & send a strong message to the CCP that the world won't tolerate Chinese opression of Tibetans, Uyghurs & their own people.

I call upon all freedom-loving people in the world to stand up for human rights & democracy & boycott the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies.

Wangchuk, NYC, USA

to the chinese responding - can i ask how you are bypassing the great chinese firewall? it is well known that the chinese government censors heavily, and i can't believe this article hasn't been blocked.

am i wrong? is this article actually accessible? or are you from the chinese government?

china seems to spend a lot of futile effort manufacturing an identity for the world, but they don't do a a very good job.

we know non-han minorities are brutally suppressed, govt corruption is endemic (children being kidnapped for brick factories, and then corrupt govt officials preventing parents getting them back even when found - at least till it hits western news, peasants who's family tilled a plot of land for perhaps a thousand years are kicked out so a developer can build on state property ), humans are are actually farmed ( fallon gong organ harvesting).

they should get a US PR company to help them out - they know how to do it properly.

history is not kind to the west though.

James, Sydney, Australia

Well, this is not the question about what was first the hen or the egg. There was an invasion of Tibet by the Chinese and there is the suppression of the tebetan people. That lead to anger and pressure beneath the well preparet surface of an communist state. But it seems that the pressure grow too high and the pot is going to spill ovber and all that chinese propaganda to the outside and police action inside will it no calm down, but may be kill it.

And to Boreas, if your neighbour is beating his wife or children is it still his own affair and everybody else should just idely standing by an doing nothing. Not even complain?

Daniel J Hahn, Munich, Germany

Boreas, The difference between China and the West is, We always have the right to give comment!

Mick, Ringwood, United Kingdom

It baffles me to see people who know nothing about Tibet go on here and say "Tibetans before 1959 are slaves" Well, dearies, 1959 is not that long, those Tibetan slaves are still alive to give you the truth...why don't those Tibetans come out and say " We don't want Dalai lama back because he was a slave master?" why instead they revere him? Why it is more older Tibetans who wants to fight for Tibet non violently while Tibetans born in exile are impatient to see a result ?

20% of Tibetan population before Chinese occupation used to be in monastery,80 % worked as farmers,nomads and
merchants.80% could easily feed 20% if you ask me.specially if those 20% monks and nuns consist of atleast one of your family members. So please don't come here saying Tibetans were slaves of Dalai Lama and monks before 1959 cause that`s not at all true.

I was born in Tibet, my parents are born in Tibet, and all my relatives including my grand parents are still alive in Tibet.we know the truth differently.

zara22, arvada, usa

I have travelled in China and Tibet. My impression is that most Chinese genuinely beleive that they saved Tibet from mediveal barbarism. Whilst this point of view may seem bizarre in the West, given the romantic view of Tibet, Buddism and the Dalai Lama that holds sway, it is a lot more reasonable than first meets the eye.

The old Tibet was a autocratic theocracy controlled by a religious elite. Even now, the way a young monk is treated (i.e taken from thier family, forced to study in isolation much of the day) would be seen as highly abusive in the West. Whilst such a society is fascinating to visit, few Westerners would actually want to live there. The Dalai Lama was never chosen by the Tibetan people, and has the same legitimacy as a medival King, who the people have been told is divinely chosen.

I hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but the likes of Pelosi don't know what they are talking about, and should concentrate on Guantanamo Bay first.

Nick, France,

Do you think you act as an emissary of justice and democracy? You would never understand the policy of China's Gov., What we've done is to free the Tibetan. By comparison, what you've is to make an obstacle for the development of Tibet. This is our internal affairs, and you have no rights to give any comment.

Boreas, Tianjin, China

I have failed to detect much debate on the future of an independent Tibet. Granted, the chinese occupation is an atrocity. But we must also consider the feudalistic slave-state that existed prior to the invasion, where most of the population starved and worked themselves to death to support an enormous amount of monks. Surely there are no intentions to return to that situation. But to what then?
I am still waiting for proper guidelines and intentions.

Lars, Trondheim, Norway

To Daniel J Hahn: First of all,it is not a violent occupation of an little weak country and I didn't see and heard any violent suppression. As an individual, not depend on the government, what I know is everybody want to be friendly with Tibatans or other minorities. I'm a college student and there are many Tibatan student in the campus,we get along with each other well. So is in my high school. We celebrate the Tibatan new year together. We never want to suppress them. That is what Dalai Lama said. Because he can't be the king anymore and he is the one suppress the people there! Besides, a lot of Han-Chinese were killed without any reason this time. They are INNOCENT! It is not a parade, it is like a murder. I planned to go there before, but I have to give up it now and I'm really really upset about it.
Maybe you still think you are right, anyway, I just said what I saw and what I thought.

Wen, Beijing, China

Just some questions to our Chinese friends taking party for the One-Cina policy:

How would you call the violent occupation of an little weak country?
How would you call fifty years of violent suppression of the occupied people?
Why, when everything is in order are the western mjounalists are kept out of Tibet. Will China hide the mass execution und erase the evidence befor the olympic flame is coming to Tibet?

China has signed the UN Human Rights Delaration and though it cannot complaint if it is asked to keep the rules now.
To pull the chinese culture over the the culture of little occupied cultures like Tibet is a crime agains humanity and will allways lead to a genozid.

I grew up in a communist regime and I'm fed up with the so called progressive and human loving propaganda of these governements. I can just say do not trust the official state controlled media.

Daniel J Hahn, Munich, Germany

To A Jones: you will never undertand China if you do not come to China. What is China like in your mind reflects the western media are doing what. Seeing is believing. I always think western media is fair and unbiased when i was young, however they are not, especially the reports about Tibet.

Lee, Beijing, China

free tibet and turkestan!!

memolee, london, uk

Is the hand of the Chinese government at work here? There are far too many comments from Chinese in China singing from the same hymn sheet to be credible. So, have you manged to get under their skin, Mr Portillo? Or am I far too cynical?

A Jones, london, uk

An interesting article
Crocodile tears over China's role in Tibet

http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10174

Linda, Edinburgh,

Look!
How do you know tibetans are suffering? Because you see it on TV.
How do you know Iraqis or Afgans are enjoying the War?
Because you see it on TV.
How did you first encounter Tibet? British invaded it less than 100 years ago.
What's the main source of information about Tibet? TV,media from the WEST.
To be honest, this is the first time that I am so disappointed about the so-called WEST FREE MEDIA.

nikki , brossard, QUEBEC

The tide has turned and now it's not the US and the UK that are making the running. Our economies are in sharp decline and depend on financial smoke and mirrors, low price oil and cheap goods from the east. The sheer pointlessness of trying to influence the way the games are run is breathtaking and those who would do so should consider the future balance of power, not that of the last couple of decades. While I am no apologist for China, I really don't think we have a leg to stand on when criticising behaviour in Darfur or elsewhere in Africa. The Chinese do well there precisely because they do not have our bulky colonial baggage and patronising attitude. We could at least change our attitude...

Colin, shrewsbury,

some westners would never be interested in knowing any of the Chinese and Tibet history before their self-righteous blaming,because they're be accustomed to judge others by their "all-purpose" criterions if that is neccesary. The truth is policies to Tibetants(of course chinese too) from the government are much more better than the largest nationality Han which I am in. No one-child policy, totally free tuition for part of them, respect their culture for restricted special kinives, develop local tourism, establish schools,etc. Before 1960s when the new china govern , the situation there is like the BC, most of people was enslaved by few monks and landlords and can be killed whenever they master want. The chinese government cost too much to maintein the peace and stability there whitout little repayment, while some steps are not that probable.
By the way, as the "noble human rights fighter" ,England,please let Scotland free,let Ireland go。

Allen, changsha, China

From the Czech Republic, a country that has long suffer the blight of communism, I say: Let's not take part in the communist party that is the Beijing olympic games !

Jiri, Prague, Czech Republic

the easiest way to boycott the oympics is to rent dvds for 2 weeks or watch regular progrmming. that is as effective as not participating. it is time to shore up other competing economies and armies so china no longer is the only show in town to which the west is beholden

elliott spatz, wexford, pa

Have you ever been to China and have thoes who just like to critisize ChineseGov ever been to Tibet? Do you really know the history and culture of China? Yes,we do have a lot of problems.We do not work so well as West in human rights and other problems.But can you speak out that everyone is equal in your country?Can the Americans say that we don't have discrimination to the colored races? It's so hard to do perfect in your country that with such limited people? Can't you imagine the difficulties in a country with 13Billion people?
China does do a good work ,because majority have the rights to visit your website, to critise our own gov in our own website.
BritainGov gave HK back to China because it is piece of Chinese land.If you don'know ,recall your history book.If it doesn'say, shame on your gov,they hide the reason of becoming rich.We were not begging Britain to give our land back.So it is taiwan. Asking the new leader and the people, whether they would like to cut the connection

Su Jin, Suzhou, China

As a Chinese, I wanted to ask two questions:

1. What a government supposes to do when people take the street to express their opinions?

2. What a goverment supposes to do when people take the street to express their opinion violently by buring shops and kill people around?

While I understand you may disagree with what the Chinese government does on the first one. I can never understand why you think the government should NOT put the violcent down for the second one.

jc, FL,

People are quick to put Britain down because of its past, but the past is just that...the past. We all enjoy the benefits of that past in the present day, and are therefore all culpable. People in Europe will learn that its a dog eat dog world as the up and coming economies take a large share of the resources that they once almost exclusively enjoyed. When that happens they may well starve whilst the likes of the Chinese live greedly off of what was once theirs witohut a thought. Who will be preaching morals then, because it wont be the Chinese and it wont be the left wing goody goody now watching is children starve.

Teresa, Naples, Italy

Rich indeed!

perhaps Mister Portillo would like to elaborate on the British-Tibet 'love-in' starting with the 1904 invasion and slaughter of thousands of Tibetans by British forces and the looting of the Potala and all its treasures?

How ludicrous to suggest a boycott of the Beijing games when it will only result in a retaliation boycott of the 2012 London games (and it would be easy for China to organise an alternate games in superior stadiums and better cash rewards for athletes) - or perhaps he knows that these games are bankrupt already and desperate to save face with a get-out!

Jeremy Spitfeld, Beijing, China

In a sense UK goverment has invaded Iraq, we should boycott 2012 Olympic?!!!!!

Gerrie, London,

Although I consider Comminism to be a true evil (as well as a middle class fad), it has to be said Tibet was a medieval ,fedual, society. Only its isolationj and desolation prevented the "romantics view" from being contradicted".
On the other hand I consider it would be wonderful if the Olympic games were abandoned as another middle class fad
dressed up as "super fun" for the masses.
What was it that was said about "bread and circuses" ?

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

Wake up, arrogant Britons. You think your kingon is still " the empire on which the sun never sets"? You want to challege China's state sovereignty as you did 168 years ago? Fine, China and Chinese are not afraid of any enemy if you dare to be, never.

yongtai, Chengdu, China

I started a online survey to see what people think about a boycott of the games. The numbers of voters aren´t enough ( bit less then 1000 atm - started yesterday) yet to get a clear view. I will publish the results later then for everybody, so people can see what "the world" is thinking of a boycott.
The site with the survey is www.boycottolympia.com. I hope it is ok to post this site here.
Greetings, Alex

Alexander Kasper, Birkenfeld, Germany

Anything that can somehow or other diminish the mental and physical suffering of the Tibeatn people in China, in the end, now and in the future, should be heartily welcomed.
Thus this article, too.

Nyima Sangpo, Budapest, Hungary

Another piece of Western ignorance and hypocrisy. Portillo should take a look at Western history and its subjugation of native peoples all over the world before preaching what is right and wrong to China.

Hugh, Aberdeen,

Time to show that the West does actually believe in democracy and freedom with a boycott of these shameful games - it is, in both senses, the very least we can do.

Tommy, London, UK

It is true that the Chinese are latecommers to colonialization, and that colonizers are not always nice people. But the monks and the Dalai Lama just want to get back into power. They have ruled Tibet since the 16th century, when the powerful budhist sect the Hongwanji from Japan took over Tibet. They have ruled it quite brutally and very badly. They have invented the Lama reincarnation to perpetuate their rule. You all look pretty silly with your lacriomonious and sanctimonious verbiage.

George Steiner, Lachine,

How ironic you mention Confucius, when Mao and his murderous Red Guard spent ten years burning and destroying his books and monuments, and wiping clean any trace of Chinese religion or philosophy, other than the alien ideology of Karl Marx and Co. And today, while China brags about their ancient civilization, good luck finding it. Who cares what our politicians say, we all know they will do whatever is expedient, and that all positions are triangulated for their own interests. These Olympics are a perversion, a monument to hollow platitudes about brotherhood, when we all know it's about
money. My family and I won't watch, and neither will my friends. And all the lies in the world won't change the fact that China points the way to a totalitarian future that would make George Orwell's fears of the future quaint in comparison.

Wilbur Varela, Los Angeles, california, usa

First your assessment that the Games are really all that important to Beijing is plain silly. The Beijing 2008 Games are but a PARTY. An colorful and fun and opulent one, no less, but still just a party. As in the real world, there will be jealous party poopers. But such is life. Is it going to affect China enough that she is going to fork over 1/4 of her land to the Dalai 14? Or even enough that China is going to fork over hundreds of billions of dollars in business profits in Sudan just on the West's say so?

Don't be silly.

Nancy Pelosi is seen by the Chinese around the world as a clown. The Congress she "leads" achieved the dubious honor of having an approval rating one-third LOWER (at 20%) than the beloved Dubya (at 30%), and with the American economy looking like the Titanic, what's any self respecting Western politician to do? Take cheap shots at the Chinese people, of course.

Tongluren, Hong Kong, China

We need to stand with the Tibetan people. The VERY least we can do as individuals is boycott the Olympics.

wolf, buffalo, new york (u.s.)

The world's democracies should boycott the Olympics. It would cause the Chinese gov't to lose face and deny them the validation they are so desperately seeking.

Bruce L. Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

I refuse to buy anything made in china (as best as possible). I will not watch the olympics.

If only Tibet had oil....they probably do.

phumnaphan, Bangkok, thailand

If those of us who still live in a "free world" don't boycott the China Olympics after what we've seen of China's total disregard for human rights among the Tibetan people, then we will begin to see our freedoms erode here at home.

Yana Murphy, El Cerrito, CA

Western Presses like yours are ignorant to the extend that it's worse then the "censored" Chinese presses.
1. How could you even compare the 1938 Berlin Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics??? What does the Anti-Jewish sign have in common with reducing air pollutions?
2. If you call those monks rioters peaceful, can you explain those innocent civilians getting stoned in the head?
3. Human right? Go ask those Tibetians in Tibet and ask them how they feel we are doing. They are 56 ethnic groups in China and doesn't it feel weird that they are the only ones having problems?

Richard He, philadelphia, United States

Maybe the Chinese could insist that no celebrities carry the Olympic torch (are or were Trevor MacDonald or Mia Farrow athletes? - no, I didn't think so) - instead young athletes could carry the torch. That would be in the spirit of the Olympics. As for Tibet; it is difficult to understand the heavy handed way the Chinese are acting there. However, Michael I think you point out the hypocrisy of Western politicians beautifully. Supposing there were no financial crisis - would the politicians still be so anti China and pro Tibet? As for the Americans lecturing anybody about 'human rights' - well it sounds like chutzpah to me (that's right they were invited to invade Iraq, weren't they?).

Ian Burgess, Bristol,

I only advise Olympic game change it name to human right game.I also advise Olympic organization combinate with Human right organization ,and new coporation named Olympic-Humanright-Game organization.this organization mainly for protect human right or make up some march ,if have some free times, we can hold an Olympic-Humanright-Game.All the workers of original olympic organization will lose their job ,because they no perfect/or not pure hunman right fighter ~~ En~!that wonderfull~!

leeyang, Beijing, china

The fact is nowdays most westerners cast a critical eye on whatever China is doing. Have they ever condemned those Tibetans conducting the arson, robbery and hurting the innocent. It is just and right for Chinese government to place them under control and make sure there is security and stability in the region.

frank Qie, Shijiazhuang, China

Its also ironic that the author is complaining about China's hunger for resources. Isn't that why the West went into Iraq -to control the oil resources (and deprive China of this resource)??

Isn't it also why the West went around colonising the planet, stealing the resources of others in your quest to "develop" - sending in your armies to kill the native peoples of foreign lands? Committing human rights violations against these people-Destroying cultures, civilisations, religions, ideologies and ways of life countless times because they are different to your own and "in the way" of the wealth you are trying to steal.

The irony is that the African countries China has invested in have seen their economies develop IMMENSELY unlike what so called Western "aid" schemes have done-failing to get rid of despots or improve the lives of the people. The only thing the West achieved was the THEFT of resources while the people and nations REMAIN destitute. Just the way you want it to be.

Sunil, Kandy,


As a truly peace-loving British-Chinese, I feel very uncomfortable with the racial stereotyped remarks made by Nancy Pelosi . It is all dirty politics. By making her irresponsible remakrs just after one week's brutal violence targeted on innocent people has come to rest, she was actually encouraging the "peace-loving" Tibetans to use more violence against other ethnic groups in China - no matter how innocent they are. I start to suspect what she wants to see in China is chaos, disorder and unrest.

Linda

Linda, Edinbrugh, UK

While I respect was has been said here, I cannot agree with your view.
The Tibet too many within the West and the young Tibetans seek is Mythological.
Before China invaded, the majority of the population were slaves. Even the Dalai Lama has stated that he had planned many economic and social reforms.
There were abuses of theocracy, kidnappings of boys for the benefit of wealth for elite, monastic class, the unfair burden on women to marry several husbands, bear their children, and suffer accompanying venereal diseases.
More than 80% of the population was illiterate. It took more than seven families supported one monk.

Today Tibetans are exempt from taxes, education fees, and the one-child policy (allowed 3). Tibet receives more aid than all of Africa from the Chinese government, supplemented by several NGOs.

Tibetans are feeling the pressures of modernity after decades of seclusion. The struggle for identity and survival are plagues of modernity. Namaste

Debra, US, Chicago,


As a truly peace-loving British-Chinese, I feel very uncomfortable with the racial stereotyped remarks made
by Nancy Pelosi . It is all dirty politics. By making her irresponsible remakrs just after one week's
brutal violence targeted on innocent people has come to rest, she was actually encouraging
the "peace-loving" Tibetans to use more violence against other ethnic groups in China - no matter
how innocent they are. I start to suspect what she wants to see in China is chaos, disorder and unrest.

Linda

(sorry if received twice)

Linda, Edinbrugh, UK

Lets start another Blog everybody stop buying chinese goods most of it anyway is taking work away from GB and USA workers because the chinese worker earns only miserable wages for long hours,and we can bring a few jobs back to our own country where they should be, anyway the Chinese along with the Japanese are the two nations that are killing our oceans anyway in a big way,we don't stop them from doing the damage on the high seas so we ought to be throwing them out of Tibet and giving the Tibet people their freedom back.there will never be any such support for a nation like China who just march into another country espicially against a peace loving people.

Dennis Higgins, Worcester, UK

lol, that's just silly, the British and the Americans, after spreading freedom and love with uranium depleted shells and bunker busters to the people of the middle east, now point their fingers to China and ask for restraint.

John, Sydney,

While I agree with Basil's comments, colonialism, manipulation and war are sadly human traits, not merely traits of the British or their Empire. I disagree that India was a peaceful country before the British arrived, nor any other place before Western imperialism. A part of human nature is brutality; a desire to conquer and control. Believing other nations peace-loving or pure and shifting blame for their troubles on other peoples ceases to look at the root of the problem: that all societies are as bad as each other. And as Basil sits in his apartment in a rich Singapore, would he be so fortunate had the British Empire not colonized that area? Would Britain be where it is today had the Romans not colonized it, or had European nations not colonized the United States? So yes, China has colonized Tibet, and yes Britain has a past of such brutality at crushing dissent in its colonies; but can any other former power of other nations claim to have not committed similar atrocities?

Richard Lamb, Beijing, China

why westerners always critisized china pled human rights?please look yourself before you open your mouth .

zhao, tianjin , China

First,I wonder how much do you know about China and how much do you know about the world history?You must be responsible for what you have done.China and Nazi,which you mentioned in the same .So ,when you want to juge us ,please get to know the truth and the basic knowledge first.
Olympics is one of most important dreams for Chinese, who try their best to make it to be a wonderful and unforgotten game .But I can't understand why you always try to hurt the heart of Chinese people.Last ,please ask your self if your country to be juded in an unfair way ,don't you feel hurt a lot ?!
We just need the world to konw all we want is to live in peace.

CHINESE, KM, CHINA

the situation I got is completely opposite to what the western media reports. Maybe you would accuse that I am intoxicated by communist propoganda, I believe that the situation in Tibet maybe not like the western reports nor the chinese reports. I suppose both sides choose very different angle in probing the reality of the Tibet. One of best friend tell me that it's definitely a riot which broke the order of the society without any special cause and reason. In order to keep a good imagine, Chinese government didn't take actions as they did in 1989. Most of the polices deployed in Tibet are not allowed to fire to the public.

I asks why everytime, western media wears a blackglasses on the issues of China. The jounralist should keep an objective angle.

dazuidan, glasgow, uk

The double standards on display over Tibet are breathtaking. Nancy Pelossi, a more hypocritical creature is difficult to imagine. American and Western politicians holding forth on human rights with blood all over their hands. This World has literally gone bonkers. If only there was one honest man amongst them. They continually play the blame game, diverting attention away from their own evil doings in order that they can have more room to operate. Iraq it seems is now forgotten, China bashing is much more productive.

Scott, Bangkok, Thailand

hello Michael Portillo ,I only advise Olympic game change it name to human right game.I also advise Olympic organization combinate with human right organization ,and new coporation named Olypic-Humanright-Game organization.this organization mainly perpose is to pretect human right ,and build some march ,if have some free times, we can hold an Olypic-Humanright-Game.All men work in Olympic org will lost their job , because they no really humen right fighter ~!En~!Perfect~!

leeyang, Beijing, china

"China should and rightly stand up to the West . It needs law and order as first priority and build stability"

Should they do it totally sans regard as to how this order is achieved? Should they be allowed to ignore multiple human rights treaties, the UN, and the intended spirit of the games in the name of the money it'll make them? (Up front I will say I don't defend my own gov , but at least I can and do protest Bush fervently but can't die or rot in a laogai for it.)

For Chinese, ask yourselves 2 questions:if Britain had a mind to retake Hong Kong, would it be justifiable for Chinese to fight to the last man standing? Yes, you say?-Perhaps you should consider that TIBET, regardless of history, DOES NOT WANT to be a part of China NOW, TODAY. If China doesn't stop this, she could wind up in a place where the Tibetans will keep fighting-ask Ireland about the Troubles if you don't believe me, or the French about the Reign of Terror (tyrant doesn't listen, tyrant dies.)

Mary, New York (Columbia U.),

Akaashi from India: We wish China to hold down and withdraw from Tibet. We wish Protection of tibetans people's, culture, pristine natural environs and habitats from China's unchecked atrocities on people's and environment. We will support Tibet in achieving FREEDOM through non-violent means. We did it once during our Independance struggle against the British. And we will do it AGAIN, this time, with CHINA!

Akaashi, Bangalore, India

Yes I think we can all agree that Western Powers have been responsible for wiping out much of the cultural and ethnic diversity on our planet. It is indeed very hypocritical to lecture China which, after all, is only pursuing its own path of economic growth and development. However, I think we can also all agree that the 21st century should be a period when, finally, all citizens of the planet are free to pursue their own dreams and ambitions without fear of persecution or discrimination. If only Wen Jiabo would speak to the Dalai Lama - Tibetans are not Han Chinese. Tibetans should have the right to determine their own destiny and this can be achieved without compromising China's unity and security. However Wen might just be opening a pandora's box. His government may then be under pressure to have further dialogues with other groups who have grievances. China suffered worst under the megalomaniac Mao. We are just one generation away from him. A hotbed of grievances quietly simmers...

Stuart Craig, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Please don't mention in the same breath to refer to Beijing Olympic and Nazi's Berlin Olympic,because this comment has offered an affront to all Chinese who love peace and equality.Give up your viewpoints that are full of prejudice,ignorance, stereotyping and offensive.Before you criticize China,please figure out the history of Western bloody coin money.

JoeJOe, Guangzhou, China

Let's celebrate the triumph in human rights in Iraq with armed brits and the americans.They have so much experience in their perfect imperial/colonial history.

Welch, Chongqing, China

The past cannot be changed, but definitely the future lies in our hand. I am sure most of us want peace and a healthy environment to live in. This is possible only when you exercise your moral authority on violators of "Basic Human Right ". One such instance is the” Tibet issue”. So stand up and speak out for the voiceless people of Tibet
A responsible democratic government will not remain a silent spectator to the genocide that is taking place in Tibet .I am sure United States Of America, will take stern action against the Chinese in order to compel the communist government to resolve the Tibet issue.

Nima , Delhi, India

I suggest that everyone should just boycott the Olympics full stop. They are not worth the money and aggravation. It sickens me the way the IOC spouts idealistic guff, yet is willing to be used by any dictatorship with deep pockets. And games held in democracies still have a unbearable level of sanctimoniousness, and are made ludicrously expensive just because putting on a show with a huge budget boosts the IOC's corporate ego. The purpose of the IOC and the Olympic Games as presently conducted is to make the IOC president and members look important, rather than to benefit sport. Is it any wonder that the key Olympic sport has fallen far down the list of popular sports in recent decades? We should all just withdraw our consent from the Olympics until the games are reorganised on rational lines.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

How inspiring for athletes worldwide to have all these political headbangers trying to create havoc with the Olympics before they've even started. The wonder is that they haven't found an angle to link anti China diatribes to Heather Mills McCartney. Of course we in the UK don't have any thing to answer for given the enormous benefits we've visited upon Irak. Hold the front page I feel a BIG ONE coming on.

Ian Cameron., London., united kingdon

Sunil the First people in the world to have Slaves were the Arab
nations and some of them still do,open your eyes.Communism has never had a foothold in Britain or America,what is wrong with Christianity?and has capitalism given you the chance to be able to write on this site I would say it has.And how can you defend China as a Repressive regime if you are against such tyranny that you talk of in the past,we are truly sorry if you feel inferior to western people you have no reason to feel that way,after all you are talking about people,they do not cause wars ,goverments do, and they are not always right,but it is wrong for you to pool people together .
At any rate China will eventually overpopulate itself at the rate it is going then what happens will they be moving into other countries,Oh Sorry they have already done that in TIBET

Dennis Higgins, Worcester, UK

never talk about the history of olympic. if you wish, you could talk about the history of Tibet, only teld everyone that china troop rule in Tibet in 1959,why not talk about the history before 1959,I have no time to teach you ,if you wish you can read history book. I sure no one instereting in or likely mention to how CIA help Dalai and provide idea or equipement to independent . just go to wiki or youtube ,find the ture,never trust media.every media make up news of iraq have supper-weapon and lead iraq in mist .who response for that ?right now they want make it again in my country~!

leeyang, Beijing, china

Be realistic. China has obviously gotten a problem and they ought to deal with it one way or another. But the problem for the rest of the world is, If China has to be lose Tibet or lose Olympics, China is going to throw the Olympics away. It's not considered a gain or loss for Chinese leaders, it's a principle of sovereignty.

Besides, the general view among Chinese people, not just among Chinese leader, is that west sympathy over those people who committed crime is ridiculous. Everywhere else such act is called terrorist, but when it happens in China they are called heros. China certainly damaged its own image when it stands against a row of developed countries. But at the same, the west has also ruined their own images among the vast of the Chinese.

The moral of the story is, both sides got reasons. Nobody would risk starting a WWIII. Always assuming the other side is evil and yourself is noble is not only wrong but dangerous. It's only going to make matter worse.

Jack, Coral Springs, US, FL

Michael Portillo actually gets it: this crisis is an opportunity. China has shamelessly violated the norms of the civilized world. While mixing sport and politics might not be ideal, these Olympics are one of the few opportunities we will have to adaquately convey our distate to them on:
-trade policy
-human rights
-environmental policy
-North Korea
-Taiwan

And let us not forget, Tibet and Turkestan.

Mr. Man, Apex,

Oh look, the biggest murderers are preaching yet again.

The whole world knows about Western "values" such as slavery, colonialism, communism, christianity and capitalism which you went and dumped across the planet like a plague.

Your hands are stained with the blood of millions of people of the world- cultures, civilisations, religions, ideologies and ways of life you have destroyed countless times because they are different to your own. The tolerance, kindness and respect of the peoples you once conquered and still rule over today (using different names) was and is still seen as weakness. For the last 500 years you have sent your armies across the planet to kill and enslave the native peoples of foreign lands to benefit yourselves.
Western arrogance rooted in superiority has no bounds. Just look at your naked hypocrisy.
Yet you still PREACH "high morals" to others, like you're doing here. Well good luck, try another "Desert Storm" with China, see how "powerful" you really are

Sunil, Kandy,

What a load of utter rubbish from a Politician!...Well done Basil.of Singapore,someone with some common sense..I am a man from Britain who is ashamed to be British!

David, Chengdu, China

Sure there IS something each of can do to help Tibet regain its freedom. Create chaos and catatrophe in the Chinese economy to the point the Chinese simply cannot maintain their armed forces in Tibet, or perhaps anywhere else either. Without firing a single shot each of us across the planet, all 5 Billion of us not under Chinese subjegation, can simply reduce or eliminate purchases of anything "Made in China", or using any service or commodity that pours money into the Chinese war machine. Say, reduce purchases by about US$ 20 per month, each month for many months and years multiplied by 5 Billion. Do the math. The result will be devastating to the Red Chinese government. Multiply the awesome effect by finding out which multinational firms use China as a manufacturing base, and avoid buying their products too.

Tucano Fulano, Big Bear, USA

The will is lacking - China frightens the West because they know there is too much money at risk !!!! China needs the West as much as the West needs China. So the love in continues and when China says jump, the two GB's say - "..how high?"

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

The British have been well known in history as the most devious sower of discord. Look at its manipulation of past colonies and create enemies among themselves among peaceful people (India and Pakistan for example). To insinuate that China is like Nazi is going too far and he has lost his bearings. Remember the Opium War ? people like Michael has not stopped even after lessons of the past. China should and rightly stand up to the West . It needs law and order as first priority and build stability, The eyes of the world are looking at concerted Western bullying even after colonisation is no longer fashionable. Forget about Olympics, security and sovereignty is far too precious.

Basil, singapore,

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