China Bashing again. How many of this people that commented have been to Dafur? How many of this people kave been to China? How many of this people have really spoken to a Chinese? Most have no first hand contact or understanding of the issue. The little they know are hearsay or making a mole hill into a mountain. How can you really understand a Chinese when I civilisation dated back more than 5,000 years. Even for a first generation oversea migrant born Chinese have difficulties in understanding our own.
"It is always the empty vessels that makes the most noise."

Chris, Bangkok, Thailand

why do Spielberg and Farrow take the easy route ? You can blast China all you want and the media and ignorant US public love you for it. 400,000 dead out of 39 million in Sudan is genocide, while 1.2 million out of 28 million in Iraq is bringing democracy ? why not protest the genocide your own countries are causing ?

joe osorio, East LA, Calif USA

Spielberg and Farrow are simply doing what every other human being on this planet should be doing - with much more at stake than any of the criticizing wankers. If not this fight, then exactly which fight do the critics believe should be their mission? There are many atrocities taking place on earth right this minute - instead of attacking the few who speak up against one of those atrocities, perhaps the critics might do something constructive about one of the other plagues killing other human beings.

As the world gets smaller, the stakes get higher for all of us. The Chinese people, just like the American people, bear the moral responsibility for actions taken in their name. Boycotting a "political monk"? That's a term that only makes sense to the Chinese government - not exactlfy a public relations winner. Ranks right up there with Bush's "expansion of democracy". In the US, we call it "drinking the Kool-Aid". Just goes to show that jingoism is equal opportunity idiocy.

Danielle, Coronado CA, US

Why isn't Mia Farrow protesting about the human rights violations happening in Palestine? So typical of the of the Western human rights activist to have double standard when it concerns other countries. It's time people stand up to all the injustices happening in this world caused by U.S., Britain, and other European countries besides just China.

Jana, Rowland Heights, CA

well, maybe this genocide is not (directly) caused by china, but their previous one still needs to be put an end to, namely Tibet. Their invasion and the butchery they went through there, and are still carrying on, has never been sanctioned nor stopped. Making kids shoot their own parents in the 50's, shootiing on kids and nuns trying to flee the oppression in the mountains, has all that been put on their tab?
So, let's not pretend they are good little choir boys at the head of the communist country. And thinking of this, what the heck has the world come to, to ask the monks and nuns' executors and torturers to 'plead' with Burma to stop doing the same thing???!!!!
As for the genocide, well, they'll have much less people to clear the day they are ready to invade....just like the other African countries where they send little kids in the mines, and where the people are already afraid to talk.....
So, give us a break! Boycott!!! They should never have been chosen in the first place!

McCallum, Vancouver, Canada

There was a contingency to China getting the games. They PROMISED to resolve issues of human rights violations, environmental and political oppression, the fact is that China renegged on that promise.

They are not entitled to the games, and I applaud Spielberg and others who are taking a stand on principle. Too bad Ms. O'Connor lacks any commitment to human rights. Hers is the mindset that rationalizes slavery, the exploitation of children as cheap labor, the inhumanity of human beings being little more than cogs on the wheel. She is the sort who feels inconvenienced by such concerns, and she is the sort whose indifference allowed Hitler to get away with what he did.

The problems the world face are exacerbated by the Ashling O'Conners among us. Perhaps if more of us were to stand up and counter her indifference we could bring about positive change.

Marie, Boston, MA, US

If Tessa Jowell and the government say that calls for a boycott are "counter productive" and "a great pity" then that's exactly what should be done. It seems that the best way to fight for the moral high ground and to do the right thing is to do the opposite of what our politicians and ministers say we should do. QED.

Charlotte Lee, London, Britain

WHY IS DARFUR HOT, AND TIBET NOT?

We applaud wholeheartedly the criticisms, campaigns and resignations by celebrities, politicians, journalists and sports personalities concerning the wretched, scandalous situation in Darfur and the role of the Chinese government.

However, we would like to remind everyone that China has been actively committing genocide in Tibet for almost fifty years now. Estimates run to at least one million Tibetans from 1960 to 1980, thereafter numbers are unknown. The few remaining Tibetans are forced off their lands into economic despair; their culture is practically wiped out; only the Chinese language is taught in schools; Tibetan religious, medicine and spiritual practices are banned; hundreds of thousands of Chinese immigrants enter Tibet every year; the Dalai Lama is persona non-grata and the Chinese have already begun a further clamp down on ‘dissidents’ or potential demonstrators in fear of the forthcoming China Olympics. The Tibetans are now reduced to beggars in their own country.

If no-one believes us, please book a visit to Lhasa and find out for yourselves.

Why are we not addressing the Chinese government on the Tibet issue?

We magnanimously awarded the Dalai Lama the Nobel Peace Prize, but isn't he, together with so many other Tibetan refugees, still forced to live in exile? The Chinese government postpones any serious discussions until after the Dalai Lama dies so that they have a free hand to do away with any protests. China, with its long and rich culture has demeaned itself to the lowliest of the lowliest. They should be ashamed of themselves. Now is the time for a real change.

Yes Darfur is important, but let’s not forget Tibet.
yours, Christina Jansen and Annie Perkins London/Amsterdam

Christina & Annie, London/Amsterdam,

China is right, why blame them?

If you follow this feeble logic, then the United States is responsible for most of the world's horrors over the last fifty years because the United States continued doing business with every bloody dictator you can name, and it sought the favor of many.

Spielberg is ridiculous, just like his movies. As for Mia Farrow, she is a pathetic figure on this. She means well but does badly.

Darfur is an ugly civil war and nothing more. Civil wars are always horrible, and rape as a weapon is as old as the Trojan War.

The U.S. and Israel have tried to foist the idea on the public that it is genocide, but that is only because they are uncomfortable with the Muslim government and because they want to throw sand in our eyes over their own atrocities.

Were it truly genocide, they themselves should be blamed because they do have the power to do something to stop it. Israel would only need a brief break from killing Palestinians. But they do not believe what they say.

Nothing that has happened at Darfur has not happened in Iraq - killing children, killing women, rape, and destruction of a way of life.

As for that killing machine, Israel, it was reported only the other day that they wouldn't even help Lebanon discover the location of the hundreds of thousands of cluster-bomb bomblets they left behind to maim innocents.

Israel also refused to help Canada's investigation into the killing of four UN observers - one was a Canadian - who clearly were murdered as they bravely stayed at their posts.

It is appalling that prominent Americans don't see this.

But "none are so blind..."

John Chuckman, toronto, Canada

Once again American hypocrisy reigns!

This snub from an American whose government has perpetuated an Israeli government with endless financial aid and military might that has persecuted more than a generation of Palestinians. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic!

These rhetorics by Steven Spielberg, Mia Farrow and their ilk can easily be applied to US foreign policy that enabled Israel to suppress the Palestinian people. If China is underwriting the suffering in Darfur, then surely America has underwritten the subjugation of the Palestinians for decades.

No one likes to see fellow human beings suffer but Spielberg and Farrow should get their house in order before stepping up on their moral pedestals to preach their sanctimonious ideals.

No doubt Mr Spielberg will be widely applauded for his snub to soothe his personal conscience but since when has "negative" diplomacy ever achieved anything positive in politics. Don't give up the day job, Mr Spielberg. Oops, he did!

Dan Ming, Croydon, UK

How nauseating to see the China apologists crawling out from under their stones at the first whiff of anti-China grapeshot. All these posters who decry Spielberg's comments are the first to criticize US involvement and influence in Iraq and other places. The difference, of course, is that China is a totalitarian, communist state and is more agreeable to their jackboot socialism than an open and democratic country.

Roger, Townsley,

i hope everyone boycotts the games including the television companies which will save us being bored to death by watching people run round in circles, swim jump and throw things; all activities which can be watched in the average park without supporting the wicked invaders of tibet

peter codner, devizes, england

Steven Spielberg is replaceable like anybody else. Brilliant art directors are a dime and a dozen in China. The biggest loser here is Spielberg.

Ryan, Miami, USA

Western attitudes to China and its involvement or non involvement politically in countries in Africa with which it does business are really quite amusing-or of course despicable.
China has deliberately stayed out of political involvement to avoid America and the west accusing it of trying to influence countries to bring communism to Africa.
But now it is criticised for keeping a low and nonpolitical profile!
You cant win with America!

Lord Truth, Budapest,

Can the world be saved by China?Are all the faults resulted by China?Did all the troubles make by China?Who is the world's superpower?who is the weathiest country in the the world?Steven Spielberg, Don't be silly,don't be a puppet,It is not the problem that as simple as you think,why US government don't handle it himself, like Iraq and Yugoslavia issue?

I am not saying it is who's fault,but Chinese people look forward to holding the Olympic games.
Nobody is perfect,we just doing our best to make it perfect.

Jackysong, Qingdao, China

I am disgusted by the interference of western Governments and so called celebrities in these deflective issues. China may not be doing its best in Darfur or the Sudan, but our governments are doing far worse. Its like comparing child rape against prostitution. shame on you all for deflecting the real issues,

Mark, Gateshead, Police State

And here I sat thinking that the Olympics were an opportunity for all nations regardless of colour, creed or pollitical persuasion to come together and compete on a level playing field under one flag. An opportunity for each of us as men and women to show the very best we have to offer. Instead we have to endure the psuedo politics from hollywood. Perhaps Mr Speilberg and Ms Farrow would better spend thier time asking thier own government why they have not intervened in Darfur.

Paul O, Plymouth,

Merely hypocritical moves by self-important celebrities whose own countries' human rights records (USA, UK) are nothing to be proud of.

Nathan, Oxford,

The guy john haydon post actually shows what is in the mind of the hypocritical West. Darfur is just an excuse, they don't really care about the Africans. If there is no Darfur, they will pounce on something else.

The real reason for the West bashing of China is because China is successful They fear their lunch will be eaten by China!

Anyway, Spielberg is very dispensable. Rest assured he will not be missed at the Olympics!

Franco, Madrid, Spain

Londoners never wanted the Olympics, yet Tessa Jowell & Ken Livingstone imposed it upon them and taxpayers will have to bear the huge burden of its ever mounting cost. It is a fallacy to believe that sport create s friendship. In fact, it is more likely to cause enmity.

Ramesh Thakrar, London, England

Why is it that an unpleasant white regime (South Africa) attracted a spots boycott but not an equally unpleasant but non white regime (China)?

Alec Jameson, Hong Kong,

The chinese, with a history and culture second to none are a competent, resourceful people who have made a great effort to control their population.. Thanks to their cheap exports even Darfurians are better clothed and provisioned than they would be if left to fend for themselves.

Scorn on Spielberg and all those imperfect people who want to make trouble for China's Olympics now but keep damned quiet when it's their imperfect country's turn to hold them.

Once again, Lausanne, Switzerland

What Darfur has to do with China? Western power is not that innocent either! When they came to China to take away her wealth, to savage her land, to treated her people like a dog, where was the human-right then? Chinese need to be proactive! Let start to boycut the movies made by those producers or actors or actress and see what will happen! China should not back away from her policy of non-interference with others' internal affairs. Darfur's problem is a world problem and should be solved by the UN and Darfur people, not by China. China has enough problem of herown just trying to feed her 1.3 b of people!

Kenneth Choung, Flushing, US

It would not come as a surprise if more "anti-Beijing olympics" noises were aired in the coming months. The whole world seems to think that China alone can fix the Darfur problem. If that was the case, what about the America's role in the Isreal and Palestine conflict? Surely America can help to end the killings there! Double standard by some nations and their people?

Simon Leung, London, UK

Bernard

It is also not great to say "when was the last time he had won anything"; but i guess we do agree with your comment.

Andrew, Shanghai,

Sounds like Steven S only found out about Darfur yesterday, probably over a cup of ultra chic mocha with Mia Farrow. The situation in Darfur did not start yesterday. Why has he decided to pull out now, with six months left to go before the Olympics?
This is not the last time a country has propped up a corrupt regime nor will it be the last. The USA and UK hardly have spotless records on that front!

ZL, London,

Tessa Jowell's instant rebuff to the intellectualls and kindred anti-Olympic Games in China band was predictable: This is a country that is bullied by Russia, held up to ridicule by Iran, under orders from the USA, super-nervous of Muslim sensitivities and in thrall to big business. To expect any support from this pusillanimous lot regarding China, is whistling in the dark. Besides, it's years too late.

Peter K Day, Doncaster, UK/ Yorkshire

It is grammatically wrong to describe Richard Vaughan as "the British badminton player". There is more than one British badminton player. More substantively, can someone tell when was the last time that he had won anything of note? And consequently why should anyone (including himself) pay attention as to whether he intends (leaving aside the more important question of whether is able) to participate in the Olympics?

Bernard, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Politicians CAN'T boycott the Olympics. Declining a freebie would create a wholly unacceptable precedent.

Noel Falconer, COUIZA, France

This isn't really about Darfur, it's about a popular perception of China and, in particular, its lack of democratic credentials. Simply put, China is an easy moral target for those who see things in black and white.

Steven Spielberg, Mia Farrow, and their whole set are playing into the hands of right-wingers who benefit from painting an alarmist picture of China's so-called "rise". They are naive and ethically misguided.

Dirk, Berlin,

boycotting the olympics, and all chinese goods is an effective way to put pressure on china.
not only over the dafur scandel,but also to attempt to keep jobs in europe and usa, relieve pressure on raw materials,and remind all of chinese power for the future.

john haydon rowe, javea,

Athlete should stay as athlete, actress should stay as actress; leave politics to politician. The Chinese people (1.3 billion customers) and overseas Chinese (which amount to 58 millions) are sick and tire of those unrelenting verbal abuses. Especially more often than not those abuses are bias and double standards. We are actively thinking setting up an international Chinese pressure group to boycott political actor, political sportman and political monk. How about we start a campaign of pressurizing major Western company to pull advertisement from news organization that are hostile to China? Richard Vaughan should stay away from the Olympic if he indeed feel that strongly about Darfur, by the way, has he been to Sudan before? Does he knows the causes of Darfur?

SHAUTONG CHIN, Waterbeach, UK

Richard Vaughan, what a shame! Do you athletes really know what happened in Darfur and where Darfur is?

james, Preston,