Yana Murphy, El Cerrito, CA
Yes, the truth will prevail. The Tibetans will learn that they had been misled by the Dalai Lama clique and the West's efforts of contortion and distortion trying to protray China as evil and brutal etc.
Anyway, the military leaders has brought progress and development to China, now making it among the top economy of the world. Feeling jealous eh? Chinese now has got big spending power and your country wants to woo them as tourist. No? Chinese military leaders do not interfere in your affairs unlike you, the evil and meddling West.

Do you know that President Hu of China likes to use words such as "DEVELOPMENT" PROGRESS" and "HARMONY." in his speeches, unlike the warlike and threatening tones of your leaders. China just want to progress in peace and harmony with the world and to be left alone to develop. So please no interference. If you have not been to China, please do. Maybe you wil want to stay there.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To John, Heritage Park, Australia

If you ban the free trade with China, you're actually harming both the Chinese people AND Australian people. The government encountered little harm.

Don't forget the benefit Australia has received by trading with China. You can altern to trade with US and Eruope whose economy is declining :)

Janice, Hong Kong, China

Three lead lines to open the story?
Why not just pick one and go with it?

Eric Davis, Camdenton, US, Missouri

To Mr Paul,

Good thing for you is, you are trying to use your own eyes to determine what you see. While the bad thing is, seems you were drawing the conclusion too early.

For the example you raised "While I was there, there was an absurd news report that Taiwan had aimed a nuclear weapon at a Chinese dam", you shall at least make sure two things:
1. About the nuclear weapon part is definitely not from the official voice, because we all know there is now nuclear in Taiwan. There are rumors anyway in this world, not only in China.
2. About bombing Sanxia dam part, this was voice from Taiwan politician. You can search from western news if you do not trust Chinese.

So you can see, you might draw conclusion based on more factors next time.

About the brainwashing part, for a long time, there is strong bias in western media, can this also make a brainwash to western people? i feel so.

Have a good day.

Wood, GZ, China

In Rev. Jeremiah's "loving" words, "China's chickens are coming home.........to roost!"

C. Ford, Woodbury, CT,

while talk so much bad records about China History, don't forget what UK has done in the past looting India, South East Asia and many other countries to satisfy their ever demanding greed. Tibet issue is China's internal affair. It is right for China authority to take actions deem appropriate to stop the violence and disorder. This is logical and indisputable.

Malaysian, Perak, Malaysia

China is scary. I lived in Chengdu, China for 8 months. The people are brainwashed. It is truly scary to see how the average Chinese has been indoctrinated to believe whatever Beijing wants them to.

While I was there, there was an absurd news report that Taiwan had aimed a nuclear weapon at a Chinese dam.

Reading some comments by Chinese readers here is a good introduction to how the average Chinese thinks. Tibetans are dangerous terrorists, yer right.

What we might want to worry about is 1.2 billion Chinese who don't think for themselves.

Paul , Chiang Mai , Thailand

To go off topic slightly (but not really), China is so hung up over having everything go by the numbers for the Olympics. Does the Chinese leadership really believe that if the games go off smoothly, the rest of the world is going to fall in love with China? That's the impression I get every time I read an article about it. Even if it means tossing homeless people aside and locking down Tibet... as long as the Olympics run on schedule, the world must realize how correct and efficient the Chinese are! What a shallow way of looking at things.
I hope the rest of the world realizes the obvious... that this is potentially the next superpower staring you in the face, and you should decide if you want to spend the next century living in fear the way Taiwan and Tibet do. You only thought America was difficult to abide... just wait till it's China's turn!

gb, Austin, USA

The blatant racism of many chinese towards minorities does not help a peaceful coexistence. You dont honestly think that treating the Tibetans, Turks, Mongols as inferior class people will make you popular? Continuing to boast about a 5000 year culture, with zero substance of prove does not make the statement true. Respect other people and you may find that they will stop hating you.

timur, London,

The future...

The West won't act for fear of upsetting China.

Chinese wont act, believing the internal propaganda machine.

The olympics will not be boycotted.

China will fail to see the error of its ways.

The end.

Mark, London, England

Some pretty strong opinions above but little vision.
So what next? The options are limited now for DL & Tibetans.

Option A
See a return to normalcy, retains a status quo and 'enjoy' increasing wealth (though not as great as their near neighbours who are more adapted to the free market economy) improved living standards (access to education, running water, sewage, transport)
The downside is the DL remains persona non-grata and will have to work overtime to ingratiate himself with the China mainstream (not just CCP hardliners) which had become very Tibet friendly prior to March 2008.

Option B
Become a NATO airbase; with no natural resources, no economy, no education base, no technology there is little option. Will the Western world commit to underwrite a doomed/failed state? Its not an oil rich Timor or a well located Kosovo we're talking of here!

John Sanderson, Beijing,

Prosperity , even relative as in China inevitably brings a desire for greater`political freedom where this exists only nominally. As in China. Its simple ,freedom is the right to choose. Once people get used to choosing in their everyday lives due to availability of consumer goods for example they soon want to choose and decide on important issues. Tibet is in all like lihood just the first skirmish in what is likely to become a very difficult and although one hopes not, very bloody transition for China. A transition from authoritarian rule to some form of democracy. The genie is out of the bottle. It can only be reinserted with great violence and bloodshed. I do not think the Chinese or the world for that matter would stand for this. Hence difficult years ahead for China but hopefully a better future for the chinese on all fronts.

Michael S. Castleton-Bridger, montevideo, uruguay

A little international coverage of some problems in China and call it fraying on the edge? Amazing how everyone loves to criticise the Chinese but almost every single one of us has Chinese products in our homes.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

Frightening ignorance John, Sydney. Perhaps you should first work out why this report is being filed from Chengdu and not Tibet (any media not state controlled is shut out!). As far as China's ability to handle Tibet is concerned, may I say illegal annexation of an autonomous region, oppression and systematic decimation of a way of life and ecology is precisely how this 5000 year old civilization handles opposition, resistance and calls for freedom! No doubt China is one of the greatest civilizations on earth but badly let down by it's dictatorial government.

Ad, London , UK

What is absolutely shocking is the number of comments from people who fail to remember that China is not a democracy. A government which does not give its people the right to throw it out cannot claim that its opponents are terrorists: they are freedom fighters.

The evil usurper of human rights in this whole story is the Chinese government. It should be opposed in every way possible, including a boycott of the Olympics, as that is what it fears most.

Jim, Riyadh, Saudi

John in Sydney has a very simple view of everlasting civilisations. Has he no sense of history at all. Was Tibet part of so-called "China" 1400 years ago when Tibet invaded tha Pala dynasty in N.E. India before being driven back up the Himalayas taking Indian Tantric Buddhism with them and then inviting Indian monks. China had nothing whatsoever to do with this! China was only united by a brutal barabaric Chin emperor after the Mauryans united India. This Chin emperor whose statue army the Chinese parade slaughtered countless of his own mausoleum builders and first great wall builders. This tradition of brutal contempt for human rights persists to this day. And note that the great wall he started and which was rebuilt on an off for 2,000 years never contained Tibet. Similarly the 5,000 year history of India has never involved any static geographical area!

Sutapas Bhattacharya, London, UK

If you want to boycott Chinese products, that is your choice. You may need to smash every item made in China in your home first perhaps including your computer. Then you cannot put those nonsense here any more. Just do it now.

ML, Melbourne, Australia

I do believe that why the Dala lama to be so violent is caused by the supporting from the Western countries,such as menoey,of course,the Westen countries have their indecent target, what they finally want to do is to end China's economic,they believe that China is going to hold the summer Olympic Games, that is what China need to care about.So that western countries can have sth to do ~

But, don't do something stupid, you will bring backfire,do not never try to look down upon China, just come if you dare to.

Raul, Shenzhen, China

Remy p of portland before you condem the Chinese as you do maybe you should focus you disgust at past, current, and sadly future governments of your sorry country,who's crimes against humanity will i doubt ever be equaled.

steve martin, Nanning, China

The central government's policy towards Tibet has clearly failed. It is time to pull a page from the Westerners, like the Americans and the Brits, and act decisively against these terrorists who refuse to participate through the political process, but instead used violence to attempt to change the political outcome. Mollycooddling the terrorists for decades has proven not to work. Just pacify the terrorist organizations from top on down - just follow the example of the West.

Tongluren, Hong Kong , China

The writer obviously has absolutely no knowledge of China, China is one of the everlasting civilizations on this planet with more than 5000 years of history. It has encountered every possible crisis known to man. so if the writer is hinting that somehow China lacks the ability to handle Tibet he should really think again.

And why is he reporting from Chengdu? that place is so far from Tibet he might as well be in London.

John, Sydney,

In the end, the truth will set the Tibetan people free. This truth is finding its way to the west, where people can see that the military rulers in China know nothing about either truth or freedom.

I'm hoping that the groundswell to Boycott the Olympics in China will grow around the world.

Yana Murphy, El Cerrito, CA

Working with monks seem like the easiest no-brainer in the world. It is better to live peacefully with the people around you, than to live with a foot on their throats. But, again the Chinese Communist believe that all lands around Tiannamen Square belong to them and should be ruled according to their own harmonious, yet iron, fist. Someday they will claim that Vietnam and Korea are part of their historical territory and begin to claim those territories too.

Alex, LA, USA

Now, we have the list of world's villains: Russia, Syria, North Korea, Vietnam, Belarus, Benin, Fiji, and CHINA! Birds of evil feather seem to flock together. There must be a response to such a brute force occupation of a foreign people, the Tibetans, by China. Otherwise, justice would be declared dead and evildoers of the world will continue their usual business.

B.J., Plainview, NY

china is using a tactic also used by another familiar superpower, false propaganda and fear for it's own economic ends. And for what, to add to the ever increasing damage of the global environment. Backs to the wall will make all wake up finally.

christie nash, cairns, australia

Tibet was a primitive religious civilization before the Chinese government take over. It was the choice of history that a backward civilization is bound to be replaced by a more advanced civilization, just like the 200 years ago that the British conqure the large portion of the earth. Dalai Lama didn't do anything to benefit Tibetan people 50 years ago, why would anyone believe that he could do that today?
When could the western media learn to accept that China is not going to give up Tibet becasue of the pressure from the west. Just like the US is not going to carve up a state to give it back to the native Americans, or Australia wouldn't give the ab-rigionals their land back, or the New Zealand government with the Maoris. It's never going to happen!
The Chinese government invested huge huge money into Tibet and Tibetan people, help them educated, treated with mordern science when they are sick...
Stop being such a hypocrite! Look at yourselves first!

LX, Dunedin, New Zealand

I was in Chengdu in 1989, so know that executions must be taking place all over Tibet right now. In 89 I saw 75 people killed for looting right in front of me, bloodied bodies were everywhere, we watched people pulled from beds in hopsitals and taken away, saw truck loads of bodies being taken out of town, the university student president was blugeoned to death in her dorm, THESE WERE HAN SOLDIERS KILLING HAN PROTESTORS.
I cannot even imagine the virulence of the crackdown right now in Tibet. For 49 years the PRC has told Tibetans what they can wear -grow -farm, where they can live, what they can study & worship, who & how many monks can live in a monastery, monks routinely tortured. Masses of Chinese funded by the Government have moved onto the Plateau & been given the nomads' precious grasslands for farming, while nomads have been told to move to the cities. Surveilance includes encircling Tibetan areas with Chinese immigrants, so every move Tibetans make is monitored.

Edwin, Ithaca, NY

Of course Russia, Vietnam, Syria, North Korea, and other4 either former Communist countries and those that want to again become Communist like Russia, of course they support totalitatian style government.

The next logical step for the free-world to take in showing their displeasure over China's record of outright human rights abuses, is to boycott the Olympics. The IOC should never have awarded the Olympics to a country like China who abuses and allows their own people to starve to death.

James McQueen, Grand Bay-Westfield, NB< Canada

The governing elite seem to think that people will respect authority, even if that authority is forced on them. History has shown over and again this isn't true, but each new regime seems to think they have 'the better way to rule' and that it will somehow work for them.

This is just another case in point. But how many will die before anyone is convinced?

Roger, Kearney, NE

*Sigh*. Yet another biased report giving the impression of China being totally wrong and Tibet being totally innocent. Out of about 50 Western news reports I have read on this situation, I have only seen ONE that wasn't biased and looked at the situation from both the Chinese point of view and the Tibetan point of view.

And people tell me there's no such thing as Western propaganda...

Ruobing, Melbourne, Australia

anything to take our minds off the collapsing american empire

horace manoor, Chapel Hill,

These Government people running China are monsters.
Tibet was NEVER part of China. You can't force people to like you when you ruin their country and try to stamp out their beliefs. Its the same with Iraq. America should NOT be there either. Do you want some other country, say China, to invade the US, for our own good? How would you like that, eh?

Theodre M, Greenville, Delaware

China's evildoing will bring about its own undoing. The merit of the Tibetan people far outweighs any good karma China has ever done and Tibet shall return to the Tibetan people again. This is my benediction!

Vimana, Uki, Australia

it is important for every free person to understand that the Chinese Gov. is attempting to wipe-out a distinct Asian culture. by outlawing the Tebitan flag, language and tradiditons
there is a cultural genocide taking place. If the Tebitan people
were black in skin color,China would not enjoy "most favored trading status" with the USA. There would be marches,protests
and the political will to end that arrangement . But since there is not a large Tebitan demographic in the USA most poeple could care less. Sad. Very Sad. Its time to put human rights ahead of materilistic greed. It worked for South Africa, I believe it could work in the case of Communist China

Mike Phillips, Cardiff, CA USA

I think is one of our greatest injustices in not backing the Tibetian people in their fight against China.

Richard, Knoxville, TN

It is a wish that a means to achieve a peaceful settlement between the Tibetan and Chinese people can be found so that the people in Tibet can regain their religious freedom and live in peace under Chinese rule. I belive that religuous freedom is the key to resolving this conflict. If the Tibetan people are allowed to practice their religian freely, perhaps some tolerance from the Chinese would permit a peaceful coexistance.

Michael J Wheeler, Haverhill, MA

If you need to occupy a country to hold on to it,then you are an occupying force . China is trying to justify there quest for land expantion in the face of an ever expanding population. Boycott the bejing olympics unless china leaves tibet.

Douglas Martin, Plattsburgh, united states/new york

China has to be converted to a true democracy before the world will have peace. One day the Chinese people will rise up and throw off the yoke of tyranny.

Kirk, Va. Beach, Va. USA

The headline is a bit pre-mature! China's empire fraying? Have you seen the election results in Taiwan yesterday? A democratic country of 23 million people voluntarily agreed (with the help of over 1000 Chinese missiles pointing at their heads) to begin the process of returning the "renegade province" back into the great Chinese Empire. All so they could worship again at the alter of the Chinese God of Money. Long live the great Dragon Throne!

- Disgusted in Taipei

Eric Pickett, Taipei, Taiwan (former)

Imposing rules and order under the name of Harmonious Society is one thing. Winning the hearts and mind on people whose land doesn't belong to its current 'ruler' is a far tougher campaign.

lui, Beijing, China

Sounds like Kosovo ,will America step in here???????

FC, Melbourne, Victoria

Unfortunately for the Tibetans the Chinese market is so lucrative that it is very unlikely that the west will do anything substantial. Most governments of western developed states are influenced or lobbied, whichever, by hugely rich international corporations. None of these corporations wants to take a chance of losing the opportunity to grab a piece of the action (market share) in China. If the western governments take a stand against China then China may close down again. Big international money would never allow that. So the poor Tibetans, having no oil, not being strategicaly positioned and not being that many anyway, are not going to get any support and this will all blow over just like Tiananmen square did. It is shocking that the superpowers are concerned about Kosovo getting independence but don't care about Tibet. But we are used to these double standards by now and might as well just get on with our lives because our leaders have sold out.

John Morgan, Old Stratford, UK

Dalai Lama ran a slavery system in Tibet. Do you call you that freedom or democracy?

Hans, Tokyo, Japan

the Dali Lama is compassionate unless your gay or retarded.

Gareth, Melbourne, Australia

The Tibetan People are a minority in their own country. It is important in this world for people to be free. China should start a dialogue with the H.H. Dalai Lama and end this bloodshed and lies.

S. A. King, Portland, Oregon

Another typical western concerted effort, as always supported by their 'free and independent' media, to destabilize yet another country.
In Turkey some 15 million Kurds fight for decades but nobody gives a damn about them, for Turkey is an ally. Little media coverage, no Kurd victims to be seen. Less than 2 million Albanians are supported by the West, though they already have their state, unlike the Kurds. They get extensive media coverage, depicted as great victims, Serbian victims are almost nonexistant in western media. Terrorists are 'freedom fighters' in Kosovo, in Turkey they are just terrorists.
Severeal years ago it was tried in Russia with Chechenya, the West constantly picks at Russia and tries to destabilize it. Now the western strategists deem it opportune to pick at China, to divert attention from the Kosovo issue, the Iraq and Afghanistan mess, the looming recession - and the Olympics also comes handy.

Dan, Castrop,

The Chinese in 1959 conquered & broke up Tibet into smaller provinces, incorporating chunks of it into partially Han Chinese provinces, leaving current Tibet as we know it a state vastly diminished from its original size. The Chinese objective was brutally clear – wipe out Tibet as a cultural/ethnic entity & make it Han Chinese.

Does this all sound worryingly familiar? Isn’t what happened to Tibet EXACTLY what happened to Eastern Europe? If the Chinese Empire - currently only a tenth as strong as America - acts like a world bully, what will it do in 20 years when it is as strong as America?

So what is the solution? There is only one – Tibet MUST be forcefully pried loose from the Chinese Empire’s grip. The Chinese Empire MUST get a firm message – the world will unambiguously oppose the conquest of foreign people. The Han Chinese have absolutely no justification in colonizing Tibet, a proud & peaceful nation that comprises fully 25% to 35% of the landmass of the Chinese Empire.

Remy P, Portland, Oregon

It's time we as a nation take a moral stand against China's perpetual disregard of human rights. We should make it clear that we intend to boycot the Olympics out of solidarity with oppressed people within that nation, and to protest the unholy alliances entertained by its government elsewhere.

H. R. Spencer, Columbia, SC, USA

Regarding the riots of tibetans especially in Lhasa I doubt in the fundamental level whether it's a legitimate protest or just a malice mayhem and vandalism by mobsters.

Jarrett, London, UK

As I work today in a peaceful afternoon before Easter in Chicago, I look upon the website Craigslist.com and I am threatened by a Chinese man that says death to America, then threatens me to a fight at my personal e-mail.
I respond to his anger in defending America, but I sense the anger that I feel in most Chinese about anyone that doesn't think as they do. The Chinese like years ago can't see the peacefulness of the Tibetan people, instead try to destroy this amazing culture. I myself have been studying Buddhism for years and the anger I used to feel has left my body and adapting the Buddhist philosophy has opened my heart again.
I hope that media watches China, as they try to blindfold everyone, so they can spread their fear of conform or die tactics. I pray hard all through the day that peace will avail, as the day of the celebration of Jesus reborn is upon us.
Jayson Lambert

Jayson Lambert, Chicago, U.S.A / IL.

I am a Chinese, Even if the district had oil, you think US would fight to China? If it happened, it is likely that US would win, but the death of US army should be ten times of that in Iraq. China is not Iraq. America media only told you part of the truth of Tibet. They ignores all the death of Han Chinese people in this riot, without any pictures showing that Han Chinese were beated, fired to death, is it the way of freedom and democratic spirit you call yourselves? And ridiculously using lots of pictures in India and Nepol said that Chinese policemen were killing the Tibet people, the suits and the face of the policemen are even not Chinese. You American people are so self-centered and elegant. No need to say Chinese government is cruel sometimes, but is this the excuse that you people could slander it and ignore the death of the innocent Han Chinese? Believe me, that is not the way. The only way is peaceful negotiation. Otherwise they would be more people die.

Jianye, Toledo,

This dramatic exposure of the genocide of Tibet and it's spiritual heritage, where China has for decades stealthfully eradicated Tibetans and their culture is an opportunity to re-jig decency and accountability in yet another arena. Just as America is being brought to account - and the peoples' wishes not just swept aside by a smoke and mirrors dictatorship, China also will be seen for what it is by unwelcome graphic exposure. The test is, of course, whether some of our ascending, more altruistic leaders, will have the courage to challenge outrageous acts, thereby jeopardising trade. Amongst all the posturing and aggression of East and West, the Dalai Lama stands quietly poised, never remote from the moment, deeply intelligent and entirely without personal Ego: The supreme legacy of Buddhism from Tibet

alison corfield, Adelaide, Australia

it is not a civil war. tibet is a different nation. countries should stop participating the olympics for poor tibet people.

alex, boston, usa

Notice that the postings from "Mark" in Australia and "Mark" in NZ are from two people with the same Anglo-Saxon name but whose writing is obviously that of non-native English speakers. China keeps sending these dweebs out onto the Internet to log pro-Chinese comments in forums like this. Just another example of their degree of their honesty and integrity as a nation.

greg, Eugene, OR

Hmm, try not to buy Chinese goods to see if you can survive. Certainly talking is cheap. LOL

You Westerner really want to free Tibet? Free California. Free Quebec, Free Ireland....

chance, Santa Rosa, CA, USA

The ludicrousness of the Dalai Lama being portrayed as an evil usurper... poetically sums up the Chinese Government. Like most out of touch dictatorships, its media methods are rooted in the 1950's.

China get the hell out of Tibet. The whole world wants you out! Give the Tibetans their freedom!

Bernad, Melbourne, Victoria

tibet is not kosov,China is not serb

steven shi, mississauga, Canada

Very interesting to read your article, I was in Kanding and Karze just last summer, and it's disturbing to hear of the events in those areas.

However, I could have told you that China's empire was falling apart, this simply has been the most obvious example of it. The PLA will have some difficulty in those mountains, especially around Kanding. GIve 'em hell. Free Tibet.

Alex, New York, New York

The Dalai Lama is for non-violence. We should follow his belief. Violence is not the answer.

Thomas, Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia/Penang

go ahead to boycott olympics and stop by Chinese goods, as a Chinese I really don't care those, really don't, believe me. what I care about is to support my country in any way, and watch my country keeps growing and becomes superpower.

remember that probably your country is more need China than China need yours. Canada, UK for example.

Harry, Toronto, Canda

I saw the real mass uprising riots of the 1960s here both in Memphis and Chicago, and I know what a real mass uprising is. What I saw on CCTV (I have Dish Network) was not anything like that.

The riots of the 1960s and the more recent riots in LA in response to the not guilty verdict for police who beat Rodney King did not topple the USA, and these riots will not topple China; nor did anyone invade us or boycott us or act like Nancy Pelosi is acting during the time our cities burned in the 1960s.

In fact, our leaders denounced the violence of our riots, but they now seem gleeful about the suffering of innocent Tibetans and Hans in Tibet, some who lost relatives.

This is painful to China and Tibet because it interferes with the spirit of the Olympics. The timing is indeed very suspicious to any rational, decent person, but these "riots" are not intrinsically the significant event this article is HYPING.

Pauline, Brooklyn, NY

I really believed I could be nearer to the truth once I left China and came to the US. It turned out I'm just way too naive.

You are just much better liars than Chinese government. You can actually fool your people into believing whatever story you make up. That's impressive.

Take a look at the blog of mine and see for yourself what role you guys are playing in increasing hatred between China and the western world.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=308396105&blogID=368841742

Do you really wanna start a war? Is that what you want so that you can make more money by selling weapons?

Smart.

Frank, Harrison, NJ, US

This whole week, almost all the leaders of the Super power Nation bashed and pressured China For the outrageous suppression of Tibetan people's genuine right and the Chinese leaders with pre-historic mentality didn't even budge.Why?
Answer:Because they are scared to make any hasty mistakes before and olympic game and fear that their own people might come to their sense of the truth that matters.Tibetan people's brave uprising before the communist regime without fear of their death should mean something...
One estimate, The Walker Report, published by the US Senate committee of the judiciary in July 1971, placed the total death toll in China since1949 between 32.25 and 61.7 million.The communist party of China killed more people than all those people who died in the world War 11 and we are talking about their own people.What surprises me is that Chinese people are not moving forward fast enough to change and question this regime.It is still not too late to enjoy democracy and peace.

tenzin, new york city, united state

It's just very disappointing and disturbing how unprofessional and biased the western media is. In my opinion, if it's anything, then the worldwide protest and overwhelming support for tibetans and their riot in Lhasa just illustrated how gullible and naive people really are, nowadays it is like wherever whenever there's a protest, the protesters must be the suppressed and innocent, even though they burn houses, steal from stores, kill people during the protest, somehow it kinda becomes a unimportant detail or justical express of anger. you know that's how it is actually the "protest" in Lhasa turned out to be, people killed, brutally burned by tibetan rioters. people nowadays tend to be unbelievably bold to comment on things or even "protest" on things that they don't know, I guess it does make people feel like righteous heros, and kinda dashing to support the "weak". but the precondition is that you try hard enough to find out the truth yourself first, not just follow with the trend.

Jarrett, London,

I second what Max Rollins, nashville, has to say - Boycott the Olympics! And stop buying items made in china! Free Tibet!
Annie, USA

Annie Ryan, Ponca City, OK

The Chinese Government is doing all it can to protect the safety of its citizens and visitors by remaining vigilant against a violent and potenially devestating uprising.
What a short memory Amercia has, is'nt that the same pretext it uses when it indiscriminately arrests muslim people and locks them up in CIA jails aound the World?
Hypocrisy is a terrible thing and perhaps all of these do-gooders commenting on this situation should get their own houses in order.

Mark Jones, Chendgu, Sichuan, China

The CNN, the Times, and a ot of US papers are a bunch of biased news reporting. While there are all the disturbing protests, rioting and fighting in every democracy countries around the world, there is no controversy due to the governments. But in the case of China, the bias editors and neocons never seem tired of poking irritation at Beijing.
The aims of the bias reporting is to shed negative light at the policies of Chinese government which has done whatever it can for all the minorities through economic developments. Only the Tibet ans has the encouragement of foreign power and one cannot see the dissatisfaction of other minorities in China. Why, one may ask? Or is it just like the situation in Taiwan where the Western powers wanted to weaken the Chinese, using democracy as an excuse?
Your canning tactics and unfair mission will not go down well with the vast majority of the people in this world. The lopsided reporting do not even touch on the efforts of the government .
Yap

Yap, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Yes, talk is cheap and spend all you have to support Tibet in order to airborne the supply to them if they could declare independence sucessfully.

Michael, Montreal, Canada

Nothing can change China's position on Tibet. You can boycott the Olympics, and it will make things worse. You can do nothing, and it will make things worst. Bottomline is the Chinese see Tibet as part of their territory, and any effort by the West to support Tibet is regarded as new imperialism. China's nuclear and military arsenal is to make sure that this new imperialism will not happen again.

William, Jakarta, Indonesia

Governments are stuck under the economical power of China.
Chinese government doesn't care about nothing, the only real thing we can do is stop buying anything that comes from China.
I will not watch anything on tv about the olimpic games. (easy)
I will not buy anything that comes from China (less easy)
I will tell people I know to do the same.

Mox, Rome, Italy

The matter is very simple, a China's area wants to be independent, China prevents, moreover restrains does not use the military force. Simultaneously the so-called morality and justice commanding point's people carry on the accusation to China, criticizes China not to prevent these independences is. is very good, then future these morality and justice representatives, if is facing oneself country splits, please do defer to the similar standard, do not prevent, to own national fission.

Sam, Outside US ,

I agree with the idea of boycott the Olympics, in some level, politicize the Olympics is necessary,as far as i can recall, china government has gave the words to the world that it will reform the human right situation, therefore, beijing Olympics is political deal. but to resist Chinese goods is not a good idea, it would not only harm the Chinese innocent people, but also will bring a slip down to the world economy

cty, zhejiang, china

John of Australia: stop buying Chinese goods? Don't be silly- these are the cheapest stuff in the world that everyone wants not only becos China wants to sell but everyone wants to buy. Yous top buying and then you pay more for the same stuff from elsewhere (if you can find an alternative). In aggregate, you and your economy will be the sufferers.Sure China will be hurt temporarily but have you noticed that they are actually trying to cool their economy? You are giving them a hand- so be their guest.

block, malaysia,

First, Sudan and Tibet

Next on China's hit list: Taiwan and then North Korea.

Chinese are now writing in their history books that the ancient Korean kingdom Koguryo actually belonged to China.

At this rate, Chinese will say Japan is a Chinese province.

PLEASE WESTERN NATIONS STOP CHINESE BULLIES!

Mark, New York, New York

Crimes which has happened in Tibet was shocking and frightening. And as a Han Chinese, i admit that there are many things left for my government to do, to improve the hardware and software situations in Tibet.

But i believe most Chinese people, of course involving Tibetans, are clear that what they really want and need is unified country and harmonious society.

To those westerners who have paid too much attention to the issues of China, I shall say ,"Thank you, but you'd better firse make sure what is going on in your countries is accordance with the socalled 'democracy' and 'freedom' acclaimed by your leaders, before stretch out hands in other nations. Don't you forget the 911. Your behaviors have hurt our peace far more!"

Zhaojia, Tianjin, China

Free Tibet from the medieval religion-state mind control!
Free Tibet from the religious zealots!
Free Tibet from the ethnic terrorists!
Free Tibet from the hatred education spread by the exiles!
Free Tibet from the cultural/religious hypocrites who, after over-consuming the world's material and their own culture and religions, try to block Tibet from development and going in the new century!

Zhang Fan, Baltimore, USA

It is so sad that we as humans have let this go on for so long. stop buying chinese goods,stop spending money in their conuntry,send all chinese home to their country,no olympics in their country,what ever it takes, the chinese people need to know they are not doing tibet any favours with their so called liberation of tibet,give me a break!,they wont to be free!free of being told how to live in their own country and like all humans they have a right to it. If tibet had oil Im sure the U.S would have stepped in along time ago.what is wrong with us! FREE TIBET! and bless his holiness the Dalai Lama and all tibet and its beautiful people,who have all the compassion for its land,earth, and for us, yet we offer none for them. shame on all of us. and big shame on the leaders of china and its people for letting this happen.FREE TIBET!!

Anuwela, auckland, new zealand

Here is a little bit history education for people who know NOTHING about Tibet history. Tibet became part of China (Qing Dynasty) from 1720. This was protected by treaties between tibetan government and chinese central government. Look at any UK published world map in 19th century, you can easily find the truth.

Lewis, New York,

People who support truth and freedom do not support countries like China moving into Tibet, or Indonesia moving into Irian Jaya and Timor, with the objective of taking absolute control to improve their wealth, and subjugating an indigenous people and destroying their culture. Where people are kept under military rule, demoralised and manipulated, there will always be those who will be prepared to fight and lose their lives. I have always watched and enjoyed the Olympics, but I will not be watching the Olympic games this year. I have no interest to support the China government and it's propaganda.

Rowena, Melbourne, Australia

The countries that China routinely criticises as "imperialist" have let their empires go. Imperialist China is still desperately clutching on to its own empire. The hypocrisy of the Chinese government is breathtaking.

Luo Ge, Auckland, New Zealand

China's new 'super-power' status is terrifying, given their legendary political tyranny, ongoing human rights abuses, and unacceptable manufacturing / trade practices.

And as their power increases, so too will these abuses.

Leah, Toronto, Canada

I don't think people who talk about free Tibet even realize what they are asking China to do.
If you look at the area that Tibet is requesting for, it includes vast amount of Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu. Altogether, Han is by far the majority in the area Tibetans in Exile group are asking for. So in any referendum, they would never have a chance of leaving China. Even in Lhasa itself, it's believe 2/3 are not Tibetans. So, what do you do, just give it the autonomous region of Tibet where a referendum may or may not yield a result they like. Hold referendum in the larger area with everyone, which would result in no independence chance? or only allow ethnic Tibetans to vote in a referendum. Which is totally undemocratic. And even if Tibet manages to separate, how many of them would want to go back to the feudalistic society that it used to be. Don't let Dalai Lama fool you, Tibet prior to China was always a religious fundamentalist society with autocratic rule + slavery.

Feng, New York, USA

Actually Scotland isn't independent, but it does have its own parliament and a huge degree of autonomy. The difference between us and Tibet is that if WE vote for independence we would get it, Tibet is being denied that right.

Oh, and China ** INVADED ** an independent Tibet, how could the communists reassert their authority in Tibet in 1950 when they had never ruled there in the first place.

D Newell, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland

The Tibetans are one of the most peaceful races on this earth. The Tibetan beliefs and practices have come down through the millenia. The claim that Tibet was not a nation because it had no army just shows how morose our thinking has become. We are put on this earth to find our own paths back to god (note: I am not religious in any way) and we are all looking to find peace within. Unfortunately, we have religion and rule imposed on us and we are then brainwashed by society! Then we sit here in judgement of a peaceful nation that had Chinese communist rule imposed on its people, who are we to judge the Tibetans? Whils't they have given us much tradition and truth, great stories and a colourful people that spread truth! They mey not have oil under Tibet, but it could be what is under Tibet that interests the Chinese the most? Don't understand my meaning? Read, learn and study about the history and it won't do you any harm, it might even surprise you and can help you in your own lives!

Jason Myers, Chonburi, Thailand

China purports to be communist yet in fact it is a fascist regime. This evil empire will crumble, just like the Soviet Union did.

David, Berlin, Germany

it is frightful how the chinese government is not held up to any real scrutiny and is shameless in its brazen barefaced lies for the purposes of propaganda. western democracies may be riddled with two-faced politicians, but china is truly orwellian in its utter disregard for honesty where only power and face-saving matter.

Nathan Crawford-Condie, Melbourne, Australia

Ireland is independent. Just like Canada and Australia and Scotland.

Lindel, Arlington, USA

And what does the average Chinese have to lose by seeing Tibet as a hostile place?

The only people that lost on this are the real Tibetans that could benefit from the billions of dollars of investment. Believe it or not, people who actually live in Tibet, living off less than a dollar a day might not see the world in the same light as monks or Tibetans who grew up in the west with all their luxuries, let along westerners who don't even know Tibet beyond what they read on the paper.

If Tibetans thought they were marginalized for employment before, they are going to feel that hard now that China stop doing business there. They had bad jobs before, they have no jobs now. And behold, another Africa born thanks to western ideology.

Dali Lama certainly cares more about his pride than anything beneficial to the average Tibetan. Shameful.

David, Ottawa, Canada

No matter what the Chinese propaganda. No one change or rewrite the history of Tibet that it was an independent country and will soon be free from the Chinese’s regime. We Tibetan will decide our own faith with or without the help anyone. If we go down, we take the so called "Mother Land" with without a “Farther Land” down. Freedom is all things you took it for granted and the comments you wrote. Photos, videos and records are evidences under any court in world where there is rule of law.

tsultrim Wangchuk, New York, USA

Interesting that comments in the Western press can be broken down into two camps - those of us who live and work here in China and those of you who've read about China in a pamphlet.

To us Westerners living in China, the West has this story completely and absolutely wrong. The violence in Tibet is being orchestrated by a few Tibetan brigands who shave their heads and pretend to be monks. The violence is not just against Han Chinese, but also against Hui Moslems and us Westerners. I can prove that.

This is simply an extremely ham-fisted attempt to get the Chardonnay Liberals who still believe that the normal Tibetan people 'revere' the Dalai Lama to rise up against China. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The poor people of Tibet regard the Chinese as liberators, not occupiers. A look at social conditions in Tibet before 1959 will reveal that the DL condoned slavery and feudalism. Will Gordon Brown ask him about this when they meet? I doubt it.

Scot Richards, Beiing, China

westerns always together play a role as the international pop,u say the chinese government invadeed Tibet and took control over the people there,so did u remember the Eight-Power Allied Forces
once burnt the summer palace and plundered thousands of cultural relics and they still being kept in Louvre,Metropolitan Museum of Art.....,so they kindly helped chinese people keeping them there and we still should ackowledgeu all????????!!!!!!!!!

shoujc, beijing, China

I expect the West will observe and do nothing. Expounders of human rights eh! I am saddened for the plight of the Tibetan people, sadly Chinese rule has always been brutal, even to their own kin. Just look at Mao & Mme Mao... Has anything really changed in China?

baz, lowestoft, suffolk

Please guys, before saying that Tibet haven't been an independent country before 1951 read at least few independent sources. At least the Wiki.
Although Tibet doesn't want an independence but a genuine autonomy, why , do you think, it's bad to give somebody an independence? Seem like simple fear or wish to posess the territory...
Look at Europe- they're all independent, no borders, people are free to go to any country for living. So what's the problem?

Sergey, Kiev, Ukraine

I will not say which part belongs to which, but if the Tibetians' life can be better if Tibet belongs to China, then why not to be happy with it.

Te, London, UK

Regardless what some might wish to have happened, truth is the Tibetans and the Han Chineses have been fighting each other throughout history for the simple reason that they are linked geographically. More often than not, the Tibetans lost.

Before the Communists took over China, they were both Buddhists countries differing by the degree of orthodoxy.
Imagine if there is no Himmalaya mountains separating Tibets from India, Tibetians Buddhists might suffer the same faith today like the Himmalayan country annexed by India used to be called Sikkim. Where would the Dalai Lama go then?

To coexist peacefully, Tibetans need to do better than being led by monks and herders. Good luck to them.

As to bycotting the Olympics, we need to learn from the past.
The US olympics in Los Angeles was boycotted by the Russians and some of its followers. The Russians Olympics was boycotted by the US and its follwerers.

Did these Olympics boycotts change anything?

singola, songkhla, thailand

Ricck, Tibet is just as much a country as China or England. Actually the People's Republic of China is an empire - an imperialist enterprise - comprised of several nations, namely one dominant nation misled by a vicious dictatorship, and a number of oppressed victim nations. The only way that China can regain its dignity, is to accept that, and behave with decency and generosity. It has nothing to gain in Tibet except lasting shame and disgrace.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

The brainwashed Chinese commentators keep accusing the West of being biased? How do Tibetans in Tibet feel when they are constantly barged by all the garbage about how great China is, how bad the Dalai is again, again and again.

Here in the West people have different opinions as reflected here. Some pro and some not pro Tibet. All opinions can be heard. If you like to hear unbiased opinion maybe first check the neutality of opinions in China.

Tsenam, New York City,

Whether it is beneficial or detrimental to the situation, depending on your view, Tibet is internal to the PRC. As such, it's a matter of Chinese sovereignty and their own discretion as to the actions that will be taken in Tibet.

The rest of the world has no hard proof of what is going on from either side. Without this information, those calling for intervention to aid Tibet may be wrong, as could those letting the situation fall by the way. The first thing that needs to be done is to confirm what the situation is, the most difficult thing in any situation.

Lastly, violent or not, is it the job of the international community to guarantee seccessionist states or groups the right to be so? How many openly aid the Kurds, the Tamil Tigers, or the MILF? Should sovereignty be breached on "I feel we should", or should we continue to use agreed international standards on intervention?

A question on feasibility. How do you wage an action in the heart of Asia against a world power?

Sean, Moorefield, US

I feel for the oppressed people of Tibet, however, I believe that the Dali Lama should be ashamed of himself for not supporting the people of Tibet for their courageous fight for freedom against the world's biggest nation. This fight bespeaks the great Bravery of the Tibetan Peop. Also Shame on every Free Nation that doesn't support their struggle.

Kyle, Santa Cruz, USA

to Puru, UK, UK
you say "Tibet should get independance ",and we also can say Ireland should get independance .do you think there any differences ?

zhao, tianjin , China

China's new 'super-power' status is terrifying, given their legendary political tyrannies, human rights abuses and unacceptable manufacturing and trade practices.

And as their power increases, so too will these abuses!

Leah, Toronto, Canada

Taking the first step toward what has become 50 years of oppression, China's People's Liberation Army invades Tibet, killing more than 10,000. Repeated attempts by The Dalai Lama to negotiate with China are dismissed, the Chinese retaliate against the Tibetan resistance, killing more than 87,000.
Before the Chinese occupation, there are 6,000 Tibetan monasteries in Tibet. After the Cultural Revolution, there are six. Hundreds of thousands of Monks, Nuns and civilians are imprisoned or killed for wearing traditional hairstyles and clothing, engaging in traditional song or dance, or voicing their religious beliefs. Rituals such as prostrations, mantras, prayer wheels, circumambulation, throwing tsampa and burning juniper or incense are strictly prohibited. Anything representing the cultural identity of the Tibetan people is eradicated. More than 250,000 Tibetans die in prisons and labor camps. Tibetan women are raped, sterilized and forced to have abortions.

TH, Hull, UK

Mark in Sydney, what peace of 56 ethnics are you talking about? As we have clearly seen, a very large number of Tibetans are not happy being a part of China. And why would they be? A deeply religious people, they are forbidden to have a picture of their sacred leader in their home, they must renounce the Dalai Lama, they cannot even say they are Tibetan. Would you like it if you could not say you are Chinese?

This is not the evil outside world trying to separate China. This is the people of Tibet speaking out. You and your country must listen, you can't suppress the truth forever. Both sides are using the media to it's full advantage, but you have to look at the bigger picture. Wake up and see the facts.

If the CCP are so right in what they are doing, why have they expelled all foreign journalists and tourists from the area?

Peter, China,

I am a Canadian and I CAN be tolerant with Quebec sovereigntists. The people of Quebec have twice had provincial referendums on weather to stay in Canada or to seek independence. They decided of their own fee will to stay. That is democracy. We all know what the outcome of a free vote amongst the Tibetan people would be, and thats why China will never let them have one.

Roger, Toronto, canada

The question now is: What may the ethnically different Muslims of North West China do?

Ed, Strathpine, Australia

It's just very disappointing and disturbing how unprofessional and biased the western media is. In my opinion, if it's anything, then the worldwide protest and overwhelming support for tibetans and their riot in Lhasa just illustrated how gullible and naive people really are, nowadays it is like wherever whenever there's a protest, the protesters must be the suppressed and innocent, even though they burn houses, steal from stores, kill people during the protest, somehow it kinda becomes a unimportant detail or justical express of anger. you know that's how it is actually the "protest" in Lhasa turned out to be, people killed, brutally burned by tibetan rioters. people nowadays tend to be unbelievably bold to comment on things or even "protest" on things that they don't know, I guess it does make people feel like righteous heros, and kinda dashing to support the "weak". but the precondition is that you try hard enough to find out the truth yourself first, not just follow the trend. whil

Jarrett, London,

Mark, "an Ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country.” Ordinary citizens don't have to, even with adopted English names.

Bill Smart, Walton, essex, UK

Chairman Mao would have known what to do

Daniel K888, Melbourne , Australia

Since when Tibet becomes a country with no army? It never was a country, it is not a country now, and it will remain so forever. Tibet was, is and will be a part of China territory. If you want to question China's claim of Tibet, think about how America grow from 13 states to its current size and how you Americans acquired Alaska, with money!!!

Ricck, West Lafayette, Indiana

'Made in China' folks,
What more can I say.

Lhaull, Chiang Mai,

The oppression of the Tibetan people during these few decades has not changed the feelings against Chinese and never will............Tibetans and Chinese people are like two sides of a coin........Tibetans are almost all practicing Buddhists with teachings of compassion and love......on the other hand Chinese are almost all atheists who only believe in making cheap products..........The Chinese will probably take a while to understand that looting and plundering of Tibet is one thing and subjugating the will of the people is another......history has always shown that oppression has only led to a revolution....

Lobsang, toornto, canada

There is no doubt that Chinese government had lost some part of the control to the present condition. But I believe it is because the Olympic Game in Beijing has made government exhausted. And few part of Tibetan seize the opportunity. Of course, as a chinese, I cannot bear the abruption. Just like any Canadian cannot be to tolerant with the independence of Quebec.

Zhu lee, Beijing, China

Yeah, the Dalai Lama was so compassionate that he even owned slaves.

Jake, Detroit, MI

Tibet is NOT part of CHINA. World is kowning this , but due to echonomical relations with china & chinies miletary power, no one is suporing Tibet. Tibet should get independance and US should give his supprt to Tibetians.

Puru, UK, UK

See, this is a part of your result to split china. Are you happy BBC, CIA, CNN...Stop trying your best to draw china back to civil war, like what you did in the last centuary. It's against the peace of all 56 ethics people in china, chinese people, not only the government. Be aware, if you kept trying doing so to destroy china again, the chinese would come from every corner in the world by any means with intelligence and wisdom to guard our pride nation.

Mark, Sydney, Australia

All we hear is talk, talk is cheap, STOP BUYING CHINESE GOODS. That is the only way to wake up China.

John, Heritage Park, Australia

boycott the Olympics and chinese goods punish china for what it has done to the Tibetan people FREE TIBET!!!!!

Max Rollins, nashville,

i am heartsick for all of the Tibetan people whom i hold so close to my heart. The Chinese government have completely disrespected everything that the Tibetan people hold dear and have tried to destroy the heart of tibet and tibetan buddhism. this is a world crime that is coming to a head right now!

i have been very fortunate to make acquaintance with many tibetans in the past 25+ years and the overwhelming common denominator is one of incredible kindness and a general sense of peace regardless of the sadness and longing they hold as exiled citizens from their beloved homeland.

Tibetans have tried to peacefully regain their country to no avail. The communist Chinese want to kill and destroy the Tibetan people and all they hold dear. it is just as hitler did in the 1930's and 40's, the destruction of the jewish people all over europe and their culture that had lived there for centuries. WILL WE LET THIS HAPPEN TO THE TIBETANS ?

cc milgrom, portland, oregon

Too bad they don't have aany oil!!!

Dave Dunn, Sudbury, Canada

This reads as a prelude to a fiasco for those Olympic Games. Probably a Chinese-mandated news blackout despite cell phones will hide most true events. Also revealed is hypocrisy from many areas. Good luck to Tibet!

Charles Griffith, Middletown, Maryland USA

What you mean " freedom " here is actually misleading readers, this is what you are doing every day ! shame !
Can you say that you are a " honest farther or mather " before your kids when you lie here ?

mark, hamilton, NZ

The Tibetan people are lead by one of the most compassionate human beings on this earth and the atrocities of the Chinese government are unforgivable. It is astonishing to me that the United Nations has never intervened and it is horrifying that a country with no army is being squashed by the Chinese government. I meditate for the people of Tibet and I hope they will be free again, one day. May the Dalai Lama never give up his leadership!!

Adam Meora, Philadelphia,

We need the evidence. No matter the photos, videos, records.

We need a comment not a story.

Bill, Aberdeen,