"Pictures of the Dalai Lama have been banned in China since the mid-1990s "
how strange are this words!
when i had been to lhasa in 1998, i had saw many peddlers selling a man's pictures in Bajiao Street. i was very curious who was so famous in Tibet. my tibetan friend told me that the man in the picture is dalai lama.

shelley, guangzhou, china

Kevin H, Newcastle, UK

Why are you going back to 1980s. Now it is 2008. Alot has changed since then.

Openly staring at ethnic Tibetans? How did you interpret that? Hatred? Looking down? Envy??? If a boy stares at a girl would it not mean interest or love? It could mean a lot of things. Yes you would look strange because you were a white bird among yellow birds.

Have you been back to Tibet lately? I doubt so.

My firm opinion of the West is correct. You have read and seen the changes in China. Your economies are affected by the rise in China's. You have no other good alternatives but to buy China Made goods. You have now seen China Made cars in your market and they are cheap and good. The Chinese are coming in droves to invest and a few may even buy over your assets. Yes China has sent 3 space men into space and they have a moon probe orbiting the moon.

China a threat? Do not worry. China is peace loving. Please no more western gimmicks - human rights, etc.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

why are ppl making funny comments... saying something like Tibet r hving different living styles ??? Funny thing is.. in China.. WE R NOT STEREOTYPE! WE HV LIKE OVER 100S DIFFERENT GROUPS AND CULTURES.. and may not understand each other even within China... so differences doesnt mean we r nt in the same country... TIBET IS PART OF CHINA DATED BACK 13TH CENTURY, NOW READ SOME HISTORY BOOKS...

Xenia, HK,

It's just too good an opportunity for some of you westerners to imagine yourself as Savior, how could you possibly let it go? This is absolutely the perfect stage for you to position yourself at a higer level, morally. What a joke! You who allegedly advocate freedom, equalness and democracy never learned how to appreciate different culture, how to treat other people as equal as you are. All the Chinese are all passive victims of the communist regime, this is what your media and you who knows little about China and Chinese try to sell. For this piece of news, I certainly can't give any credence to some accusations which came out of blue. For this gentleman who visited China in the 80s (I'm obviously still in nappies), may I please recommend you go back and have a look again? You'll be amazed how much has changed in the past 20 years. It's just such a farce. I couldn't find any Chinese saying while you Americans killed all Indians, you prospered on slavery, you are the worst people ever

Cindy, Huddersfield, UK

Yes boycott China, without China the whole world is in recession now... thanks for the US for dragging the whole world into recession and thanks for China helping Asian countries economies... as being a major trading partner...

For Tibet, i hv not seen one single pictures of soldiers shooting ONE citizen. Shut up until u hv one single evidence. Tks..

Frankie, Macau,

Wait before u speak, why dont u guys look at the Tibet violence slide show post by TIMES, all i see is tibet attacking ppl.. and chinese police defending... well.. wat more can i say?

Tom, Gold Coast,

This is exactly why protesters were on the streets of London and Paris. Tibet is NOT an intrinsic part of China - I visited China in the '80s, and witnessed Chinese in Sichuan openly staring at ethnic Tibetans, they obviously seemed so different to their own culture (and ignoring me as a strange Westerner!).
Since then, we in the west (USA as well as Europe) have become increasingly economically beholden to this communist rogue state. It is time for the West to take a stand - first boycott this obscene echo of the 1936 Nazi games, then start to regain some real economic autonomy and bring jobs back to our own countries. And maybe, just maybe, start to stand up for the rights of Tibetans, who have far more of a claim to nationhood than some recently independent Balkan statelet.

Kevin H, Newcastle, UK

For arguments sake if Tibet is China then why do Tibetans live in Exile!!

Why are Tibetan/Chinese getting murdered in Tibet!!

Why is the world minus spineless politicians/UN protesting
against these murders.

Cultural Genocide, walsall,

To the Chinese:
All your life you have been fed propaganda by the Communist Party. The Tibetans harbor no hatred toward Chinese citizens, but their frustration is understandable. All these decades since China invaded Tibet, they have lost their freedom. Some material things have gotten better, but now that you Han come to Tibet, they are second-class citizens in their own country.
You may be accustomed to a lack of freedom, but the Tibetans were accustomed to their own freedom, including religious freedom and reverence for the Dalai Lama, who has consistently led them to take a non-violent approach. The Dalai Lama is not a separatist, but a realist. He does not advocate separating from China, regaining freedom, but wants meaningful self-determination for His people. You must know from your own experience that no one has full freedom in China. For Tibetans, it is even worse since they are seen as outsiders (because, in fact, they are outsiders). Peace will come only with freedom.

Clinton, J, Chicago, USA

I just want to tell my compatriot that most of this extremism westerners are not worth to argue with. They don't want to analyses the problem. They don't show us evidence. They don't answer our question. They just saying "Free Tibet, Boycott Olympic".
If you are enraged by their words then quarrelled with them. It just hurt yourself, hurt all chinese people and westerners who loves peace.
I was thought westerner's society is the best in the world(if not perfect). And now I find I was so naive . And I become to understand what is the superpower of journalism. --- A power which can call white gray(if not black) .

X.Wu, shanghai, China

China must be pretty insecure and weak if just one old monk, without a country or army, living in exile in India, can cause "riots" and inflame the entire Tibetan nation. The jackboots of the Red Army are no match for the light of truth, even if they send every single Tibetan to "patriotic re-education."

ingo baker, los angeles, california, usa

Qing were top of Tibet, like top of Mongloia

Qing take China in war

Now poor sons claim master property

are poor sons because Qing make China's people lowest of all. Mongolia, Tibet every one else above China people
China's man wear "pigtail" because low status

Nor, Kuala Lumpur,

China people are backing killers

like Japanese, are same!

Pak, Seoul, Korea

Maybe people from China writing we don't "know the real truth", know about Tibetan monks at a monastery saying China put fake monks to talk to western reporters, most of monks say it to reporters in front of police. Police try to move reporters away so can't learn it or talk to real monks. Large numbers of monks say it.

You say we don't "know the real truth" but your government was seen lying at monastery using fake monks! Maybe YOU don't "know the real truth. Maybe you just care less only care about Chinese image, but China got no face now to internatonal community because your government!

Sil, Malaysia,

a lot of rubbish comments. Tibet was, is and will be always a part of China. Stop your stupid thinking and try to go to Tibet and look around, what you took it for granted is totally wrong.
I am a common citizen of China, I am against your prejudice!

Winter, Guangzhou,

While we are very grateful for your coverage of China's Tibet crackdown, would your writers and editors please retire the antiquated term "god king" when referring to the Dalai Lama? "Spiritual and secular leader" would do just fine. And it's also a bit of an insult to use the Chinese versions of the Tibetans' names. For example, Yixi Lima = Yeshe Lama and Ciwang Renzhen = Tsewang Rinchen.

Konchog Norbu, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Yan, Shanghai, PRC

undercover Yankee?

Edward, Winnipeg, Canada

This murder of innocent Tibetans by Chinese paramilitary troops shows just how far China is willing to go to ensure the entire population is under their thumb.
The question now needs to be asked HOWMANY TIBETAN LIVES ARE YOUR OLYMPIC MEDALS WORTH? I always thought the Olympic Games were meant to bring people together in PEACE and not be hijacked for political purposes. If we go to Beijing does that make us accessories to the slaughter in Tibet, knowing about it as we do?

Dan Walter, Milton Keynes, Bucks., U>K>

Nasty politics I have to say.

Tired of people just talking without doing any real action.

Like mike said Why do we not have the same reaction from the west to China as we did in Serbia and Kosovo?

I am asking why the west let Hongkong and Macau go back to China's control? What if 14th Dalai Lama passed away and the new Dalai become a sock puppet of Beijing? Why Taiwan (Republic of China) claims sovereignty right over Tibet?

Tibet will never be able to free, if an independent Taiwan cannot be recognized by international society.

There are a lot of terrain in China needed to be free. Tibet, East Turkestan , Mongolia, Manchurian, Hongkong, Macau, Guangxi, even Shanghai.

Sadly the west can do nothing for poor North Korean people just because the crazy communists have nuclears!!!

what a joke!!!

Yan , Shanghai , PRC

We all know China is autocratic and a bully. No one has the guts to open their mouths now. If China was under-developed we would have seen sanctions imposed on it by UK & USA. Now China will laugh at these two nations if they even try to utter a word. China rules! Just look around you and on you and you find 'Made in China' everywhere. This can not go on. IIts not good. Look at China's allies to see who they are befriending. 'Dangerous' is the only thing I can say. Do not trust them. We are repenting already. Any one sane can prove me wrong?!

John, cambridge, UK

Articles like these are the reason that China has turned away western reporters, China really does not need another picture of one man stand off with a tank.

It's sad that eight people died, at the same time, it was necessary to impose order. Without order, there would be more violence in China, and escalating retaliation by the government, until China is agained invaded by American and European forces, in which case it would be WWII or Iraq all over again.

The bottom line is, the Chinese government is doing what is best for its people. It is developing as quickly as it could. I am living in America because I think life is better here. Still, the Chinese government is only doing what it has to do for its people. The major difference Iraqi casualties, Palestanian casualites, and Tibet casualties is that the USA fought in the name of freedom, while the Chinese government fought in the name of national unity.

Yun Si, NYC, USA

What a innovative movie! Over these weeks since the riots started in Tibet, I thought I am watching a Hollywood movie or a low-class project produced by one of my bad students who used to copy and paste pictures stealing from the internet. I wonder who is the script writer and the director of this great movie 'Free Tibet against Evil Dragon Dynsasty' could be. Who could make a educated guess? ( the name of the game is RESOURCE, RESOURCE & RESOURCE)
May be we are a little foolish,however, we are not stupid. Making up stories is not a right thing to do. Needless to said, making up story for the others is also not right.
Each region has its own history. Red-Indians issue in the USA and Canada, Texas and Mexico, and the originals in Australia, just to name a few similar issues.
Sometimes, we need justise, sometimes we need doing the right thing, sometimes a little bit understanding and be kind.
May peace be alway with us.

Prof. L. Smith Hamilton, Hong Kong, SAR, China

While calling each other names, screaming for Olympic goodwill, waving pom poms for our High School history teachers, and decrying the violent actions of individuals who actually live with this Tibetan ordeal on a daily basis; we can not hope to have had much effect on any of the following:

1) Hundreds of Monks continue to be held prisoner in their cloisters.
2) School children throughout China are being taught to sing songs that denounce religious clothing as selfish, evil expressionism.
3) Within Tibet, the Dalai Lama, is publicly referred to with extreme bad mouthing, the kind that would have made Goebels proud.
4) Innocent people are dissapearing, it doesnt matter how many, I certainly hope people arn't waiting for a bell to go off when the death toll hits a certain number?

Without exagerrating the urgency, we have done nothing to take responsibility for this crisis ourselves, we blame governments, nations, dynasties, we use names like "paper tiger"

Lets get involved...

Pat Turner, Sydney, Australia

Either way, the standard of living for most of the population of China is increasing steadily over the years. Even in Tibet, the GDP increased almost 5 fold from 5 Billion to 29 Billion Yuan from 1994 to 2006. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Tibet)

This implies that most of the people's living standards have improved a lot over the years there. Having dealt with this internal problem, the Chinese government should continue to try hard to improve the economy in the Western provinces to make the people happy, drasitcally lowering thee chances of such riots.

It's true even in cities in HK. In 2003, there was an economical downturn, and this helped fuel the fire in the pro-democracy demonstrations there. At the same time, the pro-Beijing parties lost a lot of seats in the council electioons that year.

(cont'd)

Alasdair, London, UK

In 2007, the economy was much better, and the pro-Beijing parties won the council elections by a landslide, more than making up for their lost ground.

This shows that people are more likely to go against the establishment when the economy is poor and/or they are living in intense poverty.

So, in conclusion, the Chinese government should quell the riots (this is within their rights) and then take remedial welfare measures in Tibet and other western provinces to ensure that everyone, even the ethnic minorities live good lives.

This way, there won't be any fertile ground for all those agitators out there.

Alasdair, London, UK

Boycott London 2012 Olympics for our contribution to the Iraq war.

Rahul, London, UK

I have seen the video recorded by news reporter showing the initial flare-up of this incident. Even BBC's reporter can testified that they were premeditated and unprovoked. We can easily witnessed from the images the brutality and violence of the mob. They were seen to be dragging the residents out from a row of houses or shops and coldheartedly assaulting them, while their homes or shops were set on fire. Indisputably, we can judged which party was the victim. But surprisingly some medias mosty "western", chose to portrayed this violent mob of bloodletting assailant as the victim.

I wonder if those medias have a hidden agenda or just selfishly relish in china-bashing sadism. As the saying goes, violence begets violence. That mob of hooligans has anticipated a lethal response yet determined to go ahead with their malicious plot, then who should we put the blame. Media organization should uphold integrity in reporting the truth as they unfold and not to engage in manipulating news.

Loyheng, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Why was China given the Olympics in the first place. Did they hand out the largest bribes. Time to boycot the Chinese Olympics and also time to re-evaluate the location for future Olympics. Greece as the permanent location with the profits (if any) and losses to be shared by all prticipating countries should be considered. The Opening Ceremonies can be allocated to individual countries by rotation; showcasing the individual nation. This would also assist in building a terrorist proof situation.

Johan, Toronto, Canada

Cindy, your comments frighten me. The Chinese have covered up their disgraceful actions in Tibet for too long. The Tibetans have their country occupied against their will, by force. And where are the U.K. and America now? Could it be that there is no financial reward in helping the Tibetans like they are supposedly doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, freeing people from oppression?! The world is backwards, and China is a scary up-and-coming power. I feel uneasy about future relations with a country who has no respect for Human Rights.

Kieran , Coventry, England

Tibetans are riots .Countries 's Leaders should attend Beijing Olympics to express their goodwill .

catung, Hochiminh,

I am a student in Qingdao University, actually,
most of us know that the information on cctv or chinadaily are ...but, how can we ask for our rights when there are even lots of chinese people who just want to have a good life...(not hungry, education, entertainment...)

China is a developing country...

NANNAN GU, Qingdao, CHINA

to anita , ottawa,canada
If you do not believe Chinese authority 's communication, you also can't believe in tibetans reports !

catung, Beijing, China

If the Chinese have nothing to hide, they wouldn't be baning media from Tibet. I feel very sorry for athlets who have done years of preparation for the games, but I ask governments to pull the plug on the games. It's too late to have a world games on one site because that takes a long time to prepare for, but surely agreement could be reached to split the games into individual sports and hold those sports competitions in the countries that have the best facilities for that sport. Media could still get coverage of an event like this. I ask governments to declaire that they are withdrawing from the games, and I ask companies not to renew contracts giving further orders to China. We have no idea how many people have already killed over this, I feel sure others will be facing execution, and a great many more long harsh prison sentences.

RayB , Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Attracting world wide attention to Tibet, Chinese goverment is not so stupid to make the situation worse. The report is really questionable. It is really a shame to belive whatever the media report. The point is there are many countries are watching Beijing with a microscope before the Olympic Games in August.

Sean, Edinburgh, Scotland

evidence! evidence! evidence!
where are those US/UK intelligent satellites around globe? Cann't they take some pictures of killing?

Lee, Ottawa, Canada

If nothing else, reading the comments demonstrate that nationalism is alive and well in the East, something that is pretty much dead and bured in the West, where people criticize their own countries for every misdeed, real and imagined, past and future.

It's no wonder then that the future of civilization belongs to the East, while the West is mired down in self-hatred.

Jeremy Reaban, St. Louis, MO

Its not a question of East or West or Communism or Democracy. Its a question of how the world's people deal with differences in their population. All civilized human beings from all over the world share the same feelings of concern about hurting, imprisoning a weaker segment of their population by a much superior force. Their have been examples of this behavior throughout history where superior odds have tried to repress the thoughts of the minorities. I know deep in my heart that the people of China like those of the rest of the world believe in mercy, tolerance, patience & understanding as being the most important virtutes in their lives. Its ashame that the governments of the world don't always understand that. When individuals put down minorities, those with different beliefs with brutal force people feel angry & those people are called bully's & our society & yours has consequences but when governments demonstrate the same foolishness the people feel scared & hopeless. Ron

R. Martin Rosen, Atlanta, Ga., USA/Georgia

This is a million times worse than Iraq but no one talks about it.

Felix Turner, Penang, Malaysia

Zhao Hui Ling

As an educated, don't be naive by claiming western media of having the habit of making bogus stories while you are ignorant of the real picture. You are making me as well as our fellow countrymen look like idiots and uncivilised. While China runs into a habit of claiming western countries interfering her internal affairs whenever reading reports or hearing news acrimonous to their eyes and ears, do you know the right of free speech and flow of information? Piet religion fellowers are peaceful people use no violence unless they are strech to thier limits.

Behave more rationally rather than sentimentally. Howling does mean you are telling the truth.

William Fok, Hong Kong, SAR

Ruwan, Union, USA

You are so right. Unless there is oil fields, Tibetans have no way get any solid support from US or any other big dude countries. LOL. It is all about $$$ and control. Do they want to do more business Tibetans or China? Get real. What can Tibetans offer to those big powers? Nothing. You think they would help you. LOL. The only country is spending money in Tibet now is China. Why? Think.

Chris, Vancouver, Canada

What China is doing is no difference than what USA is doing in Iraq. Both actions are for a GOOD CAUSE.

Gloucho, San Francisco CA, USA

As if the shooting of a seventeen year old Nun in September 2007 by Chinese troops, witnessesed by European climbers (who did nothing to help her) was'nt enough we now have the deaths of more unarmed Tibetan protesters - the Olympic Games, a fitting Epitaph or what?

Who runs China anyway - not another despot?

C. Bodin, Plymouth, England

Have you guys ever seem the size of Chinese riot? Imagine 10 of thousand "peaceful protestors" throwing rocks at the police and charging, burning buildings and loot shops. Hmm. How would you country do? Tell me in 1863 New York Draft Riots, how did US handle that riot. I am sure was very peaceful. LOL. I do not like the current Chinese government. They are the control freak; however, it is not easy to govern 1.2 billion people who speak 52+ different dialects and all have different ethic background. Tight control is one of the methods and it has been in Chinese history for the last 5000 years. Even though I don't like the current Chinese government, sovereignty is sovereignty. Tibet belongs to China (for the last 3 dynasties) - maybe not to the China communist party but belongs to China. China can change its party from imperialism or maybe to national party but it does not change the 900 year history facts.

Chris, Vancouver, Canada

Thank you all the foreigners for caring about Tibet.I don't know this news from the turth or not.because the western media make me disappointed ,As a Chinese ,I clearly know how the Chinese government treats their people,every government in the world is not perfect.and I won't believe that some foreign people who always say China is a very evil country.do they want to secure Chinese people or mislead the foreigners who have never been to China .I hope that you foreigners who believe in your bias ,do not say anything about my country what you don't know,have you listened to other chinese peo[le 's voice,and you think chinese people who support Chinese government are stupid and poor,you will always trust your "great and justicial" media who often tell lies.so you never know China and the most innocent people are you not CHIINESE PEOPLE..

zhao hui ling, guangdong, China

All athletes should reflect on their conscience: should they participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games while innocent Tibetans are being killed, imprisoned, tortured by the hosts of these games?

Likewise, all overseas Chinese who're enjoying freedom and respect of human rights in their new countries around the world should ask themselves: why are the Tibetans denied of these same rights by their (Chinese) compatriots at home?

The inflammatory words used by Chinese officials in describing the Dalai Lama make people think of the dark Stalinist and Maoist eras. Economically China has made a lot of progress over the last 20 years, but politically it hasn't moved very far, especially in dealing with Tibet and Falun Gong followers. What happened to the teaching by Confucius, Laotsu, and other great Chinese philosophers, teachers?

Long live the Dalai Lama!
Long live free Tibet!

A Canadian friend of Tibet

C. D. Le, Ottawa, Canada

To those from China who are posting that we don't "know the real truth", if your government allowed foreign press to visit Tibet, unobstructed, perhaps we could believe what they say. Like you said, "seeing is believing", but your govermnet will not allow us to see, so what are we supposed to believe?

George, Portland,

Angela Merkel, Vaclav Klaus, and Donald Tusk are leading the way on this issue (they know and understand Communism quite intimately: in Orwell's inimitable prose: "a boot stamping on a human face--forever"). The U.S. and the rest of the world must stand up to the Chinese government's oppression and boycott the the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Mr. Hu Jintao, who made his name cracking down in Tibet Province, must be taught a lesson. It is an outrage what the Chinese government does to its people, not least to the Tibetans and Uyghurs. We must not stand idly by to such oppression, as Tibet and Xinjiang turn into bloodbaths.

Above all, a dream of a democratic China must remain paramount. President Reagan said it best: "Democracy already flourishes in countries with very different cultures and historical experiences. It would be cultural condescension, or worse, to say that any people prefer dictatorship to democracy." Let us stay true to his legacy.

John , Philadelphia, PA, USA

do you konw how large tibet is?
do you konw how many people live in tibet?
do you know the height above sea leve of tibet?
do you know how many ethnic groups live together in tibet?
do you know how many religious leaders now in tibet except the one who ran away?
do you know that the land in tibet can not grow grain?
do you know that most of the tibetan are richer than the rest of the population?
do you know Chinese history from 1200 to 1960?
do you know that China is different from what she was a hundred years ago, sixty years ago, fifty years ago, thirty years ago, ten years ago, even ONE year ago?

If you really want to "save" us, please just by a ticket and fly here first, then decide what you should believe and what you should do.
But I suggest you should come here before the Olympic Games, or you will regret missing it!

But if you even can not accept my suggestion, well, "up to you".

oushen, Guangzhou, CHINA

Yawn. So the Chinese government is behaving as a one party dictatorship. Well duh isnt that what one party dictatorships do? Brutally repress and tolerate no dissent. Whats laughable is all the elites that drooled on about how giving the Olympics to the Chinese would open their government up to moderation. Well its open now. Like what u see? The Chinese intend to use the Olympics the same way as Hitler did. As propaganda to justify the Communist party"s rule. But the West cant do anything because it needs Chinas' cheap labor and its money to fund their governments especially in the USA. So this what we gwt. Enjoy.

Garry, Cburg, USA

My thoughts are with the people of Tibet and I ask that one day they will have the freedom to decide to live there lifes in any way they see fit xxx

Craig, Arbroath,

Do you know how many Chinese people sign there names to object to the sham? At least a million! And the number is still increasing! If what you say is true, why there are so many people remonstrate? Are we all cheated by our government?Of course NO! Stop making those rubbish, or you will feel shameful once the truth is known by everyone in the world.

oushen, Guangzhou, CHINA

my dearest international friends, thank you for your great interest in China. there is a saying in English:seeing is believing. but if somebody cut out the real part of the pictures, if somebody make out distorted coverage, how can you judge? so , welcome to China, to see the real China, the friendly China, the much freer China today. and welcome to Tibet, one part of China, to see what was really happen during the riots, to see what is right what is wrong, and finally judge.

Chen Ying, Hainan, China

This is not a riot but an Freedom struggle of tibetan people in their own land.It is the Chinese people who are in Tibet without invitation and by the way, no country sends thousands of troops to stabalize any disorder of such proportion.Such a large number of trrops are there simply to supress tibetan people with brutal force.And since the media is banished, the genocide gets hidden with various propaganda and tactics.The communist government is lying to 1.3 billion of it's citizen and very few voiced their concern and got jailed.This is all wrong and sick.China needs help...serious political mistakes are allowed to continue and it is time.Act like a superpower with dignity rather than FEAR.

tenzin, new york city, united state

Freedom loving people across the world must protest against Chinese oppression of Tibetans. Chinese must vacate Tibet forthwith instead of enslaving Tibetans and quelching Tibetan aspirations. Chinese greed must end. Rest of the world must warn Chinese by boycotting the Olympics and send a clear message.

manu, portland, USA

So they have to resort to shooting people.
Enough said!

Jim, Gloucester UK,

... and the world wont do a thing about it.

Mike, Earth,

I see that the Chinese Communist Party's trained Internet specialists are out doing their thing on this forum too :-0

Tyler King, Charlotte,

Boycott China. Look for Japanese, Korea, Taiwanese Malaysian etc. items if you can.
I won't even eat at a China restaurant now.

Ulf, Norway,

Tibet is Tibet not China.

The imported Han Chinese community should be resettled by the Chinese government. Merely flooding the area with Hans and then claiming they are the victims when the locals protest is a simple ploy that the rest of the world has seen through.

Tibet is Chinas 'liebensraum'.

James , Melbourne, Australia

That's what the rioters deserved!!! Otherwise they will kill more innocent people.Who can protect their human right??? The police have the right to shoot at the crimincals when situation is urgent, that what they are paid for!!!

Diego, Taian, Shandong

It looks like the Chinese troops are going to war with all war gears Against the Tibetan protestor.This has gone too long and it is ridiculous since there is no one to protect the Tibetans from this genocidal regime.Will the world allow Shangrila to be a thing of past or will they preserve this last shangrila as a respect to humanity.I can't believe that China is acting in this medieval tactics in this century.Instead of dialogue with Dalai lama, hu jintao sends thousand of troops in Tibet and shut it down, away from any media.Does this sound healthy?Does this sound sick?Amen...
I ask every Chinese people to put themselves in Tibetan people's place and see why they are not happy and frustrated rather than coming to a fast conclusion that they are ungrateful people.When Tibetans are willing to risk their life, it means something is definately wrong with chinese way of dealing with Tibetan people's way of life and culture.It is time to be humane.Tibet need help....peace and love.

tenzin, new york city, united state

This article is quite misleading,it creates the feeling that dalai lama is well respected in China and has dozens of followers, however, it is ludicrous,the supporters may only account for less than 1% of china's population.Compared with the numerous supporters for the communist party,the no. is negligible.What do the westerners call the minority groups that destablize the social security?Terrorists ,i believe.

Nick, wuhan, china

At least it will be live to air on the BBC and reported in the Times next day as it was . . . . .

chris claridge, Singapore,

RE: S. Jastee, El Segundo

You might not have noticed that the communist revolution in china was one of china's most democratic moments in its history. Tired of being virtual slaves to rich landowners, the peasants majority were attracted to the idiology of a band of people who were well organised and were not anywhere near as corrupt as their nationalist/warlord government of the time. Communisism only too root because the masses agreed with it.

If you dont believe me, then why not by a copy of Wild Swans (Jung Chang), which has sold >10million outside of china.

I'm not saying that the world's most populous government is the most squeeky clean politically correct organisation, but, please be aware that there is a high level of support of chinese government in china.

If you think they are all brainwashed - then you have never actually spoken to a real chinese. They are very capable of explaining what is wrong with their own government, and, who's mistress is who's.

Rob, Swansea, UK

I'm so sorry my country is acting so evil! Not all are as same as evil people supporting Government!

Liu Mei , Liaoning,

Hope that there is evidence of peaceful protest all along the torch route in the UK this week-end. The press there will probably be permitted to report on that.

Lee, Fort Lauderdale, USA / Florida

Sad day for Tibetans....

the world is watching but doing nothing When communist Chinese barbarically acting on Uyghur and Tibetan.

roko, Toronto, canada

Where is the moral certanity and faith based decisions that marked the invasion of Iraq. We dont need another war but atleast some condemnation of the despicable use of force by the Chinese is warranted. The studied silence of all politicians of every hue in western democratic countries is shameful and smacks of cowerdice.

Rajan, Letchworth, England

I am a chinese student . I do not know I Chinese people have no human rights until the recent riot in Lhasa. who can take us out of the Communist Party . Can aircarft carriers do ?? Can U.S do?? Can God do?? We are not hungry indeed but we have no right to speak,to do,to rebuke. Our officers are very corrupt. I really can not imagine our futures. I am despair about conutry

robin, beijing, China

Cancel the Beijing Olympics - now! While we're at it, let's stop the 2012 farce in London. That was just a PR puff for Bliar, after all.

Les Gibson, Whitby,

The ideology forced onto people in the name of Chinese Communism is the source of the problem. The government and the people of China will have to come to terms with the fact that Mao, his ideology, his politics and methods were profoundly and completely stupid. But as they currently revere him as a god they have a long way to go. Nothing will change until this is fully realized. The sacred rights of the individual and the intrinsic right to self determination for everyone without exception is what makes any society secure, strong and stable. As these are tossed aside to impose idealism the well being of the people will suffer. China will only cause suffering and death until it conscientiously changes course. The free people of the world must continue to point this out and little by little over the course of many years I think we can bring about this change. It is my sincere hope that they do not kill all of the Tibetans and others in the meantime.

Andy Geimer, St. Louis, USA / Missouri

There are many deposits of minerals in the Tibetan plateu. China will never leave Tibet.

So Tibetans....You are screwd.

Ruwan, Union, USA

Why is anyone surprised? Communist China killed millions of its citizens during the "cultural revolution" in the sixties, and whitewashed it from history. They shot down thousands of their own kids at Tianaman square, and blamed the victims. You think they will change their stripes when it comes to Tibetans? I admire the chinese spirit, and their wonderful civilization, but those of us who believe in the universal rights of man must condemn these tactics from a one party government, who's leaders are chosen in secrecy, and kept in power by guns and threats.

ingo baker, los angeles, california, usa

This issue is I believe one of the most important facing the Chinese people it is a symptom of politically where they currently find themselves. . They desire reunification with Taiwan but have threatened force. Here we see them using force to try and settle an issue that a more mature Government secure in its mandate would see the wisdom of settling by discussion. I can't see that China will allow Tibet to gain independence and I think that if used as a base line would allow much scope for Tibet to seek a more autonomous path within the Chinese state. A successful resolution of this issue is vital if progress is to be made on other matters such as Taiwan and relations with Japan and India. Only the Chinese Government can decide the path to take. A moderate approach will reap rewards later with her neighbours it may also prevent political change in China. An antagonistic stance may well lead other Chinese groups to seek violent change if they can not see compromise being given a chance

Gary, Swindon,

The Tibetans have no guns or bombs at the present moment, and China has to invent stories to justify their brutality. They should negotiate with those who advocate peaceful co-existence, before the Dalai Lama dies in exile. Imagine if a Tibetan Osama were to rise in power, and advocate suicide bombings, ambushes, and terror? The Chinese don't realize how good they have it.

ingo baker, los angeles, california, usa

No matter what you say. A government shall have it right to defend it integrity and social order. I believe some of you think Abraham Lincoln was a hero to fight the south from separating the United States, to free the slaves that the south tried to keep. Then why should you have a double standard to the Chinese government who is trying to achieve the same goal for their people? The bias and self-complacent hiding in your deep heart towards people who is not in your same clique provoke you to raise those harsh scorns. The effect is that, you are pushing all the Chinese people to their government side after realizing they are so alienated by the double standards toward them.

Lebing , Liu, Calgary Canada

Beijing is as evil as any western colonial government was, no, worse.

ALAN , Vancouver, CA

I do love all the posts in this string by Chinese nationals or those of Chinese descent. Some grew up in the West because their parents, or grandparents fled to freedom. Yet, much like the rest of the Chinese people, they have been indoctrinated into the "China can do no wrong" club. How sad. At least Americans, Kiwis and others have been apologetic towards those they wronged. But not China. No, it's all for one and none for all. I once thought of traveling to China, but my family has decided that we cannot support that dynasty with our $.

Charles, Seattle, USA

I'd like to invite readers to imagine what the result would be if the police shot dead 8 protesters in any of their own countries.

As far as the UK goes, I'm pretty certain there would be absolute outrage among the population, the resignations of the senior police responsible, political consequences and so on. Even if the protesters were throwing stones, surely the police should have used minimal force? Don't the Chinese police have batons, rubber bullets, water cannons etc?

The right to protest at perceived injustices is (I believe) extremely important for any modern society. Some friends of mine have recently been to protests against scientology in london - I think it goes without saying that they didn't consider their lives to be in danger when they did so.

K Lambert, Chester, England

China is doing the right thing. Western pressures have supprted insurrection and may not be allowed to control a vital country like China, who owns Tibet as a province. Zimbabwe and China are both faced with west european media images that are biased and foolish attempts to influence internal matters. The west obviously wants more influence economically and culturally in the face of losing battles globally. It is a pathetic and dangerous holdover from more blatant colonial abusive practices.

Been there, done that, NEVER AGAIN. The west is rebuked and actually all media from western countries should be expelled from China and Zimbabwe.

Walt in Seattle, Seattle, USA

This is the history of the world. "Americans" destroyed the native Americans. Spain and Portugal assimilated countless peoples. Australians eradicated and removed the aboriginals. Jewish and Muslim people swap territory throughout the ages. Mongols enslaved and subjugated Han Chinese. There's even anthropological (genetic) evidence that nomads from Russia came across the ice bridge to Alaska, and warred their way down to southern Argentina.

But just because it has happened before, does that mean that we can accept it now?

Ryan, San Diego, CA

Would the US government crack down the rebellion the same way if Texas was to break out?

When an event being labeled as terrorism, the government would then be entitled to apply any force, including killing and torture. But once being labeled as seeking independence, the event becomes justified and glorified.

I wonder why the Chinese government didn't bother to lable the riots terrorism. They would get a free pass by the US press.

Ed, Sacramento, California USA

This story comes from Sichuan, So I would like to add more information form Sichuan. About half a month before, while those huge reports regarding the news from Lasha, my parents in Chengdu also feel the threaten from the riot. Chengdu, the city with the most close tie with Tibet, used to host quite a large Tibetan also. My parents told me that they cancelled their plan of meeting friends in downtown, because some Tibetans, with their knives on hands, were chasting & killing people on street. And quite a lot of people has been wounded. Local people are really scared by what happened around themselves, and then they heard the news from Lasha, where became the focus of the media, and the story happened in Chengdu are almost ignored. However, by this at least I can tell that there's no "peaceful demonstration" by Tibetan at all, but just aimless violent attacks, and it did not happened in Lasha only, but whereever with Tibetan habitat, and with the support from some evil purpose.

Deng, Beijing, China

This article is plainly biased against the Chinese.
Why should it be okay for the French to put down the riots caused by their minorities, whereas it's not okay for the Chinese?
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_civil_unrest_in_France)

Pierre, Toulouse, France

It is clear that China has invaded Tibet, which was a peaceful country before putting the nation in lots of troble. It is evident that Hon. Dalai Lama has put his efforts to avoid collisions, and avoid killings from the beginning of this problem history. My best solution to this problem is to remove all the Chinese army/forces from Tibetan soil and let them control their own country. We have to accept the sovereignity of Tibet. We all should oppose to the unjustifiable, unethical invasion of Tibet by the Chinese government.

Dharma, Calgary, Canada

Wang Zi from Hangzhou askes "By your judgement China is an uncivilised country because it harms it's own people. So what's the criteria for being a civilised country? "
I have been to alot of China, nearly all homes do not have any heaters, they wear their coats all day in the house. Nearly all homes have no hot running water to wash hands or dishes. Nearly all restaurants have no hot water in the bathrooms for people to wash their hands. All water supply has bacterior contamination. These are basic civil things.
Civilized countries use tear gas or water canons to break up protestes and riots. China uses bullets.
I love the Chinese people and the country but the government must change the way it treats it's people.
The world is watching.

Les, Los Angeles, USA,

This is not only about human rights. The native Tibetan people provide a unique perspective on life - Tibetan Buddhism- that may be one of the few ways to prevent the human race from destroying itself through. The culture of these monastics promote love, peace and taking full responsibility for how one sees and acts in the world, blaming no one else. The world desperately needs more people like the Buddhist Monks and Nuns who are being destroyed. What we can learn from them could indeed save us from ourselves

Sally J Hartshorn, Loveland,

Governments and ideologies are made by people. And people are central to conflict. Our world and our recorded history has always been a world of conflict and domination. War, riots, and protests are integral to power grabs. The problem in China is the same problem in other countries. Emotions that are repressed and suppressed will gain strength and vitality until they explode outward. I believe that the Tibetan monks and villagers are just reaching their maximum point of tolerance. I can sympathize with them. I can understand the governments need to maintain order based on its ideologies. What I can't condone is the rampant use of violence in this part of the world or in any part of the world. I am tired of war, tired of religious intolerance and tired of the cruelty we inflict on each other. The Dalai Lama is an icon of peace. An example of a simple fundamental truth. A little kindness enacted by a single person, multiplies the goodness in the world. Small changes make big results.

Paul Waters, Brooklyn, New York

I am not sure about the brainwash. I grew in HK when HK was still under British. I left HK before 1997 and have lived in Canada for almost 20 years. I know Tibet belongs to China; I have learnt this from the history books provided by the HK British government. That part of history was not written by the Chinese communist party. It was written by 3 different China dynasties. Jason if you try to say brainwash, you are saying 3 previous China dynasties brainwashed people too. 2 out of these dynasties were not enough governed by Han Chinese.
I am confused by your definition between mob and protestors. Who set the fire to those buildings? Mobs or peaceful protestors? Or the buildings just burn themselves up? Common sense dude. If you call people who go out and burn buildings and looted stores not mob, it is not point to debate with you.

Chris, Vancouver, Canada

Sometimes I dont understand the knee jerk reaction of people living in PRC to criticism of their government. Anytime someone criticizes their government, they take it personally and take it as an insult to their country (not just their government).

My advice: Guys, just chillout. We know you didn't elect that government. If they do stupid things (or cruel things), we know you are not responsible. So, remember this: your GOVERNMENT is not the same as your COUNTRY.

Of course, if you are a comm party shill, I have no advice for you. You have been brilliant!!

S. Jastee, El Segundo, USA/California

Wow, what a sensational exclusive. Just in time for the Olympic torch relay in London this Sunday. I bet the Times reporters are getting ready to film some violent protests in the heart of London. When the protesters get beating up by the British police we will blame the Chinese. Can't wait to buy the Times on Monday.

YK, London,

Governments act according to their interests and only afterward cloak their actions in the words of morality.

M Dodge, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

The President of the United States and and Condoleezza Rice should call for a boycott of the 2008 Olympic games as should the leaders of all democratic nations. Should our leaders simply voice disapproval to China and not call for immediate negotiations of the barbaric, despotic and tyrannical behavior of the Chinese Dictatorship , they are in essence supporting the current regime in China. God knows we invaded Iraq for far less atrocities than the Chinese government has committed in it's 59 year history. US government and agency (CIA) silence and support of oppressive governments (in the past these include Iran, Congo, Afghanistan, Chile, most right wing countries in Central America) has to STOP and NOW. Or how can we proudly stand up and say we support freedom and democracy?

Mark Barrett, Los Angeles, CA, USA

They are demonstrating the art of being a totalitarian nation.
It must be one of the events. All nations play by their own subtile rules to show the world what they really are and want to be. God forgive the USA.

Errol J. Lima, Benzon, , AZ USA

The new Nazis will do all they can to repress and destroy, this unfortuneately is only the beginning. The world domination dream of China is to literally run the world. China takes no prisoners and allows no dissent. There huge appetite for resources, commodites , food is unbridled and as such thye will do what it takes to aquire what they need. . Tibet is the modern day Poland, Holland, Austria, thye pretend on one hand that what they truly seek is peace and harmony while at the same time increasing spending on military affairs by 30% and paralzing any dissent. The US and other European countires are caught in a bind in that they owe so much money to China in terms of Treasury and Government bills that will not act in a courageous manner and stand up to the principles of Right vs wrong. Look at the warnings that Churchill gave years and years prior to the second world war in which he warned of Hitler's motives and policies of taking by force what he thought belonged to Germany.

jerry mccullough, St.Catharines, CANADA

it is a sad story. tibetans will no longer be in few generations and the world would have lost something very, very special.

this is probably the last chance this topic will be discussed. our own nations will not stand up against this - China is too powerfull - not even if we manage to put pressure on our own governments.

by the way - i find it scary how most of the chinese people believe everything they are told from their government (just look at their comments). i believe it was stalin who once said (something to the affect): give me a child - i will poison his mind.

mike, berlin,

Tibet has been a provincial level entity in China for decades. In no ways it has been administered like a colony.

If they start destroying other peoples property in their protest, they are rioters and the police have all their rights to open fire, just like in riots around the world. If shots are fired, people are likely to die since bullets are meant to kill people at worst.

The burden of proof is on all those who claim that the Chinese are brainwashed to show that the "protesters" are completely peaceful.

In addition, some of the people who argue back in this discussion are from Singapore. Tell me, how can those people be brainwashed by the Chinese government?

Alasdair, London, UK

To our fellow commentator from China. Your country is no more communist than the Third Reich of Adolf Hitler was - China is a Nationalistic Dictatorship. Communism is supposed to be about equality - READ KARL MARX AND ENGELS!! Everyday in China people go without food, basic medical care (which they now have to pay for and is very expensive for the average person), freedom of expressive or free speech. The wealthy are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer - just like in any capitalistic, despotic nation of which yes I'll agree under our current administration the USA has become. I'd love to see you criticize your government in China the way you feel free and able to criticize other countries in the world. You know as well as I you would go straight to jail for posing a threat to national security. So much for equality and communism!

Marc Barrett, Los Angeles, California

"The Chinese are a merciless lot. Whoever said, 'East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet' hit it right on the nail. "

really, what the Chinese are doing with tibet in flooding with Han Chinese is no different from what the west did flooding people into New Zealand. The only difference is that your country is further down in that process. And heard of Bloody Sunday? 13 unarmed people were shot dead in Northern Ireland ( in 1972) by the British Army. To date no one has been prosecuted for wrong doing. the east and west isn't too different is it?

raymond, the norf, uk

Steven Han,Beijing. So the mob deserves to be massacred? Nice sentiment, still when your brought up never to think or disagree I suppose that makes sense!

Terry, Radstock, England

I don't believe above at all. I quote some big guys said in US "Iraq has weapon of mass destruction ". "I didn't have sex with that lady". You can picture who they are......

The whole world are under lies... CNN, BBC,......

Anne, Canada,

People don't see the other side of the coin. Whereas China does have a negative stigma associated with it, it's trying to improve. But this is a typical violent protest in China to a degree where most Westerners will be shocked and horrified.

IN China, protests are a lot more violent and ruthless, if these protesters were just expressing their views, they would be in no trouble, what I think happened is that the police retaliated with due force and punishment when the mods started violently attacking.

In China, a riot police is faced with the serious threat against his life. I'm sure most of you don't have a clue just how many soldiers died trying to maintain order in Tiananmen square before the government finally said enough was enough. A childhood friend of mine and his patrol squadron where surrounded by protesters and beaten to death, so I hope you understand why I have no time for these people are willing to use violence to a means.

The government isn't the only at fault.

kenshen, Ottawa, Canada

Who are you to say that the Chinese Government is silently permitting this "slaughter"?

Have you seen the pics of those Tibetan "protesters" attacking innocent Han people?

"Peaceful Protesting"? More like burning down shops, buildings, cars, most of which are owned by innocent people!

And who is the U.S. to say "Let's stop the Chinese government from hurting the protesters"? What about the protesters hurting the Han people? Why hasn't the U.S. said anything about stopping that too?

If the Chinese media is biased, so is the western media. Chinese government has all the rights to deal with its own business.

Lu, Seattle , WA

Why do we not have the same reaction from the west to China as we did in Serbia and Kosovo? Or is it only because liitle fish are sweet?.

Mike, Peterborough, Cambs.

The Chinese are a merciless lot. Whoever said, 'East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet' hit it right on the nail.

cyrjames, Auckland,

Of course people from China are saying that the monks were mobs and not protesters. The people from China are all brainwashed by their government into thinking that Tibet belongs to China and that the people protesting are just rioters. The Chinese government controls all media and make the people from Tibet sound like the bad guys. Do you really think a group of monks are just a mob looking for trouble? They are just trying to preserve what little culture is left from what the Chinese have taken away from them. The Chinese favor the Han living in Tibet and people are just getting frustrated that their country and land is no longer theirs. Of course if anyone in China speaks out against the government, then they either dissapear or spend a few years in prison. I'm sure China is fine as long as you do everything you're told and never show dissent against the government. What a life. Wake up people from China and really look at how evil your government really is. Leave Tibet now!!!

Jason Alan, Minneapolis,

I agree with much of what Mr. Arnold says--what will compel China to hold dialog with the Dalai Lama? Certainly not the US, as my government has squandered much of credibilty in the world they had. Certainly not the UN, as much as I have admired some of the leadership, I don't believe they could decide as a body if the toilet paper in their privies should roll from the top or the bottom...The Dalai Lama has said it could take many years and much patience to outlast the Chinese. Peace will come, maybe at even greater cost, but it will come.
M.T., it's pretty clear that if you don't work for the Chinese government, you are trying to get on the payroll....
Anita, are you a conspiracy theorist or also a plant.....?

Steve, Stow, Ohio USA

Interesting comments. Disinformation and poor grasp of history leads to things like this:
"China needs to use whatever force is require to stop this rebellion"

I wonder what Sam Adams or Ben Franklin would reply if an Italian (for example) had said to them, in 1775, "England needs to use whatever force is require to stop this rebellion"

Does anyone here commenting know why the Dali Llama is in exile? Does anyone here know how many Tibetan mountains have been leveled by Chinese miners or that the miners are backed by Chinese government/troops?

How many US Americans can see the paralell on their own soil?

Atrocity is still atrocity...

Write to your representitives and the Chinese diplomats. No one needs high moral ground to do that!

Robert Means, Melrose, USA

I agree with Mehul Kamdar sentiments. There appears to be virtually no ethical or moral stance taken by any western government over what China is doing either to its own or in Africa, Burma, Tibet, Xinjiang etc.apart from rather a few rather weasely words. Furthermore we are seeing western governments trying to divert and suppress any noise or protest by its own.
We have to acknowledge that our own Governments are motivated purely by greed and personal interest. In all probability they look on the the Chinese method of dealing with dissent with envy.
Shame on them and on us for allowing it.

John Lindsey, Norwich, England

This article appears entirely biased against the Chinese authorities trying to maintain law and order in China.

The British should be paying homage for the damage they did in China during the Opium wars, invasion from India in 1904 and this continued one way view of the world.

What about freedoms for the Irish? How many years has Ireland been subjugated by Londoner's?

david, Cardiff, Ca

I will not be watching the Olympics, or buying any products with the Olympic logo this year, or any products made in China.

Unfortunate, as I usually enjoy the games and it will mean forgoing the purchase of many consumer items. Simply asking if a product is made in China and then refusing to buy it could have an interesting effect.

Business and governments are too scared to take a stand against Beijing's totalitarian repression of the Tibetans.

It is up to us to make simple choices that hit the Chinese government and the Olympics where it hurts, in the pocket.

Steve, Hereford, UK

After viewing the Tibetan riots put fire at shops and burned five ladies to death at the beginning of the "peaceful demonstration" in Tibet, I have nothing to say.

Tai, Hayward, California

All these violences,protests and carnage lead to nothing. Why is it that all these incidents are happening prior to the Beijing Olmypics and why the call to boycott. Before this carnage, Tibet has been a peaceful and orderly place, why now ? Tourists are abound and its economy is slowing thriving .Who then and what it is that triggered this awful event ? If there is systematic ethnic cleansing as claimed, prove it as the ones responsible will not go unpunished.
May the tibetan people always live in peace, harmony and look forward with hope in restoring their beautiful place.
I may not know alot about tibetan history and their struggles but I do know that unnecessary killings, violences and fightings are not going to make the situation any better.

Terry Soo, singapore, singapore

To Mehul Kamdar,

Ethnic cleansing?
This is a rash overstatement. The Chinese government and police may well be unjust and heavy handed but these Nazi comparisons are ludicrous.
There are no campaigns of butchery just a jittery government desporate to keep order.
There is certainly no extermination of minorities going on.
You really should learn more before you make these statements and while you're at it read a little Chinese history, it will give you a better understanding of why this is happening.

By your judgement China is an uncivilised country because it harms it's own people. So what's the criteria for being a civilised country?
Harming the people of other countries like America & co do?
No one will boycott the games because it would be massively hypocritical of them to do so.
Every government commits unjust acts, China is just an easy target for the communist fearing Westerners.

Wang Zi, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China

these poor people is the world going to open its mouth or let the chinese do what there want

john marley, stockton on tees, cleveland

Enough is enough, I mean what is China but a bully with a sore tooth.. Grow UP and lets others live in peace. Till now I thought the Olympics to be a sporting event but now it is time to say No.
Do not give them anymore presence on the world stage until they give the Monks the right to carry a picture.... I mean it's a picture... GROW UP CHINA! and that is to all, not just your leadership... you have a voice now so use it.....

Ray, Belgium,

I have been to Ganzi several times in the last decade. Until about 5 years ago the town was closed to non-locals because of vicious infighting over land disputes between villages. Eastern Kham is historically a bit like the wild-west: full of hot headed nomadics who will use knifes first and ask questions later. If you were passing through, you had to get permission direct from the local major to stay their overnight.

However, in recent years the town had been completely transformed and had up until this month become very prosperous and safe. There are almost no han chinese there, the local government almost exclusively locally born.

Before people comment on this area - please be aware that it is not the same as Tibet proper. Eastern Kham has NEVER been part of Tibet or even ruled by the Dalai Lhama. Infact historically the peoples fought vigourously against paying taxes to Lhasa, and maintained their relative autonomy to Tibet. They are famously called the "Gentleman Bridgands".

Rob, Swansea, UK

Ask america indians first before your comments on Xizang

deng, Bronx, NY

Please don't let this story be swept under the rug, as time passes and media attention turns elsewhere! To anyone reading this, please take just two minutes to email it to a friend (or to a stranger inside China). Talk to your co-workers about it. Don't shut up about it! Write you senator -- again! Making noise about this is our responsibility to those standing up for their freedom in Tibet, and it's our duty to the hundreds of thousands who have suffered and died in Tibet since the Chinese occupation began. Fight censorship! Support freedom! Some day, some one will ask you: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HELP?

A. Bonacker, east hampton, New York

In the first post Mr. Kamdar says it all. I can only second his opinion of the spineless governments of the West, all prostrate before Big Business in China. Let's hope Sarkozy of France does make a stand at least, against craven participation in the communist Olympics.

D LaJuett, Washington, D.C., USA

This is outrageous and more nails in the Olympic coffin. I cannot believe any world leader or athletes will want to go to a country that deals with Monks in this way. They have a legitimate grievance and there was peaceful way to deal with it but China is now showing its true face behind that sickly smile.

Colin , Stuttgart, Germany

They are not protesters, they are mobs.

Steven Han, Beijing, China

The people of Darfur in Sudan, Burma and Tibet, all victims of Chinese sponsored aggression in order to maintain their
influence deserve massive protest from the Western governments, the United Nations and the world's media. We should all boycott the Beijing Olympics. I love sport BUT sorry
the butchery, incarceration and persecution of peoples lives is much more important than the training that athletes have gone through in order to participate in these games to promote
China. Let us have a World Games as a substitute in a
decent country that values human rights. Volunteer Australia.

Alan Bond, Miami , FL USA

The alleged moral high ground the 'West' once held is in tatters, so there is little that nations can do except point to the need for real dialogue rather than looking to history. The Chinese government nor the people themselves, so deeply ingrained with a skewed history, will ever agree to Tibetan independence. The UN is crippled by self-interest among its members. So it is really incumbent upon individuals to support action against the Chinese government, to open up their media so that their false news can be matched against other reporting. It will take a long, long time to counter the damage done, but it has been possible elsewhere. Even if only autonomy and some measure of peace are available, that is preferable to the simmering rage and inequality brought on by Chinese policies favoring Han people. The Dalai Lama may not return home, but he will be satisfied to live in exile if Tibetans within Tibet have some freedom and opportunity for themselves.

Ted Arnold, Ithaca, NY

China needs to use whatever force is require to stop this rebellion. While it's unfortunate there are casualties, but we know riots are for hoodlums to rape and pillage the law abiding citiizens of their wealth. Tibetans need to understand they live on Chinese soil, not the other way around. All I read about is China bashing in the media. I traveled to China many times and it's a society built for the masses, not individuals. People are free as long as they obey the law. The media has portrayed China as a brutal government, perhaps for fear that the sleeping tiger has finally awaken. All government suppressed their citizens when chaos realms to establish order. That's how a civilized society function. Otherwise, humans are no better than the animals we kept as pets.

M.T., S.F., U.S.A

If all the comunication was cut . Who is the witness and how do you know ? Nobody should believe it .

Anita, Ottawa, Canada

The carnage in Tibet and in Xinjiang, both regions where the Chinese government has been involved in campaigns of massive ethnic cleansing, have shown the West for the paper tiger that it is and which Mao Zedong scorned a long time ago. It is only nations that have no morality other than a profit motive - and this drives the cowardly silence on China's campaign of mass butchery of ethnic minorities - and who wish to protect the investments by some of their powerful businesses in China who could silently permit this slaughter.

If there is any decent politician ANYWHERE in the West, he should be up and calling upon not just his government but on all nations in the world to boycott the Beijing Olympics. Participating in the Olympics would be tantamount to accepting invitations to dine with the Nazis at Auschwitz, while the extermination of minorities was underway. Sadly, all of the West, is almost certain to do just that.

Mehul Kamdar, Des Plaines, IL, USA