those are Burmese police officers.

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE

chris, london,

It is not the fact whether China is evil or not, It is the fact that you westerners like to think China is evil, and that 's all. If China is evil, cool. If not? let's make it evil.

Julian, ShangHai, China

It is not that whether China is evil or not, It is that you westerners like to think China is evil, and that 's all. If China is evil, cool. If not? let's make it evil.

Julian, ShangHai, China

Totally agree with Linda
And also agree with Tom.
But I wish they can use some more moderate way

J.Q. Cheng, chengqing, China

Linda..

Totally agreed... but I dun think these ppl rememeber how china got rape.. and its actually the west led china to have the current govt. without doing things in these ways we will still be the so-call demorcacy in Russia, broke into many many pieces and r unable to achieve sustainable economic growth... as its too big to control using pure demoracy.

Tom, Sydney,

Chee, Conventry,

I am here in the US for almost two years and I have seen how the media lies to the people here. They are not as stupid as pointing to 'black' and saying 'white'. There are so many techniques to lie, especially when it is concerned with China.

It is true in the US that everyone has his right to say whatever he likes but who will get his voice heard? The richest and the most powerful! What's more, when the so-called 'national benefit' is involved, there are always special treatments, violations of any law.

Do you know why the Chinese like to stand with their government although they know their government is not demoncratic enough? Because China had been raped and looted by the so-called civilized countries like Britain, Japan and US and so on for almost two hundred years!!! Visit any big western museum.

Chinese products have saved many poor lives in so-called civilized countries. London smog goes to China.

Linda, Pittsburgh, US

Ernest, Changi, Singapore

There is a difference. The Chinese occupies Tibet because of historical linkages while the American occupation of Iraq is an outright invasion.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Ernest, so u defend Chinese occupation in name of American occupation of Iraq ??? .... It's a shameful thinking ... It's well known that America had done many things that cannot be supported in any manner .... Initially, they supported the Shah of Iran ,... When he was overthrown by fundamntalists ... they supported Iraq against Iran .... When Iraq attacked Kuwait ... they counter-attacked ..... for what ??? Only for oil ..... America sees it's self-interest first and then only takes steps.
It's pitty that u want to keep China in the line of America .... Your statement acknowledges that China too nothing cares of Tibetans and would just like to keep them suppressed. This is reason why Tibetans want Independence from the Chinese oppressive and discriminatory rule.

Vitthal, Mumbai, India

"We need to do everything we can to break through Chinese censorship and inform the Han Chinese of the truth about what their dictatorial government is doing to Tibet ... then by refusing to buy goods from China when alternatives sources are available" - Jay Casey, Beijing, China

Sure, stop doing business with the ordinary Chinese and plunge them back into poverty. That'll get them on our side.

Either that or they will revolt, resulting in tens of millions of deaths a la Mao. Do you really want their blood on your hands? I dont.

Chee, Coventry,

To Simon M, Oxford, UK

China is a great country, when Chinese civilisatoon started 5000 years ago, your island was ice-age. You have no rights criticise Chinese's human rights until you really lived in China.

Who can feed 1.5 billion Chinese people? US? UK? We do not think so, China does herself!

Will, london, uk

The Chinese occupation of Tibet can't be any worse than the American occupation of Iraq, right?

Ernest, Changi, Singapore

Just wanted to say I agree completely with the comments posted by Ingo Baker & George Brown.

Mike, Nottingham, UK

The triumph of moral equivalency.

Ben Milam, San Augustine, Texas

Every moral person in the world condemns China's actions. Sunday's protests in London were well-handled by the demonstrators and the police, and should be a lesson to the standing committee of the PRC: these are Olympic values, these are the values they promised to demonstrate at The Games, and which they disregard at their own expense.

Lee Goddard, Finchley, London, UK

The truth is: most Western people don't really care about Tibet. The Tibet unrest just gave them a chance for a bit of China bashing to relieve their resentment towards China. They believe that China is the cause for their inflation, and their job losses rather than blaming big companies for taking excess profits. Most Westerners can't be bothered to spend any time reading about the history of Tibet or to find out who Dalai Lama really is. They don't really care about Olympics either. At least 50% of people in London can't be bothered about the London Olympics.

China has embraced the market economy after being requested to do so by Western countries. Now when the economic competition start to get hot, many in the West suddenly start to bash China for playing the economic game too well.

It does make me laugh that Tibet and Beijing Olympics suddenly become so important to some people who don't even care about dailing killing in Iraq over the past 5 years or London Olympics.

chinditone, London,

I think every free thinking world citizen should condemn China's crushing democracy calls of Tibetans. If not, smaller tyranies may take heart of China in crushing their own opponents even more ruthlessly.

ebrahim khodadoost, Ardebil, Iran

My respect goes out to George brown of London.

W Joseph , London , England

Events such as these test our ability to keep the dialogue from descending into "us" versus "them".

This is not about China vs The Rest of World. This is not about Chinese being ignorant or Western Media bias. This is not about the hypocricy of western governments criticizing China yet at the same time funding the occupations of Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is about human values and seeing beyond the egoic constructs of the collective. This is about people suffering and being oppressed whether in Iraq, Lebanon or Tibet. To justify one's actions on the basis of another country's wrongdoings is the shortcut to descending into nationalist rhetoric.

When we cease from hiding behind our constructs of country, race and nationalism, these global attrocities will end.

George Brown, London,

It is the argument of a seven year old when facing criticism to respond with, "well, the other little boys are throwing stones, why can't I?" China shows it weakness and inability to debate by such logic. How is a picture of the Dalai Lama a threat? What kind of cowardice and intolerance requires "patriotic re-education?" Blasting the media for poor reporting while at the same time not letting anyone report on it is the kind of twisted mind control right out of the cold war. China is an economic giant, but a political pygmy.

ingo baker, los angeles, california, usa

If you foreign friend do not treat Chinese people equally and think all Chinese are brainwashed. I think there is no need to communicate with each other. You just receive the biased and misleading information, the monks in Tibet in these riots are mobs. They have killed 21 people, and even a baby one year old including. If the police do not take such actions, they will kill more people.

Steven Han, Beijing, China

I think the world should be getting ready for war.
Chinas not going to change only build a larger military.
Increasingly there is more and more unrest all over the place even the once gentle Pacific islands are squirming with rebellion.
If youre planning on living in Australia...dont.
We are surrounded way out by increasingly restless nations and the defences here really arent appropriate to such large asian armies.

G. Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Those pro-CPC chinese should read Kongzi,Mengzi,Laozi and Zhuangzi, and then they must know those followers of Marx can not represent China.

Daniel Hsu, Shanghai, China

They carry the flag of human right while sending troops to other countries to carry out day to day killing. They support the freedom of Tibet while fighting to be involved in building railway from middle China to Tibet. They condemn the human right record of China while investing huge in China to maximum their profit. They spend huge in war and military development while complaining others’ limited military budget. They are armed with the nuclear weapon which can destroy the earth over and over while stoping others to develop their own. They encourage the globalization while complaining other countries’ import. They killed almost all indigenises while condemning others to defend the sovereignty of their countries. They supported the rebellion of Dalian Lama, trained Tibetans and dropped them to attack China then “betraying” them to establish relationship with China. They cracked down the demonstrations using heavy force while appealing other to restrain to rioters.

ML, Melbourne, Australia

To the Chinese, when you can freely vote for any type of political party into government and say what you like about that government in public without going to prison then you can say that China is a good country ! Until then you do not have any argument.

Simon M, Oxford, UK

I will take Mr Hou up on his challenge. Writers/Philosophers> Lu Xun, Ma Jian, Confucius, Lao-tse, Wang Shuo; Meng Haoren; Wen Tingyun (poets, the last two..). Recent favourite Chinese film, Blind Shaft; TV Show: Super Girl: CCTV Spring Festival Spectacular....I could go on. Now may I express an opinion, and if I do, am I still just another stupid foreigner?

joy jones, beijing, china

2) Tonight, I showed them "Seven Years in Tibet" and a Chinese movie "A Tale of the Sacred Mountain" which tells how Han and Tibetans joined together to fight English invading armies. The truth is, my students didn't buy the idea in the first movie as some of you might think. Some Tibetan students were also watching the two movies, they also liked the second movie better.
O, we also read Shakespeare, Plato and Ayn Rand. Don't think we are backward, ignorant. We know more of your culture than you know ours. Name five great Chinese literary figures or philosophers you have actually read. O, we like Morgan Freeman and Woody Allan. We know Stephen Colbert. We watch Prison Break and South Park. Can you name five Chinese movies? ONE Chinese TV show? How do you define Chinese? Do you know how many ethic groups are there in Tibet? When you liberate Tibet, where would other ethic goups go? They also have lived there for thousands of years. THINK before you say anything. Pls learn something.

Hou Zhiyong, Beijing,

umesh naik, baroda, india

My dear friend, you are so western influenced that your mind appears clouded.
1)Tibet is a part of China, how then can China be a threat to its territory.
2)ASEAN does not deemed China a threat. (Have you not heard of ASEAN?)
Latest news is that countries in Mekong region is having a forum in Laos to discuss future development with China. Is it not great? What way is China a threat?
3)China is no threat to India who is a big power itself. They have been improving their relationship through contacts and communication. They even had joint exercises to enhance understanding of their militaries .
4)What freedom or lack of it are you saying. China is a peaceful rising power. Its people have more freedom now than before. China is not threat to Asia and never will. Asian countries must change and unite. If the West can do it through EU, NATO & US, so must Asia. LONG LIVE ASIA. THE FUTURE IS YOURS..

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

D.Uchimura, Tokyo, Japan

Must you be a suicide bomber to be called a terrorist? Yes that is an extreme act of terrorism but in my vocabulary a terrorist is a person with an agenda who kills without hesitation anybody including defenceless & innocent civilians. The Tibetans protest is not peaceful. It is a riot and when they can harm & kill defenceless innocent people, what else can I call them?

I strongly support the Chinese Govt crack down. Otherwise more people would be killed. I am sure you have access to Chinese TV on this and can see the truth. What liberation are you talking about, my Japanese friend. Tibet is a part of China.

Asia Unite. Arigato Sayornara (thank you, goodbye)

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

I hope that fair-minded people would really care about Tibet read the articles in the following website, that were written by a variety of people from different backgrounds to form their own views, instead of blindly falling prey to the "Free Tibet" fervor and propaganda.

http://members.tripod.com/journeyeast/tibet.html

I just encountered the above site today thanks to another poster's post.

It would show you that not everyone who believes Tibet is and has been part of China, and China is not a monolithic, mono-ethnic society with Han Chinese oppressing everyone else.

It would also show you that why a future democratic China will unlikely let Tibet to be independent either.

Jerry Yang, NYC, NY, USA

To Scott, Durham, NC, USA,

Do you think US is qualified to host Olympics based on what US did and is still doing in Iraq (not to mention Vietnam, and what other places)?

Ooops, sorry, it doesn't count, because our Western media is free, fair, and US government is trying to spread Western democracy in Iraq. In any case we got rid of the big dictator, Saddam, and the rest of the Iraqis are terrorists anyway.
Who care about their human rights!

In any case, Olympics is a silly big party invented by the West for amusement and venting nationalistic pride (of everyone) anyway.

dan lee, LA, NY, USA

Dear Chinese Friend:

Take a look at what your Chinese government does in Tibet when they think the world isn't watching - the unprovoked killing of unarmed religious pilgrims in the Himalayas. You should avail yourself of the truth before speaking blindly in defense of the indefensible.

http://tinyurl.com/2upsuc

http://tinyurl.com/3c7owh

These cold-blooded killings occurred only twelve months ago! Perhaps, in the future, China will be a country which deserves to host the Olympics. It isn't that country now.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

Dear foreign friend:

Pls calm down, and call back your bias and prejudice, before you know the truth. Actually, it is hard for you to have a corect judgement by the flooding MIS-Leading reporting. Our government have done the right thing, the ones who are arrested are only mobsters, they killed the common civilians, they are organized and intended to make confusion to China.

I am a common people in China, I love peace, and believe our government!

Peter Tan, Beijing, China, P.R.

The monks of the Jokhang Temple have made a huge sacrifice in their actions today, They face an uncertain fate at the hands of the Chinese security forces. May the blessings of the Buddha be with them all. Just for the record, I am incensed at Gordon Brown's declaration of intent that "Britain" will be at the Beijing Olympics. I am British and I most certainly do NOT wish my country to be associated with the Beijing olympics when the Chinese government have proved over and over again in the last few weeks that they only deal in brutality and oppression in Tibet. If Gordon Brown shakes the hand of the Chinese he does so representing only himself - not the British people - he certainly does not represent me on this issue. Shame on you Mr Brown. You spoke out for Tibet a few weeks ago - now you have gone back on your word by telling the world that the British Government kowtows to China. At least Sarkozy had the guts to say he was reserving judgment. Big PR disaster Mr Brown.

Wendy, Hull, UK

No, don't boycott the Olympics: hold the athletes and bureaucrats to account. They say they do not want to mix politics and sport, so they should ignore the torch relay and stay away from the opening and closing ceremonies The torch and the ceremonies are nothing to do with sport and only a political display, by the host nation and by the absurd IOC.

Any retaliation/retribution in 2012 then could not affect what everyone says is the true meaning of the Olympics: the sport. Who would care if China were to boycott the opening ceremony in 4 years time?

John Peters, Swansea,

Check out this website for more information on the current situation in Tibet.

www.phayul.com

tsering, NYC, US

Dear D.Uchimura from JP
The didnt make suicide bomber,but they killed other people,thats why they are terrorists.

Many of you hate China because its a socialism,if you really care human right,please open your mind, accept a diffent
philosophy,and show respect to China.

Zhijun, Guangzhou, China

boycott the olympics. support other developing economies over a cruel and repressive regime

mark, allison park, PA USA

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Are there any suicide bomber in Tibet? I think they are not terrorist. It's not terrorism, it's liberation. You must be wrong.

D.Uchimura, Tokyo, Japan

I do not believe what times said. Why? Because Times has a very bad background. Sometimes the report of times likes a lier. I do not think the Chinese police shot the prisoners in Tebet is wrong. I think if in the western countries, some guys hit the people in the road, the police will do the same thing, shoot them. So why the western countries said ti was the wrong of the China Gov. I do not know why the UK encourages the independent people in Tebit. If it mains that, in 2012, when London holds the game, we should encourage the independent people in Scottland and North Ireland.

Liao Yizheng, Xi'an , China,P.R

Jenny Commbe, Sydney, Australia

You are absolutely right. You must go to News Checker blog and aslo see CCTV where the news is coming from the horsemouth.

I am pro truth. West has shown images of the unrest in Tibet mix it with images of happenings in Nepal to give Chinese police a bad impression. Words used are very pleasing to believers.

Think of the double standards. The 911 tragedy in US is described as an attack by TERRORISTS but the looters killers and mobsters were described as PROTESTORS.

I often wonder who actually is the TERRORISTS. It takes a thief to catch a thief. It also takes a terrorist to call another a terrorist. Right? Do you know who has the most number of Nuclear warheads and still spent Bullions yearly on weaponsdevelopment.? Who is slowly killing of Iraq? Who threaten others with sanctions? Believe the West? NO! Do the west do what they preach? No! They forget their past misdeeds and still talk Human rights, freedom, democracy!

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To those that (mistakenly) know the history and heart of Tibet- rent a dvd called "Vajra Sky Over Tibet" a little insight is better than none. The Chinese gov. has reported that it was Han Chinese that were killed initially- this is not true. Many of the dead are Tibetan Monks. Yes- it is true that during the conflict shops were burnt and ransacked. Due to Chinese govt practice of relocation of Chinese citizens(wether they want it or not) to Tibet- many shops had been Tibetan owned. In yet another attempt at cultural genocide-prostitutes have been introduced. China holds the Panchen Lama & family as "Guests" and have seated their own version of the Panchen Lama.The Daila Lama has said numerous times that were it not for China- Tibet would not have the advances of science and rail service, He seeks autonomy and no further cultural genocide. The monks know they are monitored and this level of worship is better than none. A beneficial re-birth to those gone and Freedom for the rest!

Amy, Pgh, PA

"China to the Han Chinese, Xinjiang to the Uighurs and Tibet to the Tibetans! "

Yes, I second your suggestion "China to the Han Chinese", and Tibet and Xinjiang have been part of China in centuries, so they are to the Han Chinese.

By the way, besides Tibetans and Uighurs, there are 53 other ethnic minority groups, and just in Xinjiang, there are Khazars, Uzbeks, Kirigyks,Mongols,Hui,Russians (yes, Russians), .... , and of course, Han Chinese.

So to the smart Tom in Hamburgh, tell me how do you suppose we divide up Xinjiang?

What about me suggesting dividing Germany ino Prussia, Tetons, and many other little Germanic tribes that dwell there not too long ago; and if you ask some Poles or Czechs or Danes, part of today's Germany used to belong to them too.

dan lee, LA, CA USA

" If we free Tibet we also free China and her people from an evil government that oppresses people for its' own profit motives."

Are you just naive, or plain dumb? Or simply arrogant!

Yeah, right, the 1.3 billions Chinese can't wait for you to liberate them.

If China were still as weak as the Qing Court, I'd bet there would be a UN/NATO army in Tibet now, and China would be like Iraq with the Western imposed "democracy" and a puppet government. Anyone who resists the Western rule would be put down as "terrorists" or "insurgents" like the Boxer Uprising that were put down by the eight Western powers in late 19 century.

John Zhang, Mountain View, CA USA

"That's like terrorists parading their hostages & saying "See! We treat our hostages so well!"'

Funny you used the term "terrorists". At the moment I know that the US army is busy in Iraq to crack down the Sadr insurgents/terrorists in Iraq. Why are they fighting the US? I thought even the West recognizes that US invaded Iraq.

I don't hear any outcries to boycott US?

Tibet is part of China, whether you like it or not -- if you don't think so, ask your government whether it has ever recognized Tibet as an independent country.
For the national interests and security of China, do you think the Chinese government has been treating these monks better that US did to its perceived "terrorists"?

John Zhang, Mountain View, CA USA

Well, to the Chinese government's credit, and discredit to all those who claimed that Chinese government prisoned and killed all the monks,
there are still live monks. I was surprised these monks were not in the prison already! They surely will.

In the eyes of Chinese governments, Dalai Lama is like Bin Laden and these monks are terrorists like the Muslim terrorists to US and the West.

Comparing what US/the West does to the Muslim terrorists, the Chinese government seems to be much kinder and gentler.

What are you guys complaining about?

Jim Milovic, Minneapolis, MN USA

i believe the weapon of mass destruction will be found in iraq soon.
i also believe the photograph of chinese army shooting the Innocent Tibetans will be shown in not far future.
oh come on , Lhasa has so many westen visitors that day,someone must have taken his camera.

or,it would be shame on you.

Xu, Suzhou, China

"democracy and world opinion will prevale in the long run. "

By "world opinion", you meant "Western opinions".
Look at what the mess the West is making by spreading the so-called Western "democracy", say, in places like Iraq?

Oh, by the way, Is imposing Western democracy on another people by force considered "cultural genocide"? I guess not, because they think it is a good and moral thing to do.

But remember Tibet was a theocratic society with Dalai Lama and monks having absolute control of Tibetans, and remember that Dalai Lama was not never "freely elected".

I thought the West hates theocracy (remember you guys complaints about Iran) and loves democracy.

I am really confused here! All you enlightened, liberal, superior, and moralistic, fair-mined Westerners, please help me out! Liberate me and free me from all the Communist China propaganda!

I'll repeat after you: Free Tibet, Down with China, Long Live Dalai Lama.

Now I really fee good and born again! What a miracle.

dan lee, LA, CA USA

Gordon Brown said today "BRITAIN will be at the Beijing games". Sorry Mr Brown - I won't be there. Is Gordon Brown trying to appease the Chinese like Chamberlain did with Hitler before WW2? My father fought 60 years ago with many many other good men and women of the world to help free the world of a ruthless dictator so that their children and grandchildren could live in their own countries in peace, with freedom to speak out, freedom to worship, to live a humane and peaceful life. Why should the people of Tibet not have the right to these things too? What are the governments of the world afraid of? If Gordon Brown wants to go to Beijing he must understand that he does not represent the voice of all the people in Britain - only his own.

FREE TIBET

LONG LIVE HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

Andy, Loughborough, UK

Where are all of the Hollywood types (Richard Gere, Steven Segal...etc.) on this issue? I have yet to hear a single peep from them- if ever they truely supported Tibet now is the time for them to use their fame for the good of the many as Mia Farrow did for Dafur/China issue forcing even Speilberg to pull out. Perhaps they (Hollywood celebs) merly prefer posing for photo opp. with the Dali Lama instead for nothing more than then boost of their ego.

Jalal Rumi, Portland, OR

This is such an unbiased report by Times and it never confirm with the monk if

1. they planed or joined in the riot?
2. they carry any life-treatening weapons in the violence?
3. if the first message they want to give to the press is "Dalai did not mastermise the riot", then who did?
4. any Chinese police has shot?

If the western journalist is now allowed in Lasa. Why the only picture and words are from monks, not from civilian tibetans and hans chinese especially those in hospital serieously injured ?????????????????

J.L, Birmingham, UK

Having been in Tiet I can see both sides of this, the fact is the monks are not free there, it is all a chinese charade to make the world think they are letting the Tibetan have some freedom,

You cant be a monk in Tibet uless you have a permit from the Chinese government, and to get one you have to have two sponsers, one religious and one political, this says it all eh?

If you dont toe the line your sponsers get punished as well.

I have a friend there who was a monk, he was jailed for years for being in a demonstration for freedom, and never did anything but ask to be free, he was tortured for years and now he is not allowed to be a monk.

As for who keeps the temples going yes it is the Chinese government, but who gets all the donations that are given it the temples? the government does,

Even before the troubles the Tibetians were stopped from gathering in the evening to pray near the potlala, there needs to be some balance here,

Free the people is what I say

Hari, Le Taillan Medoc, France

If this is a racial thing, and Tibet should belong to ethnic Tibetans, and Xinjiang should belong to Uighur Muslims, then by that logic North Yorkshire belongs to Muslims, USA belongs to Native Americans (what little there are left), Australia to the Aborigines and London.... is a free for all?

Howard, Manchester,

Arent Buddhist Monks trained to be in complete control of their emotions, so these tears make me wonder, who is really playing the media here?

I am all for freedom and human rights, but I am not sure that religious rule of any country gives the common man real freedom.

What is the monks manifesto and vision for Tibet exactly?

Clare , Cambridge, uk

why not compare the living standard now with 20 years or 49 years ago

Sam, bangor , UK

Religious figures such as the Dalai Lama and his clique are not credible political figures. These monks are acting not out of desperation but out of a selfish desire to seek attention from foreign media who remain sympathetic to their cause. The rioters are criminals and should be punished to the full extent of the law. China is a great place now and the PRC has ensured the country has moved leaps and bounds since the end of the cultural revolution.

The Tibet issue is the actions of a small minority and this problem will quickly be dispensed of. Sadly, biased western media will not be so swiftly dispensed of. Anyone calling for a free Tibet has no comprehension of how this would work. China in Tibet is really the only option, and concilliation with the incumbent authorities is the only way to ensure a prosperous future for the region of Tibet and the Tibetan people. Notice Xinjiang independence claims dont get the same attention. Guess Chinese Muslims don't receive the same interest

Bob, Sheffield, UK

Laughable.

Does the Chinese Empire really think that an occupation army is believable to the world press?

That's like terrorists parading their hostages & saying "See! We treat our hostages so well!"

Remy P, Portland, OR

I wish that boycotting the Olympics was a realistic idea. Basically, too many corporations have too much money tied up in the venture to ever allow the US or the UK to leave the games behind.

Kang Qian, what on Earth are you talking about? Please provide some kind of basis for your statement - possibly evidence and/or a conflicting article.

Jordan, New York, USA

People in opressed societies have no choice but to fight for their freedom. I feel that these monks are heros and that it is time for the free world to support them. Stop blaming the opressed for their strength in fighting opression. Just because you think a life controlled by another is "normal" does not mean your right!!!

Rob Willey, Manchester, USA/NH

Kang Qian,

I am sorry to inform you but Britain has a free media, while China does not. Take for example the controlled internet access and regulation of reporters. Dear Kang Qian, you can help this problem by complaining to your government, and requesting a free and open media, as well as a transparent and democratic China. All Chinese deserve it!

Tim Waring, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Keep up the protests at every opportunity. The communists are very thick skinned and refuse to give up. However, democracy and world opinion will prevale in the long run. It is the duty of all decent people to keep up the pressure. The ghastly regime will eventually fall and the crash will be a very loud one.

Colin, Wales.

Colin, Carmarthen, UK

A boycott is the only thing that will change things for Tibet. Now is the Tibetans opportunity for world recognition. I applaud the brave monks and Tibetans taking a stand for their culture and religion.

Linda Solomon, New Rochelle, NY

Times is not a justice place to show all the story about Tibet. why not compare the living standard now with 20 years or 49 years ago! I m proud of what chinese people did to help most of Tibet people inside China, not the several exiled Tibet rebel did outside.

jun qiu, brisbane,

About this news in Tibet is not true. Some pictures was happened in Nepal.

Jenny Commbe, Sydney, Australia

China is not a democracy. Tibet is an occupied sovereign country. Boycott the Olympics. Put pressure on your government to take a harder stance against China. Freedom is a universal right.

Jay Johnson, Atlanta, United States

I sympathize with not only Tibetans, but also general Chinese people. Opposite to the free world such as European countrises or my country, they are robbed the chance to recognize what is going on in TIbet at this moment. The only and last way for us , to pressure to stop cultural massacre toward Tibetans, is to confront this difficulty bravely. People respect freedom and human rights should show an inflexible will that we never abandon Tibet.

D.Uchimura, Tokyo, Japan

It is tragically unfortunate that these things happened, it is also unimaginable to think that Dalai Lama has nothing to do with this! It is even more tragic that both sides doesn't trust each other. To be fair, the Western media generally do a good job covering their own affairs, but always has a biased altitude when it comes to reporting China affairs!

Edwin, Southampton,

Those monks are incredibly brave and perhaps a bit desperate. I hate to think of what is happening to them now. This is a good indication of how much the Tibetans want a free, or at least autonomous Tibet. The Chinese have done everything they could to strip them of their culture for over 50 years, yet they are as strong spiritually as ever. These people deserve our help.

We need to do everything we can to break through Chinese censorship and inform the Han Chinese of the truth about what their dictatorial government is doing to Tibet. Perhaps if they understand the truth they will support the Tibetans. At the same time the Chinese people need to seek out information from sources outside China and stop believing the lies that Beijing feeds them.

The rest of the world needs to shame China, first by protesting at the Olympics and then by refusing to buy goods from China when alternatives sources are available. Businesses that enable Chinese dictatorship need to suffer.

Jay Casey, Beijing, China

We should boycott the Olympics, don't watch it, don't buy mercandise, write to our elected officials. If we free Tibet we also free China and her people from an evil government that oppresses people for its' own profit motives.

A, Milton Keynes,

When I was in Tibet in 2001 I saw first hand how the Chinese rule Tibet. It was a peaceful time then and yet you never felt free, you never felt any openness. These monks will suffer a terrible fate no doubt at the hands of the Chinese. However if only our so called diplomats and politicians would have an iota of the courage they showed and stood up to the Chinese and the other Chinese type governments out there the world would be a better place. As for Tibet these protests will no doubt continue.

Shivdeep, Chandigarh, India

The fact that this very article is blocked by the Chinese regime says everything. Britain is justifiably proud of its sacrifice in defeating fascism and yet today allows another such regime to use the Olympics as yet more propaganda to cover up its continued and relentless widespread use of torture, executions, religious persecution, harassment of human rights activists, grossly unfair trials, monitoring and gaoling of journalists, gulags, and censorship. The reasons are the same when Britain was supporting the fascist regime the Chinese were begging us to fight through the 30s- money.
www.lairdkeir.spaces.live.com

Keir, Beijing, Fascist China

The report is heartrending indeed. Hats off to the Times for reporting. Will the West and free world take notice and spring into solid action in place of the current lip service?

NK Pant, Dehra Dun, India

Musali, Don't assume Japanese. There is no spell "Musali" in Japanese.

D.Uchimura, Tokyo, Japan

What will your westen Goverment do if such situation happens in your country? These protestor may have been killed if it happens in America, in UK, in Germany. They are lucky enough to be still living since it happens in China. Shame for all your westerners. Strongly support the Chinese Goverment.

jacky, jackson,

Qijun, london, UK: I agree - reporters definitely should talk to "common civilians" in Tibet. However, this is not possible because the Chinese officials won't allow this.

Odd policy indeed, considering the official line according to which practically all tibetans are extremely happy with their current situation. If everything is so fine and dandy in tibet, why the media black-out? Why not let reporters go and discover this paradise freely and let the world know about it? Oh well, maybe this too is some kind of a conspiracy initiated by the Dalai Lama, the "West" and so forth.

Before accusing everyone else of hypocrisy and lies, perhaps you should reconsider the consistency of your own views.

John, Helsinki,

Great, a few monks yell what everyone already knows and that excuses all the crimes they've commited?

Do people here even realize what Tibetans are asking for?
If you look at the region that Tibetan claim is theirs. It's mostly populated by Han Chinese. In a real referendum, they would never have a chance of separating. Same with Uighur, in their province, 65% population are Han Chinese. Tom from germany, you clearly don't know these basic facts.

Why should Dalai Lama be let back in? That would only increase this freedom fervour. And what about the majority of Han people living in the region. They will be the true victims of this. Despite being the majority, clueless Westerners would think they will have to be under the rule of Tibetans.

Feng, New york, NY

Northern Ireland is NOT free, Northern Ireland is not free. We want independent from the sick UK

Mac Tom, London,

Charles Hutzler, described one young Buddhist monk who yelled “Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” and then burst into tears.
Why Charles Hutzler not go to help them, brings them or thousand of them to Iraq - it is free country with western democracy, I am sure they will enjoy and love it, as long as it is under American and British rule.

Beenee, Hong Kong, HKSAR

Of course Tibet is not free. It's never free from the religious mind control and religion interfering politics. This again showcases how influential a god-king is among his believers. Nothing we haven't seen before or elsewhere. If this two-in-one church-state "Tibetan culture" is not purged from Tibet, Tibet will never be free.

Zhang Fan, Baltimore, MD/USA

Most Han Chinese posters here and on recent articles regaridng the issue of Tibet keep asking if people have been to China and why they're making claims they can't possibly support, - because they "don't know the country".

Well, this "official" media tour did not allow German journalists to participate because Merkel invited the Dalai Lama to Germany last year. Dear Han Chinese readers: please stop asking if people have been to China, when you don't allow them get a clear picture on what's happening in Tibet.

China to the Han Chinese, Xinjiang to the Uighurs and Tibet to the Tibetans! This year's Olympic Games will be the biggest farce ever.

Tom, Hamburg,

OK Kang Qian; you've convinced me. From now on I'm refusing to pick up any newspaper that doesn't come from a one party communist dictatorship.

James, monteria, Colombia

How UNGRATEFUL can one get!!
i) Who spends money maintaining Buddhist temples if not Chinese government ??
ii) If Tibet is not free and there is religious oppression, why are the monks NOT IN PRISION ??
iii) Who spent money and energy to build railway to Tibet, to build schools and hospitals, not to mention hotels for tourists if not Chinese government ??
iv) What have monks in temples done for the poor people in Tibet, but to feed off the hard work of others ??
v) Why are monks not following Buddha's teachings to disregard the affairs of men but instead trying to be politicians??
vi) What plans do these monks and Dalai Lama have to improve the life of Tibetians, besides making Dalai Lama the King in Tibet so that he can once again be lord and God all in one ??

Hean Teik ONG, Penang, MALAYSIA

i believe the aborigins in Australia, New Zealand and the native indians in North America want independence too. Why are they not getting any attention???

Biao, Singapore, Singapore

Why would Jenny Commbe, Sydney, Australia a) spell her name that way, or b) as a native English speaker say that 'the photo was happened in Nepal'? Perhaps the message was happened in China?

Jacques Francis, Westcott,

Excuse me,so called the westers'',Can you read Chinese?Please read these http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-03/26/content_7865173.htm
why not? So,secondly,Could you tell us the meaning of 'chinese',westers?Do you mean that you are supporting dalai lama ,as a result, you are supporting all the tibetans including the rioters and monks and other nearly 5 millions tibetans who are not supporting dalai lama,whilst you are against the chinese which means you are not only against chinese government but also against the all 1.3 billions chinese including the other 55 nationalities?as a result also,you are supposed to boycott beijing Olymipic games as a ransom to free tibet?what's your logic?This time,not like tiananmen square,chinese goverment is doing right things because tibet is a part of China,that is the fact that no one can change,and because some tibetans killed people, arsoned ,what chinese did same as your police catch criminals which doesn't relates to violence of human right

joe, london,

The world community must support Tibetens in their struggle for freedom or else it would forfeit it's moral authority to condmn violent ways of terriorists.It is pathetic to see that those who belive in peace are required to suffer in this world and the state which commites atrocities on the people is considered a "rising power". Boycotting the Beijing olympics is the least which can be done

pkmudliar, mumbai, india

History is the better judge of the Tibetan Troubles.
Ask Sarkozi how he crushed the French roiting,not too long ago before he became president of France.
How the British slaughtered the Zulus...and the spliting of Kashmir (India/Pakistan) Middle East (Isarel/Palastine)and also the Tibet region.
How the American spray Agent Orange on Vietnam...How the Australian treated the Aborigines...just to name a few...Shame on you and What Democracy....

Joseph Tiong, Sibu, Malaysia/Sarawak

I feel the Chinese government is the worst in the world. My sister-in-law comes from China and she thinks China has no freedom. I hear stories of people that bad mouth the government are punished and tortured very badly. China should free Tibet and leave Tibetan people to live peacefully. I really think the West has no backbone and should stand up to China and abandon the Olympics. I would like to urge companies and athletes to not attend the 2008 Olympics and show your own support for the people of Tibet and for your own country.

At the same time I know the countries will not do anything because we grown quite independent on cheap labour in China.

Chuck, West Midlands, UK

hello jenny:after burning China flag,and ask for independent ,kill person ,attack Han-Chinese,burn building ,you can not let them pretend nothing happen.No matter how innocent they are, they can not escape the punishment by the law.Cry can not compensate what they did in the violent~!

leeyang, Beijing, China

tibet....again....

Frank, Paris,

Qian Kang, markets dictate what people read - if people find something interesting, reporters will report on it to satisfy demand - this generally results in a balance of views. This is different from forced media where freedoms of expression are represented by dictatorships alone. Your own bias to not hear potentially helpful criticism is in turn a downfall and simply helps fuel corruption, mistreatment, and/or abuse of power. The premise is to hold governments accountable; this is not a bad thing.

Xiaowei, Beijing, China

This is China. Does anyone really think the Chinese govement will change due to the words of other nations? You guys will have a better chance convincing the Bush administration to openly admit that the Iraq war was a mistake before you can force China to do anything. What do you think the repercussion will be when China does lose the Olympics. What are the Tibetans willing to pay? If China is willing to kill thir own students, how do you think they will treat Tibetans. I admire Tibetan's courage but chose battles that can be won.

Ben, USA,

The courage of these monks dwarfs any Olympic achievement.
An Olympic boycott will do nothing to affect Chinese behaviour.
This world runs on money and power; one and the same.
Save Tibet. Somebody please.

Elliot, Leverett, USA MA

Ignore the disinfo, go to Tibet yourself. The journalists cant get in? How come tens of thousands of tourists can.
http://www.pan-tibet.com/index.html

David Hannaford, Lismore, Australia

I pity the Chinese, and it appears that a resurgent China is gonna be a problem in todays world. The fact that a single Chinese person hasn't at all been objective in his commentary of the Tibetan stitution suggests one of two things, that ;

1) Your incredibly nationalistic people

or

2) Your incredibly nationlistic to the point that your a state employee.

Every newspaper has an 'agenda' or fails in some small way to be objective, but when the 'worlds' newspaper are pretty much talking about the same thing, wheres the conspiracy... don't the tibetians simply want their independance, like the uighurs or any other ethnic group in China

Darren, London, England

What you see is not always the truth !!! I am sure the photo was happened in Nepal , not in Tibet.

Jenny Commbe, Sydney, Australia

Why is the UN, EU and the biggest guardian of democracy US mum?

It seems to reek of double standards, where Iraq is 'freed', without anyone in Iraq asking for that 'freedom', for its oil, while Tibetan occupation merely gets lip service and rhetoric.

While the world witnesses another Tiannamen square massacre in Tibet, the Chinese leadership organizes a dog and pony parade for journalists to show all is well.

It's a sad instance for humanity, where we let another bully get away with murder.

Sam, San Francisco, US

India!! Wake up!! The Vice Prez of India reportedly cancelled his meting with the Dalai Lama in Delhi becoz China protested!! If this country does not render support to the Tibetans now, it will not be fair to them. France has shown the way, prez Bush has called up Hu ..India needs to act in favour of Tibet.

Uday, Pune, India

The situation in Tibet now is clearly an escalation of a problem that has been in the brew for a long time. China is known for its intolerance of many people and many issues. Frankly, when I first heard about the Olympics being held in Bejing, I thought, yeah, right, we'll see how they screw that up. No one should be fooled about China on the world stage. It is not a place that by any measure can be considered trustworthy or deserving of the respect it desperately wants to have among the nations of the world. Its repressiveness, intolerance, and deceit -- think about its shipping of lead painted toys to US children and its non-oversight of medications such as Heparin to the US -- show the world that it is not a country that can be trusted even in the most basic aspects of world trade. It is a backward, intolerant, repressive place. The whole idea of having the Olympics there never made any sense to me.

Danielle, Alexandria, VA

The ONLY way to stop the chinese is to boycott the olympic games totally - If EVERY country does it, maybe the Chinese will realise that cannot walk over the rest of the world!!

kleinboet, Cheltenham, UK

I'm very moved by the courage and determination of these brave monks who will probably be arrested and many of them tortured for 'disgracing' the Chinese authorities in Tibet especially in front of foreign journalists. If only the smallest particle of their courage could rub on to our leaders in the West, we might not only help the Tibetans, the Sudanese in Dharfur and the Burmese but ourselves in the process.

Paola, Milan, Italy

Where is the UN indeed! For all the talk of "fighting for democracy" in fhe free world only France has stood up against the failed and disgraceful Chinese policies in Tibet. What kind of world do we live in that what our our leaders fear most is being cut off from cheap Chinese products. I

Its disgusting what is happening there.

Troy Aiken, Boston, MA

The action of these monks amount to "biting the hand that feeds you".
Westerners may not know that monks do not work but spend all their time memorising verses.
Aside from the stipend from the government, they also collect loads of money from devotees and are able to buy cars at a time when ordinary people cannot afford to.
My guess is that their action could have come about as result of the government curtailing their activities to further enrich themselves at the expense of the gullible public.

Hung, kuala lumpur,

Dear Kang Quan.
Please take a moment to reflect that in this "so call Democracy" (sic), you are able to express your view, have it published and not wait in anticipation for the secret service to come knocking on your door in the early hours... What's your point?
If there's any shame it's that people jump on the gravy train of protest without fully understanding the situation. I'd be interested to know what is view of the majority of Tibetans and if every one there feels Tibet would be better off under it's own ailing pseudo democracy or is it better off with a prospering China?

David McAdam, Nottingham,

Where is United Nation these days?

Not a word had been said by the secretary when all this atrocity is committed by China.

I think Sarkozi of France has lots of substance in this issue! I am dumb founded about other nations and their leaders.

Worku, Burtonsville, MD

If British media (Times) and people who believe them have lost their Integrity, please do not try to take away mine.
You are serving for your own interest, not for anyone else!
Your reporter has manipulated the truth; I am shamed for your newspaper and the so call Democracy.

Kang Qian, London,

"They want only to worship freely and find themselves starved, tortured and murdered by a brutal communist government in China"

Right...that's why they received a government stipend...

Jeffrey Jin, Hong Kong,

sir we know China controls Tibet physically but not spritually . Dalai Lama continues to score over the Chinese but being placed in India he cannot do much but shout. Sure the world is with him but the Chinese are equally adamant not to lose their grip over Tibet. Dalai Lama is a nice guy and spiritual but the Chinese are just the opposite. They would not hesitate to put the whole of Tibet and its inhabitants in chains and slaughter if needed- Nazis all over. So let the Tibetans show spirit but that much only so that the Chinese hesitate to do much damage. Otherwise the Chinese would ruthlessly slaughter the whole lot . The present protests do indicate that the Chinese have not won over the Tibetan hearts- they admit so and we should rake solace from that factor alone !!!.
achuta

SOMAYAJULA ACHUTA RAMAIAH, Hyderabad, India

Tibet was always a part of China? Even though by their own admission they were not even in the country for several centuries, nor do they have the same ________ (fill in the blank: food, culture, religion, language, or alphabet). Thats brilliant! But now I am concerned. .. What if you Brits lay claim to your America! Price Charles is looking a bit ambitious... I am going to write to that Pres. Bush fellow and ask him to re-station troops in ships between us and the British Royal Army... just in case Briton "remembers" America has always been a part of Briton!

Clifton J Carmody III
Indiana, USA

Clifton Carmody, Greenwood, Indiana, USA

hello jschwartz--At the beginning,I had the same felling with you ,and very anger with Chinese.But after I read some papers about Dalai Lama, I found they are not just like what you think.Indeed,they The Tibetan exile is a system combinating with religious and political.And in their society ,the monk just like official, just like my country, in some degree.So they ask not just like you think that worship and freedom,but the position like a government or official.To Chinese government , I think they won't permit a small government like this~~

Arons.lee, Paris, F

when make violent ,they did not cry;when set fire ,they did not cry;when destroy building,them did not cry;when attack Han-Chinese,they did not cry;Today when they meet journalist ,and will be punished by law ,they did cry~!how INNOCENT they are~!

Musali, Tokyo, Jp

It is such a pity that the global village as such prevents the rest of the world from boycotting Chinese goods until they let go of Tibet. It's quite sickening that we support that suppressive government through our mass-consumption of cheap Chinese products. The rest of the world leaders should show some spine, too, when it comes to dealing with such inhumane governance.

Therea Etat, Johannesburg,

And how is IOC going to be held responsible for his decisions? Who are they representing? They first choose Beijing as the host city then Sochi, the land of genocide, for Winter Olympics 2014. Thousands of Circassians killed in Sochi and the rest of North Caucasus and the survivors were sent to exile to Ottoman empire. today, the language of real inhabitants of Sochi, The Ubykh nation, is extinct. . Ongoing human rights violations in North Caucasus and the Russian givernment's oppression is an ongoing issue for the people of the region. It is hard to understand how detached IOC committee is from the rest of the world

Ziramuk , London, UK

Peace!! No war!!

kinarose, Oslo, Norway

China is a threat not only to Tibet but to all the democratic countries in SE Asia including India. Its intentions are patently dictatorial and should be opposed by all those who hold freedom as sacred.

umesh naik, baroda, india

World leaders especially the cowards in India should stop pretending that all is well in China. This monstrous Darth Vader of a power needs to be humbled to the same extent it has inflicted suffering and humiliation on the Tibetans.
Let the Games end! Now!

kishore, Galena, USA

Have you ever been to China? How can you say something like "brutal communist government"? The monks of Tibet want not only to worship but pull the Tibet society back to hundreds years ago when they enjoyed supreme power and wealth. I suggest the reporters to visit some common civilian and get some ideas what they are thinking about, rather than just those monks who are spending most of their to to pursue political power rather than spiritual peace.

Qijun, london, UK

Let the world honor the sacrifice of the brave monks of Tibet. They want only to worship freely and find themselves starved, tortured and murdered by a brutal communist government in China.

jschwartz, New York, New York, USA

If some monks didn't participate in the riots, other monks would have been able to live a normal life...Now local people have fear that riots would kill again, it doesn't surprise me that there is security forces( they were blamed because of slow and little reaction during the riots).
I think if the foreigners understood Chinese, those monks were asking for freedom of going around after the riots, not freedom for Tibet.
However, I guess the West prefer to translate it into Free Tibet.

Lucia Lee, China,

The West should be ashamed for not doing any more at this darkest hour of the Tibetan plight. Money rules the world and this is the start of the final downfall of Humanity. "Let the Shames begin!"

Bob A. Schelfhout Aubertijn, Texel Island, The Netherlands

These brave Monks deserve the full support of the rest of the world to gain the freedom to practice their religion without interference from China. The free world has let Tebetan people down and one can only wonder if it is bacause there is no monitary gain only principle involved. The Delai Lama should be allowed to return to Tibet as religious leader of his people even if the chinese remain and the area given a great degree of autonomy.

Tibor, Gold Coast, Queensland