to Joe:
i agree with you that if these "flag wavers" love their china so much... what are they doing in europe and americas? as for the Taiwan question..... the question really comes down to IF the U.S. will "publically" defend Taiwan or not... and furthermore, will the U.S. pull the "internament camp" stunt against chinese americans as they have with the japanese americans during WWII.

to Ian:
i feel the whole thing with Western world now being semi-dependent on china is a bit of capitalism shooting themselves in the foot. thanks to competivity and cost cutting, the big companies are out-sourcing their process to china. therefore, its not a problem of boycotting china, but rather, convincing big corporations to take some hits and pull their processes out from china.

Ken, Atlanta, USA

Yes, Good on ya Big Kev! to use some Australian slang...

Kevin Rudd is from the labor party which is centre left and PM Gough Whitlam from the same party in 1972 was one of the few world leaders then to engage in dialogue with China ( No wonder he got shafted and removed from office by the Governer General - Shame on Malcolm Fraser).
Australia has always been the little country with a big voice in internatonal affairs - under liberal Howard party we were just lackies for the US which is belittling to such a democracy that is a stand out in the world for openness and a great place to live. We helped set up the UN for example. We who are not stuck with medieval outdated views are happy to engage with up and coming nations in order to promote freedom and democracy - and with a labor gov in charge we also promote power to the people and proper safety nets for the disadvantaged. Long live new capitalism - that is free markets with protection for those who need it.

Max, Sydney, Australia

Oh Nikki let's all give China a break hey! They have over 1 billion mouths to feed so they must be doing a pretty good job! Your visits to China are no indication of anything.

Patrick, Melbourne, Australia

Agree with Chris of Bradford's views. As for Kevin Rudd well all I'd say is that these are 'brave words' - yes, just as the Beegees (Australian pop group) used to sing 'it's only words, and words are all I have'. Having just returned from a brief holiday in Oz I was amazed at all the goods I saw which were 'designed in Australia but made in China'. That's what China cares about - making and selling (cheap) goods to the West including Australia. How about a boycott of Chinese goods? We couldn't do it though could we?

Ian Burgess, Bristol,

Tibet Belongs To Tibetans Not China

Read some history people - not some Chinese Communist Party propaganda. And the reason that no major government has defended the Tibetans is simply expediency, not truth. The Chinese were not even in Tibet before 1950.

As for the people flying red flags in London, Paris and SF, perhaps you should question your loyalties.

Question for ethnic Chinese waving American flags:

If and when China attacks Taiwan - which it has suggested - and America defends Taiwan - which it suggests - whos side will you be on?

It is impossible to serve two masters. Love it or leave it.

joe, Berwichshire, Scotland

To Cliff - The Yuän dynasty - what Mongolians call the time China was part of Mongolia. To say Tibet was part of China in the Yuan dynasty is to say it was part of Mongolia.

kh, Canberra, Australia

'China has exercised sovereignty over Tibet since the Yuan dynasty '

The Yuan where Mongols NOT Han Chinese, The Chinese where conquered by the Mongols, Tibet Surrendered.

Tibet was never ruled directly from Bejing until the invasion in the 50's.

Mike, Nottingham, UK

To Amit from India.

You asked, ' On what basis does ALL the world's governments recognize China's sovereignty over Tibet?' Answer: China has exercised sovereignty over Tibet since the Yuan dynasty over 700 years ago. That is why not one government on earth recognize Tibet as an independent country.

This 'monster' according to you fought India after repeated incursions by India, supported and encouraged by the west. This ' monster', having soundly and resolutely routed the Indian army, proceeded to return the pow's and the captured land to India without preconditions. In return, India housed, and supported the separatists. India should be so careful not to make a permanent enemy out of China by acting as a poxy of the west. It is fundamental to India's interests to have peaceful relationships with her neighbour.

Cliff, Toronto, Canada

Hitendra, London

I was not saying that what is going on in Tibet isnt appalling and very different to the UK - I was merely correcting someone's incorrect assertion that China is Communist, with the Chinese Government view of what they are - Socialist with Chinese Characteristics. Which is very, very close to capitalism. So much so that some of their own leaders have struggled to set apart in what ways it is different (DXP)

In an awful lot of ways, China is capitalist. What it is not, is liberal. And its proud of that. Bizarrely. That's what sets us all apart.

Chris, Bradford,

I visited China several times and never encountered any evidence of so-called human rights abuses. Instead, the current government is able to keep the Chinese economy going under difficult circumstances (e.g over 1 billion mouths to feed). Decades ago, China was considered to be one of the weakest countries in the world, with foreign governments taking advantage of the Chinese when it suited them (e.g. Opium Wars, Japanese invasion). That was a time when real human rights abuses, caused mainly by foreign invaders, were rampant in China. Now that China is emerging from a dark past, it does not help to make false assumptions against the Chinese without actually going there and examining the real facts.

Nikki, Westchester, US

He had some guts! I woudl have thought our leader Brown would have had more courage.

Well dont for Rudd to speak out and in China and in mandarin!

To Chris in bradford - would yiou really be happy with that type of capitalism? I think not. Its a joke to cal is that

Hitendra, London, UK

It is good to see that finally one world leader has spoken honestly and openly with the Chinese Government though no doubt it helps that China needs Australia alot more than Australia needs China. China could take offence but then where is it going to get all the coal and iron ore it now gets from Australia?

It is a shame that the leaders in Europe dont realise that it is access to our market that gives us leverage over China and if we really want to see a change in its actions they should use this leverage.

In reply to Shawn from Oxford I would point out that China has twice invaded other countries in the form of their wars with Vietnam and India. So I dont think there is much we can teach the Chinese government about taking unilateral action!

Tim, London,

Can anyone comment please? or will I be censored? If there are film stars and Presidents around the world waiting for you to rebel, what would you do? No one else in the world is encouraged to demonstrate and riot like the Tibetans. Can the Aborigines rebel? Will anyone notice? Can the Sioux rebel? a few years ago the Sioux faced the US military for dancing their Ghost Dance. The Mohawks in Canada faced tanks a few years ago. The aborigines live in hovels, the Native Americans live in hovels, the Canadian Natives live in hovels. The Maoris are harangued on the radio in New Zealand and have lsot all their land. The Palestinians are bombed by jet, tanks and missiles.
All at the hands of these oh so humane white Europeans who now occupy the majority of the landmass of the world.
So much for your hypocrisy

Frank, Halifax, UK

Jonathon, London:

No one, not even the Chinese Communist Party, believe that China is Communist anymore. The word 'communism' hasnt been thrown around in Chinese political jargon since the days of Mao. China is now Socialist!

What Tibetan people are living under is 'Socialism with Chinese Characteristics' aka Capitalism without a free press.

Just clearing that up.

Chris, Bradford,

Does you denialist views on Tibet's occupation by China extend to Northern Ireland's occupation by England? How far back should we go in denial? To the humanoid migrations from Africa into Europe, Asia & beyond?

Andy T, Sydney, Australia

Well done PM Rudd and in fluent Mandarin as well.

Cammie, London, UK,

Shawn

The people in Northern Ireland want to be with the UK. The people in Tibet dont want to be ruled by China.

Try living under communism then see what freedom you have.

Jonathan, London, UK

HHDL can't go back to Tibet. If he hadn't left, he'd be dead, which would probably be the result if he returned now because eventually the rest of the world would go back to its TV dinners and Monday Night Football, and he'd die of "natural causes" after a suitable length of time. China would then be free to appoint a "successor," and the Tibetans would go the way of our own Native Americans. Painful as it is, his being free has been Tibet's saving grace because he has access to the media, internat'l govt officials, many other free Tibetans, and the global public. And he's more free to whisper in God's ear on behalf of his people - and China I might add.

Mr. Rudd is a much-needed breath of fresh air - thank you!

Tiffany, St. Louis, USA

Well done Rudd, at last an international statesman ready to stand up against the thugs. I would be proud to be Australian, as it is I reside in Canada with a PM, Harper, who will do all he can to not ruffle feathers. Its all about business and never about principles. Shame that.

Neil, Toronto,

Well they should get the aborigines back in a fit state to even protest about the terrible conditions theyre in before he says anything to us.

David, Weymouth, Dorset

It is a very long time since Australians have had a politician of either hue that they could take pride in. Kevin Rudd has actually acted like an Australian by calling a spade a spade and having the courage to state the bleeding obvious over China's conduct in Tibet.

China is Australia's most important trading partner as it dominates demand for our mining output so Rudd's stand has possible consequences. The greater the risk the greater the honour. Well done.

John Needham, Sydney, Australia

The Dali Lama really should go back to Tibet and support his people. It would be interesting to see what the Chinese government would do, especially as all eyes of the world would be watching.

A. Hunt, London, UK

Well done, shame our (UK) Govt are spineless lickspittles

Karen, Brighton,

No country in the world accepts Tibet as an independent state.

Tom, London, UK

like it or not, the world will get better down the road.
Violence , confrontation , and tit for tat don't get things done.

peterGonzales, Toronto, canada

Actually, the UK has recognised China's sovereignty over Tibet since the 1920s. For the US it is since the 1940s.

What is ironic is that Chairman Mao himself once said that all ethnic groups within China should be free to be autonomous, including Tibet. He did of course say this before the CCP took power in 1949, but still.

It is not an illegal occupation anyway - it is internationally recognised political subordinacy. Therefore any attempt at involvement on our part would be a breach of Chinese sovereignty. As such, this issue cannot be resolved by the West - not while Beijing continues to be backed by the majority of its people.

Chris, Bradford,

Boycotting the Olympic games won't persuade China to leave Tibet, but politicians NEED to use this opportunity to deal with the appalling human rights abuses.
Go Kevin Rudd!

If any one wants to learn more about TIbet the Dalai Lama's autobiography is one of the best books I've ever read - really recommend it. 'Freedom in Exile'.

Marie, Copenhagen, Denmark

"Well done Kevin Rudd for, at least, having the courage to voice concerns over China's human rights record unlike the sycophantic and gutless behaviour of our own P.M. "
Norman Saunders, Udine, Italy

You beat me to it. The contrast between Rudd's comments and the craven stance of our government speaks volumes.

Bill Rayner, Bedford, UK

Well said, Keith Lawson. The Australian PM doesn't speak for good people all over the world when he hands China a rubber stamped sovereignty over Tibet. Tibet has never been a part of China, and after the Nazi-like crimes against humanity committed by Chinese Communists, China has no further right to rule Tibet, even if there was any validity to its false territorial claims.

Most poeple who support Tibet are aghast that so many world governments have decided to acknowledge Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. On what basis?

As an Indian citizen, I am ashamed that my government joined the bandwagon and reversed on a long standing policy of recognising Tibet as a unique state under seige. Maybe Delhi now cares more about the profits it can make from trade with the murderous Chinese.

We are playing court to a MONSTER. Don't be surprised when this monster one day comes to eat you. We should be saying NO to the Chinese now, even it it hurts. We should not be making pacts with the devil.

Amit Sharma, Delhi, India

I have to agree with Keith Lawson - I was under the impression that the Chinese occupation of Tibet was llegal under international law - and much like the illegal invasions of Kuwait, etc., should be condemed by all... but I suppose that money seems to be more important then human lives, and the rich bankers and industrialists round the world would rather make money then protect human rights and human lives, and as long as we buy Chinese made goods, they have won!

Simon Albion, London, UK

Rudd also insisted that Tibet is part of China. Why did this article ignore that? Shame on you. You always choose what you want and hide the rest.

Jason, London, UK

Good On Rudd - Keep the Red Army torch thugs out of Australia.

Brown on the other hand let them push our own police out of the way during the London festivities and even did a photo call with them at number 10.

Nice one Gordon - he always wanted to be recognised as a global statesman.

Tom (expat), funchal, Portugal

To Keith, UK:

China's sovereignty over Tibet IS recognized by UK, US and almost all the other countries in the world. Please do not distort facts.

China want to keep Tibet, just like UK want to keep Northern Ireland, or US in earlier times want to keep the Southern States. Chinese people do not want to live in a split house, just like what President Lincoln has said 100 years ago.

China hasn't so far planned to invade a sovereignty country without UN resolution and with ridiculous allegations. But, if the leading Western democracies like the UK and the US keep teaching and encouraging the Chinese government with good examples such as Iraq and Panama etc., China may catch up later on.

Shawn, Oxford, UK

Well done Kevin Rudd for, at least, having the courage to voice concerns over China's human rights record unlike the sycophantic and gutless behaviour of our own P.M.

Having taken part in the Olympic torch ceremony, Gordon Brown (along with all the celebrity torch carriers) tacitly approves of the Chinese government's behaviour, because in China everything is political. China is blatently using the Olympics as a propoganda weapon, so we cannot possibly accept any claims that politics and sport there, should not be linked. They are inextricable and so anyone who carries the torch, attends the ceremonies or actually competes in the forthcoming games, is complicit in oppression, corruption, torture, murder and general human rights abuses.

In my view kevin Rudd should have gone further and told China to accept claims for total Tibetan autonomy (at the very least); better still , complete indepenence.

Norman Saunders, Udine, Italy

Nice speech and welcomed. But why say that China's sovereignty over Tibet is recognised. No it isn't. Austria is not part of Germany. Kuwait is not part of Iraq. The west took steps against domination where there is independence in a country. We can't fight China but we shouldn't turn a blind eye to illegal occupation, especially with the lack of human rights, torture and killings.

Keith Lawson, Poole, UK