Most Caucasians (Let us not use the racist expression westerners) thoroughly respect & admire the Chinese. When I visited Beijing as the invitation of the Chinese government to assist in the modernisation of their national banking system, I particularly admired their approach to implementing solutions - decisive & creative.

BUT - No individual, country or government can ever expect "zero criticism".

It seems that any criticism directed at China, its politics, economy or government is taken as an insult by all and every member of the Chinese population.

Tolerance of others & their beliefs is a quintessential element that breeds harmony among different peoples & classes within the global society.

I see little tolerance displayed here by either side to the discussion.

The world should be extremely intolerant of intolerance.

Richard, Bucharest,

It's shame for 2012 London Olympic committee that Lord Coe called Chinese Olympic torch guards as thugs. How can he serve as a chief communicating with Beijing in future?

Zhang, Midland,

Many people misunderstand the purpose of the torch guards. They're clearly more of a ceremonial and symbolic nature than anything else. When PM Gordon Brown visits China, he is accompanied by an armed, muscular British soldier. The soldier is really just ceremonial. Chinese govn't, as a host, has to guarantees the safety of visiting foreign politicians. Otherwise, it's a huge insult and disaster for the host country.
Likewise, the torch guards are just symbolic. Without local police, they are powerless. They are there not to fight but to protect. As we see in San Franscico, where one guard pushed way a flying bottle at torch. I didn't see any guards push protesters to ground on live TV (newspapers can say anything with no photos as they wish).
Further, it's also an insult to torch relay host country if the local police and local people don't try their best to guarantee torch's safety.

Zhongmin Luo, London, UK

Charles , Dailian / London

You will agree that all these were initiated by the West and the anti China critics. It was only fair that supporters react to the unfair cyber attack on China.

China had not bargained for these in its bid for the Olympics.

Like you, I hope it will stop and the world can focus on other important matters.

140408

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Daichi.U, Tokyo, Japan

Japan has every right as a sovereign nation to do what it thinks correct. However, why must you echo the West in calling the Olympic minders as "thugs"? As such are you really a sovereign nation?

If Japan is to be respected as a truly sovereign nation in Asia please act independently (i.e. free from all outside Influence). Or may I ask: Is JAPAN also have designs on the world stage like the West..

Let's get back to the torch run. Japan is capable of handling the security situation and therefore is wholly responsible to ensure that the torch passes through Japan safely.

The sporting world will be watching as what happened in London, Paris and San Francisco is very disturbing and not good for the Olympic spirit.

Mr. Daiichi, please play your parT for the Olympic spirit.

140408

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Liberty, Loyalty and Faith are the three central theroms of the West, United Central Kingdom (word-to-word translation of 'China' in Chinese language) and the Islamic world.

We believe in different things, therefore it is important for all of us to respect each other's value.

People around the world should now relase the importance of being able to understanding current affair from other's point of view.

By that, and only thourgh that way, the hope of a peaceful world can ever become ture.

That is why I propose we should stop this 'Media War' right now and talk about who we really are!

Charles , Dailian / London,

Japan was 100% correct to ban the Chinese thug-paramilitaries. It's a question of national sovreignty, and I would sure hate to see what would happen if one of those goons tried to beat up a Japanese protestor. China occupied Tibet by force and has tried to displace the native culture, people and language by importing tons of other non-local people. That is a fact, and whining on about how the Western media hates China is not going to change that. Moreover, trying to enforce what works in China outside China is only going to reinforce the bad images and distrust which people already have about the place.

Maurice Le Poes, Brussels,

please look the pidtures ,our guards only stand there to protect the torch ,they do noting to the protestors .

zhao, tianjin, china

I'm proud of Japan's decision. We don't need those blue thugs . Most of all Japanese don't wanna yield to China, because we also respect Tibetans, and value freedom and human rights. I want Yasuo Fukuda, the Japanese prime minister, to express criticism toward Chine definitely and strongly. However, Japan is located in the immediate area of China. Therefore, it's difficult for Japanese government to blame Chinese government for a horrible massacre in Tibet. I would like to tell people in other country that there are many Japanese who protest against what happened in Tibet.

Daichi.U, Tokyo, Japan

Cheer up, China!!!
Cheer up, Beijing!!!
We love our country!!!

Jackey, Shanghai, China

Yeah! Let the torch run naked without protection. There are stories abound of monetary awards given to torch snatchers (usually jobless people), who are paid by anti-China organizations to do so in both London and Paris.

May I suggest that unlit torches be given to everyone in the "Olympic Run". Snatch as many as you would like, however the Olympic sprit is now dead. Such a disgrace!

C Qian, Singapore, Singapore

UK blames Chinese occupied Tibet, and Uk has ever had the most colonies in the world. How ironic!

Jady , Vancouver, Canada

I can't agree more with you !!!

Zhongmin Luo, London, UK you are my borther, i am proud of you .

Hanyu, Weihai, China

I am a Chinese, but I am not a Communist Party member, I just wonder why some people always hate China and Chinese people? is that because the Communist Party?

Of course, there are lots of problems we have, but what I can see from the western medias are mainly focus on some bad things. China and Chinese people seems like monster. I don't like political things, but I feel it's really unfair we always show up as a bad man.

we love olympic games, our chinese people just want to hold a good sport game, we look the torch saintly and repect it. those protesters, no matter what they want, are the ones who want to ruin olympic game. but seems no body blaim them, instead China became the target again. the "thug" maybe is rude, but he is protecting the saint torch. I blaim the "thug" too, but why he have "oppourtunity" to do this is partially because the local police didn't do a good job.

we can let the torch be put out, we do feel "loose face", but the face is not only belong to China

Robert, Shanghai, China

Jonathan, London, UK
From which confirmed source did u get to know that China killed "so many Tibetans"?
"Brainwash" might be the most frequently used word by your westerners to describe Chinese. China is not as it was 20 years ago. People have much greater freedom to discuss sensitive political issusues, though still far from that in the West. We even feel free to talke about 1989 Tianmen Square protest and are NOT afraid of being taken by the "secret police".
Many westerners kept saying China government are telling own side's story.
However, whatever news the Tibet government-in-exile released, it's regarded as 100 percent truth, though everyone knows the news is actually unconfirmed.
So can any body tell me why the western media and people turn a blind eye on the fact that Tibet government-in-exile is also telling its own side story?

Roy, Shanghai, China

Yeah! Let the torch run naked without protection. There are stories abound of monetary awards given to torch snatchers (usually jobless people), who are paid by anti-China organizations to do so in both London and Paris.

May I suggest that unlit torches be given to everyone in the "Olympic Run". Snatch as many as you would like, however the Olympic sprit is now dead. Such a disgrace!

C Qian, Singapore, Singapore

It seems the whole world is attacking China. Everyone thinks that they can finger point how Chinese people should feel about their government. How Chinese people should live their live. It is very common that politicians bring their own bodyguards while they pay an official visit to other countries. And Chinese can’t send their own bodygarud to protest the holy flame as it represents China's national dignity and pride.

UK has brutally bullied China and many other countries in history. Took Chinese resources and poisoned Chinese people by forcing them to buy their opium. And the Chinese communist party brought back Chinese the dignity and freedom, and right to enjoy the same quality of life as westerners is just no acceptable to Westerns. China just practice something different than westerners. They are called not live up to western standard.

UK blames Chinese occupied Tibet, and Uk has ever had the most colonies in the world. How ironic!

Jady , Vancouver, Canada

It's about time a country stands up against those "guards"! I'm French and not proud of my police having let those guys decide who would be on front of the cameras, and French cops even confiscated Tibetans flags! Who are we running for? I'm ashamed of this democraty, and England did not do any better. Boohoo for both of them!

cristele, oakland, ca

I am proud of the decision. At the same time, I am worried that will be all right, because It's more responsible than others( I do not mean to insult them). Kumamoto Police is one of the most superior in Japan. How about Nagano Police?

masataka, Kumamoto, Japan

how were they called in the beatles "yellow submarine"? blue meanies?

christoph, zurich,

George Orwells' observation that 'sport is war without the shooting' may soon be updated.

peter dodd, london,

Tibetan has distinct culture and language, well respected in China. According to BBC 4 recent show, 1 Year Life in Tibet, polygamy marriage is still popular as a tradition in Tibet, which is illegal in the rest of China. How come Chinese govn't allow that? The same show says the number of temples has gone back to what it was before cultural revolution (ending in 1976). To help Tibetans improve education, Tibetan students can enter universities with 300 marks while other students in the rest of China have to score 500+ marks in nation wide entrance exam. Tibetans are allowed to have as many kids as they want under single-child natonal policy.
Contrary to Western media, it's free to move around in China nowadays. Tibetans should open themselves and blend with the rest of China to enjoy economic benefits of prospering China. Even Gordon/Merkel/Bush can resist that! Religion is important but life has other parts too. Tibet is not Western's Shangri-la! God bless China and Tibet!

Zhongmin Luo, London, UK

Born in China, educated in Chinese &Western universities,I have been living & working in America and Europe for 16+ yrs. In 1989, I was among those students to improve China politically and economically. I believe students had the right to protest, but went too far. China could have gone back to Cultural Revolution. Chinese gov't had the right to prevent that; but, it also went too far, not as far as Western media portrayed. What did Western media & gov't do? US state-sponsored Voice of America instigated and lied to students with news like the deaths of Primier, then Chairman, making students believe they were winning. Today, US gov't has agency for Tibetan affairs. Should Chinese govn't have US Aboriginal Agency or African American Agency? CIA trained Tibetan army in the 50/60s as they did for Osama. What benefits can you gain from a distablised China? Wars? Exdus of refugees to US, UK. Many anti-China protestors are paid Pro or just want to get pictures and seek political asylums!!

Zhongmin Luo, London, UK

FIrst i want to tell everyone i am a chinese student !
It is very disgusting what Katie said on the first comment.
We chinese never consider tibetans as second class citizens ,because they are also chinese,they are my brothers ,I love them just like I love other chinese.
Katie,a friend from New York,I suggste you come to our country to have a visit ,also you can connect with me,after you know everything about china,I think you will change your mind..

tan, Hubei, China

Tibetan people want their own language, culture and future in their own hands. They are not Chinese.

Their country was stolen from them by force. They have tried to get world support for years non-violently. During that time, the Chinese govt. has sent thousands of Chinese Han to Tibet. Tibetans have become second class citizens without say and are becoming more impoverished. Also, the Chinese are very arrogant to these "lower class people."

Many people support the Tibetans and feel strongly about this injustice. The Olympic Games and the Olympic torch are a way to focus attention on this travesty.

I think it is a shame that the Olympics are being used for a political end however nothing else has worked.

China will NEVER be viewed with respect until it stops its bullying and leaves the Tibetans to the Tibetans.

I also hope China will use its power and strength worldwide to improve the lives of others not just take what they want because they can.

Good for the protests!

Katie, New York, US

India don't be cowed down by the Chinese and follow the Japanese precedent when the Torch come to Delhi. The 'thugs' need not accompany the torch desecrated by the Chinese neo imperialists with the blood of hundreds of innocent enslaved Tibetans.

NK Pant, Dehra Dun, India

The Chinese paramilitaries should be offered the job of policing Britain - they'd make the streets safe from feral youths in no time!

Chie, Tokyo, Japan

And our government let them act in this way ! Can they ( the "thugs" ) be sued ?

Jim, Sidcup/Kent,

To Gao Pan, Chengdu, China.

Please could your explain your belief that Tibet is part of China? Anyone with even a small understanding of the rights of sovereignty and Tibet’s own history of sovereignty is more than aware of the illegality of China's claim. I suggest you go glance over what history books you have to hand, you may surprise yourself.

My second issue concerns your claim that "the Olympic torch belongs to all people". I completely agree, however, as this is the case why does China then have a right to send a Chinese escort with the torch. Surely as it belongs to all people, the nations in which it is paraded should have every legitimate right to defend that torch themselves.

You claim that China "like peace and respect all the people in the world". Now this may be true, although I do not believe your government’s actions reflect this point of view in any way, but if this is the case then how can you defend denying people their right to protest by the use of force.

Aubron Asquith, London, UK

Gao Pan

If China likes peace them why did they kill so many people in Tibet?

Have you asked the people IN Tibet is they tink Chna respects them? Or do you think that the Tibetans opinions don't matter?

Well done Japan taking a stand. I wish Gordon Brown had the courage to band them here! Why did we allow the chinese army to be here!

Jonathan, London, UK

Good on Japan, finally a government showing some guts. Sadly Gordon and his boys only seem worried about offending China.

Gurj Rai, derby, U.K

archibald, Geneva, Switzerland

Your bully message was totally wrong. Mind your own business, we are happy for our government, chinese are so glad that all the western hypocrites towards China, help majority Chinese hold together even tighter. So thanks you all!

Ron, london, UK

The Chinese action to send their paramailitary men is certainly way overboard and just adds to the western hysteria about anything Chinese! They could have done their homework and realised this, but given their arrogance they may have not...
The protesters on the other hand ARE the real thugs here. They are really going overboard and spoiling the spirit and atmosphere that goes along with the event. Whats the necessity to harass the torch? Why cant they demonstrate noisily along the run route? that will give them enough visibility. In SF their actions just marred the event for the majority of the populace who wanted to participate. How can we allow such a hijack? Tibet or otherwise.

raja, Singapore, Singapore

Well done Japan!
It is refreshing to see some country has the guts to stand up to the big bully - China!

Ophelia, London, UK

To Phil Thomas

Hear Hear. Frankly speaking, the Chinese government could be their own worst enemy. What are they going to do with the visitors who are going to the Beijing Olympics? Lock up the foreigners if they paint a tibetan flag on their cheek or have the locals beat them up if they ask "what about Tibet"?

I think the Chinese government needs to be smarter than just dolling out stupid descriptions of the Dalai Lama. This is one of the best opportunities for China to show what it can be, and how it can develop, and there are many of us in the West (who really don't care about Tibet at all and who think some elements of the western media are hysterical but no one can deny a dialogue is needed about Tibet) who want to see a China dignified and brought into the international framework as a good friend. The Chinese are sometimes nuts if they think the West just wants to humiliate them. There is no upside in the West doing so. China needs better PR. They should show tolerence.

Sog , London, UK.

China is bullying the entire world to believe that its armada will protect the torch and nothing else. We cannot take any civilisation lessons from a country that bulldozes its own people. Thank God the Chinese officials wanted this torch to travel the world: things might turn slightly differently then planned...

archibald, Geneva, Switzerland

First,Chinese people like peace and respect all the people in the world .Tibet is a part of China.

Second,the Olympic torch belongs to all people in the world.The protests destoried peace and justice should be punished .

Gao Pan, Chengdu, China

I lived in Beijing, mostly, for about four years (1999, 2002 to 2005) and during this time I met many influential Chinese business people as well as uni. graduates as part of my employment. Aspects I found disturbing then, as I still find now, were excessive nationalism and xenophobia imbued with stupendous ignorance as well as an open hostility and sheer unwillingness of many - but not all - educated Chinese to entertain the merits of any criticism of the Chinese state and its policies. The Chinese security escort "in blue" are unnecessary and provocative and yes, they are thugs and were hired and trained to be so. Perversely, they represent their government and many educated Chinese people in every way. There is no helping them. They are their worst enemy and the collapse of the Chinese state in combination with the delusions of the many Chinese intelligensia is inevitable. The aftermath of the Olympics will be a very painful one for the Chinese state and for the Han Chinese people.

Phil Thomas, Brisbane , Australia

It is yet another sign of the supine appeasement of western leaders to allow Chinese paramilitary "thugs" to patrol the streets of their cities, and assault their citizens with impunity..

The world can put up with Chinese manufacturing exports but we do not need to import their police state methods'

We can only hope that after this fiasco heads will roll in London, Paris and San Francisco

Kishore, Rushville, USA

Most people don't understand chinese culture, and view their actions through a 'western' moral lens. It is important to 'save face' in their culture, and would be humiliating if the torch were put out. At the same time they aren't stupid and are very practical, and know that the western world values individualism, therefore would allow protesters their space (and rightly so in my opinion). Hence China is completely justified in sending these guys to protect the flame.

I am also amazed by the attitude of the majority of protesters. Progress is not achieved by humiliating a nation and putting them on the defensive collectively. Chinese culture is incredibly rich and varied and subtle, and frankly we have no right to lecture them on human rights after the Iraq debacle. The right way to go about this is to bring China into the international community rather than to lecture and harangue the, while pursuing a 'do as I say, not as I do' foreign policy.

Andy, London, Uk

Japan and Australia have got it right, we should have done the same thing here in the UK, but our spineless government will not do anything because they are too worrried that they might upset somebody. Take a look at the news, the occupation of Tibet is not a new thing, yet we must stand by these people in our own way to show our disgust at the Chinese brutal oppression in Tibet.

Nige, London, UK

Whilst I welcome the Japanese Governments decision, I am at the same time quite surprised. Having lived here for many years I would have thought that the Government would have liked nothing more than the sight of a Chinese “thug” pushing into a Japanese citizen to be shown endlessly on all TV stations. What a missed opportunity! Coming as it would have done on the tail of a carefully orchestrated Government-controlled-media frenzy of anti-Chinese news reporting; the refusal of many cinemas to screen the documentary Yasukuni (directed by a Chinese film maker); and coming on the same day that the central character of the same documentary has asked for all his scenes to be deleted thus crippling the film as a whole (a move almost certainly connected with Government minister Haruko Arimura), I am shocked that the nationalist “thugs” presently running the country would pass off the chance to whip up yet more racist hysteria!

Bob Sato, Sendai, Japan,

To Gao Pan, Chengdu, China.

Are you saying it is ok for china to send the men that they beat the Tibetens with. Well in our society we have better standards that this!

Bob, Warrington, Cheshire

At least some people from China are expressing their views. Although we may not agree with them, I think it is good they speak up.

I would like to hear more on their reasoning for the need of this special forces. I am more than sure that the local police in the UK, France and the US are more than qualified to protect the torch.

Would expect there is some weird feeling of conspiracy on their minds.

And I don't expect a lot of chinese support for pulling the plug on these special chinese force will come through the great internet wall of china!

Marcos, London,

It is necessary for china to send the power to protect the torch.

Gao Pan, Chengdu, China

At last, two governments (Japan's and Australia's) are making a lot of sense, amidst the veritable farce of the torch relay. The host country to the relay - not China - should be the one who is charged with protecting the torch.

Giles , Tokyo (where else),

No Kaven ... the trouble shows what a pointless exercise sending these people over has been . Japans stance is correct .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

WHAT had happened in london and paris just show us the necessity for china to send the power to protect the torch. at last i have to say many of western media lose their fair in reporting the riots in tibet.media must tell the truth.

kaven, fuzhou, china

Japan's example should make London, Paris and San Francisco police chiefs hang their heads in shame that they allowed the repressive thugs of a brutal state onto their streets. The Chinese "Guardians" were obviously police or secret service - that was clear as soon as you looked at them. The West has been supine and complicit in Chinese regime's disgraceful search for political legitimacy.

Oscar Franklin, London, UK