China is back in the red-hot spotlight and Tibet is again front and center. Depending on the source, anywhere from 10 to 100 were killed by Chinese forces during protests (and, admittedly some violence) over the weekend in the Buddhist region and ajoining regions. The Dalai Lama has called for an international investigation of what he has termed "Cultural Genocide" in Tibet. This marking of the anniversary of an uprising in 1959, first by monks, then by lay Tibetans, comes as the Olympics in Beijing draws nearer. And Tibet's youth is voting with its feet against the prolonged Chinese rule.
Recent crackdowns against Uighur separatists are one thing. Tibet, when most people really do sympathize with the Dalai Lama and his cause, is quite another matter. Tibetan monks are not terrorists. The world doesn't regard them as terrorists. And the Chinese leadership is sending signs that it means to increase its security presence in Tibet in the wake of the protests.
All of this, again, puts China in an awkward position. No one really expects this to end with a worldwide boycott of the Olympic games. But it does mean that China's doings in Tibet are going to be even more closely scrutinized, especially since the government restricts media access to the region. Even neighboring India has come out and said that the Chinese government need to talk with the Dalai Lama for a solution to Tibet. As much as China would like this to just go away, it won't. It should have known that this sort of thing was going to happen when it captured the Olympic games, and if it can't stand the heat, it should never have stepped into the kitchen.
No comments:
Post a Comment