China’s Syndromes

When its hackers aren’t busy breaking into the Pentagon, and when its leaders aren’t rationalizing the country’s stand on Darfur, China’s occupied with ensuring that nothing disturbs the upcoming Olympics. The government claims it has prevented two terrorist plots, including one against the upcoming games this summer. Chinese authorities noted that in a raid that foiled the plat were found “knives, axes and books on terrorism.” The attacks are being blamed on Uighur separatists. The government is saying that it is fighting it’s own local axis of evil made up of “terrorists, separatists and extremists.” The problem is China isn’t exactly known for its human rights track record nor is it known for doing well by its autonomous populations. China's claim may be true that these separatists have ties to international terrorist organizations, but China’s leaders are much more concerned about saving face on the world stage. It certainly won’t win any gold medals in the categories that matter most.