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Ray · 03-30-2008, 10:48 AM

A closed country where individual liberties are controlled and existence orchestrated to suit govt needs, is bound to succeed and results are more promising.

It can be compared to the Army, where discipline overcomes problems and result are more efficient compared to the input.

However, when individual rights are stifled, no matter how spectacular the result maybe, it at times, sparks the desire of man to be free of control and be allowed to have the freedom of choice.

Therefore, Tiananmen Square and Tibet are natural and spontaneous reaction to the need of man to be free of control and micromanagement.

In the case of Tibet, it is more so, given that the Dalai Lama is a God to them and he has been repeatedly insulted by the Communist regime. This rage must have been boiling and it boiled over, so much so, that it spilled over to regions beyond the boundaries of the Tibet Autonomous Region and into the Tibetan Prefectures, This, in itself, indicates the intensity of the Tibetan anger. It is time the Chinese addressed the grievances, real or imagined.

Very few would seriously believe that Tibet can be free. However, China could consider autonomy, if that brings peace. Even if autonomy is given, it is a moot point if the Chinese will allow the Tibetans, who left Tibet, to return. If these Tibetan returned, then it could be more dangerous since most of them would have imbibed the concept of democracy, which would be a threat to the Communist style of rule.

There is no doubt China finds the warming of relationship of the US with countries on its periphery unsettling. Any country would. That is why she has started making an extra effort to wean these countries away from the US sphere of interest.

It is not that China has an animus towards India, but it does perceive India as a proxy of the US in the region, given India’s growing relationship with the US. It also fears that given the impetus from western country, India’s economy could pose a serious challenge to the Chinese economic boom and hence her hegemony. If India should become a economic powerhouse, it influence in Asia would rise and Asian countries would look up to India as a guide and mentor and that would sabotage the Chinese desire to be a challenge to the US.

Even Pakistan’s closeness to the US through the War on Terror and declaration as a front line ally has disquieted China, which has reasons to be suspicious, that the US operators in Pakistan could diverted the pan Islamic resurgence towards Xinjiang and agitate the Uighur to a comparative frenzy as in Tibet. Already the inequality in the demographic pattern in Urumchi, the capital, is causing heartburns amongst the Uighurs.

Another aspect that irks the minorities is that the Hans who are in their area are doing economically better than the locals. The resentment is natural, However, what they fail to realise that the Hans are a enterprising and hard working race who would do well in any society and in any circumstances. That is an irony that the Communists have to take into consideration and educate the minorities on.

That all is not well in Tibet requires no elaboration. There was a crackdown and it was observed and reported by tourists and foreign journalists. The situation must have been controlled thereafter and the Chinese then showcased a conducted tour of selected foreign journalist. But that backfired and notwithstanding that the foreign journalists were taken to a pro Chinese monastery, the monks broke down in front of the journalists and stated that the Chinese were lying to the world! Obviously, the tour was abruptly concluded and the journalists were returned to Mainland China. The fact that no more foreigners are being allowed indicates that the situation is still not normal and none know what action is being taken to bring Tibet to normalcy. It can only be conjectured that whatever is being done, is not pleasant.

The Olympics will go on. It would not be surprising that the minorities would do their best, be it the Tibetans, Uighurs or others, to highlight their protest with unusual and maybe spectacular events (there have been two Uighur attempts to hijack aircraft which were foiled). The security will be immensely tight and it may cause problems for those who are slated to come for the Olympics. Movement beyond to other parts of China may not be allowed and that will be a disappointment who would like to club the visit to see the historical monuments of China’s awe inspiring heritage.

Hopefully, the world leaders do not boycott the Opening and Closing ceremonies for that will be a snub that China will not forget in a hurry.

And China, knowing that memory is short, can take solace that after the Olympic games, no matter what is the outcome, the world will be back to business and all the protests forgotten and Tibet out of the mind!

03-30-2008, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,117 Country:	A closed country where individual liberties are controlled and existence orchestrated to suit govt needs, is bound to succeed and results are more promising. It can be compared to the Army, where discipline overcomes problems and result are more efficient compared to the input. However, when individual rights are stifled, no matter how spectacular the result maybe, it at times, sparks the desire of man to be free of control and be allowed to have the freedom of choice. Therefore, Tiananmen Square and Tibet are natural and spontaneous reaction to the need of man to be free of control and micromanagement. In the case of Tibet, it is more so, given that the Dalai Lama is a God to them and he has been repeatedly insulted by the Communist regime. This rage must have been boiling and it boiled over, so much so, that it spilled over to regions beyond the boundaries of the Tibet Autonomous Region and into the Tibetan Prefectures, This, in itself, indicates the intensity of the Tibetan anger. It is time the Chinese addressed the grievances, real or imagined. Very few would seriously believe that Tibet can be free. However, China could consider autonomy, if that brings peace. Even if autonomy is given, it is a moot point if the Chinese will allow the Tibetans, who left Tibet, to return. If these Tibetan returned, then it could be more dangerous since most of them would have imbibed the concept of democracy, which would be a threat to the Communist style of rule. There is no doubt China finds the warming of relationship of the US with countries on its periphery unsettling. Any country would. That is why she has started making an extra effort to wean these countries away from the US sphere of interest. It is not that China has an animus towards India, but it does perceive India as a proxy of the US in the region, given India’s growing relationship with the US. It also fears that given the impetus from western country, India’s economy could pose a serious challenge to the Chinese economic boom and hence her hegemony. If India should become a economic powerhouse, it influence in Asia would rise and Asian countries would look up to India as a guide and mentor and that would sabotage the Chinese desire to be a challenge to the US. Even Pakistan’s closeness to the US through the War on Terror and declaration as a front line ally has disquieted China, which has reasons to be suspicious, that the US operators in Pakistan could diverted the pan Islamic resurgence towards Xinjiang and agitate the Uighur to a comparative frenzy as in Tibet. Already the inequality in the demographic pattern in Urumchi, the capital, is causing heartburns amongst the Uighurs. Another aspect that irks the minorities is that the Hans who are in their area are doing economically better than the locals. The resentment is natural, However, what they fail to realise that the Hans are a enterprising and hard working race who would do well in any society and in any circumstances. That is an irony that the Communists have to take into consideration and educate the minorities on. That all is not well in Tibet requires no elaboration. There was a crackdown and it was observed and reported by tourists and foreign journalists. The situation must have been controlled thereafter and the Chinese then showcased a conducted tour of selected foreign journalist. But that backfired and notwithstanding that the foreign journalists were taken to a pro Chinese monastery, the monks broke down in front of the journalists and stated that the Chinese were lying to the world! Obviously, the tour was abruptly concluded and the journalists were returned to Mainland China. The fact that no more foreigners are being allowed indicates that the situation is still not normal and none know what action is being taken to bring Tibet to normalcy. It can only be conjectured that whatever is being done, is not pleasant. The Olympics will go on. It would not be surprising that the minorities would do their best, be it the Tibetans, Uighurs or others, to highlight their protest with unusual and maybe spectacular events (there have been two Uighur attempts to hijack aircraft which were foiled). The security will be immensely tight and it may cause problems for those who are slated to come for the Olympics. Movement beyond to other parts of China may not be allowed and that will be a disappointment who would like to club the visit to see the historical monuments of China’s awe inspiring heritage. Hopefully, the world leaders do not boycott the Opening and Closing ceremonies for that will be a snub that China will not forget in a hurry. And China, knowing that memory is short, can take solace that after the Olympic games, no matter what is the outcome, the world will be back to business and all the protests forgotten and Tibet out of the mind! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA