The Olympic Games in the Shadow of Tibet
The Chinese Communist party sees the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 as a
vehicle to increase China's prestige worldwide, to further the country's
economic prosperity and to reduce poverty mainly in rural inland areas. Yet
the Olympic Games in this summer of 2008 may easily become a public relations
debacle for the host country.
There are too many unresolved problems regarding China's record of human
rights and policies. In the middle of March the US State department issued a
declaration according to which American tourists visiting the Olympic Games
in Beijing may not expect their privacy to be safeguarded by the Chinese
authorities. Added to this explicit warning is the Chinese policy in Sudan,
lack of freedom of speech in the media and the unrest in Tibet.
Undoubtedly the most severe case is the example of Tibet. On March 14,
riots broke out in Lhasa. Correspondents that were sent to cover the
preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games reported a vast crowd throwing
stones at Chinese businesses in the Tibetan capital. Not being prepared for
this, the security forces had to retreat from the city which further
escalated matters into the biggest anti-Chinese demonstration since 1959 when
the Dalai Lama escaped the country.
It all started in a rumor according to which Buddhist monks were beaten by
Chinese policeman. Soon riots spread from Lhasa to the mountainous regions of
Tibet. They ended without a declaration of martial law but with Chinese
official reports about 105 dissidents that were arrested.
The Chinese authorities avoided imposing martial law undoubtedly due to the
approaching Olympic Games in Beijing – allegations of violating human
rights is the last thing Beijing needs these days. Foreign tourists in Lhasa
were evacuated from the areas in which riots took place. Yet journalists were
given permit to stay – another example of Chinese mitigating response in
light of the Olympic Games.
Although they ended relatively quickly, the riots of March are a bad omen for
the Chinese government and the organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.
The widespread of the political unrest all over Tibet (For example troubles
were stirred up as far as Samye Monestary, 60 kilometers from Lhasa) poses a
serious threat to China's internal security and image in the world. On June
20, the Olympic flame is destined to reach Lhasa. The Chinese government will
have to expose the most problematic area in Tibet to the foreign press.
Canceling the ceremony is no option.
In addition, there are other areas in China that worry decision makers in
Beijing. The Muslim minority in west Xinjiang may be inspired to act as well.
Strict measures have been use by Chinese security forces to block any attempt
to create unrest. Some state that these steps taken by the Chinese are only a
fraction of many others that mark a consistent policy of violating the human
rights of the Muslim inhabitants of Xinjiang.
It is important to stress that for many Tibetans, as for other suppressed
minorities in China, the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 are a once in a life time
opportunity to bring the problem of Tibet to the attention of the world. It
will be an educated guess to say that Tibet will keep the world media
busy in the near future until and during the Olympic Games.