Major U.S. trade pressure escalation, time ticking for Tibet, dead souls March 31, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in China, Dalai Lama, Darfur, Economy, Exports, Foreign Relations, Human Rights, Labor, Olympics, Russia, Taiwan, Tibet, Travel, United States.3 comments
Quote of the day: “How sacred is a temple once it is featured on a postcard?”
- Ben H., on Tibet’s rise as a tourist destination
TIBET
Is Time Running Out for Tibet? – “The Chinese are calculating that once the 71-year-old passes away, Western interest in the mystical place that is Tibet will wane, the quest for Shangrila will cease and the political pressure on Beijing will melt away like the butter candles on the altars of the local monasteries.” I think the author could be very right or very wrong. When the Dalai Lama passes away, the interest may fall, or, hopefully, it will be the cause of massive, temporary interest in Tibet that could lend itself to the immediate freedom of Tibet. I hate to say this next thing, and it’s very crude, but in fact, probably the best situation would be a Chinese spy or otherwise Chinese government employed agent assassinating the Dalai Lama. That would give him permanent martyr status, and would likely anger billions of people – and say hello to a free Tibet. Of course…that is justifying the ends with the means…special piece on that coming tomorrow, if I have time.
Why Tibet matters to Southasia – “Tibet should matter to Southasia because of its trade possibilities, as well as its strategic and environmentally sensitive location. At one time, within living memory, there was a robust trade relationship between Tibet and its southern neighbours – Nepal, Bhutan and India. A revival of such relations has considerable potential for helping to speed up the rise of the Southasian economy. If there is truth to the belief that China is a vast, tappable market, Southasia is well placed to tap it through Tibet.” In agreement here.
Amnesty queries China over Panchen Lama in rare talks – “In its first official meeting with the Chinese embassy in Washington, Amnesty’s US office brought up the issue of the so-called Panchen Lama, who was six years old when he was detained by Chinese authorities in 1995 after the Dalai Lama named the boy his successor.”
Tibet’s government-in-exile presents surplus budget – “‘About 23 percent of the approved budget is appropriated for the promotion of the Tibetan issue, 28 percent for welfare services, 16 percent for education, 10 percent for health, 6 percent for religion and culture and 7 percent for others,’ said the spokesman. “
FOREIGN RELATIONS
U.S. to Set New Duties on Goods From China – “The Bush administration, in a major escalation of trade pressure on China, said Friday that it would reverse more than 20 years of American policy and impose potentially steep tariffs on Chinese manufactured goods on the ground that China is illegally subsidizing some of its exports.” This is excellent news.
More on China and Darfur – “In a telephone interview, Shattuck said the committee expressed ‘great interest in a diplomatic initiative’ aimed at China modeled on Reeves’ idea of shaming China by linking its complicity in the Darfur genocide to the Beijing games — the so-called Genocide Olympics campaign.” Reeves is a professor at one of the colleges that I take classes at. His “genocide olympics” campaign, while obviously a valuable one, is a bit of a worry to Tibet activists who are trying to say the same thing, but for their cause. I wonder if we can’t work together, that is the Free Tibet movement and the Save Darfur Olympics campaigns to produce something much more massive and comprehensive. I think I ought to see if I can get in touch with him, though I hear that with his fame, it may be difficult.
China’s great game in Asia – “Why so adamant? One reason is that the Communist Party fears that allowing political freedom to flourish on its fringes would loosen its ability to monopolise power in China as a whole. And there lies the real reason why China is so friendless. With no attractive ideas or values to appeal to neighbours, it falls back on a resurgent nationalism that scares them instead: we were a great power, should always be a great power, and by golly look at us now, so get out of the way!” This is a nice article on why China has no real friends in the world, not even Russia, who appears to have some great alliance with China in development right now.
Thomas J. Christensen: U.S.-China Relations – “With China’s rise to global prominence, its leaders must heed how their security, economic, environmental, and social policies affect not just China’s population of 1.3 billion, but the 5.2 billion people beyond its borders. As a regional power with increasing global reach, China will be expected to use its increasing influence to support international efforts to safeguard peace and security.” This seems to be a long, important official statement on the state of U.S.-China relations. I didn’t read it all, it’s normal political talk with China.
LABOR
China’s McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut accused of low pay – “Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, has set a minimum wage of 7.5 yuan ($0.97) an hour since the start of this year. But the city’s New Express newspaper has said that the fast-food restaurants had paid part-time employees from 4 to 5 yuan an hour, citing contracts signed by workers.” I think this is rather unfortunate. Chinese citizens are already continually mistreated by their own government, and the minimum wage, as you can see, is not what I would call ostentatious. This leaves a stain on China’s view of American companies, who should, if setting up shop in China in the first place, use their power and money to uplift Chinese citizens, instead of to cheat them.
China to sack ‘dead souls’ and other slackers – “China has issued new rules intended to weed out ‘dead souls’ and other so-called employees at government departments who earn salaries despite not doing any work, state press reported Wednesday.” Oh, thank god. I guess that means they are sacking Hu Jintao.
HUMAN RIGHTS
China denies discrimination against minorities - “Dondrub Wangben, himself an ethnic Tibetan, played down these problems, saying the minorities generally got along very well, like ‘the 56 petals of a flower’. ‘If there were discrimination, how could I, from a poor background, have gone to school and now be sitting here giving this press conference?’ he said.” Hmm…maybe because you’re getting paid, you have access to power, no access to real information, and have been brainwashed by the endless streams of Chinese propoganda? Take a look at the other 6 million Tibetans.
TAIWAN
China sought US sub secrets to conquer Taiwan: US prosecutor – “Prosecutors in the trial of US engineer Chi Mak said Wednesday that secret US submarine technology information he had tried to smuggle to China was to help it take control of Taiwan… He said Mak admitted he had been passing technology to China for over 23 years, explaining that he ‘wanted to help China.’” 23 years, eh…
$13b into Tibet, raging military secrets trade, dragons March 27, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in China, Dalai Lama, Economy, Foreign Relations, History, Human Rights, Military, Olympics, Religion, Tibet, Venezuela.6 comments
Quote of the day: “One does not need to be a Marx or a Keynes to have something useful to say about the great questions of the time.”
- MIT Developmental Economics professor Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee, on the ease of making convincing statements about free trade, capitalism, and development economics
MILITARY
China’s military proposes cooperation – “China’s military is proposing officer exchanges and other confidence-building measures with the U.S. Army and may be inching closer to setting up a ‘hotline’ for emergency communication with Washington, the top U.S. general said Friday.” I never did get why “hotlines” between countries are such a big deal. I have this vision of the President sitting in his oval office yelling into his intercom “GET CHINA ON THE PHONE!” during some heated debate. “Yes sir, right away sir.”
US engineer faces trial for smuggling military secrets to China – “Mak, who is also charged with acting as an agent of China in the United States and making false statements, was arrested after agents swooped on two relatives at Los Angeles Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong. According to Justice Department documents, the duo were caught with a disk containing sensitive encrypted data on US submarines hidden in a English-language CD course . . . After raiding Mak’s home, prosecutors say they also discovered a ‘wish-list’ of US military technology, including information on missile defence and torpedo systems.”
ITT fined $100 million for illegal exports – “ITT Corp. has agreed to pay a $100 million penalty for illegally sending classified night-vision technology used in military operations to China and other countries, U.S. Attorney John Brownlee announced Tuesday.” I don’t know what is up today, but this is the third story about transferring military things to China (U.S. government: Officers, Mak: US Submarines, ITT: Night-vision).
TIBET
China’s Majority Doesn’t Get Dalai Lama – “I, for example, had never put myself into the shoes of Chinese minorities until I moved to America and became a member of the minority myself. As a Chinese-American, I realized how much the feeling of being respected by mainstream America meant to me. It has helped me better understand why Tibet is such an issue in China.” This is a nice blog entry by Chinese Washington Post journalist Annie Wang. Some of the statistics are incorrect, however. Minorities do not make up only 3%. Statistics show 8.9% of Chinese are minorities.
China announces investment drive in Tibet – “China will invest 100 billion yuan ($12.9 billion) in projects in Tibet, including an extension of its first railway, state media reported, as Beijing seeks to boost its image in the remote region through development. The money will be spent on 180 projects in the years up to 2010, including upgrading an airport; extending availability of drinking water, electricity and telephone lines to herding communities; and building a railway from regional capital Lhasa to Xigaze, the region’s second-largest city, the Xinhua news agency reported late on Monday.” This investment comes out to about 71 million per each of the “180 project.” That’s not bad. It’s a start, but there is reason to believe that most of it will go to the development of the railroad and the airport. Read this article and you’ll notice something interesting about it…it mentions China critics’ views and a brief rundown of the China-Tibet conflict at the end. This is thanks to the great work the Tibet movement has been doing for many years now.
China is a 20th century idea – “The nation of China evolved as an idea not more than 100 years ago. Then how could Tibet have always existed as a part of China?” This article references many of the historical arguments that we have seen here before for Tibet’s indepedence.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Chavez: China to become a top oil client – “President Hugo Chavez said China is set to rival the United States as Venezuela’s top oil buyer as he announced new plans with the Asian powerhouse to jointly ship oil, build refineries and expand crude production.” China will continue to ally with other anti-US countres to build itself into a rivaling superpower.
OLYMPICS
China in a race to Olympic finish – “This summer, 26 test events will shape up the venues, part of a gargantuan $40 billion building project to modernize China’s capital – with low-slung alleyways and brightly painted, curved wooden roof beams giving way to hundreds of glass towers and cranes. But it might be the human infrastructure that will come under the most intense scrutiny when 500,000 foreign visitors and 20,000 journalists arrive next summer.” The article mentions some humorous mistakes that Olympic organizers have already made.
COMMUNIST PARTY
Late China Leader Mao Zedong’s Son Dies – “Mao Anqing, the only known surviving son of Mao Zedong, the late founder of China’s communist government, has died, a government news agency reported Saturday. He was 84. Mao Anqing died Friday, the China News Service said, without citing a cause of death. He had no role in government, suffered from psychiatric problems and is believed to have spent much of his adult life in mental hospitals.” If only Mao had lived the life his son had…then it would all make sense.
China’s Communist Party Continues Change – “China’s Communist Party named two more provincial bosses Monday in a widening reshuffle likely to consolidate President Hu Jintao’s power ahead of a party congress this year. Hu is expected to promote his supporters at the party congress this fall, possibly installing candidates for the next generation of leadership.”
HUMAN RIGHTS
In China, Fight Over Development Creates a Star – “Chinese bloggers were the first to spread the news of a house perched atop a tall, thimble-shaped piece of land like Mont St. Michel in the middle of a vast excavation. Newspapers dove in next, followed by national television. Then, in a way that is common in China whenever an event begins to take on hints of political overtones, the story virtually disappeared from the news media, bloggers here said, after the government decreed that the subject was suddenly out of bounds.” I just love the picture in the header of this article.
China’s lesson on freedom of religion – “Although its government likes to claim otherwise, and apparently hopes people won’t notice, meaningful religious freedom does not exist in China. Quite the contrary: As the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom stated in its report last year, ‘The Chinese government continues to engage in systematic and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief.’” The article is not quite as interesting as the title and excerpt suggest.
DRAGONS
China building the “world’s largest dragon” – “Investors in a central China city are building a giant $300 million sculpture of a dragon that they say will be the largest in the world, state media said on Tuesday . . . The dragon could act as a barrier protecting Zhengzhou from sandstorms that blow in from the north each spring, the paper said.” Great Wall, version 2.
Ancient flying dragon discovered in China – The London Telegraph says the six-inch long skeleton of the Gliding Lizard fossil features ‘elongated ribs that helped to spread a wing-like membrane for gliding.’”
On the way to tickets for the Dalai Lama’s visit… March 26, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in China, Dalai Lama.3 comments
I just visited the office at my school where we were told to pick up our tickets for the Dalai Lama’s visit on May 9 to Smith College.
With just my blogger’s luck, the person in line behind me for the tickets happened to be the one Chinese student that I had met almost a year ago, whom I knew was actually a visiting student from China.
I chanced a question….though I had never talked to her before. I did know from a friend of mine that she was very much pro-CCP, from her outspokenness in a globalization class about China’s policy on Taiwan:
“So, you’re coming to see this heretic?”
Maybe not the best first question to ask, but it opened the conversation that I wanted to have.
She nervously laughed and said “Yeah, I guess.”
“But he’s a traitor,” I replied.
“Yeah, I’m not supposed to see him…I’m not really allowed, but I figured I would just go check it out since I’m here anyway. It’s my birthday and I’m flying back to China later that day. I know he’s anti-Chinese government,” said the Chinese student.
“You know, I think he’s actually a pretty nice guy,” I pressed, slyly, “and he doesn’t do anything that’s that bad.”
“That’s true…well I guess that he’s trying to work things out. He’s not so bad,” she admitted.
I think that’s the power that the Dalai Lama’s compassion has had. I closed the conversation, walking away triumphantly:
“No, he really isn’t.”
Myanmar’s oil, illegal land use, Lhasa protests March 23, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in Activism, Burma, China, Dalai Lama, Darfur, Economy, Environment, Exports, Foreign Relations, France, India, Japan, Labor, Olympics, Radio Free Asia, Russia, Sudan, Tibet, United Kingdom, United Nations.add a comment
Quote of the day: “There is nothing easier than stopping this tragedy, this genocide. If this drama does not stop, France would do itself credit by not coming to the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.”
- Mr. Francois Bayro, a top-three presidential candidate for France’s elections next month, speaking at a pro-Darfur rally
FOREIGN RELATIONS
India, Korea lose to China on Myanmar gas – “India’s semi-official Press Trust of India reported that last week officials from the former Burma told their Indian counterparts they would sell gas from offshore block A-1 and potential discoveries in A-3 block to China . . . China has said it will build a 560-mile pipeline to transport the gas; India maintains that it is closer to Myanmar and that option would be cheaper.” Of course India lost out. Remember that “China aims to make peace through deals with dictators“: Two months they vetoed the UN Security Council resolution on Myanmar, and this is the gift that China gets in return, or should I say payment. China frequently trades their power in the UN for resources (See China and Darfur).
China, Russia to sign $4.3B in deals – “The deals when Hu Jintao visits Moscow next week will include an agreement on the transport of crude oil, memorandums on scientific and technical cooperation and lending accords between China’s development bank and Russian banks, Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui said.”
ECONOMY
Illegal land use soars in China – “The dire social problem of local governments in China illegally taking land from ordinary farmers and giving it to industrialists significantly worsened last year, state press said Wednesday. The number of cases of illegal land use — one of the major forces behind the rising number of protests and riots in China — jumped 17.3 percent last year, the China Daily said, citing Ministry of Land and Resources figures . . . China’s parliament this month passed an historic and controversial law that gave unprecedented legal rights to private property. Supporters of the law have said it will help curb illegal land confiscation as it will give farmers greater rights to the use of land. However critics have said it will help reinforce the rights of the powerful as they exploit farmers and other marginalised members of society.”
China’s job market seen worsening - “Nearly half of those seeking jobs in China will not be able to find work, Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported Wednesday.” I like how Japan is the one to point this out.
Dell Debuts China-Specific Desktop PCs – “Prices will range from about $223 to $515, and the system will only be available in China, Dell spokeswoman Jacqui Zhou said.” In response, DELL stock dropped half a percent.
TIBET
Hundreds of Tibetans Gather in Rare Protest – “Chinese police detained at least one person when several hundred Tibetans in Lhasa took part in an outlawed incense-burning there in a rare open display of opposition to Chinese rule. ‘About 500 Tibetans planned to participate in a huge incense-burning ritual at Kuru bridge in Lhasa in response to the offering rituals for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life,’ one source told RFA’s Tibetan service.”
Panchen Lama’s Disappearance a Continuous Crime, UN Told – “This morning the UN Human Rights Council heard a joint statement by 15 NGOs describing the disappearance of the Eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibet a continuous crime. The joint NGO statement was made in reaction to the report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance (WGEID), one of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, which was presented yesterday.”
British Prime Minister to meet Dalai Lama? – “The Dalai Lama ‘could meet the Foreign Office and have discussions about a range of issues with senior Ministers, including the Prime Minister’ during a visit to the UK scheduled for next year, according to UK Foreign Office Minister, Ian McCartney.”
Dalai Lama Would Be “lucky” If Merkel Pushes For Tibetan Rights – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to use Germany’s role as president of the European Union and host of the upcoming G8 summit to push more strongly for the rights of Tibetans, reported the Bild newspaper Thursday. If the chancellor mentions the plight of Tibetans at one the upcoming international summits, ‘We would be very lucky,’ the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying in an exclusive interview with Bild.”
ACTIVISM
Protesters block railway in eastern China – “More than 200 protesters surrounded by “several hundred” onlookers blocked two railway lines near Guixi township, Jiangxi province for over four hours on Wednesday afternoon, the People’s Daily reported on its website. Police were called in to “deal” with the situation and clear the lines, one of which links the eastern city of Shanghai with China’s southwestern province of Yunnan, the report said. The protesters were concerned that new zoning regulations in Guixi placing parts of the city under the control of another sub-district would lead to a loss of income and welfare benefits, the paper said, without giving details.”
ENVIRONMENT
China seen topping U.S. carbon emissions in 2007 – “China is on course to overtake the United States this year as the world’s biggest carbon emitter, estimates based on Chinese energy data show, potentially pressuring Beijing to take more action on climate change. China’s emissions rose by some 10 percent in 2005, a senior U.S. scientist estimated, while Beijing data shows fuel consumption rose more than 9 percent in 2006, suggesting China would easily outstrip the U.S. this year, long before forecasts.”
Hostile forces, Taiwan’s war games, anti-corruption textbook March 21, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in Activism, Censorship, China, Economy, Environment, Foreign Relations, France, Human Rights, Olympics, PLA, Religion, Taiwan, Tibet, Travel, United Nations.3 comments
Quote of the day: “The train is more than 90 percent reliable.”
- Qiangba Puncog, government chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, on the ecological threat that the Qinghai-Tibet railway poses
CENSORSHIP
China to stifle pre-Olympics ‘hostile forces’ – “‘We must strike hard at hostile forces both in and outside the nation,’ he said in a speech given on Monday and published in the state media yesterday. He went on to give a list of those the state now regards as its principal enemies . . . This is a catch-all phrase for anyone supporting independence or greater autonomy for Tibet, Xinjiang, or Taiwan. The government fears that free Tibet campaigners in particular could use the Games as an opportunity to boost international sympathy for their cause . . . The reference to ‘hostile forces outside the nation’ may refer to overseas supporters of these groups.” Gandhi-ji said “Better far than cowardice is killing and being killed in battle.” BRING IT ON, CHINA!
China jails editor for subversion – “The editor of a Chinese website has been sentenced to six years in prison for writing articles criticising the government, Chinese media have said. Zhang Jianhong was accused of inciting subversion and defaming the government, the official Xinhua news agency said. A media rights group said Mr Zhang was arrested last September after posting articles demanding the release of jailed political dissidents.”
When ‘foreign intervention’ is welcome – “Nor is there any restriction on issues to be covered by foreign journalists, although the regulation pertains to the Beijing Olympics and “related matters”. The only exception is that foreign reporters are advised, while traveling in Tibet, not to touch the sensitive issue relating to the Dalai Lama. ” Recommended read.
TAIWAN
Taiwan to test defences against China in live-fire drills – “Taiwan plans to stage a series of live-fire war games from next month as part of efforts to assess its defence capabilities against bitter rival China, the defence ministry said Tuesday . . . The planned manoeuvres codenamed ‘Han Kuang 23′ (Han Glory) will be held between April and May, the ministry said . . . ‘Hopefully this year’s exercises could be done in a more practical way, like in a war,’ defense ministry spokesman Major General Wu Chi-fang said, adding that details have yet to be finalised.”
CORRUPTION
China Adopting Anti-Corruption Textbook – “The school where China’s Communist Party trains its top officials is adopting an anti-corruption textbook for the first time, state media reported Tuesday . . . ‘This will be the first systematic, formal and exclusive textbook on anti-corruption in the history of the Central Party School,’ Hou Shaohua, a deputy director at the school, was quoted as saying by the China Daily newspaper.” I could write that one for them. It just needs 11 words: “Use your power to do good for the people, not yourself.”
FOREIGN RELATIONS
France backs extradition to China – “France’s justice minister said a suspect would be extradited in cases punishable by death only if China guaranteed they would not be executed . . . Human rights groups have urged the French parliament – which must ratify the treaty – to block its adoption because of what they say are continuing serious human rights violations in China.”
Speaker Pelosi says solution to Tibet will bolster China’s international reputation – “United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that ‘A negotiated agreement’ between Tibetan envoys and Chinese authorities ‘would ensure internal stability in Tibet and bolster China’s reputation in the world.’”
RELIGION
UN Expert on Religious Freedom Seeks Visit Dates from China – “Ms. Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, has said that she was seeking dates for a fact-finding visit to China. This observation was made in an annex on ’summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received’ to the main report by the Special Rapporteur to the current session of the UN Human Rights Council.”
TIBET
ST. Regis to Raise Its Flag in Tibet on the “Roof of the World” – “Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced an agreement with Lhasa Yungao International Hotel Company, Ltd to manage the St. Regis Resort, Lhasa, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, a province in southwest China. When it opens in January 2010, the 169-room new-build St. Regis luxury resort will be the first internationally branded luxury hotel to open in Lhasa in more than a decade. An exotic and highly appealing destination for travelers, Tibet is often referred to as the “Roof of the World” due to its impressive elevations of 16,000 feet. The region’s stunning mountainous terrain includes Mt. Everest, the world’s most famous mountain peak, located on the Tibet and Nepal border.” For activists, Starwood owns Sheraton hotels, Westin, and a few other brands. Fight!
ECONOMY
China bans firms from using IPO proceeds in the stock market – “China has banned firms flush with new share sale proceeds from investing the money in securities in the latest regulatory move aimed at cooling stock market fever, the government said Tuesday.”
China responds to Wisconsin’s Tibet Day March 20, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in China, March 10, Students for a Free Tibet.add a comment
Abigail Scott posted a great article in the comments on yesterday’s news. I hadn’t had a chance to read it until this morning, but please visit her blog SFT UW Madison to read it. She talks about how Chinese officials confronted State Representative Joe Parisi about his March 10 “Tibet Day” resolution, which passed unanimously on March 1, 2007, just like the 3 years prior.
There is also a fascinating video of the resolution being passed:
Thought control, US concerns for Tibet, organ regulation March 15, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in Activism, Australia, Censorship, China, Dalai Lama, EU, Human Rights, India, Japan, Macau, North Korea, Taiwan, Tibet, United States.add a comment
Quote of the day: “My position is that of semi retirement.”
- Dalai Lama, at a function for retired civil servants of the Central Tibetan Administration
CENSORSHIP
Chinese still being told what to think – “Only authorized dramas are allowed on Chinese prime-time television, customs inspectors are seizing books on Mao Zedong at China’s borders and newspapers are prohibited from running stories on the Communist Party’s misdeeds . . . While the notion of creating a consensus in a nation of 1.3 billion people may be alarming abroad, China is unabashed about the need for it. Last week, a headline in the Communist Party’s official mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, read: ‘Correct guidance of ideology and public opinion is an important factor in the harmony of society.’”
Ban smoking in China? A state-run industry has objections – “The plans, which include a ban on tobacco advertising, were discussed at the annual meeting of Parliament in Beijing and prompted the deputy chief of the state tobacco monopoly to say that smoking curbs could destabilize the country. China has 350 million smokers, more than the entire population of Russia, Germany and Japan combined. The habit kills about a million people a year in China and costs an estimated $5 billion annually in medical bills.” State proposed ban on state-run industry. Absurd.
TIBET
US concerned over stalled Sino-Tibetan dialogue – “The United States expressed concern Tuesday that a dialogue between representatives of Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and China has stalled for more than a year amid “extremely serious” human rights abuses in the Himalayan territory.”
Tibetan officials told not to visit temples – “Tibetan Communist Party members and civil servants have been warned against visiting temples in Lhasa this week, a local official said on Wednesday, apparently to curb the unfading influence of the exiled Dalai Lama. Party members and civil servants faced expulsion and dismissal respectively if they prayed at Buddhist temples in the capital, an official surnamed Wang with the neighbourhood committee in Dangba village told Reuters by telephone. They could resume visits after the annual session of parliament ends in Beijing on Friday, the official said. He did not explain the connection.”
Actor Gere asks US, EU to forge common human rights policy for China – “‘We want to stop business in China? No, we really don’t. The point is having rules of engagement. What are the rules for businesses going there, what are the rules of employing, what are the rules of conduct,’ he said at a US congressional hearing on Tibet.”
HUMAN RIGHTS
China: Use of prisoners’ organs regulated – “The use of organs from executed prisoners in China is strictly regulated and happens only in exceptional cases, state media reported Wednesday. Human rights groups have said that many organs, including those transplanted into wealthy foreigners, come from executed prisoners who may not have given their permission.”
China in Crackdown During Parliamentary Session, Report Says – “China has mounted a violent crackdown on protests and arrested political activists in a bid to curb dissent during the annual session of its parliament, Human Rights Watch said in a report today.”
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Australia, India Security Ties May Alarm China, Analysts Say – “A proposed security accord between Australia, Japan, the U.S. and India may create trade and security tensions with China, the world’s fastest growing economy, an Australian analyst on Asian security said. ‘A four-way relationship with the U.S., Japan and India would encircle China,’ Robert Ayson, a professor at the Canberra-based Australian National University, said today. ‘If there was hope China could join the group, it would be a good collection of Asian superpowers.’ U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney approached Australia during a February visit about including India in security arrangements it makes with the U.S. and Japan, the Australian newspaper reported today, without saying where it obtained the information.”
TAIWAN
China opposed to Taiwan independence – “China said again Thursday it is strongly opposed to any moves by Taiwan to declare independence, the latest in series of warnings issued during the annual session of the country’s legislature.” Just reading the headline – I’m thinking – NO REALLY? I THOUGHT THEY WANTED IT!
MACAU
China voices regret on U.S. bank ruling – “China expressed “deep regret” Thursday over a U.S. decision to punish a Macau bank for allegedly helping North Korea launder money, foreshadowing the difficulties of enforcing an international agreement on the North’s nuclear disarmament.”
$1.07 trillion invested, Tibet flags fly, Chinese pollution harms America March 13, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in Activism, Austria, Censorship, China, Crime, Dalai Lama, Economy, Environment, Human Rights, Iran, Legal, March 10, Military, Satellite missiles, Tibet.2 comments
Quote of the day: “The Forbidden City is one of the non-tradable products as its value cannot be measured with money. As long as it stays in the imperial palace, it poses a challenge to our traditional culture.”
- Chinese lawmaker Jiang Hongbin, on the threat that a Starbucks poses to China’s historical legacy
I have gathered a heap of stories relating to March 10: Tibetan Uprising Day protests, and I will post the March 10 coverage when I have a chance to write my own experience from the New York City protest.
CENSORSHIP
China to increase censorship of bloggers – “‘We must recognize that in an era when the Internet is developing at a breakneck pace, government oversight and control measures and means are facing new tests,’ Long told members of China’s national Parliament on Monday, the report said. Long singled out bloggers as one challenge. Long said ‘citizens’ freedom of expression would be fully protected.’” Doesn’t make much sense to me how increased blog censorship is protecting freedom of expression.
CNN Segment Apparently Blocked in China – “China on Saturday apparently blacked out parts of a CNN interview with Hong Kong’s leader when he began discussing moves toward democratic reform in the territory.”
China reneges on media freedom – “CAIJING magazine, one of the most influential publications in China, was withdrawn from sale by the authorities last week – apparently out of concern that it would stir controversy within the National People’s Congress.”
ECONOMY
China’s Giant New Investment Agency – “China’s Finance Minister Jin Renqing unveiled a government plan to overhaul the way the country manages its massive $1.07 trillion stockpile of foreign exchange (forex) reserves, the biggest in the world. China’s forex holdings are gargantuan for any country, let alone a developing one. They are also growing at clip of about $20 billion per month thanks to the country’s massive trade surpluses. Beijing has typically held about 70% of its reserves in U.S. dollar assets. However, now the plan is create a new state agency to divert more than $200 billion in funds to invest in all sorts of higher-yielding equity assets and perhaps strategic energy assets around the world or even some select social programs at home.”
TIBET
US Congress to Hold Hearing on Status of Sino-Tibetan Negotiations – “The House of Representative’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has announced a hearing of the full Committee on “Tibet: Status of the Sino-Tibetan Dialogue” to be held on March 13, 2007.”
Actor Richard Gere and the Dalai Lama’s envoy appeal for U.S. congressional help for Tibet – “Chinese President Hu Jintao, Gere said, should seize the opportunity to ’secure his position as a great modern Chinese leader, to enjoy the embrace of the rest of the world,’ by settling differences with Tibet.”
Austrian parliamentarians call for action on China-Tibet dialogue – “A group of Austrian MPs from the Social Democrat Party have made a formal request for clarification from the Austrian Foreign Minister on her efforts to support the dialogue between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government on the future of Tibet.”
Tibetan Jailed for Three Years – “Chinese authorities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) have jailed a prominent local businessman for three years after finding banned CDs of the exiled Dalai Lama’s teachings in his home, sources in the region say.”
Germany hoists the flag for Tibet – “83 cities, municipalities and counties in Germany hoisted the Tibetan flag on 10th March at town halls and offices…”
Czech Minister Bursik flies Tibetan flag despite Chinese protests – “The worldwide Flag for Tibet event, remembering Tibetan uprising against the Chinese occupation of Lhasa in 1959, has been for the first time joined by a Czech ministry.” Flag hoisting is apparently a very potent and upsetting action.
Tibetan Monastery Feels Ever-Tighter Curbs – “Though Chinese law permits freedom of religious faith and practice, Gyatso said, Chinese authorities force Labrang monks to make statements denouncing Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. This violates “one fundamental aspect of our being, the connection with one’s lama,” or religious teacher, Gyatso said.”
Religious repression in Tibet “getting worse” in 2007 – “An India-based human rights watchdog has denounced China for human rights abuses in Tibet last year and predicted that religious repression would get worse in 2007.”
ENVIRONMENT
Chinese pollution makes American storms worse – “…the consequences of this pollution aren’t just being felt in China and the surrounding regions. New research from a team at Texas A&M University has looked at the effect of pollution from power plants in China and India and demonstrated an effect on the Pacific storm track. Aerosols and soot from coal power stations are seeding clouds leading to alterations in the frequency and severity of weather events over the US.”
IRAN
Russia and China balk at bans on Iran – “…in a working paper of provisions for a second U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution, seen by Reuters on Thursday, Russia and China raised objections to many of the measures. One key element they agreed to was an arms embargo on any weapons Iran would be allowed to export.” Remember that China has huge oil deals with Iran.
MILITARY
China military in legislative spotlight – “With a spectacular test of an anti-satellite weapon, the roll-out of a sophisticated jet fighter and talk of building an aircraft carrier, the Chinese military is raising eyebrows abroad and picking up support in China’s corridors of power.” This is a nice article with a lot of information about China’s military build.
CRIME
China prosecuted nearly 1 million last year – “The ruling Communist Party has a tradition of “striking hard” against crime, with party-controlled police, prosecutors and judges working in concert to mete out harsh punishment. But Chinese citizens are increasingly vocal about their rights, and reports on legal work to the National People’s Congress reflected the resulting tensions between order and accountability.”
March 10 March 9, 2007
Posted by Vibhu Norby in Activism, March 10, Students for a Free Tibet.1 comment so far
I’ll be gone for the weekend at the March 10: Tibetan Uprising Day protest in New York City.
Please go to your nearest city and join the protest. I’d be happy to hear your accounts of the various events!
UPDATE: Please check this page for all the countries and cities that you can participate in protests at:
http://www.march10.org/join.htm
There are appears to be 11 countries with protests and many more cities in each one.
