Do your bit for Tibet

[Martin]

After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. But violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now considering a choice between increasing brutality or dialogue, that could determine the future of Tibet and China.

We can affect this historic choice. China does care about its international reputation. Its economy is totally dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and it is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China that is a respected world power.

President Hu needs to hear that 'Brand China' and the Olympics can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to join me and sign a petition to President Hu calling for restraint in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama -- and tell absolutely everyone you can right away. The petition is organized by Avaaz, and they are urgently aiming to reach 1 million signatures to deliver directly to Chinese officials:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_v ... K_TF_TRACK

[ina]

It won't accept my e-=mail - I've double checked, and it is the right format! I've had that before somewhere - highly annoying.

Anyway - it's been making me mad for years, what the Chinese are doing in Tibet... And not just there, at home, too.

[Martin]

if all else fails, I hope there are massive olympic walk-outs - that should wake the perishers up!

[old tree man]

I'm in, and have sent support i have been appalled from the first time this story broke, mind you this has been going on for decades unnoticed its shamefull,

Russ

[marshlander]

Done.

I hope it works but I fear not

[dudley]

Got to do what we can do though!

[farmerdrea]

What's really bothering me about this situation is that New Zealand is going ahead with its free-trade agreement with China, spouting the tired old line about how much worse off the slave labour would be if we DIDN'T trade with China. Bugger the almighty dollar.

Andrea
NZ

[oldfella]

Done

[Archie]

Yet to see an impartial analysis of the Tibet/China conflict.
A recent bbc tv documentary showed a lot of nice gentle poor people in the grip of the monasteries and with the occasional view of modern hospital and an up and coming hotel, whilst the harvest was still done in the traditional ways.
Could it be that China is trying to help the Tibetans or could it be the monks recent having less influence.
People only improve their lives when they have jobs and maybe China sees a way.
And who are we to say, with the UK record of invasions.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Done

[johnhcrf]

This is a problem for China, which has several ethnic groups who want their ethnic/religious freedoms. The muslim Uigurs are a potential jihadi group as well.
The Olympic games is a chance to change China for the better. We should therefore do our best to make it a success. Communism is useless.

John.

[MKG]

Sorry, but this is NOT a problem for China. Don't fall for the recent Chinese hype about "This is an internal problem". Wouldn't they just love it to be! Tibet has been effectively annexed by China (hmmm ... a bit like the Austrian Anschluss) and, no matter what Tibetan internal politics were/are, there is no excuse for such an action in the modern world. China is every bit as imperialistic as Britain ever was, but we cannot - must not - let things alone using the rather weak excuse that we once did such things.

Yes, the monasteries used to run things. Yes, the monasteries could be dictatorial. On the other hand, they were Buddhist and if they were really run along Buddhist lines, the peasants could end up with a good deal. (Now try that statement substituting China and Communism). China is a bully state, and the world shouldn't be pussyfooting around them.

EDIT: It sickens me that we're even thinking of going. We shouldn't be depending upon signatures - we should be voting with our feet.

[johnhcrf]

There is no boundary between both peoples. There is a great deal of overlap. The Dalai Lama, a great man of his people, wants dialogue to settle the problems internally, ie Tibetan rights within the Chinese confederation.
Total independence may arrive eventually but that will need a fundamental change in the Chinese system.

John

[MKG]

Let's please get our facts straight here. Total independence of Tibet was achieved in 1911 and lasted until China mounted an armed invasion in 1950. The fundamental change you mention is called withdrawal.

[johnhcrf]

Beyond the border of Tibet, there is a large population of Tibetans within China. That is what is meant by overlap. I think the comparison with the British Empire is not a good fit. The Irish question is closer to mark. This has been a difficult problem to resolve same with the Chinese and Tibetans. I'll say again, The Dalai Lama is the man to follow. He has lived the problem for all those years not just because the Olympics is on this year.

John.