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Fuelling the flame of discontent
FOR the past month newspapers and news bulletins have been filled on an almost daily basis with images of Olympic torchbearers being jostled by protestors crying out for a free Tibet.
In London, the world's attention focused on China's human rights record and the mysterious Chinese officials in their now infamous bright blue tracksuits.
However, behind the barriers lining the capital's streets was another largely ignored group who simply wanted to demonstrate pride for their country and celebrate the world's greatest sporting event.
Some of those thousands of Chinese living and studying in Britain - including more than 100 from Southampton - returned to London last weekend to protest against the BBC and other media organisations for their coverage of the "free Tibet" protests and the Olympic torch relay.
Waving giant flags, wearing "I love China" T-shirts and brandishing placards reading "stop media distortion", the students stood united by patriotism.
The growing nationalistic tone is reflected on the Internet, with the Chinese encouraged to show support for their country and the Beijing Games during the torch relay.
Social networking sites and the video-sharing website YouTube have been swamped with postings highlighting alleged media bias, while bloggers have championed wheelchair-bound torchbearer Jin Jing as a national hero after she protected the torch in Paris.
More than 1,000 Chinese students study at Southampton's two universities and - as reported by the Daily Echo last year - they are increasingly becoming victims of race hate attacks.
Ping Hua, chairman of the Chinese Association of Southampton, said she feared the Western media's "misleading" reporting of the Tibet protests and Olympic torch relay could lead to even more racism in the city.
She said: "Students have told me that they are so worried they can't concentrate on their studies. They think the media has the habit of saying whatever they want about China, without any evidence or investigation."
One of the greatest challenges, Ms Hua said, was a lack of understanding among the British public of the Tibetan issue.
"How many people who shout Free Tibet!' actually know the history of Tibet? Without being in China, they seem to believe whatever the media says about China.
"The media in this country tends to portray a negative image of China on all issues. There is a danger of the public being seriously misled by the media, which could result in grave consequences.
"The media has the responsibility to present a full and unbiased picture of a foreign country which the public may not be familiar with. If misleading the court is a crime, what about misleading the public?"
She added: "What happened in Tibet was more of a riot than a peaceful protest, with innocent people being hurt and killed by rioters, but the media jumps to the conclusion that it's just the Chinese government cracking down on a peaceful protest."
The BBC responded to the criticism in a statement issued last week: "Despite restrictions placed on journalists, our coverage of Tibet has been extensive, fair and balanced.
"The same is true of our reporting of the Olympic torch relay and the protests that have accompanied it."
Ms Hua - who last year won the BBC South Community Champions award for Racial Harmony and Understanding - said she hoped that, rather than widening the cultural divide, the Beijing Games would be an opportunity to bring China and the West closer together.
"China is making great progress in terms of human rights and I think people here find it very easy to speak out about human rights, but they don't think about themselves. So there are double standards here.
"I think the Olympics is a great opportunity for China to show itself to the world and I hope people will go to the Olympics to see the real China.
"The Olympics represents peace, friendship and progress, but if protestors try to sabotage the torch relay it is a serious violation of the Olympic spirit because the Olympics don't belong to China, they belong to the world."
The Daily Echo this week attended a forum with Chinese students and staff from the University of Southampton to debate the Western media's coverage of the Tibet issue and the Olympic torch relay. Here is what some of them had to say:
Shuang Liu: "I wish that China can improve and that all the Western people can come to China and see what it is really like. I want everyone to see the real China."
Qi Lin: "China is far from perfect, but I want Western people to learn the real story for themselves, or come to China and then make a judgement."
Jun Xia: "I don't agree with the people who want to grab the Olympic tourch. You can say whatever you like about China, but what is the point of trying to grab the Olympic tourch?"
Wei Wu: "There are issues in China, but don't exaggerate it. Don't make comment, just tell the truth - that is enough."
Rong Zhang: "The Olympics are a very good opportunity to communicate between the Chinese Government and the Western media."
Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London."
Liqin Dong: "I hope that my country will get better and better and I hope it will be peaceful during the Olympic Games."
Fan Zhang: "I was told by a British friend that our protest would be forgotten very soon, so my hope is that our voices can be heard more and more by Western people."
5:24am Sunday 27th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Fred on 11:36am Sun 27 Apr 08
What a predictable story. Those quoted above can say pretty much anything they like, good or bad when in the UK. Back at home they have to watch very carefully what they say - and of course their access to the Internet is filtered.
Beijing 2008 - Berlin 1936. Olympics staged for murdering tyrant regimes.
What a predictable story. Those quoted above can say pretty much anything they like, good or bad when in the UK. Back at home they have to watch very carefully what they say - and of course their access to the Internet is filtered.
Beijing 2008 - Berlin 1936. Olympics staged for murdering tyrant regimes.
Posted by: Dim Sum, Table six on 1:06pm Sun 27 Apr 08
[italic]"misleading" reporting of the Tibet protests and Olympic torch relay could lead to even more racism in the city.[/italic]
[bold]Nothing new there then[/bold]
"misleading" reporting of the Tibet protests and Olympic torch relay could lead to even more racism in the city.
Nothing new there then Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 6:18pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown's taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938.
The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown's taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938.
The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
Posted by: Yung Wii Pee on 9:29pm Sun 27 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown's taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.[/quote] Historically the Catholic Church has at best turned a blind eye and at worst colaberated with oppressive regiemes, so don't hold out much hope there (and it was certainly nothing to do with the fall of Communism in Europe).
The Chineese enjoy good education, repect for the elderly and can walk the streets safely - so who has it right ?
Condor Man wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown's taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
Historically the Catholic Church has at best turned a blind eye and at worst colaberated with oppressive regiemes, so don't hold out much hope there (and it was certainly nothing to do with the fall of Communism in Europe).
The Chineese enjoy good education, repect for the elderly and can walk the streets safely - so who has it right ?
Posted by: Adrian Smith on 9:17pm Mon 28 Apr 08
I see the BBC has a report on "Free Tibet" flags being manufactured in China."Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning."Oh the irony.
I see the BBC has a report on "Free Tibet" flags being manufactured in China."Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning."Oh the irony.
Posted by: Weihua Liu, London on 1:24pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote:
What a predictable story. Those quoted above can say pretty much anything they like, good or bad when in the UK. Back at home they have to watch very carefully what they say - and of course their access to the Internet is filtered. Beijing 2008 - Berlin 1936. Olympics staged for murdering tyrant regimes.[/quote] Well, then London 2012 will be an excellent opportunity to free Scotland.
Fred wrote:
What a predictable story. Those quoted above can say pretty much anything they like, good or bad when in the UK. Back at home they have to watch very carefully what they say - and of course their access to the Internet is filtered. Beijing 2008 - Berlin 1936. Olympics staged for murdering tyrant regimes.
Well, then London 2012 will be an excellent opportunity to free Scotland.
Posted by: Weihua Liu, London on 1:44pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on "Free Tibet" flags being manufactured in China."Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning."Oh the irony.[/quote] So obviously it is too difficult for your naive mind to see the point.
The Tibet flag is not recognised in China as an official symbol, just like the fact that there is no such flag for any other Chinese province. There is only one flag - the five-star red flag for the country.
So do you think everyone of the 1.4 billion Chinese has as much time as you do to stay in front of BBCs days and nights, just in order to recognise the flag and to be cheated by the BBCs?
China is a developing country and there are so many important businesses to be paid attention to. If there is no such riot in Tibet, I wonder if anyone in the world will know that flag except those vicious politicians. In China, the so-called Tibet flag is just a colorful flag, what else can it be? Don't you think the Scottish flag will be more popular when Scotland is free?
Adrian Smith wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on "Free Tibet" flags being manufactured in China."Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning."Oh the irony.
So obviously it is too difficult for your naive mind to see the point.
The Tibet flag is not recognised in China as an official symbol, just like the fact that there is no such flag for any other Chinese province. There is only one flag - the five-star red flag for the country.
So do you think everyone of the 1.4 billion Chinese has as much time as you do to stay in front of BBCs days and nights, just in order to recognise the flag and to be cheated by the BBCs?
China is a developing country and there are so many important businesses to be paid attention to. If there is no such riot in Tibet, I wonder if anyone in the world will know that flag except those vicious politicians. In China, the so-called Tibet flag is just a colorful flag, what else can it be? Don't you think the Scottish flag will be more popular when Scotland is free?
Posted by: Chiu, London on 1:56pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.[/quote] This is exactly what the Chinese audience has been complaining about. Just because the BBC reported it, the British (possibly worldwide) audience believe that it must be true. Hence when BBC made an incorrect Broadcast, as in the case of reporting that the Chinese media did not show the Torch disturbances, BBC should make an equally loud apology to own up to its loose unverified reporting.
Adrian Smith wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.
This is exactly what the Chinese audience has been complaining about. Just because the BBC reported it, the British (possibly worldwide) audience believe that it must be true. Hence when BBC made an incorrect Broadcast, as in the case of reporting that the Chinese media did not show the Torch disturbances, BBC should make an equally loud apology to own up to its loose unverified reporting.
Posted by: Big mouth, soton on 6:01pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown\\\'s taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.[/quote] I see the problems in Africa are mostly rooted from the colonist and imperialist time. Who was the only supporter and did business with South African racist government? Zimbabwe can exactly be just another example of BBC's misleading. If Mugabe was that bad, why when he was not invited to the European-African Forum last year by the Europeans, the other afraican leaders threatened to withdraw from the forum? The europeans are simply not got trusted in africa now, aren't they?
Condor Man wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown's taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
I see the problems in Africa are mostly rooted from the colonist and imperialist time. Who was the only supporter and did business with South African racist government? Zimbabwe can exactly be just another example of BBC's misleading. If Mugabe was that bad, why when he was not invited to the European-African Forum last year by the Europeans, the other afraican leaders threatened to withdraw from the forum? The europeans are simply not got trusted in africa now, aren't they?
Posted by: Big Mouth, soton on 6:02pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown\\\\\\\'s taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.[/quote] I see the problems in Africa are mostly rooted from the colonist and imperialist time. Who was the only supporter and did business with South African racist government? Zimbabwe can exactly be just another example of BBC's misleading. If Mugabe was that bad, why when he was not invited to the European-African Forum last year by the Europeans, the other afraican leaders threatened to withdraw from the forum? The europeans are simply not got trusted in africa now, aren't they?
Condor Man wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown\\\\'s taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
I see the problems in Africa are mostly rooted from the colonist and imperialist time. Who was the only supporter and did business with South African racist government? Zimbabwe can exactly be just another example of BBC's misleading. If Mugabe was that bad, why when he was not invited to the European-African Forum last year by the Europeans, the other afraican leaders threatened to withdraw from the forum? The europeans are simply not got trusted in africa now, aren't they?
Posted by: Miss China, Southampton on 7:34pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.[/quote] [italic]Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London."[/italic]
The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.
Adrian Smith wrote:
I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.
Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London."
The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.
Posted by: Miss China, Southampton on 8:20pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown\'s taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.[/quote] Had Edward VIII had not given up his throne, which country Britain would have allied with in WWII, Germany or America? But one thing will be sure, whichever, there will still be no lack of hypocrites in Britian just like in Germany.
Condor Man wrote:
Looking at the Chinese backing of corrupt regimes in Sudan and Zimbabwe the stance Brown\'s taking is very similar to that of Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The only glimmer of hope is that incredible growth of the Catholic Church in China will see off the Commies in a generation- as it did in Eastern Europe.
Had Edward VIII had not given up his throne, which country Britain would have allied with in WWII, Germany or America? But one thing will be sure, whichever, there will still be no lack of hypocrites in Britian just like in Germany.
Posted by: Chiu, London on 10:14pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]Miss China[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote: I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.[/quote] [italic]Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London."[/italic] The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.[/quote] So, why is Wales still a principality and Scotland is a country then? Is that up to democracy or hyprocracy?
Miss China wrote:
Adrian Smith wrote: I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.
Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London." The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.
So, why is Wales still a principality and Scotland is a country then? Is that up to democracy or hyprocracy?
Posted by: Miss China, Southampton on 12:02am Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]Chiu[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Miss China[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote: I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.[/quote] [italic]Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London."[/italic] The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.[/quote] So, why is Wales still a principality and Scotland is a country then? Is that up to democracy or hyprocracy?[/quote] Wales? Scotland? Do the native welsh and Scotish still exist there? After centries long physical and cultural genocide by the anglo-saxon, I'm afraid there are no more. Oh God saves Welsh and Scotish.
Chiu wrote:
Miss China wrote: Adrian Smith wrote: I see the BBC has a report on \"Free Tibet\" flags being manufactured in China.\"Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning.\"Oh the irony.
Also to: Weidong He: "My only wish is that one day in Beijing the Tibetan flag can be shown there, like a Scottish flag can be shown in London." The flag was initially designed and given to the first native tibetan military force by the Chinese central goverment. The government still has the copyright. Let it flag in Beijing or ban it, it's entirely up to the Central government, its'n it? LOL.
So, why is Wales still a principality and Scotland is a country then? Is that up to democracy or hyprocracy?
Wales? Scotland? Do the native welsh and Scotish still exist there? After centries long physical and cultural genocide by the anglo-saxon, I'm afraid there are no more. Oh God saves Welsh and Scotish.
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