, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS Introduction

China has controlled Tibet since 1959. In end to Chinese rule. They also called on Focus This News in March 2008, a wave of violent protests the international community to use its Review story erupted in , Tibet’s capital, and in influence to pressure China to change focuses on the other parts of the country. Ethnic Tibetans its policies toward Tibet. Some went so ongoing conflict took to the streets to vent their long- far as to urge an international boycott of between Tibet and pent-up fury over China’s heavy-handed the Games as a means of indicating the China. Tibetan occupation and their lack of freedom. world’s displeasure with China’s actions. activists who want Chinese settlers in the region were As the torch relay made its way to independence from China have targeted for especially harsh treatment. other world cities, the protesters grew targeted China’s Many of the protesters were Buddhist in numbers and determination. Tibetan preparations for monks, followers of the , the exiles were joined by others in Australia, the 2008 Summer religious leader of the and India, Europe, and North and South Olympics. These a Nobel Peace Prize winner. He has lived America who sympathized with their protests have in exile in India ever since Chinese leader cause and criticized China’s poor human placed concerns about repression Mao Zedong ordered his troops into Tibet rights record in Tibet and elsewhere. in Tibet and other to consolidate China’s control over the In San Francisco, the demonstrations Chinese human long-rebellious territory. The Dalai Lama were so large that the torch relay had to rights abuses in has always maintained a policy of non- be rerouted through another part of the the international violent resistance to Chinese rule and city, where crowds were thinner. Paris, spotlight. But has not demanded total independence for London, and were also scenes many Western Tibet. However, many younger Tibetans, of serious protests in the streets. nations, including Canada, are both inside and outside the region, have But along with the Tibetans and their reluctant to grown tired of waiting and have seized on supporters, the relay also attracted a boycott the Games the occasion of the 2008 Beijing Summer number of people of Chinese descent who and risk damaging Olympics, scheduled to open in August were there to show their support for the trade relations 2008, to draw the attention of the world Games. To them, the demonstrations were with China, an to their cause. a mark of disrespect for their country’s increasingly One of the most important preliminary plans to host the world’s athletes in important trading partner. Olympic activities is the torch relay. The Beijing in the summer of 2008. Winning torch is lit in Olympia, Greece, the home the right to hold the Summer Games of the original Olympic Games, and is was a tremendous boost to China in its then relayed around the world, making a efforts to establish itself as a major world ceremonial appearance in selected cities power. Its leaders wanted to use the before completing its long journey at the occasion to showcase their country as a host country’s Olympic stadium at the modern industrialized nation reaching official opening of the Games. The torch out to the world for increased cultural is then used to light the Olympic flame and commercial ties. Canada, along with that burns continuously in the stadium many Western nations, regards China as a for the duration of the contest. On March significant market for its goods. 30, as Chinese Olympic officials proudly While China’s rulers are opening up watched their country’s athletes light their country to international commerce the torch in Olympia, a group of Tibetan and radically reforming its state- exiles and their supporters disrupted controlled economy along capitalist lines, the proceedings, loudly condemning they are reluctant to extend significant China’s repression and demanding an political freedoms to their people. China

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 29 remains a single-party communist regime, China. At the same time, however, Further Research where opposition to the government is not violations of human rights, both against Learn more about Falun Gong and permitted, and strict limits continue to be groups like the Tibetans and the Chinese the reasons why imposed on the media. Religious groups people themselves, have been difficult to the Chinese that have incurred the disfavour of the ignore. government communist rulers, such as the Falun Gong Many important political figures, such outlawed this sect, have been severely persecuted. Most as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, religious group. of the international criticism of China’s have publicly endorsed the Dalai Lama’s The Web site of the organization poor human rights record is directed at its call for complete religious and cultural Religious ongoing repression in Tibet, which has autonomy for Tibet and have harshly Tolerance at www. become a popular international human condemned China’s policies there. religioustolerance. rights cause embraced by a number For its part, the Canadian government org/falungong. of prominent celebrities in the United expressed concern about the suppression htm is one place to States and elsewhere. But other non- of demonstrations in Tibet, but the Prime start. Chinese national minorities, such as the Minister was also publicly skeptical about Uighurs, an Islamic people who live in the possibility that this country would Quote the western province of Xinjiang, also support a boycott of the Olympics. With “I don’t anticipate live under harsh occupation and long the Summer Games only a few months any kind of a for greater autonomy, largely ignored by away, it appeared highly unlikely that boycott of the international public opinion. many countries would keep their athletes Games themselves. China’s enormous potential as a home as a gesture of solidarity with the . . . Experience global economic, political, and military Tibetan protesters. But with the torch would suggest superpower in the 21st century is one of relay about to enter neighbouring , that such boycotts are generally the most important factors in international where a large Tibetan exile community not effective and relations today. Many countries are lives, the potential for mores serious really, in the end, anxious to increase their commercial protests remained great. It was quite only harm the ties to this emerging giant that contains likely that Tibetans, and others opposed athletes involved the world’s largest market for consumer to China’s policies, would continue to who have trained goods and is also becoming a major use the pre-Olympic activities as a venue for so many years exporter of manufactured products. to vent their anger and frustration. And to compete in these events.” For this reason, they are extremely how all this would affect China’s hopes — Prime Minister reluctant to place their lucrative business to stage one of the best Summer Games Stephen Harper connections with the country in jeopardy in the history of the modern Olympics (Canadian Press, by orchestrating an Olympic boycott remained to be seen. April 8, 2008) that would surely prompt reprisals from To Consider 1. Why are many people around the world angry with China over its policies toward Tibet?

2. How have they used the Olympic torch relay as a means of indicating their displeasure?

3. Why is China such an important player in the international community today?

4. Why are some Tibetans and others calling on the world to boycott the Beijing Olympics in August 2008? How likely is this to happen?

5. Why are the Olympics such an important event for China and its rulers?

6. What are your personal views on the Olympics and the China-Tibet issue?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 30 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS Video Review

Respond to the following questions as you watch the video.

1. Record the reasons why China is pleased to be hosting the Olympics.

2. Record some of the reasons why protestors tried to disrupt the Olympic torch relay.

3. How did Tibet come to be controlled by China?

4. How has Chinese control hurt Tibet and Tibetans?

5. In what ways has China helped Tibet?

6. How are Olympic athletes affected by the protests and calls for a boycott?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 31 7. Summarize the Dalai Lama’s position on China hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.

8. Briefly outline your personal views on an Olympic boycott of China.

Follow-up In a small group, list the arguments for and against a boycott of the Olympics. Consider some of the following questions:

1. Who would a boycott hurt?

2. What would be the short- and long-term impact of a boycott on China?

3. What other options could be used to encourage China to reform its human rights record?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 32 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS Tibet: A Profile

Tibet is a mountainous country that Today, Tibet is officially known as occupies one of the world’s most the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) forbidding terrains, the rugged and is a province of China. But many Himalayan Mountain range. Mount Tibetans, including the large exile Everest, the highest mountain in the community opposed to Chinese rule, world, is located on the border of Tibet consider that their traditional homeland and Nepal. It has long been regarded as includes significant territories that once a mystical, mysterious place, home to a formed part of Tibet but have since been distinctive form of the Buddhist religion incorporated into China proper. Tibetans led by a legendary figure known as the call their country Bo, while the Chinese Dalai Lama. In the 1930s, a popular name for the area is Xizang. The Tibetan novel and film calledLost Horizon language, which contains a number of portrayed it as Shangri-la, a utopian regional dialects, is completely different society where everyone lived a life of from Han Chinese, and variations of perfect contentment and spiritual health. it are also spoken in the neighbouring Tibet’s average altitude is 4 000 metres countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and the above sea level, and it is sometimes northern parts of India. The total land known as “the roof of the world” because area of Tibet is 1.2 million square of its high elevation. kilometres. Tibet’s climate is harsh and severely dry, with limited rain and snowfall, despite its high elevation. This is a result of the rain shadow effect of the high mountains that restricts precipitation in the region. Vegetation is sparse. The capital city is Lhasa, where the magnificent Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the home of the Dalai Lama, is located. There are many important Buddhist temples in the city, which Tibetans regard as their spiritual capital. Tibet is one of the poorer parts of China, with an annual GDP of 13.9 billion Chinese yuan, or USD$1.8-billion in 2001. To stimulate the economy and raise living standards, the Chinese government exempts Tibetans from paying taxes and subsidizes 90 per cent of government expenditures. The Tibet is located in western China. How economy is largely agricultural, and might the country’s location contribute because of the lack of arable land, animal to its distinct culture and traditions? husbandry is the main activity. Sheep, cattle, goats, camels, horses, and yaks

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 33 are the most important livestock raised Chinese residents of Tibet is vastly Did You Know . . . in Tibet. Crops such as barley, wheat, disproportionate to their numbers. This Two Hollywood films about the buckwheat, rye, potatoes, and some is especially true in Lhasa and other Dalai Lama and fruits and vegetables are grown where main cities, where Han Chinese control Tibet increased conditions permit. most of the businesses and important the popularity In recent years, Tibet has become governmental positions. For this reason, of the region for an increasingly popular international they were especially targeted for violent Westerners. But tourist destination. Many in the West reprisals at the hands of ethnic Tibetans the films,Kundun and Seven Years in are fascinated with its religion and during the March 2008 riots. Despite Tibet, were banned culture, and a number of films have been the fact that Han Chinese immigration in China. made about the region. Many Tibetans, to Tibet is continuing at an increasing especially in Lhasa, now make their pace, the ethnic Tibetan birth rate is far living from the hospitality industry, higher than that of the Chinese, whose working in hotels and restaurants and population increase is restricted by the selling traditional handicrafts such as government’s “one child” policy, which clothing, jewellery, rugs, and wooden does not apply to Tibetans. carvings. However, tourists are limited to Many Tibetans, especially the large visiting only a few parts of the TAR, and exile community that followed its leader, Chinese officials strictly limit contact the Dalai Lama, to India following the between foreign travellers and native Chinese invasion of 1959, strongly Tibetans, whose traditional culture is oppose the presence of Han Chinese showcased in a “folkloric” manner, as a residents in their land, believing them relic of a distant past. to be agents of a foreign and uninvited In 2006, the Chinese government occupation. But Chinese officials claim inaugurated the Golmud-Lhasa railway, that their rule has actually benefited making travel between China and Tibet ethnic Tibetans, who mostly lived much easier. Chinese officials promote as nomads in dire poverty before the the link, claiming it will lead to greater Chinese occupation. Schools were economic development in Tibet. But practically non-existent, health care many Tibetans oppose it because they was of very poor quality, rates of infant believe it will enable many more Han mortality were high, and life expectancy Chinese settlers to reach the region and was low. Women were treated in a establish permanent residency there. For very subservient fashion. In addition, over a decade, it has been the policy of the rule of Buddhist lamas, or monks, the Chinese government to encourage including the Dalai Lama himself, had ethnic Chinese immigration to Tibet, done practically nothing to encourage in order to promote greater economic the development of the economy or the development. Many Tibetans, however, modernization of Tibetan society. Even regard this as a move to dilute and the present Dalai Lama, who strongly eventually eliminate their culture and opposes Chinese cultural dominance traditions by swamping the region with in Tibet and restrictions on Buddhist Chinese settlers. religious observances, concedes that According to the most recent the occupation has led to significant census, taken in 2000, ethnic Tibetans economic and social advances for his constituted about 93 per cent of the people, which he does not want to see TAR’s total population of 2 616 329. reversed in the future. However, the political, commercial, Tibetan is a distinctive and economic influence of the Han form of the religion that arrived from

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 34 India during the seventh century CE. The from Tibet in 1959 in the wake of the Further Research current Dalai Lama, the 14th person to Chinese invasion. The official web site of the 14th hold this exalted religious title, was born The Dalai Lama is regarded by his Dalai Lama of Tenzin Gyatso in eastern Tibet in 1935. followers as the “Ocean of Wisdom,” Tibet can be As a young boy, he was recognized as or the embodiment of compassion accessed at www. the reincarnation of the previous Dalai and Buddhist holiness. He has many dalailama.com. Lama and taken from his village to the followers worldwide, among Tibetans On this site you’ll Potala Palace in Lhasa, where he was and Westerners who find his message find a collection of recent speeches instructed in Buddhist teachings and of spiritual tranquility and non-violence and teachings. formally installed at the age of four. in the face of oppression extremely During the Second World War, two attractive. But to some younger Tibetans, Austrian mountaineers, his perceived willingness to accept and Peter Aufschnaiter, befriended the Chinese rule over Tibet in return for young Dalai Lama and imparted to him cultural and religious freedom and his an extensive knowledge of European total opposition to violent forms of language and culture. This was to stand protest remain a problem. him in good stead following his exile

Inquiry With a partner, respond in your notebook to the following questions. Be prepared to share your work with the class.

1. Why has Tibet exerted such a fascination over the minds of many people in the West since the 1930s?

2. Why do many Tibetans, both inside and outside the country, resent the Chinese occupation of their homeland?

3. What benefits do the Chinese claim they have brought to Tibet since assuming control over it in 1959?

4. Why is Tibet such a poor region of China, compared with other parts of the country?

5. Why is the Dalai Lama such a significant figure to many Tibetans? What disagreements do some Tibetans have with his approach to dealing with China?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 35 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS A Tibetan Timeline

7th-9th century Namri Songzren and family in northeastern Tibet. At the age his family unite Tibet and conquer of two he is declared the reincarnation of neighbouring territories, signing a peace the 13th Dalai Lama and taken to Lhasa. treaty establishing the borders with 1949 Communist forces under Mao China in 822. Zedong take power in China and vow to 1624 The first contact between Tibetans “liberate” Tibet. and Europeans occurs as Portuguese 1950 China enforces its claim to Tibet, missionaries establish a church in Lhasa; while the Dalai Lama, now 15 years old, they are expelled by the lamas in 1745. becomes the head of state. 1724 The Chinese appoint a resident 1951 Tibet is forced to sign a treaty commissioner to administer Tibet and with China, called the “Seventeen assume direct control of the two eastern Point Agreement,” permitting the provinces of Kham and Amdo. establishment of Chinese governmental 1750 A rebellion breaks out against and military headquarters in Lhasa in the Chinese commissioners, which return for a guarantee of Tibetan cultural is suppressed, resulting in a Chinese autonomy and religious freedom. military occupation. The Dalai Lama 1950s Armed resistance to Chinese rule is permitted to administer the region begins in eastern Tibet. under the supervision of the Chinese commissioner. 1954 The Dalai Lama holds talks with Mao, who refuses to honour his part of 1788-91 China sends troops to Tibet the Seventeen Point Agreement. to repulse invaders from neighbouring Nepal. 1959 Chinese troops invade Tibet to end the growing resistance, causing 1850s As Russia and Britain vie for thousands of deaths. The Dalai Lama control of Central Asia, the Chinese and his officials flee to Dharamsala in government expels all foreigners from northern India, where they establish Tibet and closes the border. a government in exile. They are soon 1904 The Dalai Lama flees a British followed by thousands of other Tibetans. military expedition led by Colonel 1965 China establishes the Tibetan Francis Younghusband. Britain forces Autonomous Region (TAR) in the areas Tibet to sign a trade deal eliminating it had not previously incorporated into Russian competition. China proper. 1907 Britain and Russia recognize 1966 Many Tibetan monasteries Chinese authority in Tibet. are destroyed and monks and nuns 1908-9 The Dalai Lama flees to India persecuted as the anti-religious “Cultural after China dispatches troops to Tibet. Revolution” unleashed by Mao reaches Tibet. 1912 The Dalai Lama returns to power, proclaiming his country’s independence. 1971 Foreign visitors are permitted to No foreign government recognizes Tibet. travel to Tibet, after an eight-year ban. 1935 The man who will become the 14th 1970s and 80s Following the end of Dalai Lama is born to a poor peasant the Cultural Revolution, China’s more

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 36 moderate rulers ease repression in Tibet, regard it as a threat to their culture, since but also promote greater Han Chinese it will enable more Chinese immigrants immigration into the region. An open- to arrive. door policy is introduced to reform the 2007 Tibet enjoys a record tourist economy but block any moves toward boom, with over four million foreigners greater autonomy. visiting. 1989 The Dalai Lama is awarded the 2008 Five months before the opening Nobel Peace Prize and uses the occasion of the Summer Olympic Games in to call for a dialogue with Chinese Beijing, the worst riots in two decades leaders to resolve the Tibet problem erupt in Lhasa and other Tibetan peacefully. cities. Mobs of ethnic Tibetans attack 1995 The Dalai Lama names a six-year- government offices and assault Han old boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the Chinese residents. Meanwhile, exiled reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the Tibetans and their supporters disrupt second most important figure in Tibetan the progress of the Olympic torch relay, Buddhism. China places the boy under an important preliminary event to the house arrest and names another child, Games, in an effort to draw attention Gyancain Norbu, as their officially to Chinese repression in Tibet and their approved Panchen Lama. demand for greater freedom. In response to growing international protests, China 2006 The new Golmud-Lhasa railway is announces that it is willing to hold talks opened, which Chinese officials promote with representatives of the Dalai Lama in as a step toward greater economic order to resolve their differences. development for Tibet. Many Tibetans Analysis 1. What are the long-term historic roots of the current conflict between China and Tibet?

2. Why do some Tibetans believe they have a legitimate right to be recognized as an independent state? Why does China reject this claim?

3. What role has the Dalai Lama played in efforts to resolve the China-Tibet dispute without resorting to violence? How successful has he been to date?

4. How have Tibetan exile groups used the occasion of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing to draw international attention to the Tibet issue?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 37 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS Two Views of the Tibet Protests

When violent protests erupted in Tibet “I support my government on this issue. against Chinese rule, there were a variety The Dalai Lama is the main cause of the of responses to the events. The quotations suffering of both Tibetans and Chinese in that follow reflect very different opinions Tibet. He could stop the protesters but he on the events. Read each carefully and doesn’t. He gave the people who remain respond to the questions that follow. loyal to him the wrong ideas and asked kind-hearted people to risk their lives for “I am inside a monastery right now. his political interests. Our government had The telephone lines have been cut off. to send in the troops to protect our people The monks outside the monastery were and make society stable.” — Zhang Yi shouting ‘Long live the Dalai Lama!’ Fan, student, Beijing This morning the students of a middle school went out and protested. There were “I think Tibet is a small problem that arrests, and many Tibetans went to the can be resolved. The Chinese economy police station to demand the release of and Chinese society is very stable now. those detained. Two girls were shot and The economy is growing fast. Life for wounded. It is tense and frightening . . .” people all across China and all its regions — anonymous Tibetan, Hongyan County, is getting better and better. I think China Sichuan province, China needs its stability and so I think it is fine for the army to go into Tibet. Every “We did this to symbolize the hopes and government should show its force and its aspirations of Tibetan people from under ability to control troubled situations . . .” — the dark period of Chinese rule. During Yu Fu-Ming, company manager, Beijing the vigil, the police came and dispersed us. We are protesting for many reasons. We “The timing is very sensitive. China is due know this is the Olympic year for Beijing. to have the Olympic Games this year. I Nations will come to China to represent think this is why those people chose this themselves. We are protesting like this to time to riot. Many are unsatisfied with the express our national identity.” — Tibetan Chinese government and the country. They who wishes to remain anonymous, Lhasa want to cause riots, maybe even engage in some terrorist activities before, during, or “The situation feels very tense, and there after the Olympic Games. These people is a heavy military presence. I saw large know that it is a huge thing for China to convoys moving toward Lhasa. . . . We have the Olympics. The world’s attention are very worried about arbitrary arrests. is on us. It is a good opportunity for We believe that the people recorded on them to take advantage. Honestly, I think Chinese television will be arrested. We are these are the actions of a small number very worried about the lack of Western of people. But it makes me angry. I think people and journalists around Lhasa.” — it makes most Chinese people angry. Tibetan who wishes to remain anonymous, Everyone has their own problems, but I do outside Lhasa not think that such violent acts are a good Source: “Tibetans describe continuing option.” — Jin Jie Chen, lawyer, Shanghai unrest,” BBC News, March 17, 2008: http:// Source: “Chinese react to violence in Tibet,” news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7300312. BBC News, March 17, 2008: http://news.bbc. stm co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7301222.stm

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 38 Analysis 1. Why do you think the Tibetans commenting on the recent demonstrations asked to remain anonymous, while the Chinese respondents gave their names?

2. How do the responses of the Tibetan and Chinese commentators differ in their views?

3. With which of the arguments do you most agree/disagree? Why?

Notes:

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 39 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS The Troubled Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic torch relay is one of the supporters in various countries used Note Renowned German most important events leading up to the the arrival of the torch to demonstrate filmmaker Leni opening of the Summer Games. It began their opposition to China’s occupation Riefenstahl, prior to the Berlin Olympics in 1936, of Tibet and other human rights abuses. infamous for her when Nazi officials in Germany wanted The initial lighting ceremony itself in glorification of to highlight the ancient Greek heritage Olympia was dramatically disrupted the Nazi regime, of the Games for propaganda reasons. by three members of the human rights began her epic This was the first time the torch was lit in group Reporters Without Borders (www. documentary of the Berlin Games, Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic rsf.org), who eluded tight security to Olympiad, with Games, and relayed by athletes from interrupt a speech by Liu Qi, the head the torch-lighting different countries to the stadium of the of the Beijing Olympic Organizing ceremony. What host country—in this case Germany. Committee. In Athens, during the is ironic about the Much has changed for this ceremony official hand-over of the torch from fact that the first since 1936. In 2008, the torch was lit in Greek to Chinese officials, a group torch relay took place prior to the Olympia on March 28. A famous Greek of demonstrators unfurled a banner opening of the actress, Maria Nafpliotou, dressed as proclaiming “Free Tibet,” leading to Nazi-sponsored an ancient Greek high priestess, ignited many arrests. These protests touched Berlin Olympics in the torch of the first bearer, Alexandros off other, more violent incidents, most 1936? Nikolaidis, a Greek silver-medal winning notably in Nepal, home to a large Tibetan athlete from the 2004 Athens Games. exile community. He then handed it to Luo Xuejuan, a As the torch relay continued through Chinese Olympic swimmer, symbolizing a number of major world cities, the the transfer from Greece to China. From protests grew in intensity. In London, there, the torch was to be relayed across the official route was changed to avoid six continents, covering a total distance demonstrators. In Paris, protesters of 137 000 kilometres, the longest in the succeeded in extinguishing the torch, history of the event. a highly symbolic act. San Francisco After the official lighting of the torch, was the scene of more protests, with it went to Beijing on March 31, to begin celebrities such as actor Richard its route around the world. On the way, Gere and Nobel Prize-winning it was to visit the cities of the fabled Silk South African human rights activist Road, an ancient trade route that once Archbishop Desmond Tutu leading the linked China with the Middle East and demonstrations. Again, the route was Europe. There were also plans to carry changed at the last minute to prevent the flame to the peak of Mount Everest, clashes between pro-Tibet activists and the world’s tallest mountain. The theme Chinese-Americans who were there of the relay was “Journey of Harmony,” to show their support for the Games. symbolizing the goal of promoting world When the relay reached New Delhi, peace through athletic competition. This India, the country where the Dalai was one of the original ideas behind the Lama has established his government in creation of the modern Olympic Games. exile, officials shortened the route and But the early stages of the relay were restricted the activities of the “Olympic marked by controversy and serious Holy Flame Protection Unit,” an elite protest, as exiled Tibetans and their guard of Chinese People’s Liberation

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 40 Army soldiers assigned to defend the other Asian locations, including Hong Further Research torch from attacks. Kong and Macau, two former British Visit CBC News at www.cbc.ca/news/ By the time the torch relay reached and Portuguese colonies that had been interactives/map- Asia, pro-Chinese groups had been able transferred to Chinese rule in 1997. olympic-torch/ to to organize counter-protests to show However, negotiations to permit the view the Olympic that not everyone opposed the Games torch to enter Taiwan had broken down torch route and and took the side of the Tibetan exiles over disagreements between Chinese and view photos taken and their supporters. On April 24, as the Taiwanese officials regarding the playing of the protestors and supporters. flame was carried through the streets of of the two countries’ national anthems Canberra, Australia, it was met by cheers at the ceremonies. China claims Taiwan from the large Chinese community there, as part of its territory, but the current although pro-Tibet demonstrators were government regards it as a separate also in attendance. From there, the torch country. relay was scheduled to visit a number of Questions 1. Why is the Olympic torch relay such an important symbolic preliminary event to the opening of the Olympic Games?

2. How have protesters succeeded in disrupting the torch relay since it began in Greece?

3. Do you agree with the protesters who are trying to disrupt the relay? Why or why not?

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 41 TIBET, CHINA, AND THE OLYMPICS Activity: Considering a Boycott

Despite the wishes of many competing athletes and followers of the Olympic Definition Games that the contest should remain focused on sports and be above politics, A boycott is a previous Olympics have been affected by boycotts over international political method of protest disagreements. In 1976 Canada felt the effects of one of the first boycotts when that involves it hosted the Summer Games in Montreal. A number of African countries chose abstaining from participation not to send athletes to participate in protest over the fact that the New Zealand without causing team had been involved in contests with South Africa, then under an Olympic direct damage. ban because of its racist apartheid system. A boycott is way Four years later, practically every Western country, led by the United States, to demonstrate boycotted the Moscow Olympics to demonstrate their condemnation of the opposition to a Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan a few months earlier. In retaliation, policy or event and when the next Olympics were held, in Los Angeles in 1984, almost every country to increase public awareness for belonging to the then-Soviet bloc also declined to send teams. These Olympics the cause of the were tarnished by political disputes, and those attending the Games were protest. cheated of the opportunity to see the world’s very best athletes in competition. Since that time, the Games held in Seoul, Korea (1988), Barcelona, Spain (1992), Atlanta, Georgia (1996), Sydney, Australia (2000), and Athens, Greece (2004), Web Sites have been free of boycotts. In fact, the number of participating countries has Here are some actually increased due to the break-up of the former Soviet Union into 15 Web sites that different republics and the fact that South Africa is now permitted to compete may be useful to after finally ending the apartheid system. you in researching the topic and Because of bitter memories of past Olympic boycotts, and also fearful of preparing your displeasing China, an emerging global superpower, most Western countries, letters: including Canada, are extremely reluctant to even consider a boycott of the • Official site August 2008 Beijing Games over the Tibet issue and concerns about China’s of the Tibetan human rights record. Even though many of these countries have been very government in critical of Chinese policies in Tibet and its restrictions on political, cultural, and exile, www.tibet. religious freedoms at home, there is some doubt that an Olympic boycott would com have any influence on that country’s leaders and communist regime. In fact, • Official site of there are concerns that such a move might trigger serious economic and trade the 2008 Beijing consequences at a time when many Western nations are looking to China as an Olympics, http:// important new commercial partner. en.beijing2008.cn • Official site Despite this hesitation, pro-Tibet groups in many Western countries have loudly of the Chinese called for a boycott of the Games. The Dalai Lama, the exiled leader of the government, Tibetan people, does not support such a move, but many younger Tibetans and http://english.gov. their supporters abroad have urged it as a matter of conscience. cn • Official site of the Canada’s official policy, stated by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as of the end Canadian Olympic of April 2008 was that it was unlikely to support or participate in any planned Committee, www. boycott of the Beijing Games. Do you agree with this position? olympic.ca Your task is to write a letter to the Prime Minister, stating your views on the • CBC Archives, www.cbc.ca/ issue of China’s occupation of Tibet and its human rights record, and whether archives or not you think that a boycott of the Beijing Summer Olympics would be an appropriate response on the part of Canada to these issues. Show your letter to your teacher before you e-mail it to the Prime Minister at [email protected] or mail it to Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa K1A 0A2. No postage is necessary.

CBC News in Review • May 2008 • Page 42