Dalai Lama hits Beijing's rights record in Tibet
　

PROTEST: About 100 exiles left Dharamsala yesterday on a march to Tibet, while another group lit a torch outside the home of the Olympic Games in Greece

AGENCIES, DHARAMSALA, INDIA AND ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008, Page 1
　

Tibetan activists wave Tibetan national flags as they march yesterday in Dharamsala, India, to commemorate the 49th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day. More than 100 Tibetan exiles in India set off from Dharamsala yesterday on a symbolic march home as part of pro-independence protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics. PHOTO: AFP

The Dalai Lama attacked China's human rights record yesterday, accusing it of "unimaginable and gross violations" in his Himalayan homeland.

"Repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and politicization of religious issues," he told hundreds of flag-waving supporters on the 49th anniversary of his escape to India after an abortive uprising in Lhasa.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner's angry comments came in a speech in the Indian town of Dharamsala and contrasted sharply with what his critics say has been a "soft" approach on China.

"For nearly six decades Tibetans have had to live in a state of constant fear under Chinese repression," he said.

"All these take place as a result of the Chinese government's lack of respect of the Tibetan people," the 72-year-old told the gathering from his palace in this seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

He also complained that Tibet's language, customs and traditions were "gradually fading away" as Tibetans become "an insignificant minority" in their homeland.

Tibetans "have had to live in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression," he said.

The Dalai Lama, however, said that he would not abandon his call for autonomy in Tibet even though six rounds of talks with the Chinese since 2002 have yielded little result.

"During the past few years, Tibet has witnessed increased repression and brutality. In spite of these unfortunate developments my stand and determination to pursue the `Middle-Way' policy remain unchanged," he said.

He also said August's Beijing Olympics could be a golden opportunity for the international community to expose China over its treatment of Tibetans.

"Besides sending their athletes, the international community should remind the Chinese government of these issues ... China should prove herself a good host by providing these freedoms," he said.

Yesterday also marked the start of a symbolic march home by 100 Tibetans as part of protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Several thousand Tibetans, Indians and Westerners waved yellow, blue and red Tibetan flags and cheered on the Buddhist monks in red caps and 10 women who said they planned to make it over the Chinese border.

Italian parliamentarian Sergio D'Elia flagged off the symbolic home trek: "It's the duty of every freedom-loving person to support this march.

The organizers refused to reveal where any attempt would be made to cross the border but said it could take up to six months to reach the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Tibetan refugees across the world also protested yesterday.

In Nepal, many people were hurt when police used batons to break up a march by about 1,000 Tibetans on the Chinese embassy.

In Greece, a dozen Tibetans activists held a torch-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia. Police prevented the Tibetan group, Team Tibet, from entering the Ancient Olympia stadium, and the ceremony took place outside the gates of the site's museum. The group aims to have its Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay pass through 50 cities and end inside Tibet on Aug. 8.

Greek police stopped Tibetan shot-putter Tsultim Golpe as she began her run and took her torch, handing it back later with the flame extinguished. They then escorted the group back to their hotels in Olympia. Officials from China's Athens embassy were in Olympia, filming the ceremony.

How would democracy in China play out?
　

By Wang Dan 王丹
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008, Page 8

`China might be under CCP control today, but that does not mean that the party necessarily represents the future of the country.'

The results of the presidential election will have a significant impact on the development of cross-state relations. But regardless of whether Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) or his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) counterpart Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) wins the election, both candidates should pay attention to the effect on Chinese democratization and cross-strait relations.

The next 10 years will be a critical period in China's development. A couple factors are especially important.

First, as nationalism continues to ferment, the authorities will engage in the careful manipulation of public opinion.

Second, the strength of China, and especially its military, will continue to grow.

If it keeps growing at the current speed, the risk that China will attack Taiwan will increase.

However, a factor that cannot be determined is the nature of the change of the Chinese state over the next 10 years.

Even if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) insists on highly centralized rule, modern governments will make such rule more difficult, weakening state control of society.

Thus it is important to note to what degree civil society in China will influence the Chinese government in the next 10 years.

The question of whether or not China will democratize is key for cross-strait relations.

It therefore is logical for Chinese democratization to be at the center of Taiwan's policy on China.

This focus provides a long term view of the situation and is in the best interests of the nation.

First, pushing for Chinese democracy helps improve Taiwan's international image.

Taiwan is inferior to China economically, militarily and diplomatically.

Taiwan is only superior to China in its form of government. By upholding democracy, Taiwan can manifest its unique value and gain support and sympathy from the international community -- a strategic advantage over China.

Second, the US would also support a push for Chinese democracy. Since US President George W. Bush took office, and especially during US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's term, the US has put a heavy emphasis on promoting democracy all over the world. If Taiwan actively promotes the democratization of China, there will only be praise from the US.

Finally, a push for democracy in China could also gain the support of the Chinese people.

China might be under CCP control today, but that does not mean that the party necessarily represents the future of the country.

Visionary politicians should focus on the budding civil society in China. If Taiwan can offer support for China's democratization, it might win over public opinion there.

No matter where Taiwan is headed, it is vital that it wins the goodwill of the Chinese people.

Wang Dan is a member of the Chinese democracy movement.