International media such as NBC, BBC, CNN, and so forth could have their plans disrupted during the Olympics as China might end up barring live TV broadcasts from Tiananmen Square because of the various protests that are bound to take place. The unrest from Tibetans and backlash from the international community has China very concerned.
Tensions are high in China as it is due to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in its capital, Beijing. On March 10, marking the anniversary of Tibet’s uprising against China back in 1959, Tibetan exiles had marched from India and Nepal on a 3 to 6 month march in order to protest at the Olympic Games.
Pro-Tibetan independence activists had taken to the streets of Tibet’s capital of Lhasa. However, the activists took a more radical route as they beat up Chinese and attacked Chinese owned businesses.
As a result, China stepped in. As it instigated a crackdown on the Tibetans, international outcry and backlash was received from the international community. The Chinese police say that about 10 to 13 people have been killed by the rioters. However, the Tibetan exiles say that at least 100 were killed by the police.
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the leader Tibet had expressed his concerns about the violence. In a recent interview with BBC, the Dalai Lama explained that while he is the spokesman for the Tibetans, he does not control them.
In the last few days, he had given an ultimatum to the Tibetans. He said if they continue the path of violence, he would step down as Tibet’s leader. But, he also accused China of committing what he had called “cultural genocide.”
China’s Premiere Wen Jiabao accused the Dalai Lama of starting the violent demonstrations and trying to sabotage the Olympic Games. He called the Dalai Lama’s accusation nothing but lies.
The United States and the United Nations had urged both sides to use restraint. There have been talks of possibly boycotting the Olympic Games.
However, the International Olympic Council (IOC) urged the nations not to boycott the games because of what is going on in Tibet.
Recently, US Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a sharp critic of China’s record of human rights has urged the international community to launch an inquiry into China’s claims that the Dalai Lama started the violence.
In a meeting with French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain said that it was unacceptable for a world power like China to be executing a violent crackdown like the one in Tibet.
Elie Wiesel along with 29 other Nobel laureates have condemned and criticized China’s crackdown.
Also, the issue of Tibet had come up as a last minute key issue in Taiwan’s presidential elections. Both the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kuomintang (KMT) have given different stances.
Hollywood actor Richard Gere said he would consider boycotting the Olympics in Beijing if China continues with the crackdown. Gere is a supporter of Tibet and a convert to Buddhism.
Prince Charles of Great Britain and first in line to the throne is also a supporter of Tibet. He said that he will not attend the opening ceremony.
Tibet will be used for the start of the Olympic Torch relay. Many pro-Tibet independence groups plan to use the torch relay points to stage protests.
However, all of these incidents are only in regards to Tibet. Tibet is not the only issue that hangs over the head of China in what could be part of a PR nightmare for Beijing as it tries to keep the games and politics separate.
The other major issue is the violence in Sudan’s Darfur region. There has been much criticism from the international community that China has not done enough to stop the violence in Darfur.
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg had resigned from his post as a creative adviser to the Olympics in Beijing. He explained during his resignation that China was not doing enough to end the violence.
During last year’s CNN Democratic Debate, the candidates were asked about the situation in Darfur. New Mexico Governor and former Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson who had recently endorsed Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama explained that China is Sudan’s number one buyer of oil.
Richardson has given the suggestion that the US threaten to boycott the Olympics as a means to pressure China to do more.
Before going on his 6-day Africa trip, US President George W. Bush said that he will be attending the opening ceremonies. Bush said that he would remind Chinese President Hu Jintao that there is more he can do.
Many Darfur activists also plan to stage protests and demonstrations at the games in Beijing.
This is a sign of the uneasiness that China’s government is going through. In addition, about 400 American Boy Scouts had been stopped from watching an exhibition game by Chinese police. The game was between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If China does bar live broadcasts, its image could be damaged even more. So far, the sponsors such as Coca-Cola are concerned with what is going on in Tibet. However, nothing is final as of yet.
In a sense, this may be a no-win situation for China. With the live television broadcasts, everything can be overshadowed by the protests and demonstrations. If barred, it would seriously wound China’s image.
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