One China?
Silly me.
I have always considered the People's Republic of China's "One China" Policy as patently ridiculous. The Nazi Party in Germany tried that tack leading up to WWII to justify it's control over Poland, Czeckoslovakia, Austria and parts of France. When looking at a World map the other day while browsing the net, I noticed almost every map of China shows 'Tibet' as part of China, instead of an "Occupied Territory" or "Disputed Border Region" or as it should be, the independant country of Tibet! The Tibetan language (Tibeto-Birman family) is NOT in the Chinese language family (Sinitic family). The Tibetan culture is as old or older than Chinese culture and while Tibet has been influenced by China for hundreds of years, they still have a very distinct culture, separate from that of China. Tibetan Buddhism is truly unique in practice and it influence stretches over borders and into other cultures far from it's original base in Lhasa, Tibet and now moved to Dharamsala, India due to the Chinese aggression against Tibetans, their religion and their culture.
When did the World permit that to happen? The United Nations continually calls on Israel to leave the 'Occupied Territories'. It harrangues the U.S.A. about Guantanamo Bay but for some reason, they are silent when the subject is Tibet. The Chinese Government harrasses the Taiwanese and Japan over past 'injustices' but remains mum on why the Tibetan people do not deserve a free choice of who should lead them. The Dali Lamas have successfully ruled in Tibet as de-facto political and spiritual leaders for centuries. The Chinese are trying to obliterate this culture within a generation. If this were any other foreign power, the World would be calling out in loud protest. Why are we silent now?
Money talks.
The USA allowed the Chinese to sidetrack the U.S.D.A. when they attempted last year to sort out the truth in the pet food recall scandal. If you had forgotten, the complete lack of any Chinese Government oversight allowed local food producers to add melamine to bulk up the protein content of ingredients in pet food. Melamine is NOT food and is lethal to both Canines and Felines, also for Humans in higher doses. The U.S.D.A. never was able to find out if any of those tainted products were destined for the human food chain or if any made it into our food. The Chinese Government blocked the USDA's access to investigate where the food came from and where it went to. Sure they executed those 'responsible' in their eyes for the fiasco but they are still blocking any inquiries into the mess.
How about the lead paint found on childrens toys headed for export? Or medicines that contained 'other' ingredients?
Convenient that our trading partner has yet to feel any sanctions after it's ineffective oversight led to the deaths of thousands of companion animals and the possible health problems to HUMANS caused by Chinese products, isn't it?
Now, with their fervor about 'protecting' the Olympic torch during the relay in FREE countries, the World should once again look hard at what the People's Republic of China actually does to both it's own citizenry and to the citizens of Tibet, in whose culture, the Government of China is fiercely trying to erradicate.
The Olympics should never have been awarded to China....same could have been said of Nazi Germany eh?
This is a blood-thirsty regime. Anyone who threatens the power base of the Communist Party in China is game for retribution. They murder and jail those who speak of freedom or change. This is NOT a free country. It is a totalitarian state and should be treated as a pariah in world affairs and not coddled in hopes 'they' will slowly progress towards democracy. The US Government treats Cuba as a HUGE threat but China is an equal partner? But again, stupid me, it is all about the money.
How DID Big Business assume control of Government and dictate our Foreign Policy is a question we ALL need to ask our leaders!
Please BOYCOTT anything from the People's Republic of China. Turn off your television during the Olympics. Write to your Senator and Congressperson and let them know that unless the Chinese open up to outside investigators and allow Tibetans to govern themselves, we will continue to BOYCOTT everything 'Made in China'!
I hope that with a new administration in Washington DC taking over the governmental reins soon, our moral compass will again be set to rights.
Human Rights for all the World is a worthy aim.
BOYCOTT Chinese products!
Free Tibet!