Why Tibet Ignites Olympic Passions
If you were playing one of those word association games, and somebody mentioned "Tibet" you would probably say something like "Western China," "Dalai Lama," "Lhasa," or "Tibetan Buddhism."
Until a few weeks ago, the concept of the "Olympics" probably wouldn't cross your mind, but with today's headlines, it's almost impossible to read about Tibet without hearing further analysis on how the situation there will impact the Olympics.
Perhaps in today's society, with massive news and technology overloads, it's not surprising that we have a more short-term perspective.
Most analysts wonder about how Tibetan tensions could give China a black eye right at the point it wants to be the most radiant: the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. There's not much discussion regarding the long-term implications of these protests. Instead, we place them into an easily digestable Olympic paradigm.
I've even heard several people theorize that the Tibetan incidents were deliberate on the part of both Chinese officials and Tibetan dissidents. The Tibetans have been basking in the glow of international media attention, knowing that they're broadcasting their point of view at a time when China is especially vulnerable.
Chinese leaders could also have motivation to set the protests into motion now, since they still has plenty of time to clean things up before the Olympics. China is definitely receiving ethical criticisms regarding its way of "cleaning house," but nonethless, it's avoiding the embarrassment of a huge Olympic blow-up.
Domestic furor over Tibet and the foreign press coverage of the situation has tremendously ignited nationalistic fires. Many Chinese are so furious with the foreign press and their bias, they're praising the government's censorship of international media. Just check out anti-cnn.com.
While it's politically wise to raise nationalistic fervor during an Olympic season, the differences between Chinese and foreign interpretations of events could become problematic.
Most of the international community has been urging China to talk with the Dalai Lama's advisers to try to reach a compromise. At a press conference today, President Bush and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had some strong words for China's leaders.
Rudd, a China expert, told reporters, "it would be appropriate for the Chinese government to engage the Dalai Lama or his representatives in a informal set of discussions about future possibilities, when it comes to internal arrangements within Tibet. We recognize China's sovereignty over Tibet. But it is difficult, it's complex, and it will certainly be matters which I'll be raising when I visit China myself at the end of this visit abroad."
Other countries, like France and Austria, are going further, even suggesting a potential boycott of the Opening Ceremonies if the situation in Tibet doesn't improve.
The Olympics represent a perfect opportunity for China to bridge the gap between the way the rest of the world sees it and the way it perceives itself. The Tibetan situation isn't a great start towards mutual understanding, but there are still four months to go.