Comments (40)

"Two elderly women were sentenced to a year of labor re-education after they applied for permits to demonstrate during the Olympics against their 2001 eviction from their homes, according to the son of one of the would-be protesters.

They will not have to go to a re-education camp -- at least for now. But their movement will be restricted and they are likely to face other requirements. If they violate any provisions of the order or other regulations, however, they could be sent to a labor camp."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/20/AR2008082001095_pf.html

Citizen of the post-American world:
Thank you! Great to know that I am not alone.

Please take some precious moments to read this on Chinationreport:
'China in 2030' http://blog.chinationreport.com/2008/06/23/china2030pg1/

The author has an optimistic outlook:
'China has created its own path to prosperity and is defining its own message to restore its past glory. When the powers are balanced, economic and social gaps among peoples reduced, I believe the world will become a better place for all.'

http://www.chinationreport.com/#EditorsChoice

@ Chinationreport

Here is my contribution, with the help of some eminent friends...

In "The Rise of China in Chinese Eyes", Professor YAN XUETONG, from the Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University, writes:

"The rise of China will make the world more civilized... In the last two centuries, Western countries took the leading role in world affairs. The strength and advance of Western countries created a political culture that emphasized power rather than morality, which has had a worldwide impact. The rise of China will... help in the building of new international norms. These norms can counter the power politics which prevailed globally during the period of colonialism. One of the characteristics of power politics after the Cold War is the interference in domestic affairs, also known as the new interventionism. The new interventionism advocates imposing one's country's ideas on others with military force. The practice of new interventionism after the Cold War strengthened power politics and caused many military conflicts." (Journal of Contemporary China (2001), 10(26), 33-39) **

YAN XUETONG then goes on to quote GEORGE KENNAN:

"... it really is in ill grace for us to be talking down to them (Chinese) and saying, by implication, that "you ought to learn to govern yourselves as we do." For goodness' sake, can't we get away from that sort of nonsense? Let people be what they are, and treat them accordingly... purely military power, even in its greatest dimensions of superiority, can produce only short-term successes... I can say without hesitation that this planet is never going to be ruled from any single political center, whatever its military power." (New York Review of Books, "The US and the World: An Interview with George Kennan", RICHARD ULLMAN August 12, 1999) ***

**

http://irchina.org/en/xueren/china/pdf/yxt2.pdf

***

http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.indian/msg/8a35cc9e2ef81c8d

How about joining this debate?
'China and the West revisited' by ASSAF LICHTASH
http://blog.chinationreport.com/2008/08/19/china-and-the-west-revisited-from-jpost/

Excerpt:

"Despite China's rapid ascendancy, we must remember that the Chinese people are deeply suspicious of the intentions of foreigners; at the same time, they desperately wish to be included in the global community. Calls for boycotts and other forms of delegitimization, rather than encouraging China to change, have deepened these public feelings of suspicion. Overall, they have made it less likely China will respond positively to the goading of Western democratic powers.

Even those Chinese who oppose the policies of the Communist Party of China have rallied around it when they felt their national identity under attack. Continued threats to delegitimize China will push the Chinese people further into this defensive posture. If we truly want to positively impact China, our engagement has to be constructive and carefully weighed. Gradual engagement, rather than rhetoric of shaming China, should be our modus operandi, if we wish to avoid alienating the Chinese people. After all, it is the will of the Chinese people, rather than any one particular policy of the communist party, that represents the best long-term hope of greater democratization and political freedom taking hold."

http://www.chinationreport.com/#EditorsChoice for your daily balanced news and views about China

every time I see these people who wants to mix religion with politics, I just want to curse Jesus!

Don't these people, religion is religion, politic is politic?

I mean politic is one who relies on his own judgment; but religion is one who trust God.

How the tell so many Americans just want mix their own ideas and opinions with God's will.

Don't they know in God's kingdom there is no difference and boundary for people? and in politics there are countries, parties, individuals?

Don't they know every time they use their own thoughts to define God's will is cursing God?

If they want to talk politics, then don't use God's name, please!

" The Constitution of the People's Republic of China states that the "fundamental rights" of citizens include freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to a fair trial, freedom of religion, universal suffrage, and property rights." However, do not protect their view of democracy, the rights of freedom are not happening in China.

God bless America

Look! with 1,300,000,000 people in this place, and if stuff hits the fan, this group of people could send 300,000,000 troops to fight a war well i would not mess with this kind of people!! They could whipe all our as@, and no one could do anything about it. so let them stay over there and make cheep stuff for us. OK STOP PUTTTING A STICK IN THE AINT PILE !!

To Tony Su,

If Confucius lives today, he will be locked up by Lao Gong for saying too much, okay!:)

I am Chinese, I know:)

Apparently Americans can not understand the Confucius virtue which is based on harmony with other people, resolving conflicts with negotiation, not confrontation :)

The western way of frequent strikes have solved very few problems. The Chinese way of resolving disagreement before they erupt to become bigger problems is the right way to go!

To Mainlander,

With much of authority power pressed Beijingese, they may hallucinate to see anything they want.

And David Letterman still calls Bush everyday, leaves message trying to get Bush to come, but Bush never does reply.

That is how American Talk show host protests, and he shows people the report and his contact progress every night. But Bush never replies, and David never stops.

If Chinese can protest like David, that would be funny!

To Michael Phelps,

Only he can swim, and won't sink with the democracy boat, and the banana, which was floating on David Lettermen show:)

"And after 1945, Beijingese did not see a blue sky until 2008 Olympics."

You know nothing about Beijing. The sky was blue there until 1999. The first summer with 'sauna days' was 2001.

CCP surely likes to slap its own face.
BTW, I can't believe there are 74 cases. These people are stupid enough to give themselves away to the authority.

What does this have to do with Michael Phelps???

China Arrest Innocent People For Speaking There Mind
They Are Executed And Body parts Sold To Corupt
Western Medical Companys.

China is much better. At least people know what there limits are. In US, it seems like you have freedom (of speech or protest). But try protesting in Bush or Chaney rally. They will take you away with charge "Threat to country and siding with Terrorism". You will not see day-light for 5 years at least. Bravo, America!!!!

Hook, line and sinker.

Good luck with your "harmony", folks. Hope you never see it coming.

Definitely going to set the world record, not to mention, no one's never done it before:)

You think landing on the moon is difficult?

Look, we China just created blue sky, our government would create a moon if they want to:)

And after 1945, Beijingese did not see a blue sky until 2008 Olympics.

Ten thousand years are too long;
we are striving days and nights:)

wow.. 74 for 74? is China going to try and set a new world record?

Protests are not allowed within sight or hearing of w or Cheney. How is that different than China's Olympic Games?

Jeez!

After reading my comment I feel Washington post must give me a medal for my commentation, otherwise I protest here!

Down Washingpost!:)
Down Washingpost!:)

John,

Want to do with me togehter?
I mean I run out milk in my freezer, but still posting here!

Wow!

China government improved a lot, they even receive protest application forms?

---Since August the Beijing authorities had received 77 applications for demonstrations,---
I give a difficulty grade 7.7, the highest technical score:)

--- in which there were 74 applied by Chinese citizen and 3 by foreigners.---
Chinese 9 points on the basic start value; foreigners 0 (Mostly Americans:).

--- Up to now, there were 74 applicants applying for protest had withdrew their applications by having solved specific problems through consultations with the respective organs or units.---
I have to give CCP a 16.7 highest total score for both execution, technical and presentation score. I am sure those Chinese file persons were made to jump a three somersaults and and on a bunch of twists and rolls and dive into the pool that my government prepared for them:)

Did anyone know about the rest 3 foreigners, even though they stick on their landing, still the International Gymnastic Committees are back the China government now:

Low score, absolutely low score; Even I am Chinese, but still disgust about how a few my American sweetheart girls lost their gold, silver and bronze medal.

So sure, the passport could fool the judges; but how the hell a falling on the mat could get a 16.0?

Damn! Next year I try for gymnastic?

But can't blame on the Chinese, besides correcting passport and sitting on the mat, we didn't do anything.

There was absolutely no killing jobs we did in front of the world eye, just like Tibet and Xinjiang:)

It is just the American Political Committees and International Gymnastic Committee.

And now my American wife starts her protest, she refuses to do her routines on our bed because of all these!:(

As I recall, some persons mildly protesting, merely carrying signs, or wearing shirts deemed politically offensive, not being disruptive, at Bush or Cheney rallies or speeches were removed by authorities in recent years.

I once saw a Chinese boy in a movie who was run over by an official jeep, and the boy's mom did not protested, just wailed in dreadful tears and beat her chest with her arms.

I once saw a Chinese lad on the TV who was standing in front of Beijing's Army tank...

Those Chinese who saw that never wanted to protest again, it is not we are not brave or coward, it is that we don't want to stand in front of tanks ans guns no more.

In fact, we are so brave that those at high place come to us and tell us it is our country's need, party's arrangement, then we spread our legs, and offer our dignity while sing our national Anthem.

Again Chinese don't protest; we serve.

Well, not like Americans!
They have everything and all the things!
But still not enough, they are still protesting!
They are just very complaintful people:)

They are arguably the best!

well in china, the people dont like critisism just like everywhere else. except in china, the officials have the power to silence critisism. and the officials there dont give much weight (yet) to principles of free speech. what do you think they are going to do?

im not defending them, i think they should have more free speech in china too, fluidity of ideas is beneficial to the society. but be patient with the commie fellows. old habits die hard. the more people try to force change, the less likely they will.

and china is not a totalitarian state. it is best discribed as a one party ogliarchy. and it does have popular support thank you very much.

Now, the whole world know that Chinese are peaceful, timid and lovely people, I mean they don't have human rights, nor human rice, no freedom, no democracy, no clean air, no real coach bag, no real legal Hollywood movie dvds...

Still people just don't want to protest:)!

I mean those Americans just can't drag those Chinese out of their house to streets to protest:),

bad Americans! Teach Chinese bad things!
naughty Americans! bad behaving!
Learn from Chinese:)
So we will give you more gold metals:)

---Since August the Beijing authorities had received 77 applications---

I know why Beijing solved all the numbers:)

Look
The Complaints 77,
7 is lucky number for Christians, from Bible.
Jesus said: "One should forgive his brother 77 times."

Chinese Lucky number 88,
and Olympic 08082008, Michael Phelps 8 for 8.

Using 88-77=11
since 11 is also a definition of 2 person,
Like Chinese would say we two persons, you and me, so all things are solvable.

So 0 protest, all are satisfied:)

Bravo China...I certainly agreed with China the way they handled those bunch of monkeys behaved like they have no parents to teach them about manners when they are young.

When you are in someone's house, respect the house owner. Please ask youself, when someone visit your house and then start complaining to you about the way you arranged your furniture and disagreed with the type of foods you fed to your dog, how do you feel ?? Is it visotor's 'rights' of 'manners'that matter to you or you may say to your visitor-its none of your business !

For all those hypocrites, please learn some oriental values and manners.

John:

It seems that Americans and Europeans are either complaining or mocking the Chinese with great fanfare. The biggest problem I see here is that the majority of the Chinese is not complaining. The Chinese have their own unique culture and history as you know well for sure. Are you trying to force your culture, politics or way of life upon the Chinese?

Here is a Chinese saying which I am sure you know well: 皇帝不急太监急. And allow me to try it in English: An Eunuch can’t help to offer his help when the emperor is not interested in engaging the empress in the sack.

From now on, all those wants democracy go to USA;
and the rest stay in China:)

And we should see the lousy Americans that Democracy going to ruin their country!

Because there are 1.3 billion are going to America:) and the rest are staying and watching and laughing at American boat is never big enough for their democracy, and all too many people, their dream sinks:) with all the democratic monkeys:)!

In the end only three banana are floating with their Olympian hero Michael Phelps!:)

Who, from now on, will dare claim here that Chinese people have no sense of humour?

Chuang-Tzu (Zhuangzi)'s "Three in the Morning" *** was never lost on the Chinese, after all...

That affection they still have for monkeys!

***

http://kissing.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/three-in-the-morning/

The really scary thing about China is that the political system there seems to work, and it is part of a larger trend.

Capitalism coupled with a totalitarian government is a potent combination, and certainly one that would appeal to many people in the United States. Think about it. Rich guys could get richer, and there would be none of that noxious complaining from journalists and their ilk.

All we need is a president who would start rescinding our freedoms, and tell us it was for our own good. Maybe he would play on our fears and promise security in exchange for basic human rights. Whoops! That happened already.

We ought to be careful about criticizing the Chinese. What we should be guarding against is copying their formula for success.

Thank you China for you no protesting ways and China-Mart and China Club (Wall-Mart & Sams Club) Keep the sweat shops open and the goods flowing and keep the complainers where they need to be SHUT UP.

So there was never any intention to approve applications for demonstrations. In the mother land of all harmony, there must not be any protests!

china go! china.
No one can do any anti-china with the tool of "democracy." If you really want to be "democracy", please be fair for yourself first.

Democracy will be defeated in the end.

i laugh when i read things like this. but at the same time, i feel lucky to be living in this country. this is exactly the kind of thing we take for granted.

Who says democracy is better than collective system?:)

Go China Government!