My Article has been published on LBJ Journal The Olympic Torch Relay

Written by Joyce Zhao

As a Chinese citizen studying abroad for the past two years, I carefully follow the news about China. I am eager to know what people from other countries think about us and our country. Even though most of the time the news about China is negative, I have been trying to learn how we can improve these negative comments. However, the news coverage of the Olympic Torch Relay has touched a nerve and makes me feel that I need to speak up. I understand why there were demonstrations in London and Paris regarding Tibet. However, I was angry about the demonstrators attacking the torchbearers and the torch, which represent friendship and peace. I appreciate the foreigners who care about defending human rights in another country so much that they join the protests about Tibet. But when they joined the Tibetan demonstrators, did they really understand what is going on in Tibet? The Tibet issue is more complicated than just merely freedom. The issue has historical, social, religious, and ethnicity components. Given that it is a very poor, less economically developed region, I am worried the tragedy would fall on these Tibetans if it were separated from China. What makes more sense is to think of what is best for the Tibetans. People who are genuinely interested in this should research or visit the region to see the current situation, and the progress that our government has made to help improve people’s welfare there. However, I do not buy the saying “Tibet was, is and will be part of China,” not only because I do believe it is part of China, but that also I do not think the “history theory” holds water. If you go back in history long enough, land does not belong to anyone. If you dig in every country’s history, they each have different stories about the land ownership. I just want to remind people to think of this more practically. Given the current situation, what are the Tibetans’ best interests? I do not want to digress too much about the Tibet issue, which deserves a separate article, even a paper to talk about. The purpose to bring it up here is that I wish that people could fight peacefully for the right things and not get hurt. When they join the riots, not only are they possibly hurt, but others are hurt physically and emotionally as well. Aren’t the people who claim they are human rights defenders violating human rights themselves as well? Do not the Torchbearers have their own human rights? In Paris, the Tibet demonstrators attacked the outstanding Chinese handicapped fencing athlete, Jin Jing, a 27-year girl who was sitting on her wheelchair and tried her best to protect the torch. She flew a long way from China to Paris with her beautiful hope to bring Olympic spirit and Beijing’s warm welcome to Paris, but she could not even hold the torch when facing these demonstrators. She wrote to the oversea Chinese students that she could not believe that she came to a country which is famous for their friendliness. But you probably do not even know her, due to a lack of media interest in her and her story. I was shocked by the media coverage of the whole process since the Tibet riots began. I am from a place where most people do not believe in having free media and am now in a country that is very proud of its free media. However, I was deeply upset and hurt. From the very beginning, CNN showed the video with the Chinese police chasing the monks with batons. I was totally shocked that they were not even Chinese police and in China. That was happening in Nepal. Chinese police have never worn those uniforms. The police in the video were Nepalese police. People argue that these images were shown because the Chinese government locks up the information and denies public access. However, the media has a responsibility to accurately report the true situation. They should alternatively state, “We cannot get information or pictures from Tibet,” instead of using fake pictures and giving wrong information. As time marched on, bias of the media became more apparent. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and the BBC, who typically are so good at putting people with different opinions together in order to facilitate an understanding of opposing sides, failed to do so in this case. They generously gave the full coverage to the Tibet separatists, neglecting the Chinese students who were exposed to the chilly weather holding the flag of their country for no reason but the love of their country to welcome the torch. Knowing exactly how influential the media is, they are abusing human rights themselves by muffling the voice of Chinese citizens and the progress our country has made, while exaggerating the downsides of China. Please do not say that we are nationalists. Everyone has the right to love his country. Needless to say, we did not beat the demonstrators, we did not join riots, but we were standing there with tears in our eyes to welcome the torch and the torchbearers. Unfortunately, while you can find the demonstrators’ name on the media, you can’t find the names of the torchbearers, who have beautiful stories about why they were selected. You would never see those touching pictures and know the names of Chinese students and scholars on the same street. I do not expect the media to change their view, but at least, especially those who claim they are fair and just, they should show both sides to let people make their own judgment. It is alright to discuss where China needs huge improvements, but at the same time, let people see our passion to host a successful Olympic games, our eagerness to integrate ourselves into the world and make contributions. And most importantly, consider the progress we have made and are still making. Joyce Zhao is a second year masters student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs Image courtesy of: http://somblog.zhwin.ch/studytrips/uploads/2007-China/3.March/china-flag.jpg