Not "Free Tibet" but "Free China". Time for the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party to end and all Chinese citizens be able to live their lives without fear of big brother.

Michael, Vancouver, Canada

As a Tibetan I agree with the Chinese government that all nationalities should unite.

Once united I believe we should all fight for change.

The Chinese government is making Tibetan and Chinese people fight. Tibetans do not hate Chinese people. All Tibetans want is freedom.

Tsenam, New York, New York

I agree with you! tebit has been always a part of China, I was so suprised when people in USA are telling that tebit is a country! China is great country, I love the contry!

rosie, Chicago ,

the reason china built the rail to lhasa is not to help the tibetans but to facilitate movement of their arms and ammo to overpower india. the chinese government had the arrogance to recently claim a whole state in india viz. arunachal pradesh. they have laid similar claims in japan , taiwan russia and vietnam. myanmar is theirs. yes the world may have to tighten their belts if we stopped buying their tainted foods and manufactured products. but if their economic machine stalls the chinese government knows that the tibetan problem would be a walk in the park compared to what its own people will do to it

richard, pittsburgh, pa

On the Issue of Tibet


There's an American senator named Charlie Keel. He believes that China occupied the country of Tibet in 1951. Many Americans believe in this claim as well, mainly because their geographical knowledge is too poor. Recently, the American media starts to spread this false claim again, and they said such things like even though Japan changed history in its textbooks, China also concealed the occupation of Tibet. This post will clarify many things and review some history with you.

In 1951, China occupied Tibet, this is a fact. The reason is that as the Chinese Civil War ended, Chinese troops from 1948-1951 not only occupied Tibet, it also occupied Heilongjiang, it also occupied Hainan Island, it also occupied all provinces of China. So occupation of Tibet is natural, because Tibet has of course always been a part of China. Now you may scream hysterically and yell, "Math! Prove it!", well what's the rush, why don't you let me show you.

In mid 13th century, Tibet was formally included into the map of China's Yuan Dynasty. The emperor named Kublai Khan gave the authority over Tibet, and established the "Central Ruling office" (Zong Zhi Yuan in Chinese), this office was responsible for all the Buddhist and Tibetan affairs of the nation.

In late 14th century, the Ming Dynasty inherited from the Yuan Dynasty the system of governing towards Tibet, and implemented the policy of "Paying money and titles to local Monks and Monestaries, and respecting their political power", and this made the relationship between the Central government and Tibet even stronger.

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

On March 29, 1948. The Constitutional Council had a a national meeting. And 13 representatives from Tibet attended. There are 3 law makers from Tibet: Bu Dan San Bu, Ba A Wang, Da Zeng Dang Que; Three inspectors from Tibet: Tu Dan Ce Dan, Ba Za Xi, Dan Ban Peng Cuo. 5 committee members: Ji Jing Mei, Cai Reng Tuan Zhu, Tu Dan Ni Ma, Luo Sang Jian Zan, Na Wang Jing Ba: Three seniors: La Ming Yi Xi Chu Cheng, Ji Yu Jie, He Ba Dun. Luo Sang Jian Zeng was even hired to be a member of the council of National Policy by the President.

So from the Yuan to Ming to the Nationalist gov't, each gov't recognized Tibet as part of China and each increased their relationship with Tibet.

So of course Tibet has already been established as part of China, much earlier than when the "Puritans" landed in the Americas. In fact, those histories are not important at all. The important thing is that Tibet is currently a part of China. When America occupied Hawaii, Hawaii could also be considered an independent nation. But America occupied it, so what's wrong with it? When America occupied California, Nevada, Utah ,Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, wasn't Mexico also an independent nation? But America took many lands from Mexico, so what's wrong with it? People often accuse China of destroying Tibetan culture, but Tibet today has more monestaries and monks than it had before 1951. And who destroyed the culture of Native Americans? In fact, China did a very good job of preserving the original culture of China's ethnic groups than America preserved the Native Americans' culture.

I hope after reading this post, you will be more open minded and learned more history.

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

anybody care about INDIANS in North America? Aboriginals in Australia? Where are their rights when they were robbed of their lands?

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

The Chinese occupation of Tibet is only one example of many, demonstrating China's contempt for human rights. With the Olympics around the corner (basically a coming out party for China), the world should send a message that we do not tolerate this sort of behaviour. Personally I have planned for some time to simply tune out and speak out.

Michael, Toronto, Canada

There are only three scenarios (non of them very pleasent for the Chinese regime) regarding the Olympic games.
1) A vast majority of countries will boycot the games
2) China will cancel the games at her own will
3) The games will be held according to original plans but there will be massive demonstrations in Beijing organizaed by Tibetians, Falung Gong, Democracy Movement and so on, resulting into violence and turmoil, eventually causing Chinese government to lose its face once and for all.
Ladies and gentlemen - no other options!

Gagarin, Shanghai, China

china should not bully tibet any more,we are peacefull people who have been bullyed by china for 50 years.now world can see the truth behind the chinese lies of a peacefull ,calm tibet.please let dali lama come home to lhasa.and peace come for all china

sangmo , sydney, australia

Richard Tiernan:

As Kosovo most recently demonstrates, a sufficiently distinct people is entitled to determine for itself whether it desires to be or remain a part of any sovereign nation. When grievances become sufficient, there does indeed come a time when it "becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another." China does not possess a right to prevent Tibetans from expressing a desire for independence if they desire it, or denying it to them if a majority of Tibetans express a desire for independence.

If non-exiled Tibetans do NOT desire independence, they should express this to the World.

The point, however, is that any people who desire a different political structure, regardless of history, may not be denied the right of self determination. For any nation to act to prevent a legitimate expression of political will of a minority is intolerable as an illegitimate abuse of power.

Riots, however, are intolerable.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

From these comments I learn that the ideology thing works better in western countries. The Chinese side try to talk with deeds and ration, while the Tibetan sopporters speak nothing but recite what they were told.

infrast, edinburgh, uk

People have (admirably) begun an olympics boycott on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8966379787&ref=share

Ron, Canada,

We must pray for restraint and non violence on both the Chinese and Tibetan sides. With China in the global media eye in Olympic year, the opportunity to publicise Chinese oppression of culture and religion in Tibet must be taken.
Even the Dalai Lama is now simply requesting not independence for Tibet but the freedom of the Tibetan people and Buddhist monks to practise their culture and religion without oppression.

Steve Boyd, Mold, Flintshire North Wales

Tibet has as much a right to be independent as Kosovo does.

George, London,

China should cancel olympics and restore the rule in Tibet.

LL, London,

Hello writer,
Please don't feel suprise about the victims and property lost by chinese people inside Tibet during the recent protest. Han Chinese are not minority in Tibet. Do you know how much Tibetan lost under chinese's occupation during the half of the century? We are nearly lost our cultural and religoin under the great kindness of RED CHINESE and same time loosing Tibetan identity inside Tibet. In 21th century we are the only who are still living in the real hell on this world. We all peace lover and those who loves truth are supporting this on going protest by Tibetan inside Tibet. Thanks for you all, my brave brothers and sisters. You all are great and your footprint are there always in the history of human right and truth. May god bless you all. LONG LIFE DALAI LAMA. FREE TIBET.

Tsering Dhondup, bangalore, india

This cant be good news for the myriad of multi-nationals who are mistakenly sponsoring these Olympics. I wonder who will be first to lose their reserve and withdraw from sponsorship? Likewise which participating nation?

Ludwig, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Chinese have historically been imperialists.

Joe, NYC,

It looks as if the Free World countries should now mimic the boycott of the 1980 Summer (Moscow) Olympics, which had expressed protest at the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. (Why are some of the Western powers also now in Afghanistan? It sounds a little hypocritical). Nevertheless, we should do something to support those Tibetans who object to their Chinese occupiers. The Beijing government needs to be embarrassed and punished on a massive scale. Those that might attend the Games (government officials, teams and overseas spectators) would be identifiable as supporters of oppression. The gentle, God-fearing people of Tibet deserve our full support.

Ron Durham, Torbay, Auckland, New Zealand

ZhenHong, surely the whole point is that
(a) the people of Scotland/NI are becoming independent - as an Englishman I have no doubt that Scots and Irish (Welsh too) will be independent of England in my lifetime
(b) the Scots (and NI and Welsh) can of course vote on this - and as a democracy we accept the result, whether we agree with it or not
(c) You mention ' we can have a vote for the independence of Tibet' - yes, of course you can - so go on then! Let's have some observers in and see what happens. Let the ethnic Tibetans vote (and not the huge numbers of Han Chinese) My guess is that you will lose (and perhaps that is why there has never been a referendum).
Yes, its double standards - we Westerners invaded lots of countries against the wishes of their inhabitants - but we are now in 2008 and not supposed to do that kind of thing!
I dare you - let China lead the world in democracy and human rights as she once led in science, technology, engineering - if you dare

Nick, Villars,

Boycott the Olympics. The non violent Budhist monks are nobody to the Chinese. Only people with arms are taken notice but not bt the Chinese. Shame on British government for not supporting the Tibet cause.

Park, London, UK

Funny how many chinese have left china and living in 'Western' countries

whys that guys?

Daniel, London, UK

I would like to extend a real warning to travellors. Actually Im expecting the Games to collapse and it will probably come out of the Wests' reaction to what China is doing in Tibet. As China kills people in Tibet, westerners will cancel their tickets to the Games and the Games will be a fizzer. Out of this I expect that China will turn her anger against Taiwan (loss of face) and Amercia will be drawn into a war. Im really expecting a war in the not too distant future between an angry China and the USA. The build-up is on now. I encourage media people NOT to send their reporters and television folk to China for any reason. Sorry if that sounds extreme...but we have to take steps to protect ourselves from a longterm bad government.

G. Gibson, Sydney, Australia

sometimes i think most foreigner don' t know the true Tibet. Han and local people are very friendly to each other.Like this time, just some monks want to anti-goverment. the local people hope the better life from Han assistance

tommy Huang, Accra, Ghana

to all you free tibet lover, tibet will always be part of china. read your history before putting your comments. don't watch olympic if you don't want to. the west is using the few remaining exiles to create ethnic tension in tibet, because that's the only way to hinder china 's fast development. After all, these people only want to see people in china living in poverty,and chaos, so they feel secure about their world dominance. talk about brainwash by communist, you guys are brain wash by dalai and the west propaganda.

kelvin, bay area,

What is happening in Tibet is a shame for the Chinese government and its people. For generations, Tibetan have been forced to live in exile or in fear and as second-citizens in their own land. About time countries like China, Myanmar (remember the monks who were killed?) and India (research on AFSPA in the north-eastern region of the country) realise that people cannot be ruled like this anymore.

Nanao Sharma, London,

At least China did not entirely wipe out 90% of the local population, as white men did in Australia. Why did noboy talk about boycotting the Sydney Olympics? Aborigenes are still heavily discriminated against in Australia.

John Leslie, London, UK

Under the Dalai Lama and the monks Tibet was brutal, very primitive feudal state. The Lamists have world class pr skills but before the West risks a potential military confrontation with China, informed people need a better understanding of how things were in Tibet before the Chinese takeover.

I strongly recommend Melvyn Goldstein's "The History of Modern Tibet" published by the University of California Press. It's an extremely well written piece of first rate historical scholarship.

MARK KLEIN, M.D., OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

J D, NSW, Australia i will tell you how many~~ same number that MI5 and CIA emplyees here.

dan, gz, China

THis kind of thing is inherent in any sittuation were one country, because they erroneusly believe themselves superior in some way steal the land of another. It happened when the americans stole their country from the native americans. it happened to the british empire. it will happen in Iraq. it is happening here. Imperialism benefits noone. Tibet has a right to riot.

dan crawford, middlesbrough, england

The comments make more interesting reading than the article!

In fact if you ignore the five that are from people who know what they are talking about, the remainder serve to clearly illustrate the reason why man will never be able live in true harmony with himself let alone with his neighbour.

Richard Crow, Warsaw, Poland

China's human rights are a joke. The entire world should be outraged at what they have done and what they are doing. The USA should boycott the Olympics along with every other country that says they care about the rights of people.

Claude, Richmond, VA USA

they're not protests any more, they're violent race riots against an innocent minorty. If the Chinese government clamps down on these thugs and murderers who will object?

It was the wisdom of the chinese leadership that knew that peaceful protests by pacifist monks for freedom of religion could escalate and develop into this. They were right. Their policies proved to be justified. The monks were foolish and naive not to see this as a consequence.

The tibetan problem will not be solved by these means.

Jon Davies, Peterborough, UK

Even if the world cant agree on tibettan rights and wrongs .... lets "encorage" the chinese government to learn from the on success from the mess that is Northern Ireland politics:-

"Whilst everyone is talking ... at least they are not fighting !!!"

Rob Alcock, Swansea, UK

It's funny to see how many people who are ignorant of this situation and the relationship between China and Tibet should have such strong opinions on this matter.

How many out of those who say that we should boycott China are really concerned with the welfare of the Tibetans? Surely, many are just blinded by the jealousy of China's growing eocnomy. I don't understand why many see the growing economy as a threat but it is clear that China will not take over the States or the UK for at least another 80 years. There are just many fundamental problems within the country. So ease people.

It's easy for outsiders to say "free Tibet" but in reality we should be aware that this is very complicated.

Human rights? How about the human rights of those innocent Han Chinese in Tibet who have been attacked?

The Tibetans should have their say but not by setting fire to shops and throwing stones at innocent people! Either find a peaceful way or do it to the authories if they dare.

T Lin, Hong Kong,

We tried to appease the Nazis in the Berlin 1936 Olympics. To what avail? We have to take a stance now, even if it means boycott of the Olympic games. This is the language the Beijing regime understands. Human rights must come before imports of cheap Chinese manufacturing. And remember moderate Tibetans, including Dalai Lama, don't seek cessation from China, only human and cultural respect as an autonomous region.

andy, london,

The American and British governments, and no doubt those of many other western countries will be horrified at any mention of boycotting the Olympics, because they do not want to upset the business relationship they have with the Chinese regime. Making money through the global economy has become the new religion and mere trifles like human rights and brutal repression must be overlooked lest it should interfere with imports and exports. I hope that many athletes will examine their consciences and decide to withdraw from the games as an expression of solidarity with their fellow human beings in Tibet. China tries to argue that it has historical rights to take Tibet into it's territory, but this is as absurd as Denmark saying it wants Orkney and Shetland back because it used to rule over them for 600 years.

NEIL SHEARER, DARLINGTON, ENGLAND

China should never have stolen Tibet in the first place. Time for China to get out, take their 'placed Chinese people' out as well and let the Tibetans have their own country back. If this had all happened in the last decade, China would never have been allowed to take a country that didn't belong to them.

Margaret Webber, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Mathhew, Xiamen, China
The Chinese government has consistently resisted the Dalai Lama's attempts at compromise. The situation is far beyond that now.

My thoughts are with the Tibetans at this time. I hope they find the freedom they desire and have their country restored to them. It will be a beautiful day when the Dalai Lama and his fellow Tibetans in Exile can return to their rightful homes without fear of arrest or harrassment and the Snow Lion flies above the Potala Palace once more.

Wendy, Hull, UK

From a TV documentary about Tibet produced by a British team, I saw most people in Tibet are living a happy life under the Chinese goverment. The envy sense of some westerners toward Chinese says itselfe that China is getting better and better on the world stage.

Tony, London

Tony, London,

I am really disappointed at this tragedy. Lots of the Japanese now found that the uprising economic partner has a concealed brutal nature

If the world do nothing this time, then the Chinese government wil seek next target such as Taiwan. Tradition of self-determination founded on the ultimate sacrifices faces a real test.

People in developed countries must remember that whatever we buy everyday might help the harsh regime clackdown the tibetan people.

Masayuki Tsuruga, Tokyo, Japan

Looks like there are two types of people posting negative comments on here. 1) American's who are terrified of China catching up and overtaking them and 2) student lefties who have never been to Tibet and have no idea about the country or its people.

Contrary to what JD of Australia says I have no affiliation to the PCP i'm a Westerner whos lived and worked in China and travelled extensively around the country and I will happily defend China as I think the current round of China bashing is totally unjustified.

Tibet is a barren, desolate province with little infrastructure, indeed most Tibetans I spoke to just wanted a better economic future.They are hardly going to get that under the Dalai Lama and a Buddist feudal system. I haven't heard Chinese people lecturing us on Iraq, if they did we would probably tell them to get lost. Given our record what right do we have to lecture the Chinese?

Richard Tiernan, Nottingham,

China should crack down hard on the militants. Don't give any illusions to the Tibetans that the rioting will help their cause.

An Qijie, Hong Kong, China

This is now a riot, not a political demonstration. Civilians and businesses are attacked, by the rioters. Frankly, when France experienced such riots a few years back, did the police not move in too? Were they not applauded by citizens and media alike too? Why the double standards? I say, if private property and civilians livelihood are at risk, then send in the police and troops!

Edwin Heng, Singapore,

As a han Chinese i feel very sorry for them. although i can not agree what they are doing now. but it doesn't change my view that they are my brothers and sisters and i just hope to see everyone come down and resolve any issues that they are not happy about.
By the way, those of you thinking about boycott the game will do any harms to China i have to say you are naive!
the original intension for Beijing to host the game was to deflet political tension from the west at the time when China had a strained relation with the US after the spy plane incident and by then politicians in the Washington all turn against China .
so hosting the game it gives sort of promise to US that China will be good in order to give us time to develop our economy especially for the export to US which weight heavily 7 years ago. but what happen on september 11th later that year which turn the eyeball of US away from China already end the real mission of Olympics for China.

li tao, Shanghai, China

G. Gibson, Sydney, Australia: Just picture China as terrible as you wish. At least China and Chinese people still think and act independently rather than being a boneless puppet of the United States. Do you actually know what kind of state Tibet was in before 1950s? Monks and landlords treated normal tibetans like dogs back then. Do you actually think Dalai Lama is gonna build a democratic state if he has a chance to return to tibet?

Wei Chen, London,

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. China has done enough damage - they better getout. Free Tibet!

Andy, Hitchin, England

Why is no-one calling for sanctions as they did aganst Burma? Is this because they know sanctions don't really work or is it because they don't want to lose the right to buy cheap rubbish from China?

john, london, uk

I wonder how many of the pro-china commenters are affiliated with the chinese government ?

J D, NSW, Australia

Masataka Motomula of Japan: I found your comments particularly insulting and ridiculous. What do the Japanese know about peace, having killed millions of Chinese people, and to this day denies it ever happened in your own text book? Forcing women to be sex slaves and still deny it ever happened. Only animals could do things like that.

paul, Shanghai,

i too - before i put my glasses on this morning read
"World demands Chinese restaurant"

andrew bogue, stourport, uk

China is a fast growing economic super power which plays an increasingly important role in the global economy.

What is Tibet? Who cares?

If Tibet can't behave then we must support the Chinese in protecting their people. What do we care if Tibet is Independent?

No Western country has a track record on human rights which is any better than China's. Lets stop pointing the finger and just enjoy the benefit of cheap manufacturing that China gives us.

Christopher, Birmingham, UK

"In my early morning slumber I read :

"World demands Chinese restaurant"

Jo, mondeville, france"

I also thought this. I was like "wow this would be an easy and fun read!"

Perhaps China should give up Tibet but then perhaps all the conflicts in the Islamic countries and Ireland should do the same.

Your opinion about this subject should not be overpowered by the prejudices you may already hold over China's communism. In a neutral point of view, innocent people have been harmed over a situtation which is present in many countries.

Susan, Hampshire,

Boycott the Olympics and all Chinese products!!

Jake, Dumfries,

"The residents are very angry. They are throwing stones at anyone who is Han [Chinese] or from other minorities like the Hui, who are Muslims. It seems like it's ethnic - like they want to kill anyone not Tibetan.

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

It is sad and typical of us in the West to watch others lose their lives and we sit around and debate about its validity. The ridiculus part of reading many of these comments is that the Tibetan message is dismissed because human rights abuses have existed at other points in time in other countries. To me that makes no sense; great, you can read and repeat a history book but you still show little understanding or common sense. The world left Tibet to it's fate for cheap trinkets and labor; is it really that surprising that Tibetans are becoming violent when their abuse has been ignored for so long? First of all to my competing country-men and women, I wish you the best of luck in the games, you are all very talented and we are very proud of you but something is happening that requires this year my family and I abstain from watching you compete. We at least try to refrain from purchasing Chinese products, I guess this year that includes the Olympics.

Hugh, Charlotte, Canada

But who listened when the world demanded Anglo-US restraint?

David Masu, Zürich,

Ha ha ha !! Dan of China, have you ever heard of he who laughs first laughs last? What can we do? Let me see, first and foremost, boycott the Olympic games. That would be a big blow to the Chinese government, who cares most about saving face. Secondly, being a godless society they are at a losing end. Prayer is a powerful tool and the Sovereign God is capable of ANYTHING. Of course the west is just as guilty as you rightly pointed out. Nevermind, there will be justice when the Lord returns. Two wrongs dont make a right. The injustice around the world is overwhelming, Burma, Zimbabwe, Tibet, Kosovo, Arian Jaya, just to name a few. When men has turned away from God, terror, hate, injustice, revenge, lust, GREED, , envy, & darkness reigns.

Mia, Brisbane, Australia

I agree with the remarks made by many countries around the world. The Chinese Government needs to exercise restraint. Dialogue is the only way forward to find a peaceful coexistence between the Chinese and Tibetan people.
I hope the Chinese Governement uses this opportunity to show the world that it is capable of using great tact and diplomacy in finding a peaceful solution.

Kim Domnick, Torquay, UK

It is, first of all, interesting to notice that particular citizens of some of the most imperialist countries should give the name 'imperialist' to a country(whose legal territory included Tibet) they have savagely invaded. I feel sorry for all those over-enthusiastic freedom fighters who can utter no more than 'Free Tibet'(I doubt they are in fact just some over-zealous no-brainers) should be able to establish such an awesomely far-fetched link between a Communist Country(the freedom fighters hate this term passionately simply because it is different from what they have) and a riot which can in fact happen in any country. Moreover, I should suggest those who hate or fears China to have a good Chinese history lesson before they want to show their despairing ignorance(Particularly, Jo from Bath in England).And Well done Anupam! For your comment reminded me how people conspire to kill a king just because they want to take his place.

Tom, Beijing, China

The West have no right to preach to China when (1) some of the western countries still have possession of territories that are thousands of miles from their own (2) they bullied, exploited and robbed China of her wealth and territory just over a century ago.

H, Aberdeen,

Not only Tibet, but China in general would benefit immensely from removing the current government. Communism is one of histories great farces. The industrious and intelligent people of China deserve a representative government instead of the corrupt and incompetent officials currently mismanaging the country.

David Lea-Smith, Edinburgh, U.K.

And is this the country hosting the Olympics? Boicot now. They don't respect anybody, what do they want to do in Tibet, impose they one Euro trashy shops as they do in Europe. These people must be brought to justice.

JJ, NY, USA

For the benefit of Chinese posters (including the laughably obvious 'front' comments pretending not to be) the principle that the modern civilized world recognises is the right to self-determination. Justifying ethinc cleansing, empire building and colonialism on the grounds of historic precedent is an absurdity in the modern world. If we extend the chinese argument then presumably I can look forward to being enslaved by the Italians in much the same way my ancestors were by the Romans?

China may be getting more powerful but that doesn't make its government and the protests of its minions any less of a joke (albeit a sick one).

Graeme, Edinburgh, UK

TibetanUprising.org is covering all these events with the latest info and videos. There is an incredible synergy taking place all aroun the world, now is the time for people to come together in support of the Tibetan people.

Ben M, Delhi, India

Tibet was never a part of China

Praveen, Cochin, India

"Independence" is undoubtedly the united word of all tibetans.
So Tibet should be independent from the Chinese ruling. Just it. Whatever happened in history, what is the most important thing is the mind of people who live there right now.
I cannot believe China is responsible for the world security in the U.N. China is just disturbing the world security.
Do you know? Olympic is a peaceful thing.

Masataka Motomula, Kumamoto, Japan

None of you seem to complain when US and British companies import cheap consumer goods from China. If you want to boycott the Olympics, why don't you also stop buying ipods etc?

John Smith, manchester, UK

China claims a historic right to Tibet - both were conquered by the Mongols and only since then have both been in one "nation". So, the Mongols have a historic right to China then!

Well, China have declared Chengiz Khan a chinese...solved their problem then.

timur, London,

This is one the first reported incidents of Tibetans attack Non-Tibetan Chinese in Tibet. Not a good sign at all. Imagine if it was the Catholics in Northern Ireland started attacking Scot and English civilians living there. What would the reaction in the Britain be? While I think the educated readers of the Times will respond with restraint, I just tremble at the fury that would be released by readers of the Sun or the Daily Mail.

We in the West have to careful of how we react. The Chinese government has been oppressing Muslim Uighers in Xinjiang, but a muted response. Same with regards to Indonesia during the Suharto period, where there were constant reports about Indonesian oppression in Papua and East Timor, but rather muted ones about Muslim Aceh. The West secretly aided the Croatian military against the Serbs during the breakaway with Yugoslavia but why not the Bosnian Muslims.

It gives the impression that certain ethnic groups are "sexy" and others are not.

William, Ashford, UK

If these machete carrying rioters are Buddhists, then I'm Abraham Lincoln, and China will "free" Tibet like US freed the slaves while Gen. Sherman burnt the city of Atlanta to the ground.

rv, Sacramento, CA

To my chinese friend Mr. Wei Chen from London. Yes china has sovereinty...but not over Tibet!...period! as for integrity, allow me to enlighten you that...if china did infact have intergrity (steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code)..it would have not have invaded Tibet and pillaged the country and murdered 1.6 million (and counting) defenseless tibetans during it's brutal invasion of Tibet in 1959, brutally massacared it's own pple during the Tianamein Square uprising FYI , and in addition,...would have accepted to have "a dialogue" with the Dalia Lama by now. So attributing words like "integrity" to the Chinese government is comparing Hitler with compassion. And regarding your cheap, soul-less chinese goods, we try as much to boycott it..thnk u very much!

Tenzin Palden , San Francisco, USA

I have to say that you are just reading the news your government wants you to read, and thinking the way your government wants you to think. But how many of you guys have been to Tibet? or even been to China? If you are so interested in HUMAN RIGHTS in China, then go to that country and feel it, stop yeilding at the things merely based on so called NEWS.

If you still say FREE Tibet, then i say let's free all the nations, because all the lands you are living on right now, belong to wild animals!

Charlie, Bedford,

In my early morning slumber I read :

"World demands Chinese restaurant"

Jo, mondeville, france

To those who comment that china has systematically abused human rights in tibet. If u look at history, all the previous administrations of tibet were far worse!!!! Under the dalai lama's regime surfdom reigned - i.e. state sponsored slavery. At least under post-mao chinese administration all tibettans have had the opportunity of school education and the subsidised chance to study at university.

Secondly, to those who think that china had nothing to do with tibettan government before 1950. You dont have to look very far into the history books (including western history books!) to find out you are plain and simply wrong. The dalai lama's predecessors were the imperial chinese government's local rulers in tibet - it was in both parties interest for this to be the status quo.

Rob Alcock, Swansea, UK

G.Gibson clearly you haven't visited China. Having lived there for over a year I can honestly say that I never once got food poisoning, stopped and searched by intelligence (work is anathema to most chinese police!) or mugged. My girlfriend always felt safe walking on her own after dark, something that I'm sad to say doesn't hold true in England or Australia.

Sure China does have problems, the pollution is terrible at times and road safety is poor. Comments like yours though are a massive generalisation, most Chinese are hard-working, friendly and caring people. Whilst I sympathise with the Tibetan people, remember they are also attacking and killing innocent Han Chinese at the moment, who's only crime was to move to Tibet in search of a better life.

Richard Tiernan, Nottingham,

u say Tebit is independent country~~~Do u have any evidences?Do u understand Zhongguo(China) ?Do u understand Xizang(Tibet)?It is obvious u do not know!So,remembering Zhongguo is Zhongguo!Xizang is Xizang!!!we can deal with our thighs by ourself!U foreign monsters do not understand anything!

Bob, Brisbane, Australia

No one seems to see that the Han Chinese are the victims in this violence.
It is not the case that Tibet has been in an unsatisfactory state under the Chinese government in the past years. Don't people see that this seems like a plot that plans to emotionally harrass the West to boycott China and the Olympic games?
It is really safe to visit China, I have been there myself. Food poisoning, robbery and car accidents have been magnified in reports; may I ask how many people have been affected by these? If the problems are really as big as they seem, shouldn't the Chinese population go down?
The Chinese government will definitely make the it safe for anyone who wants to attend the Olympics, I feel it's safe and I am definitely going.

LM, Worcs., UK

G. Gibson, I think those are unreasonable comments, having lived in Beijing I actually find them a little insulting. Particularly this 'mostly amoral society' rubbish. And your suggestions about Taiwan are plain ridiculous. China would be in no better position to do that as a result of the Olympic games.

On another note, if you go around reeling off every bad statistic (right or wrong) about any country, you'll never leave the house. I wholeheartedly suggest to you, that is not a good way to live.

Mike, United Kingdom,

The Tibetans are being killed by their colonial masters and your comment is that this means you won't go watch the sports?

Steve Snow, NYC,

I think it too dangerous to go to the Games. Theres the pollution, food poisoning possibilities, getting mugged in a mostly amoral society, intelligence people searching you whenever they feel like it, you could get run over (400 die everyday on their roads having been hit by cars). What if civil unrest spread to the bigger cities... the unrest in the north with the Islamic extremists suddenly came to the Beijing. Westerners could easily get trapped on Chinese soil and theres always the chance that they miulitary might invade Taiwan when the games are on. The USA could do nothing about it if the military did because there would be too many westerners there in China stopping any western reaction to any invasion.

G. Gibson, Sydney, Australia

All those people enchanting free tibet just listen up: If you are determined to support your country have a proper war against China, and not consume any imports from China from now on, then go ahead. This is about the sovereignity and integrity of China and we seriously care about that.

Wei Chen, London,

"The gentleman from Shanghai should understand that the majority of the people in Northern Ireland have consistently voted in free elections to remain part of the United Kingdom. "
jarek, Houston, Texas

Jarek, please read about the "Plantation of Ulster". Where Irish land was confiscated and given to English and Scottish Protestants purely in order to make the Irish catholics the minority in Northern Ireland. So of course by the time 1921 came around and Ireland began to rid itself of what was at times a tyrannical and oppressive British rule there was left a very divided north of the country with the majority loyal to he British crown.

I would not exactly call this very democratic, would you?

No country is innocent of acts such as this, Britain has much to be ashamed of in her history. BUT that does not excuse China and does not mean that the western world should just stand by and let this happen. We should boycott the olympics now and start setting a good example to the world.

GM, Brisbane,

Dan of China - the behaviour of your government towards Tibet is nothing to be proud of. This is not a problem for the west, but a serious problem for China, especially in a year when it is hosting the Olympic Games.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

Tibet was never under china. Tibet was an independent nation prior to chinese invasion in 1959. Tibet was an extremely religious country with no military power. Realizing that situation , Mao's army took an advantage by illegally entering the Tibet killing 6 million tibetan.

The current tense situation and protest by tibetan is the outcome of 4 decades long cruel communist regime. Chinese must leave Tibet.

Karma, Boston, US

The United Nation's "International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights" incorporates recognition of the Right of Self-Determination. Obviously this is meant to apply to regions possessing their own cultural, linguistic, and ethnic heritages within an sufficiently defined geographical region and where political separation from a sovereign state would neither be geographically difficult nor overly detrimental to the economic or political well-being of the remainder. This is certainly the case for Tibet. Morally Tibet should be free to choose for itself whether it desires to be a part of China or not regardless of what Beijing considers to comprise "China." The rest of the World should immediately abide Tibet's decision. By no means does investing in local infrastructure, claiming possession of, or killing thousands of civilians confer any modicum of legitimacy of title.

The right of peaceful protest is inalienable. The right to destroy others' property, however, is not.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

Tibet is CHINA's Tibet. We controlled that place for 1000 years, and no one can take it out of our country.

Zeng, Sydney, Au

I will say "Free Tibet" if you shout
(1) "Free USA" - give USA back to the native indians, or
(2) "Free Australia" - all the descendents of the British convicts get out, or
(3) "Free New Zealand" - it belongs to the Maori people, or ....

YL, London,

hahahah..... what can westen powers do???? perhaps invade us????

dan, gz, China

Free Basque of Spain, Free Scotland and Northern Ireland, Free Kurdish part in Turkey````````````Let's free every part and have the amazing chaos as the Middle East has

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

I think the UK government should be talking in harsher tones to China regarding the Tibet issue. There is a petition on the official Downing St website (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DalaiLama/) that everyone reading this should sign.

rebecca cook, kettering,

I hope the Tibetians realise that the world would only provide lip service and encouragement. Nothing else. In this age of hypocrisy and materialism and selfishness, who would jeopardise their business interests in China for the rights of Tibetians? China would tolerate the protests while the Olympics are running and then crush the protests with overwhelming violence. Sad.

M Gupta, New Delhi,

I wonder if our socialist Government will raise their head above the parapit on Tibet's behalf, or will they be too worried they may upset Britain's trade relations with China?

James, Sherborne, Dorset

Replacing the popular image of Tibetans as peace-loving monks with that of stick-waving, shop-burning thugs hasn't been the smartest thing they have done to help their cause. First, they need to persuade China and the world that they could form a viable autonomous nation.

Nick Britton, London,

people who criticize others should think about their own country first, especially British and American, your armies are still in Iraq and blow up people for their own good everyday`````LOL

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

Some comment writers, above, judge the Tibetans for turning violent. I guess these writers haven't experienced the kind, degree and long duration of absence of human rights that the Tibetans have, in their own land, since the Chinese invasion in 1950. I'm only surprised that the Tibetans haven't turned violent a lot sooner than this.
I pray for the autonomy of the Tibetan people to live as they wish in their own land. FREE TIBET!

Jane S, Boulder, CO, USA

Till now Chinese govt has shown fack face to the whole world but for the upcoming 2008 Olyimpic, China can no longer to hide it's ugly and stupid human right record in Tibet. And time is also right for whole people of worldwide to help the Tibetan for their non-voilence way of fight for freedom.
Kalsang Tseing.
Nepal.

kalsang tsering, kathmandu, nepal.

The situation in Tibet is the fault of Western countries like America who give China the wrong example. American power sanctions the occupation of Palestine, so why should not China occupy Tibet?

Dirk Al, Chiang Mai, Thailand

BAN CHINA AND THIER GAMES.
Its always been sad state in Tibet. These people deserve their independence. Im happy that the people of Llasha are standing by their monks and their beliefs, hopefully the rest of the world will stand by them also. Kosovo and all the Eastern European countries gained their independence this way.

SCott Duval, Marlborough MA, USA

To Monica: that is easy to say when you are living in Italy!

J Koster, Cambridge, UK

Superiority in mind does not necessarily equate to actual superiority (and anyway do Buddhists really want superiority over others?).
The main agent of change here, if any, will be pressure from the rest of the world. These riots can only serve to increase that pressure.

Lewy, Dublin,

Enough is enough - the Chinese must get out and leave these people in peace. The Chinese are a disgrace in Tibet

A Pernn, London, England

Monica you are too simple. I m a Buddhist and if some authoritarian government tried to destroy my culture and religion I hope I d have the courage to resist.
These people are Buddhists with backbone. Good luck to them.

dhrowlands, cardiff,

Race riots in a Communist country.

Leaving that aside for the moment though, let's see what the political and business elite have to say about this all....

...Human life vs. Big business.

Jez W, Leeds,

How can anyone even THINK of participating in the Beijing Olympics after these atrocities, following so closely on similar ones under Chinese sponsorship in Burma? Athletes, be Olympian! Stand up for your fellow human beings, and announce loud and wide your boycott of these games that Beijing shows to its people as representing global sponsorship for its tyranny.

John, Edinburgh,

Yes yes, free tibet etc.

Jeff, Manchester,

i was in lhasa in 2003 and saw firsthand how the HAN people openly flaunt their money and power in the face of the tibetan people. i am not watching the olympics

andrew, PITTSBURGH, PA USA

It's time to cut your losses and leave Tibet, Chinese imperialist aggressors ! Long live Tibet, Long live His Holiness The Dalai Lama !!

Simon M, Abingdon, UK

Free Tibet, much like the new independent Kosovo nation, which is working out so far.

Lewis Killeen, Northampton, United Kingdom

Greater political autonomy, respect for human rights and freedom of conscience are what's needed in Tibet, and the rest of China for that matter.

An independence movement however, is unfeasible, and will only tighten the harsh grip of Chinese autocracy even more. The lives of Tibetans will not improve. The Olympics in Beijing is a great opportunity for the world to visit China, communicate with the Chinese, and encourage greater respect for human rights and freedoms. After living the past 6 years in China, I know people here care about the these issues. But when you attack these good people, and criticize without respect, objectivity, or a sense of history, you get nowhere.

If you truly care for the welfare of everyday Tibetans, Han, and all human beings, understand that there must be compromise.

Matthew, Xiamen, China

Shame on China. Free Tibet!

Rob Vlastuin, The Hague, Netherlands

tibet was far more successful in resisting chinese imperialism in the 50's through armed insurrection (with the backing of the CIA which was later withdrawn). the well intentioned peaceful overtures from the dalai llama has led to a consolidation of chinese rule

tim, sydney, AUS

The West should boycott the olympics if the Chinese don't leave Tibet.

I mean....why are the Chinese in Tibet...?

Get out

Phil, Preston,

i think chinese have pushed them so much that buddhist are turning violent

sumanth, banglore, india

It wont be long now and you will have the same sort of thing in ... *YOUR F EE COUNTRY*

Hugh E Torrance, London, England

It seems to me that it was the Tibetans who were violent, not the monks. The monks were doing the hunger strike.

Steven, Kansas City, MO

These monks are brave men and the horror continues.

I am reading WHEN IRON GATES YIELD at present, which is an account of a British Missionary called Geoff Bull from Burnt Oak in Middlesex, who went out to China and Tibet in 1940's and was arrested by the invading Chinese Army and imprisoned for 3 yrs, undergoing the most aweful brain-washing techniques known to man.

He went with a friend called George Patterson who is a real adventurer and stayed around and joined the Tibetan resistance to hold back the Chinese invasion. George was at one point a Liberal Parliamentary candidate in the 1960's in Scotland.

Both were very brave men and true heroes, which make one proud to be British !!! George is actually known as PATTERSON OF TIBET by Tibetans and his fascinating life story and work can be read at :

http://www.georgepatterson.net/index.html

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

"Don't blame the victims! Tibetans have the right to be free from Chinese domination. Chinese people and soldiers go home!

Alejandro, Madrid, Spain"

Someone, please tell me that racism like this should go unnoticed. Chinese people have emigrated to Tibet to setup business and their lives there, just like millions have done so in other countries like the UK, US etc... when will this one sided demonisation of the chinese people stop???

Jeff, Manchester,

Why don't the Western powers who talk about democracy stand behind their ideas and boycott the Beijing Olympics. That includes the US, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, and the UK. Stop the hypocricy and Free Tibet.

Kris, Boston, USA

The China government just did any government will do if this kind of violence happens. It is nothing related with communist party.

Qing Situ, Portsmouth,

Tibet became an affiliate to China since 7th century and it became part of the country from 17th century which was Qing Dynasty. If this can't be an evidence that Tibet is a part of China, I will strongly support Scotland becomes indepedent and also the north Ireland. We can have an vote for independence in Tibet, but you should know that people who want to be independent are less than 10% population in Tibet. I am a minority ethnic group member in China but I love China as well as my ethinc group Miao.

ZhenHong, Coventry, UK

It's time to cut your losses and leave Tibet, Chinese imperialist aggressors ! Long live Tibet, Long live His Holiness The Dalai Lama !!

Simon M, Abingdon, UK

Don't blame the victims! Tibetans have the right to be free from Chinese domination. Chinese people and soldiers go home!

Alejandro, Madrid, Spain

before you add these comments, do you remember the day when you invade China? Take care of your own affairs! Don't interfere other countries' affaires

Amanda, paris, france

Tibet deserves freedom and independence! We have to persuade Chinees authorities.. WE'RE WITH LHASA MONKS! FREE TIBET!

Jakub Sternberk, Brno, Czech Republic

From the comfort of Italy you think you can tell a Buddhist monk living in Tibet that they are not Buddhist? Right.

bob, london, uk

I think it is highly doubtful that the Chinese government will use heavy violence to repress the protests when the situation is being publicized so much around the world, unless the monks and Tibetans decide to take the protests to a new level and openly spread violence and anarchy, in which case the police will be forced to intervene using forceful measures.
I'm Chinese and support the Chinese government in most cases, however I do believe that more religious freedom should be granted to the Tibetans, like the Dalai Lama wishes for. However I am against Tibetan independence as I don't see the necessity of it today, and I dismiss it as an immature, overzealous campaign.

Anyway hopefully the rioters won't push things too far and hopefully the police won't overreact. And I hope the Chinese government will allow for religious freedom in Tibet as I don't see how it would have any negative effects on social stability and the government.

Ruobing, Melbourne, Australia

The gentleman from Shanghai should understand that the majority of the people in Northern Ireland have consistently voted in free elections to remain part of the United Kingdom.

In contrast, the majority of the Tibetan population has never voted in free elections to remain part of China.

That is the difference.

jarek, Houston, Texas, USA

Paul from Shanghai: your nation has built a railway all the way to Lhasa, it has given the Tibetans roads, tap water and bottled green tea, but does that really mean Tibet is part of your nation? Did anyone even consider asking the Tibetan people if that's what they want? - I went to the Litang Horse Festival in 2006 (Litang being in the Tibetan parts of Northern Sichuan). At a horse race where the only Chinese fella taking part finished last and won the race because the judges where all Chinese, the Tibetans were chased down by Chinese police after starting to revolt because of that decision. The festival was then suspended by Chinese authorities. - The world doesn't object so much to the fact that Tibet is part of China, but more to how Tibetans, Uyghurs, Naxxi and so on are treated like second class people. Don't force your culture upon them, but treat them as equal citizens. You can't bend the law forever and quite frankly, one global bully is enough as it is. Boycott Beijing 2008!

Tom, Hamburg,

Other commentators are absolutely right - once the spotlight of the Olympics is dimmed, the Chinese Government will revert to normal and brutalise the Tibetans. Giving the Olympics to China said 2 things - one - Chinese Government, we don't mind what you do in China; and two - Tibetans, here is a chance for protest while the world is looking. I pray that the Tibetans don't suffer and commend their courage to protest under such a brutal regime. I pray they are not deserted by western governments who turn blind eyes to their plight.

Keith Lawson, Poole, UK

Good for the Tibetans! Let us hope the world comes to their defence and they are able to throw off the shackles of Chinese oppression.

HC, Kabul,

Shame on China! The only claim China has to Tibet is because a Chinese princess married a Tibetan King hundreds of years ago. The torture and barbarity the Chinese have consistently demonstrated, their attempts at ethnic cleansing through colonizing a neighbouring country is a measure of what they really stand for.
The Tibetan people do not want to be freed from their "primitive superstitions," they want their own land back, to follow their own religious path and to make their own decisions. The idea of China holding the Olympic Games with its ideals of peace and freedom is the greatest irony of a fallen world. And remember, in the nineties it was Blair's Governnment who cleared Tibetan protesters off the streets of London when the Chinese visited. As the Governments of the West have demonstrated and the Chinese understand --, barbarity will triumph when money rules.

Jo, Bath, England

Using violence to disrupt common people's calm lives is not acceptable in every cultured society. Please donot use holy excuses to commit killings

Chris, Hong Kong,

More than 50% of the population in Tibet are ethnic Han already. And don't forget that even ethnic Tibetans are Chinese citizens. There is nothing to win for the monks. Even if they get some attention from the international media now - after the Olympic Games those demonstrators (and their families) will be severely punished for their non-harmonious behaviour. Sad, but true.

Josh, Glasgow, UK

As a person from Belfast in Northern Ireland, I understand how conflict and civIl up raising can affect the population of a small city. As we have learned here in Northern Ireland and which is the Buddhist tradition; violence is not the way to achive peace. I pray to for all involved for a PEACEFUL resolution.

JAMES REA, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

I am a Chinese who lived in the US for over 20 years. I used to be a Buddhist but I was eventually persuaded to become a Christian. I have visited China several times and I find that many Chinese there are able to practice Buddhism and Taoism freely. It is sad to hear that the protests in Tibet erupted into violence. US is a multi-cultural society but many minorities assimilated and adopted the English language and culture of the Western world even if it is alien to their native culture. If everyone uses violence everytime they feel their own cultural hegemony is being undermined, then nobody will win.

Nikki, Westchester, US

What an awful situation. Maybe this is not the 'right' way to get the message across but it shouldn't have ever got to this stage. The Tibetan people have been oppressed and the environment in Tibet plundered and facing ruin under Chinese rule. How well does China embody the spirit of the Olympics? With the media attention now is the time for those who live in places where we can speak our mind to rise up in support of Tibet and help reach a peaceful resolution.

Jennifer , Aberdeen,

Catherine, your government are brutal dictators and know nothing of "peace or ease". I feel sorry that you are clearly so ignorant of this fact.

Good luck to the Tibetans, I think they will have a chance to protest in 2008. But god help them in 2009 when the Olympics have past and no one is watching.

John, LDN,

Boycott the Olympics - it was only given to the Chinese for economic reasons. Their behaviour in Tibet over the last 50 years is appalling. I met many Tibetians in Nepal and India and they are a peace loving people.

Aidan, London,

Back the Tibetans, They Rock My socks

Ronld, Peterborough, Tibet

Free Tibet.

Chris, Melbourne, Australia

The riot needs to stop soon. Love the face of bravery from the Tibetans.

Gordon Moth, Plymouth, England

Catherine - of course there is a need for peace and ease, but maybe China should have thought about that when they invaded Tibet. Perhaps they should have thought of that as they killed tens of thousands of people, including peaceful religious monks. The Chinese government is a disgrace. The Olympics should NEVER have been given to China.

Jonathan Dolby, Lincoln, UK

Iraq invades Kuwait (rich oil reserves) - US and UK go and help. China invades Tibet (peace loving monks) - US and UK do nothing. Go figure!

I hope Tibet is free soon to live as peacefully as it wants.

Susan, Glasgow,

peace be in Tibet.. and plz China recognise what they are doing..

Seongmin Park, Seoul, S.Korea

The Dalai Lama always preaches non-violence. How sad that monks who are taught compassion and non-violence should have to resort to this in order to continue their way of life. Why should China be allowed to continue to torture and suppress the purest and most innocent culture in the world! How Sad.

Louise Keane, guildford, uk

The only consolation is that the Chinese government will have more pressing matters than oppressing the Tibetans in the future. It's only a matter of time before the real trouble starts, when the millions of poor Chinese have had enough of being kept poor by its own so-called Communist government.

The West never helped Tibet and has stood well back from any confrontation with China. The usual hypocrisy.

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

this talk of how could buddhists be violent is silly. how could christians be violent? how could muslims be violent? buddhism does have an ideal of compassion and non-violence, much in the same way that christianity has the golden rule. they are just that, ideals. reality is messier. imagine the tibetans seeing the pope go around the world with his teachings and then seeing people in rome rebel violently against something. "but that doesn't fit with what the pope said!" it's ludicrous.

in the absence of the dalai lama the monks in the tar are the de facto leaders of the tibetan people who still live there. there are tibetan government officials but they are in very difficult positions and are mostly powerless. the monks did not plan a violent protest. that it ended up that way is unfortunate, but these are normal people, tibetan and chinese both, in an extremely tense and passionate situation. and so-called enlightenment, perfect compassion, are many lifetimes away for most of us.

dorje, delhi, india

Boycott the Beijing Olympics!

It was wrong of the IOC to award the games to China. The Chinese government shows complete disregard for human rights, suppressing minorities throughout the area they control. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Tibet.

We must also object to Chinese treatment of animals. Their zoos keep animals in conditions of extreme cruelty. Visitors are permitted to buy animals which are then put in with lions to be killed violently in the name of entertainment.

But worst of all is the environmental damage being wreaked as the country races to compete with the USA. Pollution, waste and destruction of habitat is undertaken without concern. It is time for China to wake up to it's responsibilties.

As the IOC and our own governments have committed a serious moral failure, we must take the initiative ourselves. We should boycott these games, and the most practical way to do this is to extend the boycott to companies who sponsor the games.

JK, Kent, UK

Boycott the Olympics - very simple way to hurt China on this issue - all be done before "against repression.."

Timur, London,

Tibet is not Chinese territory..
Tibet had own soverine and it was invader by China..
Plz know the truth and open your eyes to see which is true or false..

Seongmin Park, Seoul, S.Korea

to the above comment, it is most likely the ordinary tibetans who have become violent and not the monks themselves.

and you hope the chinese government doesn't do anything stupid? These "protesters" , began an illegal protest and now have turned violent. who's being stupid? this is not the way to achieve their goals.

Jon, London,

Does this mean that they don't practise compassion and non violence?

Frank, auckland,

The chinese are always repressive and authoritative. They should know if such suppresions go up one day it will certainly be aboomerung. I hope it becomes so soon.

Cheer up monks! We are with you. Fight for your fight.

Nothing is gained with out fight. Fight,fight,fight and march to Beijing.

Thanks

Anupam
India

Anupam, Noida, India

My heart and prayers go out to those who risked their lives in defiance of an authoritarian regime (Communist China) that has no respect for human diginity, freedom of religion and freedom of expression. May the world wake up to the reality and threat to the people and culture of Tibet.
Pemba, Zurich, Switzerland

Pemba, Zurich,

Why don't the British leave Northern Ireland alone and let it be united with Ireland? What do you know about Dalai Lama rather than his own propaganda? He is nothing more than a puppet of Washington. Do you know what Tibet was like before 1950?

Don't you ever think you can tell us what to do. This is not 1840 anymore.

Tibet is and will be part of China for ever!

paul, Shanghai,

You are probably right if you look it only through that perspective. But can you imagine, living under constant terror for 50 years, sending your small children across the loftly mountains to study knowing that you might never meet them again, wondering if you will ever be blessed with a glimpse of Dalai lama? Can you imagine, living in exile-never thinking of owning a property bcoz you are committed about returning back to home(Tibet) someday? Can you imagine how it feels to explain every people you meet, why you don't have a place to call home? If you do, you might have a little bit more sympathy about our plight and would not look only through this perspective! We are also human just like every one of you! We are not all enlightened one! Every one and then we do act like a basic human being!
Our prayers are wid every TIbetan in Tibet!
Though thanx for putting effort and putting down something here! We appreciate every kind of gesture!
FREE TIBET! Bhod Gyallo!
Kunchok, India

Kunchok Dolma, Delhi, India

The above comments is all fine and dandy, but until you go to Tibet, the real Tibet, and see how bad the Chinese have repressed, robbed and euthanised this culture. You cannot begin to imagine the feelings that these monks and fellow protesters have gone through. I've bicycled through Tibet for two months last year. I've seen things that the Chineese government won't allow regular tourists to see because you need a special permit and a guided Landcruiser.

Lhasa, besides Mt. Kailash, is the most holy place in the world for the Tibetans. If you get a chance to get off the government regulated guided tours you will see pilgrims walking 700 miles just to get to the Portola Palace. The Chinese are invaders in a country that doesn't belong to them.

Ken, Denver, USA/CO

@Monica: it's easy to sit in a free country and say what behaviour is and isn't right for oppressed people. It's also easy to read a couple of books and decide what is and isn't Buddhist (have you read the Kanjur?).
As a Buddhist, you *can* defend yourself, others, and the freedom of your society as robustly as appropriate, but you should try to do it without anger or hatred, with a clear head, and with the motivation of compassion: to prevent harm and bring the most freedom and benefit for the most people for the longest time. These young men (I'm guessing the ones on the street are actually monks not Lamas) are not yet enlightened; they're human beings in a very difficult situation.

Paul, London,

It is not true that Buddha only preached non violence. I have a degree in East/West psychology focused on Buddhism. The warriors in ancient history is there to defend not to attack. This is why they created martial arts. In this case they are defending against the oppressors. There is a whole philosophy about the warriors.

Laura, San Francisco, USA/California

People of the world, please support tibet and rise up for tibet....china out of tibet.

Ngachoe, New Delhi, india

Free Tibet! Ban The Olympic Games!

Sergiy, Kyiv, Ukraine

Maybe it's about time the Chinese left the country they invaded 50+ years ago and left the Tibetans to live their lives the way they want to. Who knows, if they leave maybe the real Panchen Llama will be found rather than the state sanctioned one!!!

Ian, Loughborough, England

Free Tibet Now!
Free Burma Now!

simon gill, nottingham, england

Confucius he say:
"However just the cause, there will always be stupid comments."

Mark Lyndon, London, UK

i hope the riot be eased asap.
we need peace and ease.
Chinese government can and will do it well.

catherine, Ningbo, China

Ban the Olympic games . .

Andrew ex pat, Paris , France

Good luck to the Tibetans, they are standing up for themselves against oppression and occupation. I just hope the Chinese goverment doesnt do anything stupid. They have brutally repressed Muslim seperatists in Xinjiang before, wiping out whole villages. Maybe the eye of the media will help the Tibetans where it didnt help the Muslims.

Matthew, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

It just shows how bad things must be for monks that practise compassion and non violence to rise up and attack blatant human right abuses.
I have spent time in Tibet and have seen with my own eyes the fear Tibetans live in to express what we consider everyday occurences.
Boycott the Olympics and everything associated with it as China has not kept to the promises made when awarded the Games. It may not make a difference but each individual taking a stand can make change happen.
"PRAY FOR PEACE, FREEDOM IS A STATE OF MIND, CHANGE TAKES TIME, COMPASSION IS THE ESSENCE" BUDDHISTPUNK!

Kevin, Durham, UK

Buddha avoided any sort of violence. Therefore those people think to follow the buddhist philosophy, but they can't be considered Buddhist men.
A Buddhist reach his purpose through the force of persuasion, making every effort to cultivate tranquillity and peace.I thing that this could be the way to be superior to the so called enemies.
monique

Monica, Genova, Italy