Beijing Wide Open

Zhou Yongkang, the Minister of Public Security is quoted in the China Daily saying that “although the general security situation for the Beijing Olympics remains stable, we still face the challenges of terrorism, separatism and extremism.”

OK, so there are definitely a lot of people angry with the Chinese government. And some of them could be planning violent protests during the Games. But is this really who Zhou is talking about when he says that “some organisations and individuals had tried to politicise the Olympics and intervene in China’s international affairs, and some others were planning to disrupt the Olympic torch relay.”

A related AFP article suggests that he may be talking about us - Tibetans and Tibet activists, along with all others who want to use this moment to promote human rights and freedom for those living under Chinese oppression.

Are we a dangerous bunch? Sure we are. We are destroying Beijing’s attempt at one the biggest public relations whitewashes in the history of the world. We are undermining their ability to control their own Olympics messaging by exposing the ugly reality of their brutal and systematic violence against not just Tibetans but countless other people.

But, unlike the Chinese authorities, we are nonviolent. And any attempt to paint us as something else should be rejected and condemned by global citizens, the media and governments alike.