When a Chinese government agent comes to SFT HQ
A Chinese government agent came to our office today. We’ve had a couple of visits like this before. They usually work for a Chinese media outlet based in Beijing or are researchers/academics. They ask a lot of questions and don’t take any notes. They are mostly pretty friendly and have a lot of time to talk and “exchange views.” One guy even brought us gifts.
Today I just couldn’t do it. I felt so outraged at the whole situation. I didn’t even realize I was having such a strong reaction until he was gone. He said he wanted to speak to the Director and when he saw me he said, “Oh, I’ve seen you online.” I bet. I said I was busy - I was - and that I would get in touch with him later. I walked him straight out that door and watched until he left the building.
Many people from our side argue it’s important to talk to these guys and share information. But today I just couldn’t stand the thought of engaging with this person who was just there to collect information about us that he will send back to Beijing. All talk about the importance of “sharing views” seems so bogus to me right now. These people are not genuine in their engagement. They don’t want to talk with us in order to gain a better understanding of our views or to resolve the situation in Tibet so that 6 million Tibetans can live in peace. They want to learn as much as they can about us so that they can figure out how best to fight us and ultimately destroy our movement.
The strength of my reaction today surprised me. I think it’s because of the experience I just had in Beijing. I know some will disagree with me. But the truth is that we don’t have to be so accommodating toward our oppressor! Why should we feel so obligated to give the Chinese government the information they think they need to destroy us and obstruct our freedom struggle? Maybe some will understand me when I say that it felt good to send that guy away empty handed.
Posted: August 20th, 2007 under Impressions, Video.
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Comments: 24
Comments
Comment from Nancy Stainton
Time: August 21, 2007, 7:32 am
Dear Lhadon, You are exactly right that you and others do not have to be accomodating to the Chinese. I think many more will want to find out about your organization though especially this next year so you will have to have a strategy. Unfortunately, this situation puts one in a ‘them against us’ state of mind. I think it’s important to always have compassion even for those who might cause us harm but above all, use your wisdom and intelligence. By the way, you and SFT are an inspiration for many of us out here who have been watching what’s going on for many years. Thank you!!!
Comment from Monlam
Time: August 21, 2007, 8:54 am
in my opinion, its a foolish move to talk to chinese and give out information. the agents might talk sweet, bring gifts but we shouldn’t get carried away by it. whatever reason they are there for, definitely they are not there to do any good for our cause.
Hats off to all the SFTiers.. You guys ROCK!!
ONE WORLD! ONE DREAM! FREE TIBET!
Comment from Aeh
Time: August 21, 2007, 10:58 am
As one of the people always saying we should engage the Chinese, I agree there is a time and a place. I am glad you showed the guy the door.
It is so telling that the Chinese Government is so afraid of some non-violent activists! Just like they are afraid of His Holiness. The truth will eventually bring down the Chinese Government and SFT is putting the truth in their face!
LLLT-
Comment from Patrick mahoney
Time: August 21, 2007, 11:30 am
Lhadon, I just want to reassure you that:
1) You are correct in your perceptions/assessments
2) Stay the course
I spent five years writing a book: “Tibet: Lamplight Unto a Darkened World”. I never intended to write a book, as I am sure, from your apparent sincerity, you didn’t choose to be a “wild activist” 
But, after visiting Tibet in 2001 and viewing first-hand the preparations for the Olympic Propaganda Initiative, I couldn’t remain silent. Maybe people will hear, understand, and do something (i.e. boycott the purchase of all Chinese made goods ;-); maybe they won’t. But irregardless, you are doing the right thing. We all have to do what we can, or we end up compromising our values out of in-action. To know and do nothing, is the worst crime, eh?
Watch the movie “Kundun” again if you have any doubts. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kundun/ That, and “Seven Years in Tibet” were pretty accurate representations, from 2 different perspectives, without all the gory details; and even back then, they were almost suppressed. Disney and Martin Scorsese were pressured to stop production/release of those films.
From reading your articles, and knowing what I know, you are 100% accurate in your ‘yucky feeling’ about the sincerity of your ‘visit.’ Remember, the Chinese Govt rewards people with status and things for providing information. The daily Chinese papers are like races for pre-eminance in the ‘community.’ By knowing, and partially devulging, information others don’t know yet; a person’s ‘reputation’ rises. Even 2nd and 3rd generation Chinese in the United States ‘benefit’ from this; or their relatives at home do….either by recieving favors, or are kept from being punished/hurt/banished. Fear is a huge thing in that society. Also, a number of borderline quality academics ’sell out’ to the Chinese govt, and write textbooks that reflect revisionist ‘history.’ Its scary stuff…..and if you talk about it too much, to the wrong folks, they will make you sound like you imagine these things. You do not imagine that ‘yucky’ feeling of being slimed. Your internal ‘gut’, of thousands of internalized, unconscious, little facts learned over a lifetime; is telling you something. So believe it, and trust it. The average Chinese person can’t even see this, because they grew up so much diffferently than you.
So, I am here to say: “TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS” and “FOLLOW YOUR TRUE HEART”; they are right.
In fact, I’d like you to cross post some of your articles to a group of 150 folks that I put together on a website. They want to know what you are doing, and what they can do, to help. My solution? Total boycott of Chinese imports until Tibet is given back to the Dalai Lama….without conditions or strings. I don’t believe there can be a halfway with the Chinese Govt. . They defined the word “sedition”, and use it to call others what they are. That will not change, that cultural ‘imperative.’ So we have to recognize that, and fight fire with fire (non-violently speaking, of course)
Lets make ‘holding Tibet hostage” unprofitable…..then, and only then, will they let go. All the nice words, and letters to ineffective politicians in the pay of special interest groups, will do nothing. Money will. I hate what money does to some people….but to ignore its power is just silly. We don’t have to have tons of it to do something; we just have to encourage people not to spend any on Chinese goods. Simple, eh? It worked for Ceasar Chavez, it can work for Tibet (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceasar_Chavez )
Let me know what you think, or go directly to my site to help free tibet, and post an article/links, etc. 
Hang in there, and great work!
Comment from spysmustgo
Time: August 21, 2007, 12:27 pm
Please scan his business card and publish it on your blog, so we know who to watch out for.
And remember there are also westerners who are chinese spys, or collaborators, or scholars supporting an oppressive government. It would be nice if we could publish all their names, so that people are more aware of this issue.
http://www.feer.com/articles1/2007/0704/free/p036.html
Thank you!
Comment from Pyrate Bill
Time: August 21, 2007, 3:30 pm
You need to follow your gut on this. I believe that you know what is right for you. Being polite to the people who are destroying your culture is not helpful. Keep up the great work. You are a hero.
Comment from sburris
Time: August 21, 2007, 10:08 pm
Dear Lhadon: It seems to me that authentic compassion is intelligent, and involving yourself in the further machinations of those whom you suspect of planning to do you harm isn’t intelligent, and certainly isn’t compassionate. You’re engaged in ways that most of us aren’t, and you’re making sound decisions. Blessings.
Comment from lennon
Time: August 21, 2007, 11:29 pm
hi there,
i kinda get the feeling……chinese authorities want to know
what are your plans for next year……..
the chinese authorities dont want protestors showing up in
large nos trying to overshadow the whole event.
with the world media being present in a big way.
Boycott chinese goods is well said than done…….
take any trading scenario,with chinese goods turning out to be the least expensive….it’s not easy to convince everyone to boycott them.it should happen with time.
on a closing thought…..i respect what SFT is doing and what they stand for……SFT ROCKS!
Comment from Sangay Taythi
Time: August 22, 2007, 11:40 am
I am reading the comment made by Mr. Patrick Mahoney about boycotting Chinese made goods. I believe this is the right time to fire up that campaign.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/china.toys.reut/index.html
Comment from ling
Time: August 22, 2007, 5:24 pm
Thank you for your strength as a representative of a wonderful people. What you did was non-violent and must have made an impression on the oppressor. Other people see you as their guiding hand in the freedom for Tibet through non-violent yet intolernet methods.
Comment from tanzen
Time: August 23, 2007, 8:24 am
don’t consider yourself as a representative of Xizang. Most of us do not want the exile government to be back to rule us. Although the democracy seems not fulfill our requirements, Beijing is much better than dalai who uses people’s skin to sacrifice. You are just speaking on behalf of the top rulers who lost their rights in Xizang. DAMN IT! Stay out of China, Dalai!!!
Comment from Hannah Callahan
Time: August 23, 2007, 8:36 am
I think you did the right thing because the way I see it, the Chinese government is already fully aware of what they’re doing wrong and what we want (otherwise they wouldn’t be so afraid of us), so showing this agent that you don’t need to answer to him was smart.
Also, about the chinese goods, I have been trying to adhere to that, but living in America, 9 out of 10 things you see in a store are made in China. That creates an issue for me personally, but it also does on a larger scale- China is the biggest resource for the U.S. right now, and the U.S. government fears confrontation because they don’t want to ruin that relationship.
Things will change, they already are, so just keep hope and do your part everybody! 
Comment from patrick mahoney
Time: August 23, 2007, 2:26 pm
I just read the comments after mine….and will respond, by name:
spymustgo: I agree with you, but its hard to pinpoint people without a witch hunt; and people wrongly accused hurt. So just be careful to be accurate
Bill: I agree…..no need to kiss up. It makes them aware that you are aware, but oh well….
Sburris: You have a gr8 point…..its a tough road to lead, and still retain inner peace. so, Lhandon, I’d keep on doing what you are doing, but recognize….like you have….that you don’t want to lower yourself to mechanizations (which, btw, being a sincere person, you would surely lose anyway Can’t become them, eh? But doesn’t mean you have to remain blind, and all Polly Anna about it either.
Lennon and Sangay: Lets do it, dudes! Spread the word….everywhere you go: BOYCOTT CHINESE GOODS! That will have an effect….
tanzen: thanks for proving the point of the effectiveness of Lhandon’s work, and the boycott ;-o
Hannah: the U.S. Govt fears that confrontation, because they are owned by special interest groups and ’shadowmen’ who are getting uber-rich off of the huge Chinese trade unbalance. The power we little people have is to not buy. I know thats hard, cuz Wal Mart, Carreforre, and Target sell things cheap. But gettting back to Buddhist principles, we don’t really need that much ’stuff’ to become enlightened, do we??? I totally understand your point of view….its valid…especially on limited budgets….so do what you can, that will be enough, eh?
Comment from patrick mahoney
Time: August 23, 2007, 2:28 pm
Lhadon, sorry for the mispellings….I didn’t get to proof comments b4 psoting 
Silly me……
Comment from Sangay Taythi
Time: August 23, 2007, 3:56 pm
Freedom of media?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293597,00.html?sPage=fnc.world/asia
Comment from tashi
Time: August 24, 2007, 7:27 am
Lhadon,
what u did is great!
Don’t talk to those spies, they are useless to talk with.
they don’t represent Chinese government, they make money through this, if u talk to them the Government will give them money. If posible talk to Chinese people who really have decision power in their country. Others are nothing, its reallyy useless to talk to them, because that talk makes them make money and give more information to the government to destroy you guys.i know this because i am under them, they show you big smiles but remember that not the kind of smile we used to know. their strategy is “ok, let give a smile and smash them!”.
Lhadon its nice to put shit on their face even it is only once.
Thanks so much!
Comment from spysmustgo
Time: August 26, 2007, 4:14 pm
Its a honor that tibetans are part of the “five posionous groups”, named by the communist party. In addtion to tibetans they include taiwanese, Uigurs, falun gong and democracy activists.
Everyone has to learn how the chinese government work, check out the testimony of Chen Yonglin who used to work for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he tells how the chinese spys operate and target oversea groups and are supported by the chinese consulate. I think they use many of the same methods against all the five groups. Especially interesting is the way they use visa entry permission to China. Some people are totally denied visas, while others could be on “review”, if they keep their month shut about the truth of the dictatorship.
“So when people in the Western world that do business—people
should always remember that it is a Communist regime. It is important that the Communist regime—it is an evil cult from the beginning. It has been used for a group of people, a group of politicians to use their powers in China and in some less-developed countries. But it is not a democratic power. It is a dictatorship. So the Western world should be aware that if the people—businessmen continue to deal with such government, and—we are raising a wolf, we are raising a wolf with sheep skin, and it is dangerous. We should look from the long-term point of view.”
- Quote from Chen Yonglin, U.S Congress testimony, July 21th, 2005
Read more from Chens testimony here (especially from page.38):
http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/archives/109/22579.pdf
Comment from spysmustgo
Time: August 26, 2007, 4:25 pm
In his testimony Chen Yonglin (page 38) names the persons at the Chinese consulate in Sydney who are responsible for spying and keeping track of falun gong members.
It would be great if we could publish a list of the chinese government spys at every chinese embassy in the world who keep track of tibetan people. This would be very helpful for tibetan people to be careful with these people and their contacts.
Comment from spysmustgo
Time: August 26, 2007, 5:08 pm
Read more about Beijings spying method here, and why it is important to be on the guard against information seekers in all shapes and forms (including chinese “journalists” from the UN) you dont know.
Comment from spysmustgo
Time: September 6, 2007, 4:33 pm
Read about how chinese student associations are spying and carrying out orders from CCP!
Comment from Giovanni Vassallo
Time: September 10, 2007, 4:03 pm
Lhadon is completely right. In 2004 - 2006 I had intermediate contact with the Cultural Consul of the PRC in San Francisco. Though he acted friendly, it was clear that he was just pumping me for information about the Tibet movement. Previously, I thought dialougue might be useful with him and wanted to clearly express to him what the Dalai Lama has repeatedly publicly stated. It turns out they were never really interested in any serious exchange of views.
Comment from patrick mahoney
Time: October 9, 2007, 3:20 pm
Have posted an excerpt from my book….check it out
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977142335
Comment from patrick mahoney
Time: October 9, 2007, 3:21 pm
Opps, the title: “Tibet: Lamplight Unto a Darkened World”
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977142335
Comment from bob
Time: April 5, 2008, 1:14 pm
gYpyXo hi great site thanks http://peace.com
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