Violence in Tibet as Hu Jintao talks of One World, One Dream
Hu Jintao has today been re-elected as President of the Peoples Republic of China and the Chairman of the Military Commission [BBC / Xinhua]. Several others also kept their posts within the heart of the Chinese government as the People’s National Congress comes to a conclusion this weekend. Although the Congress has been little mentioned in Western media, CCTV-9 has broadcast extensive coverage throughout the week. Tonight they informed viewers of Hu Jintao’s list of achievements, which manifested itself as a long list of posts he had previously held. CCTV-9 also said that Wu Bangou had been re-elected to his post in the standing committee of the politburo and Xi Jinping had been elected vice president of the PRC. Some of the proposals put forward at the PNC was for China to use energy more efficiently and promote recycling and environmental protection. In order to tackle air pollution during the Beijing Olympics, it has been proposed that industry shuts down in neighbouring provinces.
And it is the Olympics that have focused the world’s eyes on China. Not only because of the smog that covers the capital, but more recently because protest groups are using the sporting event to promote their agenda.
Pro-Tibetan activists have marked the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising by protesting in India, Nepal and in Tibet itself. Dozens of monks were arrested throughout the week in Tibet, but on Friday some Tibetans turned to violence. Pictures broadcast via Chinese state media showed gangs of people attacking Chinese owned shops and overturning cars and other scenes of burning buildings. According to CCTV-9 the mob had attacked innocent civilians and “violated the law”. Xinhua News has reported the death toll to be 10 and inferred they had been killed by the rioters. CCTV said that the authorities were offering an amnesty to any “law breakers who hand themselves in and give information leading to the arrest of other lawbreakers” but added those “who shelter lawbreakers will be dealt with according to the law”. There is certainly some evidence that beatings have taken place. Footage shown on Al Jazeera showed one man being punched and kicked. A man, wearing a bright red jacket, is seen punching a motorcyclist and is later joined by another man, also wearing a red jacket, who punches the rider to the ground. The identities of the men are unknown.
In contrast to the violence on the streets of Lhasa, Beijing was today hosting exchange students from Japan [Xinhua]. Intended to soothe the relationship between the two countries, the “Friendly Exchange Year of the Youth” event was praised by President Hu Jintao who said he was “delighted to see the young Japanese and Chinese joining together”. Earlier the Japanese students had painted the message “One World, One Dream” in Chinese calligraphy. President Hu said that calligraphy was an important part of both China and Japan and served as a cultural bridge between the two countries. It is less of a dream and more of a nightmare for those in Lhasa and other cities in Tibet as armed forces lay siege to monasteries and order tourists to leave the region. Reports in some media suggest the death toll in the recent violence has risen dramatically. The BBC said the number killed was between 10 and 30, while CNN said the number could be as high as 100. In an advertisement on CCTV-9 following tonight’s news the commentary said “This March, China is in the spotlight...with coverage of the People’s National Congress”. However, it is Tibet, the Olympics and the environment that is focusing the world’s attention.
It is not only pro-independence protestors that China is hitting hard. The Chinese authorities have already cracked down on other potential threats to the Beijing Olympics with raids on terrorist cells. One plot was said to have planned the hijacking and crashing of a plane into an unspecified target in Beijing. Today authorities further strengthened security measures on domestic flights. As of 14th March all liquids will be banned on all domestic flights with even stricter regulations than seen in Europe and the US. According to Xinhua News, passengers with an infant will now need to apply in advance with the airline to provide them with formula or baby food free of charge, according to the notice.
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