Being straight with China

Kevin Rudd displayed some *cojones on his first trip to China as Australia’s prime minister.

In a speech this morning at Peking University, Rudd was not afraid to speak his mind even though the Australian economy is reliant on China’s appetite for its natural resources (iron ore, uranium, natural gas).

Speaking in fluent Mandarin, Rudd told the Chinese students that “there are significant human rights problems in Tibet.”

Here’s the relevant part of the speech:

This year, as China hosts the Olympics, the eyes of the world will be on you and the city of Beijing.

It will be a chance for China to engage directly with the world, both on the sports field and on the streets of Beijing.

Some have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics because of recent problems in Tibet.

As I said in London on Sunday, I do not agree.

I believe the Olympics are important for China’s continuing engagement with the world.

Australia like most other countries recognises China’s sovereignty over Tibet.

But we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problem in Tibet.

The current situation in Tibet is of concern to Australians.

We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue.

As a long-standing friend of China I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China’s leaders on this.

We wish to see the year 2008 as one of harmony, and celebration – not one of conflict and contention.

Rudd is a former diplomat in Beijing, and perhaps his Chinese-language abilities are buying him some leeway in being straightforward with his hosts. Rudd, by the way, is the first major foreign leader to visit China following the Tibet unrest. The Australian, a national newspaper, immediately polled some students, and here is what the paper put on its website:

Although Mr Rudd's comments about "significant human rights problems in Tibet," might draw ire from his hosts Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao, China's top students appeared unfazed.

Many went so far as to agree with Mr Rudd that handling ongoing unrest in Tibet peacefully and through dialogue was the best way to resolve the issue that has placed China's communist leaders under the global spotlight for nearly a month.

"I agreed with what he said," Li Yang, a graduate student in environmental sciences, said following the speech.

"The Tibetan issue should be resolved without violence and through dialogue, this is correct."

Although Mr Rudd's speech touched on many such sensitive issues, he also received praise for voicing intentions to become a friend in the true Chinese tradition, who can "offer unflinching advice and counsels restraint".

"His Chinese is very good, he speaks Chinese very well," said Hong Ziyun, a first year law student. "He really understands Chinese history and culture."

* Cojones is Mexican slang for testicles.

Comments

[A B]

Rudd is also widely respected in China for understanding the Chinese perspective on the Tibetan issue.

That is why he has latitude.

He is a friend of China.

[The China Game]

Yesterday, I wrote nearly the same thing at my blog, though instead of cojones, I suggested 'fortitude' (minus the 'testicular' that sometimes gets put with it there).

The problem here is that while Rudd yesterday looked like he actually had some testicular fortitude in saying "no" to foreign security forces, he has since made the issue about Tibet. This is no longer "an Australia that can say 'no' to a stronger China, but a weak nation that is pretending to put a bargaining chip on the table (as if the Tibet issue might be solved by Australia by the time the torch comes to Oz).

His office's original position was that Australia knows how to handle its own security. "We don't need the help, thank you very much." That should have been the position that they maintained, even as the issue itself gained more attention.

[A B]

Geeze, oppressive place, isn't it?

If it was Stalin, he would have handled this problem without anything like this happening.

Unfortunately, China is a civilized country and cannot use those methods.

April 10, 2008
Monks Disrupt Media Tour in China
By JIM YARDLEY and JAKE HOOKER

BEIJING — Buddhist monks interrupted a government-managed media tour in western China on Wednesday, waving a Tibetan flag and protesting that the authorities were depriving them of their human rights.

The disruption, in the city of Xiahe in Gansu Province, was another unexpected public relations setback for China, and marked the second time that monks have upstaged government efforts to control foreign media tours of Tibetan areas.

Last month, several monks in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, risked official punishment when they made an emotional appeal to foreign journalists inside the Jokhang Monastery, one of the city’s holiest shrines.

The outburst on Wednesday came as authorities guided reporters through the Labrang Monastery. The tour marked the first officially approved visit to Xiahe by foreign reporters since monks and other Tibetans in the city clashed with police last month. During the tour, about 15 monks rushed out, waving a Tibetan flag, and approached a group of about 20 Chinese and foreign reporters.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/world/asia/10tibet.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

[Chinese to the world]

it's just amazing that no western media has these photos - violent Tibetans attacking torch bearer in a wheelchair - and the French police doing little to stop them

also said lout and clear what's going on here -

http://blog.wenxuecity.com/blogview.php?date=200804&postID=10200

Tim Johnson - enlighten me

[nanheyangrouchuan]

Rudd really didn't such anything that had impact, and the fact that he has refused to sell India uranium and has openly snubbed Japan during his tour of world capitals show that Rudd is an egg sucking panda licking Manchurian candidate.

[Marvin L Foushee]

Concerning the torture of American prisoners of war, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATORS IN AMERICA.

Concerning the war of agression against Iraq and the death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and the displacement of millions of Iraqis, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATORS IN AMERICA.

When America tells Israel that it should give back all of its land back to the Palistians, American can tell China to give back all of Tibet back to the athiest Dalai Lama—not before.

[Y]

Another group is also protesting in SF:

"To test his fortitude, a group of nude protesters planned to shadow the torch relay. Parts jiggling, the nude runners said their demonstration held two objectives: to support human rights, and to point out that the original Greek Olympic athletes participated nude, albeit with a covering of olive oil. Organisers were offering free baby oil to anyone who wanted the authentic Olympian look"

I love Americans better than the Europenas.

[Marvin L Foushee]

Not selling uranium to a nation that has not signed a nuclear non-proliferation treaty [Israel, India, Pakistan, Cuba] is called starving the potential Osama bin Ladin terrorists of the seeds of destruction and war.

I guess that the diry little kite war-monger, Temple Mount licker from Israel disagrees with that statement.

[anonymous]

"Rudd is a former diplomat in Beijing, and perhaps his Chinese-language abilities are buying him some leeway in being straightforward with his hosts."

Tim, it's not his so called "Chinese-language abilities". It's about speaking truth without fabricating facts, being straight without being condescending or insulting.

Why PKU students do not seem offended? Any intelligent, well-educated Chinese college student can sniff out your attitude in the first ten seconds. As descendants of a proud yet brutally traumatized culture, they are highly sensitive to subconscious texture of others speeches, writings, especially if they are from an alien yet dominant, "main-stream" culture. I'm sure Tibetan readers can tell a Chinese speaker's attitude from the get-go. My Jewish friends also tell me they know if anyone harbors prejudice against the Jews just by observing, even if it's a subconscious thought. Call it nationalism, victim mentality, hypersensitivity, whatever, it's there and it's real.

And if I am to decipher Rudd's speech, which part wins his hosts, it's not "As a long-standing friend of China", "recognises China’s sovereignty over Tibet" or "I do not agree (boycott of the Beijing Olympic)".

Let me highlight for you:
"I believe the Olympics are important for China’s continuing engagement with the world."

Why? The others are just diplomat talking, but this is gold. First, it looks like a personal statement, so it's Kevin Rudd the person speaking. Second, it's a subtle acknowledgment and encourage of past thirty year's opening and engaging policy, which any reasonable person would agree with. Third, recognize the importance of Olympic games on the continuation of reform policy, separate this layer of meaning from actual Tibet/Sudan/Falungong/... controversy but smoothly yet subtly start the argument that continual engagement means recognizing Tibetan issues and layout Australian government's concern. And this, this is gold.

Now, why can't Pelosi learn any of this?

[A B]

anonymous,

A diplomat is one who is capable of communicating the most unpleasant message pleasantly.

What you do not know is what the Hon. Mr. Rudd said in private to his hosts.

The difference with him and lesser politicians is he gets listened to seriously, and his ideas as to what China can do to improve are taken as constructive comments from a friend.

At no time did Mr. Rudd give up one sliver of his essence or his beliefs in order to get his rather tough message across.

The difference between the old and the new China is the new China, of Hu and Wen, listens and learns fast.

A tip of the hat to the Hon. Mr. Rudd.

[poetryman69]

All nations, and especially the US, should boycott the opening ceremonies. I believe it is the best compromise position. The athletes still get to compete but China gets exposed to the full measure of world displeasure with their horrible human rights abuses.

[RY]

Interesting article in Asia Times on CIA's involvement in Tibet.
www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JC26Ad02.html

[nanheyangrouchuan]

"Not selling uranium to a nation that has not signed a nuclear non-proliferation treaty [Israel, India, Pakistan, Cuba]"

And China, a NPT signatory, is the nation most guilty of NBC poliferation.

[Pffefer]

"All nations, and especially the US, should boycott the opening ceremonies."

And you don't see the irony, poetryman? The US, the country which brazenly invaded two sovereign countries recently, directly and indirectly killing hundreds and thousands of civilians in these countries, is in a position to boycott the Olympics on the ground of HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES??

What kind of joke is that?

[pinko]

I don't understand what the big deal is...

Why can't they just kill everyone who protests or talks rubbish?

Won't that solve their problems quickly and efficiently?

[pinko]

but seriously,

the more the chicoms clamp down on the human rights protesters, the more the human rights protesters act up.

vicious cycle that will tsunami on 8/08/08

[george]

NH's incessant cursing of China (someone called him a MAGGOT...whatever next) yet leech-like hold on China, puzzles me exceedingly: Why such masochism? Can he have lost body-parts in 'Nam & blames China/Asia for his obvious unhappiness?

[Wilbur Varela]

How come China has all these "sensitive issues", while in the rest of the world world they're called politics? And how come they always assume the victims stance, when they are an 800 pound gorilla? China has killed more of their own citizens than anybody, they eat dogs, spit in the streets, steal kidneys from executed prisoners, use the streets as a toilet and wiped out the very religion they made famous, and yet shout all this drivel about their 5000 years of civilization, which is on a wall in a museum in Taiwan. oops. Will I be sent to a Laogai for "patriotic re-education?" Laogai is a political prison for dissenters. get used to that world, folks, you're gonna hear it alot in the coming years.

[Y]

Read this story for today's torch relay at SF:
http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home archives/2008/04/behind-the-scenes-with-the-tor.html

I am proud of San Francisco. Now you understnad why those French cowards need Americans and Brits and Canadians to liberate them from Nazi.

[Y]

Just in case you do not click the link, here is a small piece of citation:

------------
He said, “There were some problems in London, some problems in Paris. Here’s the question: can San Francisco give the gift to the world, to teach the world, that you can have all proper dissent, every idea expressed, freedom of speech to the nth degree – and do it with dignity, and allow the Olympic torch to pass here, and do so proudly?”

[Pffefer]

Wilbur, China has its fair share of the issues, but it is hardly one of the worst.

Don't worry, foreigners will never be sent to a Laogai camp. They will just kick you out the country.

[bandw]

Rudd spoke to Australians at home, not intended for Chinese audience at all.

[nanheyangrouchuan]

Everyone figured this would happen at the games. Sketchy officiating that always favors China or its "friends" (cough, cough) or at least goes against certain blocs of countries, star athletes with sudden bouts of intestinal instability or findings of doping that also knock out star athletes.

Speaking of doping, it seems China has taken the preemptive measure of knocking out the Greek weightlifting team. Wouldn't the Russian, US or German teams be obvious targets? Greece has an up and coming track and field team, but weightlifting has been a consistent award winner for Greece and the entire team has been taken out (which helps China's team) due to an accidental "impurity" that made it into some training meds the team imports from .....China!

Let's hear it for medical outsourcing from Mordor!

This story is apparently excerpted from Hong Kong's English language daily, the South China Morning Post:
(Quote)
A Shanghai pharma company may have managed to disqualify the entire Greek weightlifting team from the Olympics after shipping them tainted health supplements. A surprise inspection of the Greek team by the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed that 11 of the team?s athletes had unapproved substances in their systems. The Chinese firm has already apologized for providing the bad product, saying: ?We send [sic] you L-tyrosine mixed with something else that it [sic] only for research purposes.?

This is another one with quality fade written all over it. Looking to widen its margins, the factory probably cut an active ingredient with a molecular lookalike that was slightly cheaper. Since the general public to this day still doesn?t understand the extent to which quality fade occurs across China manufacturing, the recent supplement spike will likely be seen as sabotage. Some will suggest - if they are not already doing so - that China deliberately attempted to knock Greece out of the weightlifting competition.

Foreign athletes are going to be on high alert this summer in any event. The foreign catering companies that will set up shop in Beijing are promising to do an an excellent job of controlling quality, and they will be shipping in meat. All the same, they still need to source many ingredients in China. Athletes who somehow manage to bring their own food into China are going to have to get around rules that prohibit outside food in the athletes? village.

There is nothing that the Chinese are more proud of than their cuisine, and they are likely going to take dietary ambitions of foreign athletes the wrong way. By rejecting food products made in China, the foreign atheletes may inadvertently cause China more embarrassment than all of the protests combined. Protests abroad do not upset the Chinese. In fact, they offer proof to the Chinese that along with freedom comes an anything-goes social order, and it?s highly undesirable. The food snub is a different issue. It will genuinely sadden many Chinese, though, oddly enough, they won?t seem to understand the extent to which they have only themselves to blame.
(Unquote

[rio]

"Rudd spoke to Australians at home, not intended for Chinese audience at all."
... Rudd spoke in Chinese...

Why does the west so quickly assume that the Chinese can't handle advice about Tibet?
Perhaps thats the difference between Rudd and the others; he gives advice and constructive critcism, while ppl like Polowsky just hollers condemnations and wonder why the other side has turned a deaf ear.

[rio]

'accidental "impurity" that made it into some training meds the team imports from .....China'

haha, good post nanheyangrouchuan,
now the next question is what the 'bad bad chinese government' has spliced your precious happy pills with.