Testing a conspiracy theory
Living in Hong Kong gives us the unique advantage of seeing China in a different light. In my almost twelve years here, the changes and approaches the Chinese government takes to sensitive situations swings back and forth. As the Olympics approach, the government has been super-sensitive to the handling of controversial issues. There is no lack of planning or forethought at the moment. Also during the course of the last thirteen years (one of those being a year of graduate school study of Asia while living in Vancouver) I have come to know of the anti-China lobbyists around the world. Some of the white papers I have read from and about these groups are as extreme and appalling as some of the very things they use to attack China. Almost like the pot calling the kettle black, in a philosophical sense.
The point is, I find it extraordinary that all of a sudden, and very conveniently as the Olympics are only a few months away, the current turmoil erupted in Tibet. The situation and response is completely contrary to the Chinese government’s preparation for the Olympics: cautious. Call me a conspiracist, but this makes me wonder if the eruption of violence has been engineered, provoked and triggered by anti-China lobbyists from outside China. I am not saying China’s handing of the situation is appropriate, but I can’t help but sense their Achilles heel has been perfectly played by those who know how to provoke them. Isn’t that convenient? What is the worse of the two evils? Thanks a lot everyone – now the athletes will pay for it. Even The Straits Times (Singapore-based) wrote, "The precise cause of the violence remains a mystery."
There seem to be many people with views similar to mine. While the West claims Chinese are brainwashed, those in China (and parts of Asia) accuse the West of being brainwashed! Another blogger wrote: "We are trapped by the western countries. US firstly put us out of the list of human right violators and praised our progress, and then in 48 hours they reported the unrest in Tibet! It’s a mean plot to first drive the attention upon China and then threw us into a gaffe."
The Washington Post printed this story entitled, "Chinese seethe on Web over rare riots in Tibet."
And furthermore, do you think my kids will EVER learn to speak with an inside voice?
