Taiwan: Support for Tibet
For Tibetan independence movement, most Taiwanese support and sympathize Tibetans, and many people changed their twitter profile figure to the flag of Tibet which represents Tibetan independence movement.
‘Free Tibet’ (Photo courtesy of skydaughter.)
Many artists, writers, musicians, and social movement participants held ‘Bringing love to Tibet’ to pray for Tibetans:
多年來，台灣年輕志工的身影，經常出現在全球各地需要協助的所在。如今，與台灣只隔著中國的西藏，受到暴力鎮壓，台灣年輕人感同身受，決心挺身聲援，用音樂、詩歌聲援西藏。
Compared to other countries, Tibetan independence movement has a very special meaning for Taiwan. Most of the discussions are based on empathy, because Taiwan and Tibet are both threatened and manipulated by China. Terry said,
我個人很畏懼這個國家（中國）過往的殘酷紀錄，我高中時爆發的天安門事件，根據現在許多的證據顯示，當年天安門事件的確出動了軍隊鎮壓，並且開槍殺死了許多人民，對於這樣一個雙手沾滿血腥的鄰居，我只用戒慎恐懼來形容。
我身邊有許多人說：我們有中文語言的優勢，我們不應該自絕跟這個鄰居做生意，讓自己經濟繁榮的機會。但如果這樣的經濟繁榮機會，最後卻讓自己陷入被鎮壓、同時無法擁有民主自由的現在，我會寧可選擇保守一點，日子苦一點無所謂，但我想要高興談論、自由呼吸自由存在。
Some people reflected Taiwan's history and compared its own oppressed past with Tibetan independence movement. Judie said, Tibetans are in their 228 Massacre.
圖博人正在經歷他們的二二八，與外來統治者展開艱難的鬥爭。[…]他們的行動被統治者誤解、汙衊，無辜者的血繼續流，傷痕正在加深…….
Many people criticized the mass media in Taiwan. Jas took blocking the news about Tibet for example and said, because the sources and gatekeepers are different, this independence movement is reported differently.
（中國）過去稱六四天安門為一小撮人，稱台獨為一小撮人，如今又同樣以一小撮人來指涉被迫害的西藏人。
Tucci in Germany compared the news about Tibet in Taiwan and Germany, and said the news is obviously less in Taiwan than in Germany.
一個國家動用軍警武力殺害抗議的人民，是對人權最赤裸的摧殘與蔑視；[…]我想這件事的歷史重要性不會在六四天安門之下，但很遺憾的是，國內的主要媒體的新聞處理淡很多，跟德國所有全國性的媒體統統頭版處理差別實在很大。
Sindia in Beijing talked about the information blockage in China.
有人問我北京人對西藏事件的看法，在這種情形下，北京人連西藏發生了什麼事恐怕都不知道，知道的也就是一面倒的聲音，若干藏民暴徒挑起暴亂，傷害無辜漢族百姓，達賴在背後策動，目的是要搗亂奧運，爭取獨立。這就是所有來自中國媒體的新聞角度，在這種情形下，北京一般民眾，還能有什麼看法？
Although China government blocks the information, due to the advance of technology, some people in China tries to use instant messanger and twitter to see people's comment about the protest in Tibet, even though they are confused or unhappy. A message in zola may show some people's opinions:
西藏現在需要的，是健康的發展和對藏文化的保護，以及西藏問題的和平解決，罈子裡這些喊打喊殺的兄弟，如果你們有一個真正的藏族朋友，也許你們就不會說那些話了。
Annpo asked Chinese friends through twitter, and one of them who worked in Tibet said:
藏区的生活的确改善很大，起码比周边的国家都不错，这是应该看到的。但[…]生活好了，就会满足吗？[…]政府免费让他们读书，却用的是汉族课本。[…]藏族人对青藏铁路并不完全是支持的。而在拉萨日益繁华的时候，我那些老藏族的邻居却一个个都搬走了，这些难道还不够说明问题？
There are other people caring about Tibet. Reiw in Hong Kong made a detail analysis and zola shared the summary of the news. Chao-Chen Lin, a reporter interviewing Dalai Lama and many Tibetans before, explained the problem of Tibet is due to the failure of conversation between Dalai Lama and Chinese government, and the development brought by China government that destroys their culture.
Acknowledgment: Annpo wrote this article, and I-Fan edited and translated it into English.
90 comments
ur chinese friend,
Your theory is, Mr. Ma and KMT are equal to “uniting with China” and “killing many Taiwanese before.” If they won the election, Taiwanese chose pro-China and killers.
However, most Taiwanese believe Mr. Ma won the election because Mr. Chen’s government did not work efficiently at least on the media. The change of stoke market is based on the same reason. I guess Mr. Ma himself cannot agree with your over-simplification, either.
What you tried to infer tells us that even you joined a political campaign, you still have blindspot when you try to describe how a democracy system works.
About trading with China, I said “as long as the money does not bite us.” We try to find a balance between feeding and defending ourselves. Many countries do business with China although the factories in China pollute our environment a lot, and I believe all of us are trying to find the balance.
By the way, I think this GVO article is about Tibet. If you want to discuss the problems between Taiwan and China or the presidential election in Taiwan, I recommend you to find a proper online forum to post your opinions.
History student,
Maybe you study history, but other people also study history–my friends also study history of China and Tibet. You may study history, but did you talk with Tibetans in Tibet or exiled before? Can you answer the question that why so many Tibetans are exiled?
I am not Dalai Lama. But if what you said is true, it seems he wins the game and China lost the game this time, no matter you like the result or not.
By the way, since you do not know me, how can you say my “defending human right” is hollow? Talking here is easy, did you do anything in addition to criticizing western media?
To Ifan:You friends study history of China and Tibet is not
the same as you study history,I am here arguing with you,
not your friends.Yes,I have talked with Tibetans many
times when I was in China and in the west I have also
listened to Dalai Lama’s speeches and read some of his
books.You ask “Why so many Tibetans are exiled?” Well,
hardly as many as the Guomindang,who lost the civil war
in mainland and escaped to Taiwan.Dalai went to exile
because he lost in his fight in 1959 and lost his mandate
in Tibet.I know you are not Dalai Lama,if you were,you
would be plotting further violent riots against China.
Dalai lama hasn’t won the game,although people like you
might wish so,actually has become a lame duck,desperate
to achieve his goal when he feel his days are numbered.
I say your claim “Defending human right is a way of
living” is hollow because your did not specify whose
human right you want to defend,that’s why I enlisted
the regions around the globe,whose problems are similar
to the Tibetan issue.Yes,talking here might be easy
especially for those who make some seemingly lofty and
righteous statements but couldn’t provide any viable
arguement to back up.Yes,I do other things in addition
to writting here, I have a good regular job in the west
and lead a decent life,but that does not prevent me
from loving my motherland and defending my ancestors.
I don’t know who you are,Do you do anything except
singing the praise of western media who have been
delibrately lying about China and the Tibetan riot ?
this report is full of craps!
it makes me feel sad if taiwan people support tibet independence.
ifan:
我是留言的第二位.看了我可爱的同胞们的留言,深感祖国之幸运.我也知道大家是根本无法说服你的.但我还是得纠正你的一个big mistake, that is 达赖喇嘛从51年开始一直和班蝉喇嘛是西藏的藏传佛教领导者,53年到北京开会后回到西藏还写了,speaking要将西藏建设成为象祖国内陆一样水平的国家.一直都很好.直到56年,他到印度出席”释迦牟尼”诞辰,他的几个哥哥将他围住,向他灌输”***思想”(当然有美国的介入呢),他很犹豫,后来才有的59年叛乱.叛乱失败后逃到了印度.我看了你的留言,发现你根本就不知道这回事,说什么”I know there is an autonomic government in Tibet, but why does Dalai Lama not have equal opportunity to be the leader of this autonomic government? Moreover, if China government is so kind to Tibetans, why do many Tibetans need to stay in India? “Many of them are exiled to India and their society is resolving. Their culture is vanishing, too.” (不是只有达赖喇嘛,还有班蝉喇嘛呢.我们敬爱的十世班蝉去世已经有一段时间呢,十一世班蝉正在长大)
“I have been to XingJang and my friends have been to Tibet, and our observation agrees with the statement that the original residents in these areas (Muslims in XingJang and Tibetans) are suppressed and invaded by Han people (with economic force and culture). “说什么呢!你不要在那挑拨民族仇恨,我们和谐着呢.你跟我说课本上的东西不是”golden rule”,至少人们在行为时都会按着被教会的去做.就象西方国家和你台湾的领导教会你们中国是个”邪恶的国家”.
by the way,你不要一个劲地说”中国的人权有多差”,我看比你们台湾好,至少我们领导主要都在探讨”怎样改善民生问题”.而不是象你们的”两个党派在台上大打出手,被美国媒体感叹—–世间之事真是无其不有.”我说,老兄,与其有那个闲工夫打”口水仗”,不如想想怎样提高”老百姓”的生活水平吧.
怎么样,大陆的女孩子知识面丰富吧,(故意气你的),因为知道你们台湾的电视节目热衷探讨”明星的八卦新闻”.感觉精神世界很空虚.
All the best!
坏了,坏了,应该检查的:从北京回来后写了”毛主席颂”,把毛主席比作太阳,还有把西藏建设成为想内陆一样富裕的”地区”.同胞们,原谅我的大错误.
啊,我应该检查一下的:达赖从北京回来后,写了”毛主席颂”,把毛主席比作太阳,永放光芒(不要恶心,这的确是他写的).
同胞们,原谅我将”把西藏建设成象内陆一样水平的地区”,写成了”国家”呢,真是该打.
Dear friends,
Talking about human right, a government with fresh blood of its own people is definitely the one who has least human right. How do we help to defend the human right as a foreigner? We talk about it, we spread the news, and we discuss about boycott. How many countries criticize the oppression in Tibet? Dalai Lama may not win the position to govern Tibet, but he definitely wins our support.
Talking about Taiwan’s human right, we may not have the best record, but we are at least willing to face the truth and make a change. Can China government do this? There is speech freedom in Taiwan, can China government tolerate that? I heard Hu-Jia was sentenced (http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/04/02/china-hu-jia-to-be-sentenced-today/). What do you think about it? There are legislators elected by Taiwanese citizens. They argue because they represent different groups of citizens in Taiwan. We solve the conflicts by reasoning, not by military oppression. Taiwanese saw our own people blooding before, and we find a way to prevent the tragedy to happen again. What do the Chinese in China (or not), leading a decent life (or not), think? Do you think China government finds the best way to solve the conflicts in China–by military oppression?
By the way, History student, I am impressed by how you defend human right–you criticize western media, you live in west, and you lead a decent life. I guess you do defend your own human right and defend the ideology built by China government.
wo,气死人呢.我们的军队哪里在压迫,我们大陆的人都没有说压迫,你有什么资格说压迫.我们人民群众有困难时,总是广大官兵及时出现,看到了官兵,我们人民群众就跟吃了”定心丸”了一样.98年抗洪,堤坝溃堤,要不是广大官兵跳进洪水筑成”钢铁长城”,都不知道会淹死多少人.
今年雪灾,车队堵在公路上,广大官兵在路边搭起帐篷,为受冻的司机们送上”热腾腾”的饭菜.
我跟你说我们大陆的人权好着呢.处处透着”温暖”.”全国一盘棋,团结着呢”.你有什么资格嘀咕.
西方敌视中国的”马克思主义”,从建国开始就一直没断过.也不管”马克思主义”是不是好.你知道”马歇尔计划”吗?美国是怎么对付俄罗斯的?