China: Different Voices on the Upcoming Talk with Dalai Lama

The state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday that “in view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai private representative in the coming days.”

The report which was promptly copied by China's portal websites provoked another new round of discussion and controversy on Dalai Lama among the Chinese netizens.

In Sohu.com, within a few hours more than 8000 people have made comments on the news:

作者:江西省网友
发表于:2008-04-25 16:17:19
拿出点骨气来!!要谈也到奥运后,这个时候偏不理睬他!!!

Author:netizen from Jiangxi Province
Posted on:2008-04-25 16:17:19
Stand up for yourself a bit!!Put off the talk until the end of the Olympics, if at all. Just ignore him at present!!!

作者:北京市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 17:50:18
可以对话,主权问题绝不容妥协!!!

Author:netizen from Beijing
Posted on:2008-04-25 17:50:18
It's OK to hold a dialog, but never compromise on the issues concerning state sovereignty!!!

作者:深圳市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 18:16:31
支持谈,都是中国人,当然可以谈.只要在我们的原则在,他们可以来道歉.承认错误,可以给他们个机会.

Author:netizen from Shenzhen
Posted on:2008-04-25 18:16:31
Support for the dialog. Because we are all Chinese, we can certainly have a talk with each other. On the premise of our principle, we can give them a chance to apologize and admit their error.

作者:温州市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 18:29:56
维护统一,反对对话,反对妥协,反对让步,坚决打击达赖集团

Author:netizen from Wenzhou
Posted on:2008-04-25 18:29:56
Safeguarding unity, opposing dialog, opposing compromise, opposing concessions, the Dalai Clique should be resolutely cracked down.

作者:常德市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 19:42:55
沟通可以,磋商也行,但只能在祖国的土地上。

Author:netizen from Changde
Posted on:2008-04-25 19:42:55
It's OK to have a talk or consultation with him, but it can only take place on the motherland.

作者:北京市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 21:47:54
向巴平措回忆2002年接待达赖代表说道:至于我们同达赖谈什么,主权问题不容谈,这是铁板钉钉的;人权问题,达赖没有资格谈。达赖主政的时候,西藏人权是个什么样子,大家都清楚。要谈,就谈达赖的前途,这是我个人的看法。
支持支持支持支持支持支持!!!!!!

Author:netizen from Beijing
Posted on:2008-04-25 21:47:54
When Qiangba Puncog recalled the moment that he met Dalai's representative in 2002, he said: as to what we would talk with Dalai, it's clear that the question of sovereignty is not open to discussion. Dalai has no right to talk about human rights. The human rights situation in Tibet under Dalai's rule is apparent to everyone. My personal opinion is if there is a dialog, the only topic is Dalai's future.
Support!Support! Support! Support! Support! Support!

作者:唐山市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 22:13:06
对话总比对抗强!希望双方都进一步妥协,49年了,亲兄弟有什么隔阂也应坐下心平气和的对话,希望达赖喇嘛尽早重返拉萨。全国名族大团结万岁!

Author:netizen from Tangshan
Posted on:2008-04-25 22:13:06
Dialog is always better than confrontation! Hope the both sides can further compromise with each other. It has been 49 years and no matter how serious the estrangement is, brothers must sit down and have a calm and sensible talk. Hope Dalai Lama can return Lhasa as soon as possible. Long live the great unity of the Chinese nation!

作者:美国网友
发表于:2008-04-25 22:58:52
对话是解决问题的最佳途径,对少数民族我们更要放下身段好好谈一谈,这样就有利于民族和解。达赖公开宣称自己是中国人,而且告诉藏人要以北京奥运为荣,我们至少要肯定他这一点。与达赖对话是中央政府成熟、明智、自信的表现。
肖吾省

Author:netizen from US
Posted on:2008-04-25 22:58:52
Dialog is the best way to solve problems. For the promotion of National Reconciliation, we must get off our high horse so as to have a good talk with the minority people. Dalai has openly proclaimed he is a Chinese and told the Tibetans to take pride in Beijing Olympics, so we should at least approve him at this point. Talking with Dalai shows the maturity, wisdom and confidence of the central government.
Xiao Wuxing

作者:西安市网友
发表于:2008-04-25 22:59:56
政府这样做是对的!一味的强硬态度对双方都不好.毕竟藏族是个几乎全民信教的民族,而达籁拉嘛又是众多信众的精神领袖.在维护国家统一,主权完整,废除奴隶制,保持社会安定,保护和发展民生福祉的前提下,听取不同的声音和要求,是负责任政府的表现.
不论是什么民族,不论是什么人,只要是认同中华大家庭,我们就要想法子去争取他!
祝中华民族和睦团结!祝中央之国早日一统!

Author:netizen from Xian
Posted on:2008-04-25 22:59:56
It's right for the government to do so! A rigid attitude benefits neither side; After all, Tibetans are mainly religious people and Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of most of them. On the premise of national unity, sovereignty integrity, abolition of slavery, social stability and preservation and development of people's livelihood, it's responsible for the government to listen to the different voices and demands.
No matter which people, no matter who, as long as he identify with multi-ethnic family of China, we will try to win him over!
Wish the Chinese nation fraternal unity!Wish that the complete reunification of China can be achieved at an early date!

作者:无锡市网友
发表于:2008-04-26 07:58:34
谈不妥的,我可以断定,达赖是不会放弃自己的立场的。打达赖就得像打狗一样,把他打得摇尾怜。

Author:netizen from Wuxi
Posted on:2008-04-26 07:58:34
I bet the negotiations will break down, because Dalai will not renounce his stand. We need to beat Dalai like a dog until he grovels before us.

作者:广州市网友
发表于:2008-04-26 08:37:45
这是中央政府在向西方社会妥协,是在向欧美妥协,软弱的中央政府!!!达赖必须承认一个中国,不分裂才能谈!

Author:netizen from Guangzhou
Posted on:2008-04-26 08:37:45
The central government is appearing to bend to the western world; it's a concession to Europe and America; how weak the central government is!!!Dalai must firstly acknowledge the One-China Principle and stop activities to split motherland before the talk.

作者:加拿大网友
发表于:2008-04-26 08:39:33
一直不知道达赖是什么想法?他的政治主张是什么?中央政府应该让人民知道。分裂祖国是不得人心的,政治清明我们也关注!

Author:netizen from Canada
Posted on:2008-04-26 08:39:33
People don't know Dalai Lama's views?What are his political opinions? The central government must let people know that. Splitting motherland is unpopular, but we also concern the political probity!

作者:河池市网友
发表于:2008-04-26 08:47:18
达赖已是法国人,反对同其商谈。

Author:netizen from Hechi
Posted on:2008-04-26 08:47:18
Dalai has become French. Oppose talking with him.

作者:淄博市网友
发表于:2008-04-26 08:57:18
与其磋商也要其承担刑事责任,他教唆他的喽罗们杀了那么多人,给国家造成那么大的损失,不能就这么算了。一定要将达赖之流绳之以法。不杀达赖不足以平民愤!

Author:netizen from Zibo
Posted on:2008-04-26 08:57:18
Dalai shall be prosecuted for his criminal liability even we accept to consult with him. He has abetted his underlings to kill so many people, causing such great damage to the state. We can't let it go at that. Fellows like Dalai must be brought to the justice. Dalai has to be executed to assuage the people's anger!

Netease blogger Zhi Kuanyou also gave an immediate response to the unexpected news:

今晚我注意到了一条消息:
中央政府有关部门准备同达赖方面磋商。

更让我纳闷的是,在网易发布这条消息的时候,竟然一条网语的评语都没有,看来是没有勇气面对全国的国民呀。在此之前,我们的中央政府把达赖批得体无完肤,魔鬼一个,引得我们可爱的国民喊杀一片。现在我们的中央政府却要和达赖磋商了,太让人哭笑不得了。

更为客气的是,前些时候我写有关达赖的短文不得不用DL来代替达赖,否则我的博客根本通不过网络警察的审查,其实我也就完整地转述达赖近期在国外对媒体发表的看法,就是这样也很不容易通过审查呀。

我们老是说西方媒体的不公正给中国人民造成了伤害,试问我们的媒体又给达赖多少公正呢?

可喜的是,中国政府正朝着正确的方向了望了。

This evening I noticed a piece of news:
The relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai side.
.
What made me disconsolate was when Netease published the report, not a comment was visible after the news. It looks the government doesn't have courage to face the whole nation. Before that, our central government had criticized Dalai to shreds and devil, provoking a tide of battle-cry against him from our lovely people. Now our central government is going to consult with Dalai. It's really ironic.
.
Earlier, what annoyed me more was I had to use DL instead of Dailai when I wrote something about him, otherwise my blog would not pass the Internet police's censorship at all. In fact, I just completely retold some of Dalai's recent airing views in the foreign media, but even so, it's still very difficult to pass the censorship.
.
We always keep criticizing the western media's injustice which has harmed Chinese people, but how much justice have our media given Dalai?
.
The good thing is Chinese government is heading in the right direction.

116 comments

  • 华人们越愤怒,达赖谈判的筹码就越少.
    如今不像89年了,谈判的主动权显然在中国政府这边.
    达赖集团,你们又一次失策了….

  • cerebus

    On the one hand we should welcome talks, on the other we should keep up the pressure. Just like the Chinese government is trying to build up their bargaining power by keeping up the anti-Dalai rhetoric, we should also set a high price. I hope the Chinese understand, when people ask for full independence it makes the possibility of limited autonomy more likely. The Tibetans have long ago compromised, but as far as I can see China has NEVER given anything back. There can not be real negotiation when one side refuses to compromise before talks even start.

    Pro-Tibetans: we should unite in a few ways:

    We should refuse to take part in endless discussions about whether Tibet was part of China before 1950. It’s a pointless discussion where neither side can claim any more convincing “facts” than the other. More importantly: it doesn’t matter. We are concerned about Tibet and China NOW. We should focus on the CURRENT situation. Getting involved in this discussion draws attention away from the relatively modest issue of getting cultural self-determination for Tibetans NOW.

    Secondly we should stay away completely from any discussions about the Tibet feudal system before 1950. As far as I can see, yes, it was terrible. We should make it clear the Tibetan leadership has abandoned that system in the 1960’s and we should make clear our opposition to returning to those values IF Tibet ever achieves autonomy in the future. We should not be hypocrites, but assure everyone we would then just as vociferously attack a neo-feudal Tibetan regime.

    Thirdly, I think we should make clear what the issues are, and that those issues also relate to the rest of China. For me it is cultural self-determination, and this should be sought for all minorities everywhere in the world, and of course in the rest of China too. But there is also the issue of freedom of information and expression, that I believe will benefit everyone in China, and even strengthen them in the long run, especially in the fight against corruption.

    Lastly: we should start singing a refrain from the hypocrite’s opera when people accuse “the west” of similar atrocities, in Iraq, Afghanistan, former colonies, native Americans, etc: It goes like this:

    I opposed the invasion of Iraq AND the occupation of Tibet. You only oppose the invasion of Iraq. That makes YOU the hypocrite.

    I think our Chinese friends find it difficult to understand the amount of resistance we DO express to exactly these same “western” atrocities.

    I would still like to know who China might consider a worthy mediator if talks started in earnest?

  • Nano

    Peter Karhatsy,

    What’s so constructive about your comments that “China out of the COUNTRY of TIBET – Tibetan culture is a global asset, not an asian one.”?

    Tibetan culture belongs to the Tibetans who are citizens of China. Dalai Lama had admitted that Tibet is part of China, and he didn’t want independence but only greater autonomy. USA, France, etc, have recognized that Tibet is part of China, so there is no current issue about ‘China out of Tibet’.

    Tibetans are an ethnic minority and do have dissatifactions and grievances with their government. But that also happens to most minorities in every other countries. Why not let the Chinese citizens themselves settle the issues with their own government? Of course, Westerners, being the usual trouble makers, wouldn’t let off this opportunity to stir up the inter-ethnic animosities.

    So Peter, if you had not initially make silly ‘constructive’ comments or suggestions (#8), I bet you would easily get more reasoned responses

  • ted

    cerebus,

    What I don’t understand is why you are so concerned with parts of China that have nothing to do with XiZang(Tibet). You want to free them too? Thanks for your conern, we don’t give a hoot about what you have to say because you are a nobody. It’s China for Chinese, it’s none of your business. What passport do you have? American, Canadian, British??? Not Tibetan? Oh, Tibet is not a country, provinces can’t issue passports.

    You can make up millions and even billions of directives on how to achieve Tibet independence, and preconditions of talking to the Chinese government. You think the Chinese are kissing your ass by saying they will talk to you? Actually, not you, you are not even Tibetan, remember no Tibetan passport? Even Dalai is still a Chinese refugee in India, so he the Chinese can talk to. Oh, wait, Dalai just became French, so forget him too. Anyways, it really doesn’t matter what you have to say or do, Tibet will never be independent. I agree with you there is no need to mention things before 1950s, only the current events matter. Currently, Tibet IS part of China. This will not change. You think you can overthrow the current Chinese government to get independence. That’s not going to happen. Regardless which generation of Chinese government you deal with, Tibet is never going to be independent. You can call for democracy for China all you want, a democratic China will not give you independence for sure. I guess you didn’t see the pro-China demonstrations around the world. Of course, you think they got paid by the government to do it. But the thing is, China is poor and all the leftover money went to build temples in Tibet and to put food in Tibetans’ mouths, they don’t got no money left to pay for demonstrations.

    Go ask your handlers if they are willing to go to war for you and turn Tibet into a huge training camp for Talibans (say what? Yes, these people are cousins). Tibet don’t got no oil, can’t even grow food. LOL. You are just a tool. Get real.

  • Peter Karhatsy

    Cerebus : WELL SAID. Thank you for taking time out of your day to share your opinions, I agree 100%.

    I think Sweden or Switzerland would be a good moderator, but as we all know, there is no Comprimising with China, so the task would be near impossible, imho.Doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be attempted, so that when the facts that we all accept as true are presented openly, there is no doubt what agenda is driving the parties involved.

  • eugene

    It makes little difference to supporters of a free and sovereign Tibet what egalitarian rhetoric Chinese use to rationalize the occupation of a previously independent country. Why? Because the Chinese want to “help the Tibetans realize their true Chinese-ness” utter nonsense!
    We in the west are not perfect and there are many who demonstrate, criticize and protest the many crimes against “The People” that are perpetrated by western governments and Asian governments. It matters little who the government is-if they are aggressors against “The People” they are wrong, and they are criminals. No Chinese government official can rationalize that away.

  • Wei

    @peter:

    How about Free Hawaii? I think by your standard, Free Tibet and Free Hawaii should go hand in hand :P

    @Eugene

    As you are ignored by the western governments, you shouldn’t be too disappointed then, that you are getting ignored by rest of us.

  • cerebus

    I’m very concerned about human rights abuses in the whole of China. I do want to see a free China, but you are being very presumptious: I don’t care about Tibetan independence, only cultural self-determination. What business is it of mine, you ask. Is it a Confucian characterisitic NOT to care about anyone else? Well, it is an African philosophy to care about EVERYONE else who shares this planet. I’m from South Africa. Firstly I care about people. I share this planet with Chinese and Tibetan people and as long as I breath I will hope for a more fair dispensation for them. (You can google the concept of “Ubuntu”… very related to Buddhism.)

    But I’ll admit self-interest: China’s growing influence in Africa is of direct concern to me. This influence will grow in the future, for better or worse, and I see an opportunity NOW to direct the course of it for the better. I currently believe China has a very positive role to play in the world. I base this on the people I know in China, not on the actions of the government. There is also the very real possibility that my children will have to grow up in this country. You can’t get more self-interested than that.

    I am a nobody, sure. But I was one of a few thousand nobodies who managed to change and influence the previous government of my country to change and become democratic. I might be nobody, but I have a voice and I have a vote and I happen to have human rights.

    You say the Dalai is now French. Funny, but ridiculous. Not very constructive in this debate.

    How about we agree on one thing: Tibet will never be independent. Okay, they don’t even want to be independent. Then answer this: is it in principle not a good thing to investigate through dialogue what their concerns, in fact, are and find a way to address those concerns to avoid future incidents of rioting and violence to take place? Or do you believe all the monks and civilians who took part in the March 14 riots should simply be removed from society and be punished? What, in short, according to you, are the root causes of those riots? Why are they angry?

    The Chinese government might be proposing to talk simply to buy time until after the olympics when they expect the world’s attention will be diverted elsewhere. Or maybe they are smarter than you and understand that dialogue is the only real opportunity they have of achieving lasting “harmony”.

    No-one wants to overthrow the Chinese government. Many people want to effect incremental change. In fact, much of that change is already happening. Personally I want to focus on freedom of expression as a first and important step. Like I said above: I believe it will benefit everyone in China, and might strengthen the government itself in their fight against corruption.

    I don’t think for a minute the pro-China demonstrators were paid by the government. I know how much Chinese love their country. I also know most of them are horribly misinformed about the situation in Tibet (and elsewhere in China) and would feel ashamed if they were presented with the actual accusations by the Tibetans. This is the great shame on you and your people: the Chinese are good people, but you lack a dimension: one of critical self-awareness. You’ll get it eventually. My people also lacked it… many still do. It’s very hard to chnage profoundly your concept of self and your identity. And the great triumph of the CCP was to intertwine politics and culture so effectively since, well, 1949. You fear admitting one problem, because it might make the whole house of cards come down. It’s painful. I can see this in my Chinese friends: China IS their identity. Good job, Mao.

    No wonder Tibet- and Taiwan-issues are taken so personally: it’ll be like amputation.

    Of course, you’re not all like that. But blood is thicker than water, hey. Hurts when people talk about you like this. I know: we South Africans were pretty much dirt during Apartheid, but we deserved it. And you deserve it now, if only to shake some of you out of your blindness.

    China is not a poor country anymore: more political myth that supports the government’s international agenda. It’s good for China internationally to be considered poor. That’s politics, so I have no big problem with it, except it hasn’t been true for ten years now. No country who can put people in space can complain about being poor.

    @Wei
    It’s funny that Hawaiian pro-independence websites are blocked in China. There aren’t human rights abuses in Hawaii and people campaigning for independence are allowed to do so openly and freely.

  • my_mother

    cerebus:

    I am very concerned about the slight tinge of ego/ethnocentrism, in your voice. A tat preachy, but I appreciated the gesture. I want a more united China, a Stronger China, and more importantly a Free China. Whether or not that’s your vision of China is beside the point. The course of China’s future should be determined by its own citizens. And thus, the task of national reconciliation should rightly fall squarely on the shoulders of its people. We, the 55 other Chinese ethnicities, heard the moans of our Tibetan brothers. Their pain is our pain. Their distress is our distress. It’s our task to address their grievances. It’s our task to find our way to self-determination. It’s our task to find the promised land, the China of our vision. Unless , you don’t think we are capable of it or somehow not quite up to the task. In that case, I will gladly hand the task to you and your ilk and hail you the kings of China.

    Sincerely
    Kain

  • eugene

    Wei;
    i am not disappointed to be ignored. truth is truth, and it need not be heard nor believed to be true. regarding hawaii; it was taken from the hawaiians by force from imperialistic, capitalist americans and is still held as territory, it was wrong when it happened and it should be given back to the hawaiian people. just as imperialist china takes Tibet, so should it be returned.

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