Should the western countries protest china in the olympics?

Question

Hi, i live in Canada and I was intriqued by a conversation on a sports radio asking the question of boycotting the china for their horrible human rights record. But i know we from the west are hypocrites in some way in regards to human rights complaints in our own countries but you can't compare anything in the U.S. or canada for that matter to that which is happening in china and their dealings in Darfur. I know simply boycotting them would do no good i think we need to stop trade as well because that gives them money. China has used the excuse that they wanted to trade with the west and they inturn would work on their human rights record and that has never happened. Sure there will be a hit to the economy but i think it's time we take a stand and let our principles guide us for once.

Answer 1

What about all the other countries as bad or worse? I don't disagree with the sentiment, but I do disagree with not being consistent in applying it.

Answer 2

Fact:
China has stated that they will not attack any sovereign nation.

Fact:
China does not invade and occupy other countries

Fact:
Tibet has a historical link to China and it was wanted back by emperors to finally Mao in 1950. Since then the Tibet people have more say in its countries internal affairs then anytime in its history. Before it was pretty much a monarchy type dictatorship. That the story about China choosing the living Buddha for them was taken out of context and smeared across the news in the states, when in fact it is the Tibet people who choose, the only approval comes from the government to make sure that the chosen living Buddhas are not internal trouble makers. Further, China recently completed passenger rail service to Tibet and is encouraging the world and the China people to visit.

Fact:
Taiwan was a province prior to Mao taking over and China wants it back under the one country, two government concept, exactly like Hong Kong.

Fact:
China has little military experience. The last time China invaded another country was post our involvement in Vietnam in the late 70's when they were giving China a lot of trouble on their southern border and China finally, after repeated warnings got fed up, invaded and left a month later with a firm warning that if they didn't stop, they'd be back, but next time it would be worse. Seems to have worked.

Fact:
China is modernizing its military because now they can afford too because their economy has improved to the point that they will no longer have to rob from the people to do so. Also, China two years ago said it would reduce its active military force by 1 million and met that goal a year ago.

Fact:
When China was hit by a series of devistating floods a year ago, they promised the people all the homes that were destroyed would be rebuilt by Feb of this year. These were brick and mortar homes that are common in China. They met that goal. Now, look at New Orleans and what has happened in 3 years.

Fact:
China has an election system in place at the province level. The president of China is then elected by their legislative system, much like it is done all over the world.

Fact:
While China has a one party system, they are slowly changing that. There are multiple parties withing China, albeit they are controlled by the ruling party. However, a non party member can now hold office as high as mayor. Only a few years ago that was unheard of.

Fact:
China does not fit the profile of a dictatorship or totalitarian. Look up both in the dictionary then get back and prove to me otherwise.

Fact:
China is slowly morphing into a federal republic democratic system at their own pace. Not the pace the west demands, but rather at a pace they feel is good for their country.

Fact:
China is not communistic since that is the polar opposite of Capitalism. Nor are they socialistic since China has a huge free market system. Doubt it, look it up in the dictionary and prove to me otherwise.

Fact:
China exports 21% of its products to us, the other 78% to the rest of the world. We export 5.3% of our exports to them but depend on them for 15.9% of our imports.

Fact:
I am an ex pat from the USA and live in the heart of China. Like all of you I believed the crap till I came here and saw first hand what it is really like here. I sure as hell wouldn't be living here if I knew what most of you say about China was true.

Fact:
What most people know of China would fit in a thimble, what most people THINK they know would fit in a barrel.

Fact:
China is little of what you think she is and much of what you want her to be.

Should the west protest China in the Olympics? Flat out no, anymore then any country should protest another. This is about sports, or at least should be, not politics.

Further, looking at our own dismal record in attacking and occupying two sovereign nations under bogus reasons, even lies, we have no place to criticize others till we clean up our own house. Internally, we have enough demons there too, like an incarceration rate higher then most, if not all countries, selling 35% to 50% of the world arms (China sells 3%) according to congressional as well as independent studies, etc.

Peace

Jim

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Answer 3

The whole concept of the Olympics is to put aside political and idealogical differences and just come together to celebrate sport and competition. Bringing the people of the world together to peacefully enjoy something.

The Olympics are in China in 2008. Too late to do anything about that now.

So the question is, do you support the concept of the Olympics or not?

Answer 4

Hell yeah! Those immoral fiends and their poor record on human rights. And China, don't point a finger at us because when we killed over 500,000 Iraqi women and children, it was for a good cause dammit! Freedom! Mind you they are dead and the country is in ruins, and the only people that seem to be doing good are the American interests, never mind that. We do it right, we say we're for human rights when it comes to condemning other countries, but not for us...

Answer 5

You should have protested not voting for China be an olympic host. Now it's late to show your "western style political correctness".

Answer 6

You mean boycott for unfair trade and dangerous products and food they send here ?????
Do you think that would any good ?
They don't care about Americans safety , just like our Government !

Answer 7

What China is doing is criminal , an i refuse to buy another thing from them less want out team playing there.

Answer 8

Yes, Chinese poisoned American & Canadian pets with their tainted pet food and selling poisonous toothpaste to America. Also, toys full of poisonous lead.
They are dirty, evil and don't care about human rights.
Japan much better & cleaner.

Answer 9

No why should we punish the athletes , they are not the ones who are making policy

Answer 10

Hell no! They are our biggest benefactor. We owe them a lot of money, they buy our dept and keep our economy afloat.