Wow, you beat us to the punch on this story by, like, an hour. Well done. Also, nice graphic.

http://www.thenewdominion.net/118/23-24-march-2008-protest-in-xotan/

"But with the whole world waiting for western China to explode"

White pig, do you represent the whole world? Or, you represent the world in your piggy imagination? If you are obsessed with blood, you should go to Iraq. Suicide bombers need a big and white target like you.

On an off topic, this doesn't bode well, seems like the recent market slides are hitting the Shanghai and SZ exchanges and the low-level individual investors pretty hard. It will be interesting to see in the months ahead how badly people are losing their shirts, and if people start protesting (against what I don't know, you can't really blame the government for not knowing when to sell, but I'm sure they will nonetheless) and the government reacts. Seems like they are keeping it out of the MSM...err...Xinhua for now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/business/worldbusiness/02yuan.html?_r=1&ref=worldbusiness&oref=slogin

In case our Chinese friends missed this and want a further venue to vent their frustrations at the western piggy media, the NYT columnist Nick Kristoff seems to be welcoming it.

His best quote, which definitely rings true to the comments of this blog...

"Frankly, it strikes me that China’s problems are rather similar to America’s: an obliviousness to how one’s own country is perceived abroad, a nationalistic people who are sometimes blind to the power of nationalism on the part of others (e.g. Iraqis and Tibetans), lousy leadership in the center, and a tendency to take steps intended to preserve national security that end up undermining that security."

indeed...

http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/calling-china/?ref=opinion

@Lucas,
I partially agree what Kristoff's input. But the difference between China and US is that Chinese citizens can safely travel to more nations than US citizens.
Dare you go to countries like Packistan, Cango...? Dare you travel to middle east with your national flag sewed on your backpack?
That tells how one’s own country is perceived abroad, lol.

Lucas,
"It will be interesting to see in the months ahead how badly people are losing their shirts, and if people start protesting"
I've been waiting to see US homeowners to protest against the Wall Street, but it didn't happen. If American house buyers are stupid enough to believe it is their fault rather than investment banks' conspiracy, what make you believe that Chinese stock holders would like to blame the government? It is because you think Chinese have a great revolutionary tradition, or Chinese are smarter than Americans?

@michael. another nice editorial champ...but "a week old" so old news? - how curious from yu--are the Tibetan riots also old news now and not to be commented on. I thought yu were a champion of the Uyghur... James

Queer yu useless idiot: do you know how many Chinese are killed in Pakistan, Afghanistana and African countries in comparison to americans.? Get it right. The Chinese are despised in these countries for their insensitivity and ruthless mercantile exploitataion even more than the Yanks. Where do get your facts from ignoramus? James

Huh. When did the comment section of this blog get turned into a place for the citizens of Dayton to give rambling, semi-coherent rants about the US that have nothing to do with the topic at hand?

To avoid being like them, I wouldn't entirely discount widespread Xinjiang protests. After all, Kristof knows his stuff. However, half remembered statistics tell me that a far larger amount of PLA forces are stationed in Xinjiang.

Incidentally, is it just me, or is the name of the PLA a touch out of date?

@Tiako. Michael has wisely bowed out of this "old" news topic. Love his comittment to the Uyghur. Indicators are that the PLA or PAP or perhaps the crack commandos who were unleashed upon the mainly unarmed Uyghurs in Yining (Ili) in Febuaray 1997 are prone to hit the Uyghur even harder and more ruthlessly than the Tibetan. The 15 year long Yan Da or 'Strike Hard' campaign against the Uyghur which merged into China's lil War on Terror thanks to Yankee opportunism has not stopped since that time. One wonders how much spirit the poor oppreassed Uyghur have left in them after getting the shit kicked out of them for the last 2 decades by the armed forces and security organs- how many young Uyghur men languish in jail for being separtists, extremists, fundamentalists, splittists, nationalists whatever- actions applauded by the likes of the blood thirtsy 'Mainlander' and 'Ranee' and the very queer "Queer" ON THIS BLOG. lets see what happens. At least one should do a search on t e Ili massacre of Feb. 1997 - of course only "9" people died then- Han by the way-

pattern interesting:

1/ peaceful protest of religico/nationalist flavour
2/ over the top violent crackdown by police - deaths of Uyghur youth
3/ reaction by populace who are ouraged
4/death of Han colonists
5/ pervassive violence and arrests, summary executions at hands of commando forces and paramilitary
6/ arrests on a massive scale, torture, imprisonment and executions
7/ ongoing repression - 3 years of follow-up investigation

sound familiar? James
2/

and to the "new dominion" crew congratualting Michela fr beating them to the punch with this story. I posted it two days before (this post) on another commenatray repsonse line on this blog. I found it on the UAA site and it was released in Istanbul and also HK by RFA. Do yr homework boys.Im sure y'all experts. James.

From the Associated Press:

Uighur Protest in Turkey Against China
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 3, 2008
Filed at 7:08 a.m. ET

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) -- A group of about 200 Uighur Muslims demonstrated against China before Thursday's Olympic torch ceremony near one of Turkey's most famous tourist destinations.

The protest near Istanbul's Blue Mosque and the domed Haghia Sofia was peaceful. Police kept demonstrators away from the site where athletes planned to begin running with the torch through the city.

The Olympic flame is on a global tour before the games begin in Beijing. Activists have called for protests following unrest in Tibet. There have also been reports of unrest by the Uighur minority in China's Xinjiang region. Uighurs are related to Turks, and Turkey is home to a Uighur community.

''Turkey, stand by your brothers,'' read a banner at the protest in Istanbul.

''We don't want a country like China, with a bad human rights record, to hold the Olympics, which symbolize humanity, peace and brotherhood,'' protester Hayrullah Efendigil said.

Police outnumbered the protesters and hemmed them in, making it difficult for them to move around freely. Some tourists photographed the group.

Some members of the Uighur expatriate community in Turkey have been militant in calling for independence for Xinjiang, or what they refer to as East Turkestan. In the late 1990s, the Chinese leadership exerted a lot of pressure on Turkey to silence and withdraw any government support for these advocates in an effort that was said to be largely successful.

The other big difference between China and US is that China has NEVER been found to fund nor encourage any terrorist group from operating either internally or externally. The same cannot be said about U.S. Do I need to say more in details.

@James,
I don't need you to tell me whether I am an idiot or not. I've been to Pakistan, Congo, Egypt and Turkey. I know how Americans and Chinese are perceived by the local people.
Now, I am asking you, dare you go to the first three countries with your national flag sewed on your backpack? You probably gonna sewed a Canadian flag instead. I know you don't want to know how I was welcome in these nations.

@Michael,

I kinda of know why you support Chinese Muslim, especially the violent Uighur Muslim. Because you are a jewish. You are disguise your jewish conspiracy with the American banner of human rights.

I admit people may have selective memory and may choose to revenge selectively. Let's see when the crude oil in middle east is exhausted, Muslim would choose to kill jewish in Israel or Han Chinese first.

No matter how the western media telling lies, China won't change. You just wanna making use of Olympic. But we Chinese are still living happily and welcoming the Olympic. :)

I think Americans forget the pain of 9.11. China doesn't have enemies like that. Some western countries are still killing other countries' innocent citizens. You know what, you will be retaliated soon. You, like james and lucas, may be the next target.

@Ranee,

I have to give you a hug...

@Michael

Excellent post, very informative as always

@most of the commenters

You guys really need to grow up.

As for my comment, I've always found it interesting how Tibet has such a Hollywood appeal and so much support in the West. Xinjiang is basically in the same situation as Tibet, yet receives hardly any media coverage at all, even though their population is considerably larger. Maybe they need a new PR campaign. Maybe they need Brad Pitt to make a movie about them. Any thoughts?

queer: I don't usually feed trolls but I have to refute your point.

I was in egypt for 3 months last summer, and made many freinds that I still talk with. Then I spent a little time in Lebanon where I was also welcomed.

I have a freind who has been in Congo for 5 month stints and is loved there.

I have another freind who was in Pakistan a year ago with an american flag sewn on his shoulder. He had to cary a gun most of the time but he got out alive :). In Pakistan they hate the US, but 2 of 3 aint too bad.

@BeWay: That's debatable considering the Sudanese government, not unlike own fawning over the Saudis.

On a more relivant point. I'm in Hotan right now. We passed a few empty troop transports on the way in but I haven't seen more than 3 people in uniform all day. The bazar seemed to close really early, thats about the only weird thing. The lagman here is great.

*our own

@BeWay: and China's arming of the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Indeed, just how I felt in Litang ahead of the horse festival:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/travel/03personal.html

And...I wonder how long the govt will keep this up before they realize how much foreign tourist income theyre losing...

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/travel/06practibet.html

@ Michael: Watched "The Kite Runner" last night. The scenery of the scenes shot around Taxkorgan were absolutely gorgeous. I'm envious of your recent jaunt out there...add it to my list I suppose.

What a naive feedback that I got from some of you.

The Sudanese government is not a terrorist group as referred. It's a legal government, recognised by all governments except probably U.S. The Darfur incident is more a civil war between 2 different groups of people in the country.

On the support of LTTE in Sri Lanka, I nearly fall off the chair when a joker tries to link it to China's support. FYI, the Sri Lanka government is closer in relationship with China than the India. For heaven sake, why is this blog site full of naive craps crawling around writing nonsense.

@SittingHere: If you get any good newsie photos, send on over and I'll publish 'em.

@BeWay: Sudan is considered a state sponsor of terrorism according the US State Dept., and the LTTE uses Chinese made ammunition. So connect the dots. Just because China supports the Sinhalese government, doesn't mean they aren't look to keep the other side in the dark.

the State Depts. definition is as follows: "State sponsors of terrorism provide critical support to non-state terrorist groups. Without state sponsors, terrorist groups would have much more difficulty obtaining the funds, weapons, materials, and secure areas they require to plan and conduct operations. Most worrisome is that some of these countries also have the capability to manufacture WMD and other destabilizing technologies that can get into the hands of terrorists. The United States will continue to insist that these countries end the support they give to terrorist groups."

All Chinese munition companies are state owned and many sell them to the LTTE via the Burmese government so that China cannot be held accountable.

@Ben,
"Maybe they need a new PR campaign. Maybe they need Brad Pitt to make a movie about them. Any thoughts?"

Thank you for your frankness, telling us where you learn about Tibet. No wonder people say that Americans are enlightened by Hollywood. If Brad Pitt is your professor, you are a typical representative of "American intellectuals."
I personally think that Donald S. Lopez has a better view of Tibet than Brad Pitt for adults. So the one should grow up is not me but you.

I am also telling you that Hollywood won't bother to make a movie on Xinjiang, because of its muslim lineage.

让这些脑子永远处于石化状态的脑残们自己去讨论吧
他们永远都只活在自己的天井里
我也要用母语表达一下我的心情
汉奸啊 还有学了我们伟大语言的皮毛的脑残们要好好翻译的说~
当然你们也可以用一些翻译工具 不过我会灰常灰常难懂滴~

你们丫的就是嫉妒！！！你们丫的就是害怕！
你们也就得瑟个奥运~蹦跶上个几年~
我们中国的老话~三十年河东三十年河西~骑驴看唱本~走着瞧~！

本拉登啊 你太厉害了 愣是这群傻缺西方人怎么都找不到你
他们丫的就是欠抽~不说大的~您老人家偶尔折腾下这些吃饱了撑得血都存在胃里不往脑子里运的没事干的西方人~尤其是什么卢卡斯 詹姆斯 笨 “坐在那儿”的傻B （原来我用了这么重的字眼 不过很贴切）
大癞蛤蟆 你的奸计不会得逞的
小维维 我们新疆好地方 除非我们脑裂 分裂？甭想了
西方的脑残们 你们只能让我们更团结 抱得更紧 十四亿中国人 呸你们！

哦 对了 米国人还真把自己当香饽饽嘞 英国人其实都不待见死他们了 提到米国人 就撇撇嘴~ 一脸BS~ 当然啦~他们也是对自己的主子不服~自己咋就没落了捏~

“今日之责任，不在他人，而全在我少年。少年智则国智，少年富则国富，少年强则国强，少年独立则国独立，少年自由则国自由，少年进步则国进步，少年胜于欧洲则国胜于欧洲，少年雄于地球则国雄于地球。”时事变了 加个北美洲 天佑中华 我们会更好！

Is there a resolution in UN stating that the Sudanese Govt is a state sponsor of terrorism? Have the US Govt discover the truth behind the WMD and state-sponsor of terrorism of Saddam govt before they invaded Iraq. Don't give me the crap story if you want to give a lame excuse.
On what reason is China accountable for arming terrorist group like LTTE. Show us the evidence instead of talking without fact. You're really shameless for creating gabbage news.

@Ben,

Last time, US special force troops were pinned down by Uighur Al-Quada forces and they had to call China to rescue them. That is one of the reason West will NEVER support Uighur movement as in Tibet. You can check Melinda Liu's report in Newsweek. She saw the Chinese passports with Uighur names and Chinese currencies in Al-Quada camps after US bombed them.

Just think about this--when China allows free religion in Tibet, like Western Christian missionaries go in there and start to convert local Tibetans, then you will see Lamas come to kill those Christians, then you will see if West will support exiles 100%.

@BeWay: Yes there is a resolution. Here, enjoy. Naturally, China abstained.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sc8160.doc.htm

Queer, mainlander, et al: Tell me, are all of us white devils racist?

Ben, you said "I've always found it interesting how Tibet has such a Hollywood appeal and so much support in the West."

I think there are a couple reasons for this. Probably the biggest is that Buddhism has a sort of cultural popularity in the West. Well, not really Buddhism, rather the twisted form I like to call "Beatles Buddhism".

Now China is going to label Dalai Lama as terrorist for instigating his notorious monks for the killing of innocent peoples. Will US agree with China on the same matter.

@Taiko,
Buddhism has a sort of cultural popularity in the West. Argh, what cultural popularity? Maybe the West is in desperate need for help after losing their soul when the majority of them are no longer practising christians. A confession to the native Indians for their past sins against humanity will be good for them.

@Tiako
To answer your question is not easy. First of all, it is question of how to identify a "white racist evil."
In the virtual reality, the only sign that can tell me whether you are such a "white racist evil" is your language. But, it seems you can't talk without referring to the language of your imperialist state.

@Beway & Tiako,

Unfortunately, the popularity of Buddhims in the west is because Westerners have very limited and superficial understanding of Buddhism as well as its history.
Like other world religions, Buddhism is associated with religious fractions, suppression and violence. Invisibility of violence =/ peace. Sorry, you are brainwashed by Hollywood.

Dear Queer did yu have good sex in those nations where yu were so warmly welcomed, maybe even a lil forbidden sex? ay queer? let me know and Ill sew a Chinese flag on my back next time im in Afghanistan or Pakistan where they love chopping up little Chinese workers- Try Zambia,. congo and OF COURSE Darfur Sudan- and hey man im black. James

Tiako

You tell me. Why you are so interested in other countries' national affairs? Is that of your business? Why your country is like a world police and judge others by your own standard? What is your purpose? What you can get and what you can find?

oh and an afterthought Queer for im sure by now yu really know how i feel about yu how much yu intrigue me and draw me towrads yu wanting to hold yu so, so much...but tell me, was the reason yu were welcomed so warmly in those countries because yu were travelling with official delegations? Enjoying junket banquets and lots of toasting when the deals had gone down in the compounds? While outside...as in Sudan genocide raged funded by Chinese investment and utilized by Chinese weaponry as was the Afghan/Soviet war- dont forget who supplied the mujahdeen? Yep Uncle Jiang and all bought with US dollars back then...umm but still..they like to chop and kill lil Chinese imperialists in Afghanistan these days stilll just as much as loopy Yanks. After all the Chinese are infidels who have no God....James

"From the Associated Press:

Uighur Protest in Turkey Against China
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 3, 2008
Filed at 7:08 a.m. ET"

The worst thing about this story is the picture of PSB agents running alongside the torch carrier and even one joining in when Turkish police go after someone who extinguished the torch. I wonder if the PSB will be there in western countries. Knowing our cowardly and greedy political and business leaders, the answer is yes. I look forward to picking a fight with one in SF, I'm gonna crush his jaw and hang him with a Tibetan flag.

Burn China burn!

"From the Associated Press:

Uighur Protest in Turkey Against China
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 3, 2008
Filed at 7:08 a.m. ET"

The worst thing about this story is the picture of PSB agents running alongside the torch carrier and even one joining in when Turkish police go after someone who extinguished the torch. I wonder if the PSB will be there in western countries. Knowing our cowardly and greedy political and business leaders, the answer is yes. I look forward to picking a fight with one in SF, I'm gonna crush his jaw and hang him with a Tibetan flag.

Burn China burn!

Oh dear, the world is in flame. China is in deep shits. All terrorist groups whether it's from Uighurs or Tibetans are now gathering in force, for a final battle against the motherland. Great, let us smoother them up from their shit hole, grill them like rats and then remake a new version of the movies on "How the West (of China) was won". The great motherland has been working incessantly to provide developments and incentives to all minorities ethnic groups but they are still not satisfy. The only other choice is to remove them out forever and ever.

Bee bee . Simply . Get Fucked.

A call to all freedom lovers to attack PSB thugs accompanbying th eOlympic torcch in "free" countries ! What dp yu all think. Justifiable.? Whats Going on?James

A LITTLE NOTE FOR ALL : On Chinese attempts at world hegemony::

how dare they attempt to impose their will upon other (free) nations and their right to demonstrate. James

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23431560-421,00.html

It seems that the Xinjiang government may have started "cleaning up" ahead of the Olympic torch run through Kashgar:

70 Uighurs reportedly arrested
From Times Wire Reports
4 April 2008
Los Angeles Times

Police have arrested 70 people from China's minority Uighur ethnic group in the Silk Road oasis city of Kashgar, fearing trouble when the Olympic torch passes through it in June, an exile group said.

The Xinjiang regional government's news office denied the reported arrests, and an officer at Kashgar's police headquarters said he knew nothing, but residents said security had been tightened ahead of August's Summer Games in Beijing.

Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress, a Munich, Germany-based exile group that seeks independence for the ethnic group in Xinjiang, said the authorities were using the Olympics as an excuse to crack down on the Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighurs.

@James

Your foul words just show how little knowledge that you've in articulating on the point that terrorist groups like Uighurs and Tibetans deserve to be annihilated. When I said the Uighurs and Tibetans, it doesn't mean all of them except for a small minority of them who are hell bent in destructing and sabotaging the life of the majority who desire for peace and a better living.

Go and seek a beggar life instead of debating in this forum.

BBC op-ed on reporting in zhongguo and the lifting of the censor: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7327886.stm

James,
I understand your curiosity and anxiety on China issues is due to the total absence of your sexual life. I forgive someone like you who are in deep trouble. I also suggest you to find a therapist to deal with your libido unbalance. How many swear words you put down here show how desperately you are longing for sex.
Thank you for your greetings. I have a very contented sexual life and I hope you can enjoy yours in the future.
Cheers!

James,

Regarding Darfur, I also forgive your ignorance. I bet most people in the world know that Chevron has a multi-billion pipe line project in Sudan long before the CNPC approached Sudan. You are an exception. If you don't know what CNPC is, please do a little bit homework before you put down any words here.

The so-called "Darfur crisis" or "genocide" become a media event only after Billary took up this issue to showcase her diplomatic ability over Obama. She is the first one who call what happen in Darfur as a "genocide" and arbitrarily connect it to China.

I was lucky to hear Chelsea Clinton's campaign for her mother. She puts "I am so proud for my mom that she is the first one who recognizes what happened in Darfur as genocide and draw media's attention to it."

So, James, unfortunately, you are brainwashed by Billary. I thought you Americans don't believe what Billary says. Maybe you are a wonderful exception.

These days I'm coming to this blog for the posts but staying for the comments. But what kind of d-bag wears a flag on their backpack, anyway?

@James
James you MIA FARROW wannabe. you know who sudan's largest export market is? Japan (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/su.html) Sudan's exports more to japan than it does to china, but why dont westerners pressure japan to stop trading with sudan? bc the japanese islands are an American military brothel in the Pacific. 200 000 dead sudanese in the last 6 years? oh yeah, over 650 000 dead in iraq in the same period, do the math, and know who the true aggressors and states sponsors of violence and terror are. the Chinese dont want to take over the world, they just want to make sure America doesnt keep its place as the only super power and the vast majority of the world wants the same. Americans hate on independent minded asian countries, and countries they cant beat in war, I.e. China and Vietnam

2 queer, (I speak TO people not AT people) being loose on words is descending oneself to the level of those that fit the words ... 10 percent of the spice will make you gagged on a Chinese bbs for 99 days. Argument is hopeless when the game is simply which-side-do-you-take and we all know history is written and jutice is defined and there is no universal solution to it. Just let the persistent be, as there might be personal interest in their deed.

One thing I don't understand: why quite a few English blogs suspend and check the posts before let them appear, although at most time the posts still show up eventually...(I am not talking about deleting posts)...is it required by some funny agreement with the service provider? Some one help me please.

这博客是不是靠点击率撑着赚钱的？

@Gao,

Got it. I really shouldn't waste my time here.

All the best!

Stop CHINESE backed Genocide in Darfur! Its happening as we speak.

Expose Chinese agents in U.S. ROOT THEM OUT!

We know who yu are "Queer" and where yu are.

Patriots of America arise and expose these sleeping rats who hate us and use us.

James

"Queer" yu realize under the American Patriot Act your words here and your confessed actions of fire bombing the US embasy in Beeeping previously yu can be arrested withoiut trial. Lucky yu are not a Pakistani, Arab or Afghan But we'll see what we can garner up - we are working on it - a self confessed traitor in our midst who wishes ill on our country he has taken employment in - definitely terrorist material- a man given to political violence by his own confession. Lets make sure all security organs in the country know about this lets expose the spies like him. We have his phone numbers lets get his contacts and make citizen arrests - Chinese spy ring TERROR group apprehended in U.S. Great lets go... EXPOSE All HAN CHINESE TERRORISTS IN U.S...

James

What Courage and Committment to the OLYMPIC Ideal from the Chinese AmbassadoR to Britain.

The Independent

Chinese ambassador pulls out of torch relay

Getty Images

Fu Ying was meant to carry the Olympic torch through London

by Jerome Taylor
Friday, 4 April 2008

China's ambassador to Britain has pulled out of running in this weekend's Olympic torch relay ceremony in the first indication that growing international concern at the country's recent actions in Tibet is starting to become a major source of embarrassment for Beijing.

Fu Ying, China's ambassador to the UK for the past year, was meant to be one of 80 athletes, celebrities and dignitaries to carry the Olympic torch through the streets of London on Sunday, as part of the UK leg of the 130-day relay. But yesterday it emerged she had pulled out of the ceremony after being asked by her superiors in Beijing to spend the day with China's official delegation instead.

Ms Fu's potential involvement in the Olympic relay had infuriated human rights campaigners, who accused the British Government of allowing a Chinese official to participate in the relay at a time when the host nation was instigating a string of oppressive crackdowns and media blackouts.

Human rights groups said scores of protesters in Tibet had been killed and hundreds more imprisoned after some of the most sustained protests against Chinese rule in the restive region for almost two decades.

There have also been a number of arrests in western China over the past three weeks following demonstrations by the region's predominantly Muslim Uighur population.

Campaigners welcomed the news that Ms Fu had backed out of the relay, and said the withdrawal of such a high profile figure from such a prestigious event showed the protests over China's human rights record were starting to rattle the authorities in Beijing.

Mark Farmanar, from the Burma Campaign, said: "Clearly something that was supposed to showcase China has in fact turned into an unmitigated disaster. The Chinese government wants to use the Olympics to make themselves look good and the ambassador was all part of that. It's is a PR exercise that is rapidly going wrong for them."

Anne Holmes, acting director of Free Tibet UK, said: "I think it was a controversial decision and on reflection, they probably realised it was in bad taste. The fact is, Fu Ying is the official representative to the UK for the Chinese government, which is currently instigating a total media blackout in Tibet."

China is fiercely proud of the 137,000 kilometre (85,130 miles) torch relay, which they have billed as a "journey of harmony". Instead, it has become the focus of protests. Campaigners have vowed numerous protests during the London ceremony this weekend, and during upcoming relays in Paris, San Francisco and Delhi. Yesterday police in Istanbul detained six Uighur activists protesting at the torch's arrival in the Turkish city.

The Olympic torch will arrive in London on Saturday night from St Petersburg and will be carried on an eight-hour relay the following day; beginning in Wembley and ending in Greenwich.

The torch bearers

Olympic Athletes

*Ed Coode – Olympic rowing champion Athens 2004

*Steve Cram – former 1,500m world champion runner

*Danny Crates – disabled world indoor 800m champion

*Gail Emms – Olympic badminton doubles silver medallist, Athens 2004

*Duncan Goodhew – former Olympic swimming champion

*David Hemery – former Olympic hurdles champion

*Dame Kelly Holmes – double Olympic champion, 800m and 1,500m Athens 2004

*Denise Lewis – former Olympic heptathlon champion

*Sir Steve Redgrave – Olympic rowing champion

*Tessa Sanderson – Olympic javelin champion

*Leon Taylor – Olympic silver in diving, Athens 2004

Sporting heroes and celebrities

*Tim Henman – tennis player

*Konnie Huq – television presenter

*Amara Karan – actress

*Peter Kenyon – chief executive, Chelsea FC

*Kenny Logan – former Scotland rugby international

*Vanessa Mae – violinist

*Francesca Martinez – comedian

*Dame Ellen MacArthur – champion yachtswoman

*Sir Trevor McDonald – television news presenter

*Kevin Pietersen – England cricketer

*Zoe Salmon – Blue Peter presenter

*Sugababes – pop trio

*Denise Van Outen – television presenter/stage actress

*Theo Walcott – Arsenal/England footballer

*Sir Clive Woodward – former England rugby manager

Interesting? Click here to explore further

@James

Did I say that you've low intelligent IQ. You don't believe that, ain't you. You chatter away without any idea what life is. All in all, you're not worth being called a human being, a human being with just a little honor.

Gao - I think it is something with the service provider. Or, it might just be an easy way to deal with spam and trolls. But I've seen it on several blogs that don't really lead to heated arguments.

Beway stick a carrot up ya arse. YU are intellectually constipated. Psychologically impaired and ideologically brainwashed: in short a threat to western society. What upsets yu is my criticism of your make believe (albeit oppressive) Chinese world. Clear to all. And yu and others like yu want to censor. Just like the PSB ignoramus's wanted to travel all the way over to Australia to "guan" the torch relay - oh yeah great lets have the PSB overseeing all free speech in the world. Yu like the them have no conception of the real world outside of China.. So stick that carrot up a little further or if yu like and Gao TAMA DE - thats right with ya mother. James

Nothing from "Queer" perhaps our security forces have done their work and he has been apprehended as a threat to national security. Maybe hes down in Guantanamao by now. Who knows. Im sure we'll hear no more of him. Threating our embassy with violence then coming here on this blog boasting he wants to fuck our country over while embedded in our education system - pure terrorist activity. We may never know what happened to him. At the least Chinese infiltrators into the U.S. should be checked more thoroughly to see who they really are , what they are really doing and what they have done..their are too many spies here. Fu Ying that sexy lil piece of an ambassador in London as I recall was some years ago accused of running a spy ring in Australia. For that she was promoted to London...as we have seen. Of Course Beway thinks any one who believes an "Independent" story has no IQ. As I have said elsewhere Chinese reasoning is Inverted. Like Tibet is a part of China since the Yuan Dynasty- sorry- China was a part of Mongolia (Mongol Empire) during the Yuan Dynasty. Lets get some historic perspective here.

...James

UPI Asia ONLINE

"No such thing as 'anti-China forces'"
By WU ZUOLAI
Guest Commentary
Published: April 04, 2008

Within China, many drumbeaters are stirring up anger against so-called "anti-China forces," referring to groups that are against the Chinese people, hold historical hostility toward the race, or have a conflict of interest with China or its people. If these voices are correct and such forces do exist, they will oppose the Chinese whenever they have a chance -- whether it's the Chinese people or the Chinese nation. They will always be anti-China, just as mice are always anti-cat.

Does this perception match the reality, however?

Actually, those judged "anti-China" because of their critical or even hostile attitudes -- including foreign political figures, media and some other groups -- are not against the Chinese people but against Beijing, a synonym for China's government.

Therefore, one should more precisely define these forces as critical of Beijing, or anti-Beijing. There are people who, in their innermost nature, have an aversion to Beijing's policies and systems. They may be overtly hostile, but it is not toward the Chinese leaders or the Chinese people. It is related to problems and troubles caused by the political system, which have harmed the Chinese people and are also factors contributing to instability in the world.

In the eyes of some angry Chinese youth, the conflict between China and the world can only be attributed to conflicts of interest. Does this imply that feelings of love and hate between people are merely a matter of shared or conflicting interests?

In fact, we are living in an era where values are a central issue; the core values of a nation determine its core competitiveness, its level of development and the degree of respect it holds in the world. Interests are just temporary and utilitarian while values are eternal and universal.

In addition, international criticism of Beijing results at least partly from Beijing's deficiencies in certain areas of performance. Likewise, the United States also faces international criticism for the same reason.

I would advise that Beijing improve its ability to listen to different opinions -- to correct any errors, to be more lighthearted if there are none, and to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness as well as an ability to correct its own mistakes in the face of criticism.

Because civil society is not strong in China, and the mainstream media are all controlled by the authorities, the government is not exposed to a variety of opinions. As a result, the authorities are not used to dealing with disagreements arising within local communities.

Now they are facing a range of opinion from the international community. Some view China's troubles with indifference and some suggest ineffective solutions. This is all inevitable. What the Chinese should do is simply listen to different voices, and set right what needs to be changed. After all, other people are only speaking about you, but no one regulates your words and deeds, nor does anyone resort to force.

In brief, there is no such thing as anti-Chinese forces in international society; there is only some criticism of the systems or problems of Beijing.

--

(Wu Zuolai is a scholar at the Chinese Art Research Institute in Beijing and an active commentator on current affairs. This article is translated and edited from the Chinese by UPI Asia Online. The original may be found at www.ncn.org and wublogger.blog.sohu.com. ©Copyright Wu Zuolai.)