China Supporters Try To Undo Bad Publicity

Olympic Torch Relay Gets Warm Reception In Argentina

(AP)  Runners flanked by rows of security carried the Olympic torch past thousands of jubilant Argentines on Friday as China supporters in red windbreakers tried to reverse weeks of bad publicity for the host of the Summer Games.

People showered the parade route with confetti in a joyous celebration that sharply contrasted with the flame's chaotic last stops in Europe and the United States. No violence was reported from small groups of fenced-off demonstrators protesting China's human rights record, who exchanged jeers with pro-China demonstrators.

Activists had promised “entertaining surprises,” but the biggest threat to the torch's tour seemed to be blustery winds that caused the propane-powered flame to flicker. Protesters threw at least three water balloons at the torch as it passed the presidential palace, but guards easily batted them away.

“This is beautiful, a marvelous spectacle,” said Marcelo Tejera, 26.

Banks, government offices and businesses took an impromptu half-day holiday for the only Latin American stop on the Olympic flame's five-continent journey from ancient Olympia.

Mayor Mauricio Macri took the torch from Chinese organizers and opened the relay by passing it to three-time Olympic windsurfing medalist Carlos Espinola, who jogged into Buenos Aires streets flanked by Chinese bodyguards. Heavyset police from Argentina's navy huffed to keep up.

Rowers sped the flame down a muddy River Plate canal, their long oars flashing beneath gathering storm clouds, before runners on land jogged past the pink presidential palace.

Heavy security accompanied the torch. About 1,300 federal police, 1,500 -naval police and 3,000 traffic police and volunteers guarded the 8½-mile (14-kilometer) relay route, and at least four security layers swaddled the torchbearers.

A tight group of Chinese guards wearing Argentina's blue-and-white surrounded the runners, with riot police driving alongside. Farther out, a line of burly men in blue-and-black track suits linked hands in a moving cordon, and plainclothes federal police patrolled beyond that.

Liu Qi, head of the Beijing organizing committee, told senior International Olympics Committee officials in Beijing on Friday that additional steps had been taken to protect the flame, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said “we're very confident and comfortable with that.”

About 500 China supporters in red windbreakers handed out by organizers waved banners and denounced the political protests that disrupted the flame's last stops in London, Paris and San Francisco.

“We are here to celebrate the Olympics,” said Shao Long Chen, a 19-year-old Chinese immigrant. “It's a great source of pride for us that the Olympics are being held in Beijing and that the torch is passing through Buenos Aires.”

As for the protesters nearby, he said: “They're using sports to deliver a political message, and that's not right.”

Protesters say China doesn't deserve to host the Olympics because of its human rights record, its harsh rule in Tibet and its friendly ties with Sudan. Pro-Tibet demonstrators tossed lotus flowers onto the route in what they said was a nonviolent protest against Beijing as Olympic host.

About 25 Falun Gong supporters lit a “human rights torch” and marched along the route to protest China's ban on the spiritual movement. Some traded insults with China supporters, but no violence was reported.

The ceremony began with a tango performance along a canal. The torch passed by the pink Government House and the iconic Obelisk, and was ending at an equestrian club with Argentine tennis great Gabriela Sabatini as the last runner.

Following the relay, the torch is to be flown to Tanzania.

[fjinnw]

Why are you people so concern about Tibet? You american should solve your own problem first, leave Tibet to China.
"As of April 5, a total of 36,082 members of the U.S. military have been wounded in action and killed in Iraq, since the beginning of the war in March 2003, and in Afghanistan, where the war there began in October 2001. The 36,082 number breaks down to 4,492 deaths and 31,590 wounded."

[taoman2]

For those who waived the Chinese flags in the US, please go back to your china country. Something must be very bad for you to migrate to the US, but obviously you didn''t like to be an American so GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM

[aceinform]

The relationship between China and the West is rooted deeply in commercial interest. Using Human Rights as mainly aspect of foreign policy towards China is futile at best and is silly at worst. Boycotting Opening Ceremony by the West actually will benefit Chinese government since such action will harden Chinese the stance towards the West. More importantly, the West will lose their leverage in influence their behaviors in other fronts as well.

[hypnotoad72]

Anyone watch that video? do you think they are scum? I think so.

Posted by fjinnw
----------------------

I watched the video. They don''t represent America and there is no reason to believe the majority of our troops are doing the same things, thank God. Like Lyddie England. It''s just a *** shame they act devolved.

[hypnotoad72]

Any publicity is surely good publicity?

Just look for the label; if the pole vault reads "Made in China", be wary.

I shouldn''t joke. And, no, this isn''t just a myopic America-centric concern. Other countries, including Russia, have put up recalls and complained about China''s defective or toxic products. There''s little to be proud of, at least in the confirmed cases and what may or may not follow. It''s tragic. All around.

And I agree; the Olympics should refrain from excessive politics.

But I have to respond to this too: "...Chen, a 19-year-old Chinese immigrant. %u201CIt''s a great source of pride for us that the Olympics are being held in Beijing..."

If the chap is so proud of China, why''d he go leave to become a citizen of Buenos Aires? Should he not be waving Argentina''s flag instead?

[fjinnw]

Anyone watch that video? do you think they are scum? I think so.

[fjinnw]

Whose scum here? see for yourself, see the true face of you american.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq5_vG3cYGM

[fjinnw]

I been to china a few times, the peolpe there are nice, they treat their guests very friendly. The american are different, ignorant, arrogant,narrow-minded. Most people hates the american more than the chinese, thats for sure.

[moonface6]

Getting out of Tibet will help! -- jerr11

Nope. To be serious the biggest barrier is that we don''t have hard facts to convince people that Tibet is not a part of China.

In 1925 Tibet sent delegates to the National Assembly of Chinese Central Government for institution drafting. This is a very strong indication that China has sovereignty over Tibet. In 1935 the Chinese issued decree to approve the installation of the 14th Dalai Lama whose "Sit in Bed Ceremony" was actually supervised by delegates from the Chinese Central Government. There are numerous other evidences, but these two should suffice for most of the ordinary people.

With this in mind if you still think it''s fun to encourage these poor Tibetans for their dubious cause please read by Charley Reese''s article "Beware of Fantasy". If you still think it''s fun after your reading, I have to say you are cold-blooded.

Reese''s article can be found at:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese441.html

[jerr11]

China Supporters Try To Undo Bad Publicity



Getting out of Tibet will help!

[swwils]

Man,MoonFace6 and dumdshun,are at each others throat''s.That shows you have Heart,and you both stick to your guns,cool!

[swwils]

Well I would say Argentina would be alright to run the torch.They have so much corruption in that cocaine laced country they are all stoned,and have their own problems to worry about.

[moonface6]

"WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO TWIST OTHER PEOPLE''''S NAMES? -- dumbshin

I learned from your Holiness -- he twists facts, and I only twist names.

[moonface6]

dumbshin: Let me give you a quiz to see if you have a primary school diploma. The question is:

Why did London Buddhists protest against the Da-Liar Mama saying: - %u201CHis Smiles Charm His Actions Harm%u201D

[moonface6]

SHAME ON YOU FOR "DESPICABLE" TWISTING OF SOME-ONE''''S NAME-ANYBODY''''S NAME! -- dumbshun

You are really a dump shin that cannot read a line in a context. If you really have too much energy to waste I invite you to watch a documentary. Search for "Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden" at Youtube. I am sure this time I typed the words correctly.

[iamauto]

I''ve read recent news about China.
I think the root problem that people are debating is if Tibet is a part of China?
If we don''t reach agreement on this point, then any debate is meaningless.

[iamauto]

So many chinese guys don''t the truth?
Who on earth don''t know the truth?

[mengyong007]

To those who are ignorant of the truth in Tibet or elsewhere, here goes something worth your attention on the viewers'' comments of the International Herald Tribune:

I am a Buddhist who supported the Dalai with over $50,000 for over 10 years. I stopped supporting after I discovered that he is paid $2million a year by the CIA, that he violated his agreement to abolish the serfdom in Tibet where 5% of the population (feudal lords) exploited the other 95% who are serfs kept as slaves in a theocracy, and when he opposed universal education and free clinics. I now am convinced he is a snake charmer who charms people like Pelosi and Gere out of their trees. This man is not holy, and he has fully qualified himself to be a terrorist par excellence. I pray the Matahsattva Avalokitesvara will grant him compassion, and the Mahasattva Samatabhadra will grant him wisdom, so that he will not be reincarnated as a snake.
I also pray the great Enlightened Ones will enlighten the world about the true nature of this great beguiler.
James
[21] Posted by: James, San Marino, USA %u2014 03 April 2008 11:24 pm

[mengyong007]

Yes, China is not perfect, like any country in the world. Can any China bashers claim their countries are the perfect ones where there is no suffering or injustice whatsoever? I doubt it. Here goes a post by an American reader on the International Herald Tribune: I am a Buddhist who supported the Dalai with over $50,000 for over 10 years. I stopped supporting after I discovered that he is paid $2million a year by the CIA, that he violated his agreement to abolish the serfdom in Tibet where 5% of the population (feudal lords) exploited the other 95% who are serfs kept as slaves in a theocracy, and when he opposed universal education and free clinics. I now am convinced he is a snake charmer who charms people like Pelosi and Gere out of their trees. This man is not holy, and he has fully qualified himself to be a terrorist par excellence. I pray the Matahsattva Avalokitesvara will grant him compassion, and the Mahasattva Samatabhadra will grant him wisdom, so that he will not be reincarnated as a snake.
I also pray the great Enlightened Ones will enlighten the world about the true nature of this great beguiler.
James
[21] Posted by: James, San Marino, USA %u2014 03 April 2008 11:24 pm

[moonface6]

"6 thousand police guard the hundred or so Chinese supporters and the Olympic torch. ..." -- youngamerican

That''s why I call the His Holiness Da-Liar Mama.