Chinese protesters beaten back by police

For the second Sunday in a row, protesters in China gathered in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities to call for reform. They were met by police, as we hear from celia hatton.

CBS News correspondent Celia Hatton reports that internet calls for pro-democracy protests in 23 cities across China Sunday quickly turned into violent showdowns between foreign journalists and Chinese authorities.

Voice of America reporter Stephanie Ho, was secretly taped by CBS News in China's capital screaming for police to stop beating her. She was pushed around, but eventually released.

Other foreign journalists and an unknown number of Chinese citizens were also taken away in Beijing and Shanghai.

Anonymous calls for Sunday demonstrations first appeared on Boxun.com, a US-based website detailing Chinese government corruption. This prompted the police to crack down on anyone who turned up at the locations named in advance online.

The government is trying to gain control of the situation by blocking Boxun.com and mentions of the "Jasmine Revolution" and "Egypt protests" from China's state-controlled Internet.

Complete coverage: Anger in the Arab world

The government is using military-like force, from dogs to swat teams, to stamp out any possible social unrest.

No one's safe. Dozens of bloggers and academics have been jailed or placed under house arrest for fears they'll also become involved in the Sunday protests.

"Persistence will lead to victory", say the anonymous online organizers. They're calling for rolling protests every Sunday until their demand for Chinese democracy is heard.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

???? ???????? ?? ?????
??????????
??????????
Kommunismus wird in China fallen
????????? ?????? ? ?????

No matter how you say it...it all says the same thing...
Communism will fall in China.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

All of those question marks were other languages copied from a language translator. cbsnews.com does not have the technology to reproduce them.
1. Arabic
2. Chinese (traditional)
3. Chinese (simplified)
4. German
5. Russian

[myth1958]

China demonstrates they aren't as secure as they believe - rushing overwhelming forces into tiny protest scenes to snuff any public differences within the nation. Too much lke the repressive reactionary tactics we've seen time and again in other countries. Guess that 'Second place economy' and booming cash flow mean more than freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of internet access. China will always stay in second place because they are too afraid of a few discordant voices. Democracy would work here, as it has around the world. But the dictators cloaked as 'Revolutionary Leaders' are nothing more than thugs, keeping power with the gun and club, not the consent of their public.

[antrix6455]

Democracy in a populous country like China is in the interests of world peace and security. China will be less hostile and responsible when it is a democracy. Right now, it is very secretive and threatening to many countries. It has an insatiable appetite for others' territory. It claims half of Asia as its own. It is like a evil empire with no democracy and freedom in its society.

Without democracy and respect for human rights, it is sure going to crumble with massive internal dissensions and paradoxes. It's economic and military muscle will not prevent the likely social upheavals and eventual disintegration. If that happens, that will be catastrophic for the entire world.

[wcreader]

That is True!

the police uniform posted in photo by CBS news claiming
"Police cracked down heavily on protesters and journalists during pro-democracy demonstations Sunday. (CBS News)"

are not the uniform of Chinese police!

Re-send previous comment:
This report are odd. Let us use common sense. now in China, people's living standard has improved a lot in the past 30 years, Plenty of jobs, China is one of the big economy bodies. China is continuing changing and continues to make improvement on their path.

Why Chinese want to make nosie now when seeing Chaos and lost of life in Middle east and N africa? In fact, Every Chinese and their gov is trying hard to save their citizen from Chaos in N Africa.

Who want to make revolution, chaos, now? Even there is absolutely no link, it seems special controlled media and politicians in Washington want to stir up and to start the 'Jasmine Revolution' to China?
Why?


Root cause of Chaos at N. Africa: Inflation, no jobs fro a long time, and Bad economy:

The fact is that Irresponsible policy of Washington, for example, QE2, and the dirty Acts of wall street/NY banker's made-in-USA poison bond has caused worldwide inflation. Bad economy and job lost worldwide in the past 2 years. As a result, that had caused huge damage and unstable, chaos situation in Egypt, N. Africa, Middle East. and every corner of the globe. Indeed, the major export of Washington, indeed in the past years, are 1) Inflation, 2)US Debt transfer to world 3) Wars and weapons sales.

It seems that many media and politicians in DC had blame others for their acts, and now has defocus the world on the root cause, and is playing political game to stir the world with 'Jasmine Revolution'??

Blame others for Inflation and social Chaos. Mixing up with economy, religious issue to political sales of US value system of special interest group in the name of "human right". Behind the stage, isn't it special interest of Washington to control the world with Oil, Currency, military gunboat diplomacy, and weapons sales that drive all the event? Really wonder?

Is US behind all these revolution? The odd is that these old leaders were all funded and support the CIA or US special interest and politician.

with all these Chaos in oil rich country, oil price rise, would that put the world to more social unrest? who will benifit? US oil firm, stonger dollar, more sales in weapon by US weapon makers? just wonder?

[alphaa10000]

Thank you, Xinhua News Agency. Your official protest is noted.

[wcreader]

"Chinese protesters beaten back by police"??
Use common sense. No sure if this report is political driven? Mow, In China, people's living standard has improved a lot in the past 30 years, China is now one of the big economy bodies. China is continuing changing and continues to make improvement on their path.

Why Chinese in want make make nosie and want to make revolution, chaos? Even there is absolutely no link, it seems special controlled media and politicians in Washington want to stir up and to start the 'Jasmine Revolution' to China?
Why?


Root cause of Chaos at N. Africa: Inflation, no jobs, and Bad economy:

The fact is that Irresponsible policy of Washington, for example, EQ1, QE2 and the dirty Acts of wall street/NY banker's made-in-USA poison bond has caused worldwide inflation. Bad economy and job lost worldwide in the past 2 years. As a result, that had cost huge damage and unstable situation in Egypt, N. Africa, and Middle East. and every corner of the globe. Indeed, the major export of Washington, indeed in the past years, are 1) Inflation, 2)US Debt transfer to globe.

It seems that some nedia and politicians at Washington has blame others for their acts, and now has defocus the world on the root cause, and is playing political game to stir the world with 'Jasmine Revolution'?? Blame others for Inflation and social Chaos. Mixing up with economy, religious issue to political sales of US value system of special interest group in the name of "human right". Behind the stage, isn't it special interest of Washington to control the world with Oil, Currency, military gunboat diplomacy, and weapons sales? Really wonder?

Is US behind all these revolution? The odd is that these old leaders were all funded and support the CIA or US special interest and politician.

[usadvisor101]

are you nuts? you must not have ever read about, what the average chinese worker goes through! 6 days a week,14-16 hour work days.they use child laborers to melt down and recycle circuit boards and electronics.they are living in pathetic dorms,with no health care and a govt that is bent on destroying their environment all for a quick buck. no free speech or internet, and corrupt govt officials that turn an eye to,child laborers making counterfiet goods. speak up ro write about it,and you wind up in a gulag! yeah, why complain about such a great life!

[pugster]

Looks more a foreign reporter led rather than a people led revolution to me.

[alphaa10000]

DOUBLE PLAY FOR ARCHIE BUNKER

Wrong, again, Archie. The PRC actively tracks down and imprisons those who campaign for democracy, and foreign reporters are shadowed and harassed exactly as they were in the Soviet dictatorship.

By mouthing the PRC official line that all this is the work of "outside agitators", you unwittingly channel George Wallace, and ally yourself with the wealthiest communist dictatorship in the world. That is a winning, double-play for the other team, and you helped out, Archie.

But since you voted for Bush twice, how would you know a democratic movement when you saw one, anyway?

[pugster]

If people in China want democracy, you should see a large number of them actively protesting out in the streets. There are numerous non political protests, even the Chinese government knows that. Meanwhile, we have foreign paid hooligans and foreign journalists who make these fake protests so they can try to overthrow the government, failing to mention absence of number of people doing that.

[alethean]

How can we continue to do business with China when People have Zero Rights, No Environmental Laws, and are Run by a Dictatorship? It is a complete Exploitation of Labor and is No Different from when We Had Slavery. Northern Businessman turned a Blind Eye to this Tragedy of Mankind for Many Years to Make a Handsome Profit. It wasn't until enough Good People Stood Up and Said No More Business If Slavery Is Involved, at any Cost. Today, our Corporations Feed This Exploitation and Turn a Blind Eye. I hope enough Good People Stand Up.

[alphaa10000]

POLICE ATTACK THOSE WHO REPORT PROTEST

The last defense of a dying dictatorship is the secret police, and these police-- whether in Libya, Egypt or China-- make their first target the reporters who tell the truth. Dictatorship is about total control, but the truth cannot be controlled.

Eventually, dictators around the world will understand they must heed the call of people for democracy and freedom.

When Hu Jin Tao visited, Obama made a point of bringing up human rights-- a change from official protocols of the past which all but forbade unpleasantness between heads of state. That said, we must keep the criticism on the front page, not the back page-- if trade relations between the PRC and US are to thrive, there must be respect for human rights in both countries.

The PRC demands a 10 percent growth rate in GDP because it fears it will not retain power with 1.4 billion Chinese demanding democracy, unless it promises its own people something other than another "long march". But democracy is coming, whether Beijing knows it or does not.

The Chinese people have been through too much foreign exploitation not to object to a dictatorship imported long ago from Stalinland. This dictatorship is not of, by or for the proletariat, but exploits the Chinese people and denies them freedom in their own country.

Chinese who demand democracy in their own land ask for no more than the Libyans, the Tunisians and Egyptians demand in theirs. The young people of China, especially, feel the same hopes leading those who oppose Khadafi.

Thanks to modern communications, this is a revolution led by young and old. We should applaud these brave Chinese protesters who make their voices heard-- they are heard around the world, not only in China. And please note, the news article does not mention Tienanmen Square even once.

[pada10]

"Protesters beaten back"?

But where were they yesterday, you disinformer if not rumourmonger? I was there in Wanfujing but only saw hell of foreign reporters making trouble. Do you think Chinese who enjoyed 10%GDP in last 32 years would easily answer a call from anonymous overseas site, maybe by CIA?

Given foreign journalists are so eager to see a revolution, they could actually organize one of their own to realize their day-dream. It's highly feasible , man, with 300 strong in number, led by Uhta redneck president wannabe and followed by a handful whining beggars looking "dissidents". Isn't it enough to represent Chinese majority and to make a big scene for blind and ignorant viewers in West?

If America'd not sent carriers to China's gate months ago, there could have been bit more followers. Who want to be called as traitor in a country violated by the moral lecturer so much so long.

[alphaa10000]

Thank you, Xinhua News Agency. Your official protest is noted.

[hifive2008]

OMG, wrong photo again. The two 'policemen' in the photo are HK police. Good job CBS, keep lying.

[pat81122]

why did you use the japaneese flag as the dots for the chineese stories this evening 2/27/2011