The Tibetan government recently
released a statement saying that on the 19th
July, the day Chinese officials had chosen
to commemorate the 'peaceful liberation' of
Tibet, shocks of dissent were felt in the capital,
Lhasa.
A
huge banner reminding Tibetans they had no reason
to celebrate their 50 years of "blood and
tears" under Chinese rule was draped over
the telecommunications building. The banner claimed
that Tibetans would protest the anniversary of
the so-called liberation.
The banner, written in Chinese characters, was
quickly taken down by police, and Chinese authorities
have already instigated an enquiry into the affair.
They suspect the involvement of people who work
in the Chinese establishment, rather than just
the rank and file citizens.
The Chinese government, fearful about protesters
in Lhasa, had trucked in 7,000 outsiders to participate
in the official parades and festivities. Lhasa
inhabitants had proven less than willing to celebrate
this day, and many residents had refused to fly
the Chinese flag, despite the severe consequences
this non-compliance wrought.
Tibetans were also angered by a government report
stating that over 1,000 Tibetans without valid
residential permits had been expelled from Lhasa,
yet the countless Chinese who live illegally
in the city were left un-touched. The timing
of this latest crackdown left Tibetans wondering
aloud whether the renewed discrimination had
anything to do with the fact that only days before,
Beijing had been awarded the 2008 Olympic Games.
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