# Tibet: Are the chinese Overreacting? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 15, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484 "2008-03-15T18:57:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/1 "2008-03-15T18:57:41Z")
Just read that 35 people have been killed in lasa. Does it seem that the Chinese are over-reacting a bit? Seems like China’s sovereingty is a fact-so what are the issues? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/2 "2008-03-15T19:46:49Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Seems like China’s sovereingty is a fact-so what are the issues? [/QUOTE] Maybe the Tibetans don’t like being ruled from Beijing? ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/3 "2008-03-15T20:24:27Z")
From what I’ve read, at least a large number of those 10-35 dead are Chinese shop owners killed by rioting mobs, not peaceful protesters being gunned down by police. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/4 "2008-03-15T21:07:20Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Just read that 35 people have been killed in lasa. Does it seem that the Chinese are over-reacting a bit? Seems like China’s sovereingty is a fact-so what are the issues? [/QUOTE] Do you want to know what the issues are regarding [Tibet’s claims to sovereignty](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_sovereignty_debate)? You can say that China’s sovereignty over Tibet is a fact, but it only continues to be so because Beijing brutally asserts it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/5 "2008-03-15T23:55:12Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Does it seem that the Chinese are over-reacting a bit? [/QUOTE] Compared to what? Isn’t it pretty much SOP for the Chinese? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/6 "2008-03-16T00:04:06Z")
[QUOTE=flurb] Do you want to know what the issues are regarding [Tibet’s claims to sovereignty](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_sovereignty_debate)? You can say that China’s sovereignty over Tibet is a fact, but it only continues to be so because Beijing brutally asserts it. [/QUOTE] yeah. Selah. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/7 "2008-03-16T01:39:10Z")
If Tibet wants to be a state it can win independence from China. Many states are built on the conquest of other states–America, Canada, Mexico, France, Russia, et cetera. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/8 "2008-03-16T07:55:13Z")
[QUOTE=Martin Hyde] If Tibet wants to be a state it can win independence from China. Many states are built on the conquest of other states–America, Canada, Mexico, France, Russia, et cetera. [/QUOTE] It seems like they’re trying already. ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/9 "2008-03-17T00:00:50Z")
I don’t know if this [article](http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html) is true, but if it is I think the average Tibetan is better off with the Chinese there, and the Chinese should do what it takes to help those people. But I do wonder about its credibility, can anyone verify or debunk its contents? The gist of it is that the religious dictatorship in Tibet is a worse oppressor then the Chinese. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/10 "2008-03-17T00:25:24Z")
The Chinese have instituted a systematic ethnic cleansing of Tibet, they have moved Han Chinese in to work the land, outlawed the traditional religion and exiled the spiritual leader. The Chinese of course will always over-react. I expect genocide to be complete before the summer olympics. Or… We see a reformed China where people actually have a voice. Either they crush the Tibetan rebellion brutally and utterly or they liberalize and allow free speech all across China. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/11 "2008-03-17T02:14:49Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] I expect genocide to be complete before the summer olympics. [/QUOTE] [Well, the Olympic Committee seems to think the Beijing Olympics might help foster change in China](http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/chinaunresttibetrightsoly2008germany). Kind of like the 1936 Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/12 "2008-03-17T02:42:06Z")
The athletes absolutely should attend. The Olympics an event dedicated to world peace occurring in Beijing while they brutally slaughter Tibetans would make for great cover internationally. China will lose tremendous face the entire time the Olympics is going on. It’ll make monumental change in China. Unfortunately the Tibetans will still have been massacred. 80 dead already last I heard. The Tibetans will not back down. It’s existential for them. China is trying to eradicate their culture. Normally this is not even news around the world, but somehow Tibet’s culture is strong enough that it is a world sensation, people think of Tibet as synonymous with spirituality. So while other cultures and languages die off at incredible rates worldwide, Tibet is front page news, and will remain so during every decathlon. China is doing the same to the Uighar’s (sp?) but they’re Muslim so nobody cares. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/13 "2008-03-17T02:47:23Z")
[Looks like](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/15/tibet.china2)the[violence has](http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0314/p99s07-woap.html?page=1) [escalated](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3556473.ece?token=null&offset=0) I hadn’t realized how serious things were. Hopefully the Chinese authorities can get things under control before things get out of hand. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/14 "2008-03-17T02:50:03Z")
[QUOTE=Throatwarbler Mangrove] [Looks like](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/15/tibet.china2)the[violence has](http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0314/p99s07-woap.html?page=1) [escalated](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3556473.ece?token=null&offset=0) I hadn’t realized how serious things were. Hopefully the Chinese authorities can get things under control before things get out of hand. [/QUOTE] I hope they don’t, I hope they capitulate. I am never hopeful on the side of the ones trying to outright destroy another’s culture. How would you feel if Europe took over Turkey and then outlawed Islam. Would you hope that the European authorities got it under control when the Muslims revolted? ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/15 "2008-03-17T02:53:33Z")
Since it is clearly nothing but thuggery, I hope the instigators are shown no mercy. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/16 "2008-03-17T02:57:12Z")
[QUOTE=Throatwarbler Mangrove] Since it is clearly nothing but thuggery, I hope the instigators are shown no mercy. [/QUOTE] Ok, well then, mark one in support of the side committing genocide. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/17 "2008-03-17T02:58:12Z")
Well, duh. This is China we’re talking about. Of course they’ll be executed, and their families will be sent the bill. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/18 "2008-03-17T02:59:37Z")
Found a [blogger](http://kadfly.blogspot.com/) in Lhasa. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/19 "2008-03-17T03:02:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, duh. This is China we’re talking about. Of course they’ll be executed, and their families will be sent the bill. Unfortunately, that may not be the case. I don’t have a link, but the source is Xinhua: > [@](#): > > LHASA – Law enforcement authorities in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region issued a notice on Saturday, urging lawbreakers in Friday’s riot to stop their criminal activities and offering leniency to those who surrender themselves. > > The Tibetan higher people’s court, the regional people’s procuratorate and the regional public security bureau said in the notice the rioters had set fire to schools, hospitals, children entertainment centers, shops and civilian houses, confronted government departments and assaulted law enforcement officers. > > They had also smashed and burnt vehicles, looted properties and killed innocent people, the noticed said, adding that all these had violated China’s criminal law. > > The unrest since March 10 in Lhasa is “a political conspiracy plotted by the Dalai clique to split Tibet from the motherland and sabotage the peaceful and harmonious life enjoyed by people of all ethnic groups in Tibet,” it said. > > The notice demanded the lawbreakers to give themselves in by Monday midnight, and promised leniency for those who surrender. > > Those who surrender and provide information on other lawbreakers will be exempt from punishment, the notice said. > > Those who cover up or shelter the lawbreakers would be punished in accordance with the law, according to the notice. > > Citizens who report lawbreakers or crimes to authorities will be rewarded and given due protection, it said. > > Death toll from the riot has increased to 10, according to latest official figure. > > More than 580 people, including three Japanese tourists, were rescued from banks, supermarkets, schools and hospitals that were set alight by violent saboteurs, sources with the Tibet Autonomous Region government said on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484/20 "2008-03-17T03:03:44Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pcfQ8GA063c/hqdefault.jpg "Tibet Unrest - China State Television biased onesided report") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcfQ8GA063c) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9RPW7xWOk) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tibet-are-the-chinese-overreacting/441484.md?page=2)