Destroying torch kills Olympic spirit

So the supposedly peaceful protest has turned into violent snatching and destroying of the Olympic Torch - a sacred symbol of the Olympic Games and its spirit.

The protest has been turned into an expression of violence by the agitators, which is an insult to the French people and to the sportsmen from around the world.

Truth from Singapore

On China Daily website

It is a terrible shame to see the biased nature of the Western media and some governments.

Unfortunately, the Western media is also focusing almost solely on the riots and protests along the route. I say "almost solely" as there was one clip today of Olympic supporters waiting cheerfully to see the flame. However, that was only shown once and cut quickly.

Openyoureyes from the UK

On China Daily website

I am English and I am ashamed of the recent violence toward the torchbearers. The violent protesters are trying to embarrass China and their acts are ill-mannered and disrespectful.

I was sorry to see that their behavior insulted ordinary people who looked forward to the Olympics. The protesters have no right to disrupt such a world event of peace and friendship. Please let the Olympic torch pass in peace.

Brianstone23 from the UK

On China Daily website

Terrorist organizations are notorious for their activities like explosions and aircraft hijacking. But few people had heard about the "Tibetan Youth Congress" (TYC). It is not until the eruption of the Lhasa riots on March 14th that people came to know about this group.

Founded in 1970, with 10,000 members and nearly 70 branches worldwide, the TYC is made up of followers of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan aristocrats in exile.

It declared its goal of achieving "complete independence of Tibet" on the first day of its establishment, and later became the core of Dalai clique. It has always been engaged in activities to split China, and it cannot shirk its responsibility for the Lhasa riots .

The TYC regards "violence" and "terrorist activities" as its "primary tasks" to achieve Tibet's independence. Its ex-president once said: "we have to achieve our goal by any means, be it violence or non-violence."

The Dalai Lama's brother even said: "terrorist activities can reap maximum efforts with minimum cost". These remarks prove this group is no different from other terrorist outfits in the world.

The Lhasa riots are actually the "masterpieces" premeditated by the TYC. A journalist was said to have detected this group's vicious plan on his trip to India as early as last August.

The group also planned the so-called Tibetan People's Uprising Movement and plotted a series of attacks, looting and burning which claimed many innocent people's lives and destroyed huge property.

Massive quantities of weapons confiscated from the residence of monks by the police after the riots proved the violent nature of the TYC.

According to Wu Heping, a spokesman from the Ministry of Public Security, the confiscated weapons included 178 guns, 13013 bullets, 359 knives, 3504 kg explosive devices, 19360 primers and 2 grenades.

How destructive it would be if these weapons were added together! If the TYC was not a terrorist organization, what else would it be?

Terrorists never take people's lives seriously. The day after March 14th, instead of mourning for victims, the TYC could not wait to hold a meeting in India and later passed the decision on armed struggles by setting up guerrilla cells. The head of the group claimed they were ready to sacrifice at least 100 Tibetans' lives for the ultimate success.

On March 25th, a day after the Beijing Olympic flame was lit in Greece, about 50 TYC members lit the torch symbolizing "the Independence of Tibet" in Dharamsala, India, where the Tibetan government-in-exile is located. But their torch is unable to become the "flame" in the hearts of peace-loving people. On the contrary, it unveils its true face to the whole world.

Arthur

On China Daily website

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(China Daily 04/15/2008 page9)