Transparency in government remains one of the major obstacles in China's social and political reform. The Communist Party has publicly acknowledged the need for more transparency; only in the last 3-5 years has government offices at every level around the country begun to add press departments, issue press releases, and hold regularly press conferences. But this is only one … [Read more...] about Southern Weekly: New rules on "Release of Information"
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Massive crowds swamp torch in Shenzhen
The torch has successfully completed the run in Shenzhen, although there are stories of difficulties navigating the crowds. The torch might have even been extinguished and transported via bus along part of the route... something similar to what happened in Paris, but for precisely the opposite reason. Reportedly 8 million people were on the streets for the torch. Here are … [Read more...] about Massive crowds swamp torch in Shenzhen
Tibetan exiles reaction to Shenzhen talks, Olympic torch
Lodi Gyari, one of the Dalai Lama's special envoys sent to Shenzhen, has issued the statement below in reference to the recent talks in Shenzhen. Most of the statement is a reiteration of the exile government's negotiating position, which few Chinese find acceptable in full. The idea that those directly involved in murder, vandalism, and assault on 3/14 can be released is … [Read more...] about Tibetan exiles reaction to Shenzhen talks, Olympic torch
Politics and the Beijing Olympics
The Christian Science Monitor has an article on the historical links between the Olympics and politics. It's mostly a repetition of what other articles have said, but there are a few interesting quotes. Similarities stop there, however, says Susan Brownell, a professor of anthropology at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, currently in Beijing studying Chinese preparations … [Read more...] about Politics and the Beijing Olympics
Olympic torch on top of the world
In a moment that made many Chinese proud, 21 Tibetan-Chinese, 8 Han-Chinese, and 1 Tujia-Chinese helped bring the 2008 Olympic Torch to top of the worlds' highest peak. The name of the peak in Tibetan is ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ (jo-mo glang-ma ri), which is often translated as "Great Mother" (literal translation as given in Chinese: "mother of Earth"). The first written recording of … [Read more...] about Olympic torch on top of the world