As the truth about Lhasa riots has been brought to light and the violence by Tibet separatists came under condemnation of international community, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others have proposed a resolution, urging the Chinese government to "end its crackdown" in Tibet and "enter into a substantive dialogue" with Dalai Lama.
This is a typical example of confusing right with wrong. The Lhasa riots were violent acts premeditated, organized and masterminded by the Dalai clique. This is an undeniable fact witnessed by the local residents and foreign tourists.
Pelosi and other congressmen did nothing to condemn those who committed beating, smashing, robbery and arson in Lhasa, nor did they denounce Dalai and his followers for masterminding and organizing the riots.
Instead, they put pressure on the Chinese government and people. This cannot but prompt people with a sense of justice to ask what their criterion for right and wrong is.
According to some U.S. media reports, Pelosi said in March that what happened in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. But people have to ask who is posing this challenge. The truth is, normal life was resumed in Lhasa after the Chinese government took appropriate actions according to law. More than 100 countries in the world have expressed their understanding of and support to Chinese government's actions, an indication that the international community sides with China on the issue.
The legitimate actions taken by the Chinese government were aimed to maintain the country's legal system and public order and safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. No country will tolerate such lawbreaking acts as harming innocent people and destroying public property. When they openly encouraged violence by Tibet separatists, people cannot but ask whether Pelosi and others have conscience.
The Chinese government's policy towards the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. The government is ready to continue talks with him as long as he truly abandons advocating "Tibet independence" and stops activities aimed at splitting the nation, especially activities to instigate and plot violent crimes in Tibet and other regions, stops activities to sabotage the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, and accepts that Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China.
The Chinese government, however, will never bow to outside pressure. No attempts to force the Chinese government to make concession to those who split the country and undermine national unity will ever succeed.
The moves by Pelosi and others are nothing new. Since the 1990s they have tried on many occasions such as U.S. congressional hearing, the so-called anniversary of Tibetan uprising day and meetings with the Dalai Lama, to advocate putting pressure on China concerning Tibet issue.
If Pelosi and others cling to their unpopular course, their acts will ultimately harm China-U.S. relations.
The growth of China-U.S. relations has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and contribute to world peace, stability and development.
However, those who stick to the "Cold War mentality" are still trying to distort the truth with bias and disrupt harmony with discord.
As political figures, Pelosi and those congressmen should have a clear understanding of the trend of the times and show due respect of facts, and discard their prejudice, stop sponsoring resolution on Tibet, and refrain from doing anything that may harm the feelings of the Chinese people and undermine China-U.S. relations.
(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2008)