The Dalai Lama, along with various human rights groups, is taking this time before the Olympics to warn of Chinese free speech violations and educate the world on other noble causes. He is, of course, receiving media coverage along the way, much to China's dismay.
Then, like a chain reaction, Canada joined the cause of silently protesting against Beijing, too. After President Bush was joined by the Dalai Lama in the White House (as a matter of fact that was subsequent to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's meeting), Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper decided to welcome the Tibetian leader. Beijing has already issued harsh words, but as usual, Canada takes it as rhetoric. Heads of States in the West obviously give more weight to action than words. Maybe Beijing should invite separatist leaders in Quebec for a cup of tea in the Forbidden City to reciprocate the gesture.
Politicians in Europe and North America may not differentiate between Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi and Dalai Lama, nor are they bothered to treat Taiwan and China as a single entity, but know this: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is China's philosophy.
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