The presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain met with the Dalai Lama Friday in Aspen, Colorado, and soon afterward photos like this one were landing in newspapers around the world.
The image is certain to evoke contrary emotions. Here in China, it causes a certain amount of indigestion at Zhongnanhai, the powerbase of the leadership.
Barely two weeks before President Bush arrives in China to attend the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games, McCain is marking his distance, essentially signaling to U.S. voters that he may tweak the current path of Sino-U.S. relations.
According to a Los Angeles Times blog, here is a little of what the two men said during their meeting:
"I am very pleased and honored to meet with his holiness the Dalai Lama, a man of peace. His holiness represents the profound desire of millions of Tibetans for basic dignity and human rights,” McCain said.
"His nonviolence approach and his lifelong approach of seeking common ground around cultural and religious divides are an inspiration for all of mankind and to millions of Americans."
The Arizona senator did call on China to improve its treatment of Tibetans and release Tibetan political prisoners. Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama stressed that the appearance was not an endorsement -- an aide said he’s also spoken to Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Apparently McCain’s policy analysts figure that this kind of image assures voters that McCain can take a tough approach to China, and that it’ll draw votes.
Here's a bit from a Wall Street Journal article about the Aspen meeting (sorry, it's behind a pay wall):
Especially given the timing, Sen. McCain's meeting is a strong show of sympathy for critics of the Chinese regime at a time when the world's attention is focused on the country.
Most voters see China as more of an adversary than an ally, according to The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released this week -- the survey showed 54% think of China as a foe, while only 23% view it as a friend -- even though a clear majority, 63%, believe President George W. Bush should attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, while only a quarter said he shouldn't. Sen. McCain's meeting with the Dalai Lama appears to be partly an effort to inoculate himself from the criticism Mr. Bush is likely to get from human-rights activists.
To some extent, "he's trying to draw a distinction between himself and the president, who's going to the Olympics," said Charles Freeman, a China scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In its relations with other countries, China often tries to intimidate foreign capitals to avoid these kinds of meetings with the Dalai Lama, an irredeemable separatist, in its view. Within the past year, it has used such tactics on Canada, Britain, France and Germany, with a fair amount of success. We’re yet to see whether Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, will go ahead with a scheduled meeting with the Dalai Lama in mid-August after he returns from a trip to China to watch the Olympics open.
How other countries react to China’s displeasure over the Dalai Lama is an interesting gauge of its leverage on the world stage. If other countries back down, it says less about the issue of Tibet than about fear of reprisal from China.
That’s not generally the case with the United States, though. While Washington generally doesn’t needlessly irritate relations with Beijing, bending to China would certainly not be a route to success in a presidential campaign.
@Sparkle
You know, I never thought of it that way. Freedom of choice to believe in what you want or not to believe in what you are told is considered a "cultural genocide"...quite interesting.
I once read that some Tibetans donate most of their salaries to the monasteries. It's a wonder why some stay poor. Everyone overlooks the fact that the Chinese government does give the monasteries a stipend. But alas, the stipend is not enough to be a Rolex for every monk. Only the Dalai Lama can have such a luxury.
I am shocked and surprised that you are the only one that has answered my question (even though it was not quite what I was looking for, but your sarcasm made a good point). I highly urge every reader to think about and give examples of the "cultural genocide" that is "taking place".
Is it because the Tibetans don't have Tibetan language television (fortunately they do)? Because signs aren't written in Tibetan and Chinese (they do that too) or is it because people now have the choice not to be Buddhist?
Posted by: Junhui | August 05, 2008 at 08:17 PM
@Junhui
I can offer an insight of what the "cultural genocide" is. "Cultural Genocide" is the "de - mystification" of buddaism. With the influx of mainland chinese to Tibet, buddaism temples can nolonger do whatever they want in the name of religion. Reason? Simple. Most Chinese (if not all), myself Included, know buddaism well. As anyone in China, young or old, rich or poor, they may claim not believing in buddaism, but they can tell a few common and well known things about buddaism. Most Chinese can tell something about buddaism philosophy and standard monk practices. With this regard, and the influx to Tibet, Titan people are now free to not believing in whatever the temples have to say. Monks and Temples can nolonger possess serfs to support their living. They have to depend on donation and government support. Most of Han Chinese wealthier than Tibetans would not donate to lamas due to the simple reason that we don't believe that these lamas are buddist followers at all. Tibetan are poorer and no longer bear the obligation to support the monks. Government support is minimal and cannot make monks live in luxury as they once did. The result, the monasties and temples are getting poorer monks felt that they are being cheated (monks were supposed to live a better life than others in Tibet). And the so said "Cultural Genocide".
Posted by: Sparkle | August 05, 2008 at 05:43 PM
@MT - excellent point about Saudi Arabia - I never thought about it that way - sure sounds like double standards to me.
Posted by: Condor | July 30, 2008 at 11:14 PM
@varela,
Why can't you understand what Junhui is trying to explain? What he is saying is that China has exactly the same amount of religious freedom as Saudi Arabia has. If you publicly worship a non-state approved religion, you go to jail at both places. Period. It is just China living up to its constitution and Junhui proud of it. We should accord it just as much respect as we accord Saudi Arabia.
Also, how dare you accuse China of cultural genocide. Didn't you know that religion is not part of culture in China.
Posted by: MT | July 30, 2008 at 11:04 PM
@Wilbur Varela
I don't know if you've ever been to China or ever really sat down and read the Chinese constitution but I don't think it's hard to understand what "atheist" means. FULL Religious freedom in an atheist nation? First off, its not illegal to practice religion, its illegal to "congregate" in China. It's okay to practice religion in private so as long as you don't effect others. Unless you practice at a government approved place of worship.
In addition, just because the Dalai Lama received the "noble peace prize" doesn't make him a saint. A true saint would have been Gandhi, who did not receive the peace prize even after being nominated 5 times. It's interesting to note that the Dalai Lama's award was given to him on October 1989...(hint: it was the year of the Tiananmen Incident, April). Hrm...makes me wonder...if there was a motive to piss off China...
Anyway, sorry to say that I do not admire the Dalai Lama. I do not practice Tibetan Buddhism and therefor he is not holy to me. In addition, "admired around the world"? That's a far fetched statement that could have been more credible had you said "admired around the world by celebrities".
In retort to your "he has no army", he obviously did have an army during the first Tibetan uprising. The only fall back to his army, is it failed.
Some reader commented about defining what "cultural genocide" was. If you ever EVER look at any picture taken in Tibet, there is Tibetan writing everywhere alongside Hanzi. Tibetan language is not restricted; Tibetans freely place their "spirt flags" everywhere and Tibetans freely adorn their native clothing at their own will. What is being stripped away? I would LOVE to hear how other readers define "cultural genocide". After this post, I'm gonna go watch American TV and kill some of my Chinese culture cells in my brain while I'm watching.
Lastly, I thought this was a very interesting read to you people who think you know the Dalai Lama:
http://www.westernshugdensociety.org/en/protesting/ostracism/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorje_Shugden_controversy
Posted by: Junhui | July 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Aren't the Chinese government already talking to Dalai's people? Whethter anything comes out of it is a whole other matter.
There is a lot of mutual suspicion between the Chinese government and the Dalai since they both come to the table with a lot of historical baggage. So let's start with one thing at a time. Why don't the Dalai clarify what he means when he says "cultural genocide?" It sounds pretty deadly and it's a good marketing slogan, but no one really has a any idea what is meant by that and I'm pretty sure it pisses the Chinese government off to no end. I would think that that single charge in and by itself would be enough to deter any real negotiations. Let's see if BOTH sides can come to a good faith agreement on the use of the "G" word.
Posted by: Condor | July 29, 2008 at 05:36 PM
@ coldblooded3,
all I am saying is that usually, when human beings sit down together at dinner, they can discuss problems in a rational manner. Of course it is not simple. History is rarely simple. Nixon sat down with Chou en-lai, didn't he? And they shared some rice. They both walked away feeling like they could make a deal. The power of the Dalai Lama, or the Pope, or Nelson Mandela for that matter, is the power of symbolism, the power of ideas, the power of moral authority. He has no army, and no country, and yet China threatens him and the countries who meet with him, as if he had nuclear weapons. He has only his wits.
And if you are sick of noodles, cabron, perhaps some tacos pescadas with guacamole will help lower your blood pressure.
Posted by: Wilbur Varela | July 29, 2008 at 03:50 AM
"Have him acknowledge China's rule, invite him to the games, and sit down and have some noodles".
You think all Dalai wants is back to home and have some home made noodles huh? You think over all that 50 years 's wandering over the world, struggling for penny and dime, playing cute like a chiwawa, just because he's homesick and miss the god@mn noodle so much? and the CCP is just so badass that they wouldnt give this old man a ticket back home and some noodles? dont you think if it's that simple it would have happened long time ago? go read some history between 1958 to 2008, prior to March 12th.
Posted by: coldblooded3 | July 28, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Wilbur Varela
If CCP talked with Daliar Lama the way as you suggested, Hu Jingtao could be house-arrested as one of predecessors.
Posted by: jeff | July 28, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Tell me again why negotiating some sort of agreement with the Dalai Lama about Tibetan culture and religious freedom is so frightening to the CCP? Have him acknowledge China's rule, invite him to the games, and sit down and have some noodles. You'll feel much better, and perhaps it will enhance China's security much more than any deployment by the Sharp Sword SOF Unit of the PLA.
Posted by: Wilbur Varela | July 28, 2008 at 08:24 PM
@ Condor, you seem like a very reasonable man, and many of your points on religion are quite true. I do not mean to infer China is defective, as I follow Tim's blog with great interest because of my admiration for all things Chinese. But let us return to the original issue of the Dalai Lama, and the fear and anger he generates in China. We are talking about a man who has won the Nobel peace prize, and is admired around the world. He could have easily said to Tibetans to burn everything down, but he didn't. Quite the opposite.
You can take the position that the rest of the world are idiots, and only Chinese people know the truth, but then, that would just play into the perception that China is paranoid and has a chip on it's shoulder. I say choose the "middle way" a very chinese concept of compromise, and by the way, doesn't China's constitution guarantee full ethnic and religious freedom?
Posted by: Wilbur Varela | July 28, 2008 at 08:18 PM
@Barney: "They killed not in the name of God (even though they thought so)." Entertaining way of putting it. I'd leave it alone except it's wrong. These people were religious, very religious, and they did kill in the name of God. The fact that they derived power and riches from it was a demonstration of divine providence. I will agree that God may have thought otherwise, but who knows.
What you describe about China is also wrong (CCP as the religion). Haven't you ever heard of nationalism? It's an -ism that's rather passe now in most of the West, but it's very much in vogue in China. The Chinese react negatively when China is insulted, not when the CCP is insulted. In fact, many Chinese like to abuse their local party organizations because they are run by corrupt, ignorant and brutish bureaucratic hacks. It just happens that most Chinese feel that on the whole, the CCP has been on the right track for the last 30 years and is leading China back to its rightful place as one of the great powers for the world. You may disagree with them, but ranting about it will hardly change anything, well, except to influence the ignorant and gullible in the West (of which, including a bevy of dime store nationalist of our own, we have legions).
Posted by: Condor | July 28, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Wilbur,
'..the Dalai Lama has no army, and has killed no one...' What have you been smoking?
Posted by: LFOL | July 28, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Dalai Lama seems always associated with losers.
Posted by: LOL | July 28, 2008 at 12:09 PM
In history these "religious" people were not religious at all. They didn't even come close to obeying the commandments. They killed not in the name of God (even though they thought so). They killed in the name of power, very simple. China is/has been the same and just as simple. OH! China is just another country, that's all. The CCP is the religion of China whether Chinese like, obey, have faith in it or not. The "angry youth" are starting to act like those people in the world who feel their gOD was insulted. A group of thugs and goons is China's spiritual leader, the CCP. Their Church is CCTV and the classroom.
Posted by: Barney | July 28, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Hey, where do I enroll to be a Buddhist monk?
They get to get lucky online...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-526004/Thai-Buddhist-monks-broke-celibacy-vows-flirting-women-online.html
Posted by: A B | July 28, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Well Wibur, I think you touched a nerve because more than even many of your other posts you have demonstrated an utter lack of knowledge of Chinese history or culture by insinuating some type of defect in the present day China because "...China doesn't have a single spiritual leader of any religion, other than the "party". There is no chinese leader of great integrity or morality that the world respects." Well, China has a lot of defects but this isn't one of them. And then, regretably, when I give you some background regarding religion in China, relative to the West so that even someone like you can form some perspective, you come and put words in my mouth - "condor's comment that the chinese never killed because of religion" - I have a hard time reconciling the "generally refrained" description in my post to your claim of "never." Besides this point, for your information, the Boxers were anti-western, and since a big contingent of westerners in China at that time were Christian missionaries - they included both these missionaries and their Chinese converts as targets of their wrath. Very unfortunate for the Christians, nevertheless it was not a conflict of religion. And in absolute terms, how can anyone with any sense of proportion compare what happened in the Boxer rebellion with the wholesale slaughter of cities that occured during the Crusades (Christian/Muslim, Christain/Jew, Christian/Christian [they crossed the wrong way - let's kill them]), the jihads (Muslim/Christian), the wars of Reformation (more Christian/Christan), the Inquisition (Christian/Jews, Christian/Moors, Christian/Christian [seems to be a favorite]), the progroms in all parts of Europe (Christian/Jews)...well, that was the point of my post. Your point was - love the Dalai - great - I wish you'd stick to it.
Posted by: Condor | July 28, 2008 at 04:38 AM
Wow, must have touched a nerve with the overseas chinese. But lets review the logic here...because "religion" has killed more people than the athiest CCP, they are the lesser evil? Are we talking about the crusades and the inquisition versus the cultural revolution? the Dalai Lama has no army, and has killed no one... nor after fleeing his home, has he ever called for violence. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi, both believers in "religion", needed no fighter planes or thugs in track suits. And as for @ condor's comment that the chinese never killed because of religion, he might want to speak to a chinese christian family. Check out a book on the Ch'ien-lung era, or the Boxer rebellion. The larger point is that the Dalai Lama and Chine could work together to solve many problems, and demonstrate to the world a powerful new asian century, based on venerable traditions that can help our planet.
Posted by: Wilbur Varela | July 28, 2008 at 03:57 AM
Using others' internal contradictions for one's own internal politiking/posturing~ I just cannot imagine there can be any more sickier thing than this. There again, this is the true face of the pathetic West. People of the developing world rise up & smash this evil stranglehold of the West on our lives! The day the supremacy of the West diminishes is the day this sick parade shall cease to exist.
Posted by: Overseas Chinese | July 28, 2008 at 02:16 AM
@Wilbur
It's not curious at all that China has no religious leader of note. That's because, compared to the West (from the Ancient Greeks, Mesopotamians and Egyptians to the present time) the Chinese civilization and culture, from Confucious onwards, have never been very religious at all (the old man was all for the observing religious rites but had little use for heaven, hell, or other netherworld destinations). And the Chinese today, even under a so called communist regime, have proven to be worthy inheritors of 2500 years of Confucian culture. I agree with Junhui that "'Religion' has put the CCP to shame in terms of spreading fear, death and the ability propagate its own agenda" (I copied it because it was so well put). One result is that as bloody as Chinese history have been in the past few millineums, the Chinese have generally refrained from torturing and slaughtering each other or other peoples because they profess to believe in another g(God), or even bothered to discriminate against them in every day life (thus wasting perfect opportunities to demonstrate their fitness as the ones chosen by God by causing misery and deprivation to their neighbors). It's something most people in the West have until very recently had a very difficult time understanding (and you obviously still don't), for good reasons given the almost genetic disposition of Western civilizations to bloodlet in the name of "one true God"
Posted by: Condor | July 28, 2008 at 12:53 AM
lol, so being religious is cool now? not like in the past 2 thousands years, ripping each others head off, burning ppl alive in the name of God? when was the turning point? i mean from blood suckers to peace loving souls? because I've gotta tell ya that has to be the greatest day in human history.
Posted by: coldblooded3 | July 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Daliar Lama was petting our heroic senator?
Posted by: jeff | July 27, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Daliar Lama was petting our heroic senator?
Posted by: jeff | July 27, 2008 at 10:17 PM
@Wilbur
Before I forget, can you name one nation, which has freedom of religion, that has an international spiritual figure? I guess the rest of the free world just lacks "spiritual sustenance".
The greatest enemy of Freedom of Religion is not Freedom of No Religion but is in fact Freedom of One Religion.
Posted by: Junhui | July 27, 2008 at 09:51 PM
I'm starting to wonder if this Wilbur fella even knows anything about China or reads any of our replies. I believe, many commentators, me for one, have stated time and time again that China is an officially atheist nation.
What good is a "spiritual leader" in an atheist nation? China has done pretty well in terms of religion over the course of history. If you really took the time to search up the Confucianism you would know that it is currently enjoying a rebirth in China. Parents are starting to send their children to Confucian schools on weekends to learn how to be humble. Rather than sending their children to die in the name of some deity who was actually a man no different from us. (NOTE: Confucianism is not a religion, but a philosophy)
"Religion" has put the CCP to shame in terms of spreading fear, death and the ability propagate its own agenda. Is it not enough to learn to be kind to others from philosophies or do we really need to be pressured by eternal damnation in order to be labeled a "kindred spirit"?
I certainly hope that no one in my family will send their children to die in the future for any monk, imam, pope or religious figure.
As far as McCain, I'm pretty sure his Christian constituents are not very pleased.
Posted by: Junhui | July 27, 2008 at 09:04 PM
How can a guy took up arms to fight, failed and fled to India is a man for peace? If he succeeded, was he still a man for peace? I am very confused.
Posted by: T.C. | July 27, 2008 at 08:07 PM
OK. I didn't have my glasses on.
Sorry. "Sustenance of spirit" ...still don't know what you meant.
Posted by: T.C. | July 27, 2008 at 08:03 PM
What is a 'spiritual leader'? What is that for?
"substance of spirit"? Never heard about it.
Posted by: T.C. | July 27, 2008 at 07:59 PM
The grass eating atheist doesn't believe in me or my bitch or my father in heaven. What can I say!
Posted by: Jesus | July 27, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Curious to note that China doesn't have a single spiritual leader of any religion, other than the "party". There is no chinese leader of great integrity or morality that the world respects. Fear, yes. We all fear the Red Army. But love? Admiration? Think about it, no pope, no priest, no monk, no imam, no one to give sustenance of the spirit. And here we see the full envy and hatred on display, by those who consider themselves "scientific" and "logical." Perhaps that is why they hate and fear the Dalai Lama and the Pope.... because no man can exist by material means alone. Marx said religion is the "opiate" of the masses. And what did he leave China with? A soulless state, trying to find it's heart. I admire taoism and buddhism, which ironically flowered in China. Something to think about.
Posted by: Wilbur Varela | July 27, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Dumb move. American wingnuts never liked that lama because he 's a socialist and semi marxist. Maccain should go lick balls of Dobson alike, rather than a flashy celebrity befriends with Hollywood.
Posted by: coldblooded3 | July 27, 2008 at 02:36 PM
McCain looks like he has one of those awkward handhold with the Dalai Lama.
Posted by: pug_ster | July 27, 2008 at 02:23 PM
@T.C.
China is using his Holiness the Dali Lama as well, as a distraction from internal problems of all sorts, and as a way to unify the nation and position themselves as the true authority.
Thats the government. The "angry youth" use the Dali Lama to vent steam, look down on their unwashed and ungrateful country cousins, complain about one of the fewer and fewer gripes that can get them jailed, etc.
So, in short order, everyone: his Holiness the Dali Lama, the Chinese and "western" governments, the media, and the citizens of varying countries are using each other for matters of power and gratification.
Thats called an orgy, and when done right, everyone gets off. When done wrong, ka-boom! I predict a kaboom.
Posted by: Jaime | July 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM
The political monk in Gucci shoes is being used by the politicians in the west for political purposes, and he is using them to give him prestige and money to survive. That works quite well. Each part gets something out of it.
Posted by: T.C. | July 27, 2008 at 11:31 AM
"An old political monk wearing Gucci shoes and making friends with Hollywood stars who shoot movies about sex, violence, and other basic instincts..."
And yet the CCP is terrified enough to use so much diplomatic capital against him. What does that say about the CCP?
Posted by: MT | July 27, 2008 at 12:32 AM
An old political monk wearing Gucci shoes and making friends with Hollywood stars who shoot movies about sex, violence, and other basic instincts...
Posted by: wee | July 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
If John McCain wanted to meet the Dalai Lama because he truly likes the man and everything he stands for, then nobody should have a problem with it. But if he met the Dalai Lama simply to please the uber schtupid American voters consumed by the anti-Chinese sentiment, to win more votes then McCain and those schtupid American voters are just plain pathetic.
If those schtupid American voters are so sick and tired of China and the Chinese, they should petition to the US government to kick the Chinese ambassador out of the US and cut off all relations with China. Why not? No guts you say? Figured.
Schtupid people.
Posted by: Pffefer | July 26, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Sarkozy should remember that China has given him a lot of face by not pointing out directly that China has actually never invited him to attend the ceremony. He was merely invited by the French Olympics Committee.
Posted by: anon | July 26, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Meeting with llams are good.
Why, I think llamas are really good for steaks.
Posted by: A B | July 26, 2008 at 10:54 AM
The Dalai Lama is being courted as a means to further the political aspirations of politicians of every hue.
But will it ever translate into tangible support for the Tibetan cause, or will it, as always, remain hollow lip service after the Dalai Lama has served his ‘feel good’ publicity purpose?
http://one-just-world.blogspot.com/2008/07/letter-to-hu-jintao.html
Posted by: Veracity | July 26, 2008 at 09:27 AM