Dalai Lama/China

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 7:57 pm

News on the BBC tonight that two members of the chinese embassy ministry have visited Leeds City Council expressing their concerns that the Dalai Lama will be attending the Yorkshire International Business Convention,threatening that they would pull their Olympic team from the city.Though it appears that the Dalai Lama is still attending the council has relented to Chinese pressure and have removed their involvement in the event.It appears that our burghers,worried about some short term "possible" hundreds of thousands of pounds,have given in to bullying.Though i am more than happy to see the Chinese come to our city,i am not happy that the representatives of an unelected government,with questionable morals,can roll up and do such a thing.What i find more galling is that the council gave in,iam afraid to say,for the first time in my life,iam ashamed to be a Loiner.Perhaps we should have Neville Chamberlain in charge of the council,im sure that not even HE would have appeased the Chinese.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 8:14 pm

Yes,the Chinese are the new world bully boys but I'm afraid Leeds City Council's response was pathetic.The Olympics was meant to cross all political barriers and world trouble spots but Leeds has put itself firmly on the map as being a "soft touch".Should have let them pull out.At this late stage,where would they expect to have all the facilities,accomodation etc in place for next month ? Leeds City Council......hang your heads in shame.

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 8:40 pm

somme1916 wrote: Yes,the Chinese are the new world bully boys but I'm afraid Leeds City Council's response was pathetic.The Olympics was meant to cross all political barriers and world trouble spots but Leeds has put itself firmly on the map as being a "soft touch".Should have let them pull out.At this late stage,where would they expect to have all the facilities,accomodation etc in place for next month ? Leeds City Council......hang your heads in shame. My sentiments exactly,there are somethings more important than money

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 8:59 pm

I have to agree with you both. We have no argument with the Dalai Lama or China so our council should not act as if we have. The correct thing to do is not change the plans and let China look pathetic if they so wish. Other people's prejudice is an appalling reason to do anything.I hear some people in the world don't like <insert nationality here> so let's ban all the <insert nationality here> from Leeds shall we? If we're going to let other people dictate everything let's go the whole way.

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 10:19 pm

Well we have probably "Lost Face" in the eyes of the Chinese government,losing face within Chinese culture is one of the lowest things one can do.I think if we had called their bluff they would have stuck with the arrangements they had in place.And upsetting them would hardly have caused too much of a problem for the future,its not as if there will be a similar situation with regards to the Olympic games or something akin to it in our lifetimes.I would envisage the regime change,instigated by its own population,will have occurred by the time the Olympics come back to this country.Anyway,lets stay away from international politics.

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 10:36 pm

cnosni wrote: What i find more galling is that the council gave in,iam afraid to say,for the first time in my life,iam ashamed to be a Loiner. +1Jim.

book · Post by **book** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 10:43 pm

Yes our leaders shouldn't bow to what one party feels about another. I'm sure both Communism and the lack of democracy is as offensive as people calling Dalai Lama, his holiness to some people.

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 13 Jun, 2012 11:52 pm

book wrote: Yes our leaders shouldn't bow to what one party feels about another. I'm sure both Communism and the lack of democracy is as offensive as people calling Dalai Lama, his holiness to some people. Indeed,the Dalai Lama's selection as supreme leader of his home country is arbitary to say the least, when our royal family has at least the legitimacy of being able to trace their right to the throne through their ancestors rather than through which direction the preceeding incumbants head happened to fall when they died (what do they do if they are looking up when they die?)However,the Dalai Lama is regraded throughout the rest of the world as a man of reason and gravitas (even by those who regard themselves as being to the political left ironically) and his opinion is hard to ignore.Personally i have no leaning towards the Dalai Lama,but i do take offence to a countries (unelected) political elite interfering in the affairs of a democratically elected assembly.Unfortunately,that same democratically elected assembly does not share my opinion,they would rather take the money (wherever or if ever that will actually benefit the local economy) than stick to their principles.Stick the money,not the principles of free speech and freedom of choice.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Thu 14 Jun, 2012 2:46 am

Disgusting that Leeds city council is kowtowing to a nation that has an appauling human rights record. Well I have a feeling that some of the Chinese atheletes will be training using the facilities at the Becketts Park / Carnegie college campus so I think a massive FREE TIBET banner might be in order. I mean the Chinese managed to turn the Olympics into a propaganda fest, Why were they even given it in the first place? Greased palms and promises of lucrative international trade deals no doubt. Clearly nothing is sacred...

Post by **cnosni** » Fri 15 Jun, 2012 3:31 pm

It seems the Chinese government have struck again,only this time they didnt get their own way with our fello Yorkshiremen down the roadhttp://realscreen.com/2012/06/13/exclusive-chinese-delegation-pulls-out-of-docfest/