***Four activists barred from Hong Kong ahead of relay: supporters
1 day ago
HONG KONG (AFP) ― Three pro-Tibet campaigners and a freedom of speech advocate have been prevented from entering Hong Kong ahead of the Olympic torch relay through the city, supporters and groups said.
Two members of Students for a Free Tibet and a press officer with the Free Tibet Campaign, Matt Whitticase, were denied entry to the southern Chinese territory on Tuesday, the groups said in statements.
The move comes after three other protesters were also barred from entering the city Saturday, sparking criticism about the commitment of Hong Kong, which colonial power Britian returned to Chinese rule in 1997, to freedom of speech.
"2008 is the year that China is supposed to be opening up to the world in anticipation of the Olympics. But everywhere one looks, China is slamming the door in the face of free expression," Whitticase said.
"Tourists are being refused entry to Tibet, journalists are being prevented from reporting freely from Tibet, Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai (provinces) and now I have been denied entry to Hong Kong."
Whitticase was scheduled to talk to journalists about the humanitarian situation in Tibet during his visit, before he was flown back to London.
Two Canadians from Students for a Free Tibet -- Tsering Lama and Kate Woznow -- were also detained and sent back to New York, the group said in a separate statement on their website.
Zhang Yu, general secretary of the writers' group Independent China Pen Centre, was also prevented from entering the territory after flying in from Sweden, the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA) told AFP.
"No reason was given for why he was sent out. He was only coming for a long-planned press freedom conference," said Mak Yin-ting, general secretary of the HKJA.
The torch was set to return to Chinese soil in Hong Kong Wednesday after its long and often troubled journey around the world ahead of the Games in Beijing.
Hong Kong, with its freedom of expression laws, is expected to be a target for protestors hoping to vent a list of anti-China grievances when the torch is paraded through the city on Friday.
American actress Mia Farrow, who is pushing China to help stop violence in Sudan's conflict-riven Darfur region, is also expected in Hong Kong.
***A sheet of waved red Chinese flags gives a negative impression
The citizens of Nagano were disturbed at a mess in the torch relay on April 26th. An 80-year-old spectator from the neighborhood expressed his disappointment that the Chinese cheers were taking over the spots along the route near the opening ceremony. 'I don't feel good about this situation. Japanese are also sympathetic to Tibetans, and I think those Chinese people are just giving negative images about China to the Japanese public' said he.
The city was filled with a crowd of Chinese people waving red flags. 'This is scary. I understand those Chinese people want to support the Olympic, but I find it too much' said a 60-year-old man from Nakano.
After the torch relay passed like a typhoon, the quiet came back to Nagano. 'I'm glad the mess is now over. The city is calm again' said a male office worker in Nagano.
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2008/04/27/06.html
On 2008/04/28, at 14:53
***Nagano torch relay closing ceremony at Wakasato Park - Only Chinese, No Tibetan flag allowed by the police. The closing ceremony would be filled with the crowd of waved red flags.
The police banned Pro-Tibet protesters in the closing ceremony for a security reason. About 200 Pro-Tibet protesters were directed by the police to a different section of the park. The police had promised to some of the protesters to direct them to some other area, from where they could have a view of the ceremony, but it didn't happen. Meanwhile, the Chinese flags are allowed in the closing ceremony.
The ceremony will presumably be filled with the Chinese flags.
During the relay, the torch flame went out. (The reason is not clear yet, but some said it was by a wind. Please send us a video footage of this incident. )
Video
Torch Relay Nagano- Voice Live by the closing ceremony
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3105042
Torch Relay Nagano- Wakasato Park
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3108575
Photos：http://thumb2.uploda.org/file/uporg1387467.jpg
http://www.vipper.net/vip509358.jpg
http://up2.viploader.net/pic2d/src/viploader2d361272.jpg
On 2008/04/28, at 14:54
***Turmoil in front of the JR Nagano station - Clash between Chinese and Japanese
Thousands joined the scuffles, trampling one another.
http://www.zakzak.co.jp/top/2008_04/t2008042611_all.html
The relay route was lined up with the mobilized crowd of Chinese people chanting 'Go China' in Chinese from the early morning, facing off with the young Japanese Tibetan supporters, some of whom gathered together via internet, chanting 'Free Tibet.' Some thousands from two rival groups scuffled in front of the Nagano Station, trampling one another.
Around 9 AM in the midst of the relay, scuffling broke out between pro-China and pro-Tibet groups, among whom were many Japanese right-wing activists, near Nagano's main train station. Police separated the rival groups. Some were mobbed and trampled in the turmoil.
A right-wing activist shouted in a bullhorn, 'Chinese eat dumplings and go home' (after the food-poisoning case in Japan caused by the Chinese dumpling). Meanwhile, the Japanese crowd around condemned the right-wing activist, shouting 'Stop discrimination'.
'I saw a group of Chinese broke in and began to fight. There were at least 3 or 4 scuffles' said a wintess, Yuki Yamauchi (21). A Japanese protester stated a Chinese person had snatched his Tibetan flag.
Chinese cheers began to assemble even before the dawn. The relay route began to be lined up from 6AM by the Chinese people shouting 'Go China'. The slogan chant was amplified, when provoking the Japanese protesters holding Tibetan flags or 'Free Tibet' signs.
'I want to support the Olympic and this is all what I want', said a Chinese student (27) who studies in Fukui. The reporter's attempt to interview another Chinese woman was cut off by a Chinese person.
The monks at Todaiji Temple buddhism ceremony condemned China's crackdown in Tibet
A buddhism ceremony to pray for world peace was held at Todaiji Temple, Nara, and the monks from all over Japan joined it. 'As a buddhist, I can't overlook what is happening in Tibet. It is unacceptable that China has been oppressing human rights and violating freedom of religion in Tibet', said 純信 Hashimoto(59), priest of Jurinin Temple in Nara,
About 150 monks joined the ceremony. ' We lament that the host country of Olympic that is supposed to be a symbol of peace has taken innocent victims', the statement was read out, and the monks urged earliest possible peaceful resolution for Tibet.
The ceremony started in 1988 and this year is its 20th anniversary. A sutra was recited in the colossal hall of Great Buddha, and some tourists attended the ceremony with their hands clasped in prayer.
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/culture/academic/080426/acd0804261926007-n1.htm
Sheet of Red Flags in Nagano Torch Relay - Chinese said 'Tibetan Flag didn't do much' - Chinese source
A Chinese source quoted Kankyu Jiho(Chinese press) article on the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Nagano and reported that 10,000 Chinese people came to support the event and the city was filled with waving red flags on April 26th.
According to the on-the-spot report, there were about 100-200 Pro-Tibet supporters with Tibetan flags. One of the Chinese residents in Japan tried to snatch the Tibetan flags, but the other Chinese pulled him up. 'That kind of flags did not do much because they were greatly outnumbered by our red national flags.', said a Chinese person.
Many right-wing activists protested in the city, but they were drawing a clear line from the normal Japanese citizens. The source reported the torch was welcome by Japanese civilian population.
On 2008/04/28, at 14:53
***Zenkoji Temple hosted a mourning ceremony for the victims of chinese
crackdown in Tibet - Reporter Without Borders joined a protest in Nagano
Zenkoji Temple, which was withdrawn as a starting point of torch relay, held a morning ceremony for the victims of the recent chinese crackdown in Tibet on April 26th. It started at 8:15 AM. About 20 Tibetans living in Japan, the members from Tibet support groups and the monks joined the ceremony.
The temple was withdrawn as the starting point after objections over China's crackdown in Tibet on 18th. The temple decided to host the ceremony, wishing to offer an opportunity to think about the world peace.
At about 7:30 AM prior to the ceremony, Tsering Dorjee (34), representative of SFT Japan (Students for a free Tibet Japan) took initiative to recite Tibetan prayer made by the Dalai Lama 14th in front of the Zenkoji main hall. The members of 'Monks for Peace' began to recite the name of victims, as the opening ceremony of the torch relay started. The monks and attendants including Mr. Tsering offered the prayer for their souls in the Zenkoji main hall.
Many Pro-Tibet protesters began to appeal with Tibetan flags and signs around the temple from about 6AM, but no trouble occurred in this area. 'We were relieved that the ceremony was carried out without any problem', said the Zenkoji office.
Robert Menard (55), Secretary-General of Reporter Without Borders participated a sit-in demonstration from 7:34 AM for 15 minutes at the Zenkoji approach. Menard moved to the Daimon intersection, which was along the relay route, but after the relay had passed, and protested with the flag illustrating the Olympic rings transformed into handcuffs.
On 2008/04/28, at 14:55
**A message for the Tibetan people from the abbot of Zenkouji temple in Nagano
This simple yet moving message was given to the Tibetans who attended
the
memorial ceremony held in the early hours of the morning of the Japan
leg of the Olympic torch relay. The message was given by the abbot of
the 1400 year old Buddhist temple, Zenkouji. The temple itself is a
symbol of Nagano city and the plan was to use it for the starting point
of the Japan leg. However, the temple declined due to public outcry and
monks who objected to China's oppression in Tibet.
The Message:
"I believe you have been living with a great hardship. I am overwhelmed
by all gathered here today who have guarded the purity of your hearts.
This is a very difficult thing to do. When people experience hardships,
feelings like hate and frustration change them and their hearts become
hardened. It can be seen in their faces and even in what they hope for.
I can see, though, that this has not happened to you. You have guarded
the purity of your hearts and through kindness continue to press on.
Further hardships will only serve to make you more respected. I think
that we, the Japanese, have learned many things from your presence. I
look forward to our friendship together. Thank you very much."
***Zenkoji Temple, which has withdrawn from plans to host an opening ceremony of Japan's Olympic Torch Relay in Nagano, found spray-paint graffiti on the main hall that has been designed a national treasure on Sunday morning. The police is investigating the case as property destruction.
Around 5:40a.m. on April 20th, one of the Zenkoji officials found the main hall columns damaged with graffiti and reported it to the police. The police said the western column of the mail hall got damaged in two different spots, the northern column and the door in four different spots. The six spots got damaged with white spray-paint lines and patterns. Each scrabble is about 50 cm across, and marked at the spots around 3 meters high from the ground. The Zenkoji main hall is wooden structure reconstructed 300 years ago and it adapted an architectural character for wooden structure called 'Shumoku zukuri'. It has been designed a national treasure in 1953. Zenkoji precinct has free access for 24 hours. According to a Zenkoji official, no damage was seen around 11p.m previous night. From those conditions, the Police thinks someone scrabbled on the main hall at some time from 19th night to 20th morning and now investigating it for damaging property.
Zenkoji Temple had been set for a starting point for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Nagano on April 26th, but it refused the torch relay officially on 18th over Tibet issue. The Temple received almost 100 phone calls on 19th that agreed or disagreed to its decision.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/K10040968211_01.jpg
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/t10014096821000.html
***[Torch Relay] Nagano Japan: Zenkoji Temple withdraws from Olympic Torch Relay - The monks solidarity with Tibet -
The Buddhist Zenkoji Temple in Nagano on 18th April, Friday said it has decided to withdraw from plans to host Japan's opening stage of the Olympic torch relay on 26 April. The city of Nagano would change the starting point of the relay. While the relay has been dogged by protests over Tibet, Nagano would review the relay route for the security reason.
The temple officials visited Nagano City Hall in the Friday Morning to refuse the relay.
"As Buddhists, we are also concerned that Chinese authorities are suppressing the human rights of Tibetans", Zenkoji Temple Secretary, Shinsho Wakaomi told a press conference and made it clear that the reason of withdraw is out of solidarity with Tibet.
The temple's decision was made by consensus on the previous day.
'We share a strong feeling that we are the same Buddhists as Tibetans' one of the Zenkoji monk said.
The city of Nagano will modify the route within the weekend but will make the least possible changes.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080418-00000088-jij-soci
***Japanese politician Kono, with a pro-Chinese tilt meets Chinese FM Yang Jiechi
House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono met visiting Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi on 18th April at chairman's residence. Kono said Japanese side is expecting Chinese president Hu Jintao's visit to Japan in May, and the good wishes to Beijing Olympic.
'I wish China will solve the Tibet issue without making it an international issue' said Kono, contradicting the chinese authorities describing it an 'internal affair'.
'China needs to care the high level of international attention to human right and better modify the publicity' said Kono. While the torch relay has been dogged by protests over Tibet, he only expected the good wishes to Beijing Olympic. 'I highly praise that Japan regards Tibet issue as China's internal affair' said Yang Jiechi, appreciating profoundly the statement by Kono.
Chief Secretary of Liberal Democratic Party Fumiaki Ibuki met Chinese FM on the same day.
'International media has failed to convey China's stance properly. Media needs to realize that China is ready for dialogue with Dalai Lama' said Ibuki, defending Chinese authorities.
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/situation/080418/stt0804182352010-n1.htm
***'Stun gun in Nagano' is posted on the Bulletin Board popular with chinese students in Tokyo
There is no end to the number of arrests for warning murder or bombing on internet. While they could tell it is bad, those people thrills to make a horrifying announcement. However, most of the warnings are not executed and have no reality.
An alpha-blogger and the owner of 'Tenkan Nichijo', bulletin board popular with chinese students in Tokyo, found a threatening post that spoke about attacking pro-Tibetan protesters with the stun guns, in the thread to discuss about torch relay cheers in Nagano.
Some Tibet supporters in Japan are concerned that the warning has reality.
http://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/static/yajiuma/2008/04/16
***Chinese Student Union in Japan said on 17th April that it has planned to send about 2,000 chinese students in Japan to Nagano for cheering Olympic Torch relay on 26th.
'We are planning a peaceful cheer. If the protests (against Tibet supporters) occurs, It will be controlled by Japanese police' said Union President Li. "We are calling for the participants not to cause any conflict nor violence.
The participants consist of chinese students from almost 100 Japanese universities and chinese working in Japan. The chinese participants from Tokyo is traveling to Nagano by 30-40 charter bus in the 26th morning. From the other area in Japan, they will get to Nagano independently.
The union ordered a large amount of Chinese Flags from China. With the campaign slogan 'From Nagano to Beijin' and ' One world, One dream' , it wishes to appeal the image of Chinese patriotism and peace.
http://beijing2008.nikkansports.com/news/f-sp-tp0-20080417-349378.html
***Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met Japanese former Prime Minister Tomoichi Murayana and the other visiting Japanese politicians at Beijing on 18th.
'Stable and long-term Sino-Japanese friendship will bring in the benefits for both side and also contribute to the peace and stability not only in Asia but in the world.' said Xi. ' Chinese President Hu Jintao's official visit to Japan (in May) will beneficial to Japan and China.'
Xi expressed his wishes to cooperate with Japanese side to make the visit successful.
Japanese former PM Murayama said Japanese people are warmly expecting Chinese President's visit and wished this time's visit would produce for both sides. 'Japanese people are supporting and expecting the good wishes to Beijing Olympic' said Murayama.
CRI
http://japanese.cri.cn/151/2008/04/18/1@116228.htm
最終更新：2008年05月21日 00:08
