Sarkozy´s conditions for Olympics visit met with anger by Chinese netizens

Source: People´s Daily | 07-04-2008 13:32

When French President Sarkozy said he would consider attending the Beijing Olympics only if talks between China and the Dalai Lama went well, large online forums in China were immediately swept up in "anti-Sarkozy" sentiment. Netizens one after the other expressed, "Tibet is China's territory, and Sarkozy has no right to interfere," "Now it's not a question of whether Sarkozy wants to come, it's about whether the Chinese people still welcome him," and some netizens even said, "We should adamantly boycott French goods and tourism."

On June 30, Sarkozy asserted on French national television that "If there was continued progress and if the Dalai Lama and the Chinese president acknowledged the progress, then the obstacle to my participation would be lifted." He said that he would make his decision early next week, when he will be attending the G8 Summit in Japan. Sarkozy also said that in August, the Dalai Lama might visit him in France. The meeting is planned to be held at a Buddhist temple, not the presidential Elysee Palace, thus emphasizing the Dalai Lama' identity as a religious, not political leader.

Regarding Sarkozy's attitude of "if it goes well, then I'll attend," Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Liu Jian said during a press conference that "the Tibet issue is China's internal affair. Contact between relevant departments in the Chinese central government and the Dalai Lama's representatives is China's internal matter. We oppose meetings of any form between the leaders of countries and the Dalai Lama as well as the linking of the Tibet issue with the Beijing Olympics. We are against the politicization of the Olympics."

In reality, Sarkozy's wavering attitude on whether he will attend the Olympics opening ceremony has already hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. On many online forums in China, netizens have said, "We reject French President Sarkozy's visit to Beijing for the opening ceremony! China doesn't welcome you!" Some have even spoken of boycotting French goods.

Regarding Sarkozy and Bruni, netizens have expressed fierce criticism. Netizen "By the Mountains" said, "If Sarkozy tries to use the Dalai Lama, who wants to split up China, as a bargaining chip over his attendance of the Beijing Olympics, then he is making a huge mistake. The Chinese government and the Chinese people will definitely not negotiate with conditions."

Netizen "From the Lotus Pool by Moonlight" offered the following analysis: "For a leader of a country to say something like this is really a cause for ridicule by the rest of the world. The Olympics are a sports event for people all over the world, not as a chip for any single country to use for political debate. To China, you are a leader of a country. If you come here, we will welcome you, but if you don't come, so what? It only confirms what a joke of a national leader you are."