This is as much for organizing my own thoughts as anything else.

So there's been much discussion (in the west, not in Hong Kong unfortunately), on China's role in supporting the brutal regimes of Darfur, Sudan. Of course, Burma has also been cast into the spotlight recently too. People have talked about boycotting the Beijing Olympics, otherwise known as the "genocide games."  Here's my opinions to some of the issues.

First, some reactions to China's response to the criticisms. The official govenment's one is usually along the lines "Stop interfering with our internal affairs." I hope it's obvious to everyone that that is plain garbage. When a parent abuses a child, what do we do? We stop it in one way or another, and certainly it's not wrong to interfere in their internal familial affairs. This excuse is also used to legitimize the brutal suppressions in Tibet, and was used after the crackdown on the student democracy movement in 1989. Burma learnt to use it too!

Then there's also the response from the Chinese citizens, widely available on internet forums. I find that the vast majority of responses concerned with the wrong doings of China's accusers. I believe that an underlying reason for this is that they know they cannot provide a reasonable justification for China's actions, so, point the finger on others! Perhaps the way to deal with this is to acknowledge and the west's atrocities in Hawaii, Iraq, middle east etc. But just because the USA has been an asshole for so long doesn't mean China should follow its lead too right? Moreover, they like to point out that the critics of China are criticizing because they want to hurt China. Ok, whatever the ulterior motives of the people making the accusations, malicious or humanitarian, it doesn't have anything to with the basic question of if China's actions are justified.

Perhaps some may interpret such views as anti-nationalist. In my opinion though, a true patriot would admit to the shortcomings of his/her country, and would ache to see the country exchange a clean conscience for self-interest. The feelings would be like that of a good mother not wanting her son to become a rich, powerful gang leader who makes money from organized crime. 

Olympics. I haven't read enough I admit, I know that there's the argument that politics and sport should be separate, but part of the meaning of Olympics nowadays is to promote peace and understanding among the international community. I don't think that boycotting will do much to alter China's actions, but it would be effective to use the occasion to spread the word and educate China's citizens, many of whom are uninformed on such issues.

Individual action I think that while there is little that we as individuals can do to actually stop China from supporting rogue governments in exchange for economic benefit, it is our responsibility to at the very least abstain from participating in the process. First off, I doubt many investors in PetroChina/Sinopec, from Hong Kong or mainland China, actually know what's going on in Darfur, and what it means to buy their stocks. So for those of us who know, we must refrain from doing so. I find it awkward to talk about this sensitive topic to others without offending anyone, since it may infringe upon their economic gain. It's like pointing a finger and accusing them of genocide if they happen to hold stocks. But we must try and do so at least to those we feel confident and comfortable raising the issue with.

Some interesting sites I found about the USA's responsibility for the atrocities in Africa:

One is written by F. William Engdahl at http://www.engdahl.oilgeopolitics.net/Geopolitics___Eurasia/Oil_in_Africa/oil_in_africa.html

the other is by Keith Harmon Snow at http://allthingspass.com/journalism.php?jid=165

A great commentary writer/speaker writes from his heart and mind in the simplest manner the truth, the obvious, but which has been so taken for granted by the masses that it is buried from our daily consciousness. Bringing it back to the surface draws nods of agreement from the reader almost as if the reader were united in one with the author. (Like: "Uh ah, that's what I've been feeling for some time. I see how it's put in words now.) On the contrary, an honest but poor writer sounds forceful, pompess and may even draw reactions of "This poor dude sounds angry." The individuality of the work comes off as unnatural and puts off the reader.

This is true in a comparison of great books or radio hosts with most weblogs.

When I read my xanga, I know I'm not a great writer yet. I've never been. Hopefully my lessons in lyrics will help. Just a thought of the day I wanted to put on the urge of the moment.