Harmony? Did I read that right? In other words, “Yin Yang”? Come on now, please stop this kind of pathetic obsequiousness!

Perhaps this was the perfect time for our leaders to visit China - in her “Olympic moment” when facades, literally and figuratively, are put up to mask that “Other China”. That “Other China” that erected walls and barriers to block off the slums, poorer neighborhoods and citizens. That other one that used a prettier face of a little girl with the voice of an uglier and different one to swindle and betray the world during the opening ceremonies. The other one that authoritatively places audacious and overreaching demands on their athletes to have nothing short of gold medals, and compromising integrity by changing the ages (hence identity documents) of their athletes. In fact there are now reports of athletes (divers, gymnasts, etc.,) who have been maimed as a result of the forced demands during their national campaign for “gold” in the Olympics. This is still that same “Other China” that jails her social and political dissidents. A husband and wife activist team was taken to a labor camp, and just before the games, the wife disappeared, meanwhile, the husband remains at the camp. In short, human rights violations have grown rampant in China. Her great wall is literally becoming a symbol for control, confinement and cover-up!

The harmony, therefore, that one sees in China, especially at this time when the whole world is watching is a fabrication and a delusion. It’s sad that our presumably intelligent leaders - let alone being political figures who should be informed in political issues - are fooled by such deception.

“It is hard to imagine how the Government governs a population of 1.3 billion without the kind of serious troubles we see in the world today,”

I beg to differ; it is not hard for a person who fully understands China. How can we quickly forget Tiananmen Square, huh? China has troubles but the government is good at masquerading them. The harmony the HOS sees is an imposed and a forced one! Underneath the seeming harmony is serious social and political suppression! There are two paths to conformity - by choice or by compulsion...for the rest, you go figure! Let's stop kissing up to China’s double butt, please!

If it hard to imagine, THEN IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE..what is difficult to understand in such a statement?

America has been vocal about China's human rights record. What about the "record" of the effect of their (USA) being vocal?? Is there such a good record?? People should be informed that it is not always the exposing of people and countries that can bring result but it is when we start from respecting others and working on good relationships that will finally bring things to the open, as well as healing and restoration to people and even governments.

It wasn't the fear tactics by the Americans that brought Libya to the open, it was Mandela's good relationship with Ghadaffi and the help of one of his sons that was educated in Europe that did the job. Today, Libya is a different country.

If it hard to imagine, THEN IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE..what is difficult to understand in such a statement?

Amu, the difficulty, is that it should NOT be hard to "imagine how the [Chinese] government governs a population of 1.3 billion without serious troubles...." given the kind of political system China has. It should be easy and obvious and the HOS should not be surprised.

China is a Communist regime meaning that the state is the boss. Basically, the welfare of the state comes before that of the individual. This is why they have national campaigns; this is why they nationalize their Olympics efforts. For example, gymnasts are housed and boarded together at an early age (9 or 10), away from their families, to start their training. The government DICTATES to the people what to do. The government even "tells" the people to live harmoniously! ...or at least project an image of harmony which can often be accomplished through government intimidation, threats (subtle and otherwise) and thwarting of any opposition. When people live in fear of their government, and under oppression, they are often compelled to conform and obey, even passively sometimes. So with such knowledge, amu, it is not hard, but easy to "imagine how the Government governs a population of 1.3 billion without the kind of serious troubles...." And as I said, there are troubles in China but the government is quick and good at thwarting and/or masking them. The best recent example is the Tibet issue early this year.

On respecting others and good relationships...
If you're an American, then you clearly are a Clintonite, which is defined as one who strongly favors appeasement, especially of enemies, terrorists and rogue nations. Obama seems to be already marching to the same appeasement drummer. In international relations, there's a time for diplomacy and a time for brinkmanship, especially when crazy men like Hitler, Hussein, Ahmadinejad, etc., are involved.

On Lybia:
When Reagan ordered an air strike on Lybia, Ghadaffi, from that time was a different man; and Lybia, a different country. If you believe that Mandella had anything to do with Libya's transformation, then that's the same as believing that the late Bhutto, singlehandedly, facilitated the fall of the Soviet Union...hmmm....except that .................. it never happened!

Kadaffi was the sole provider for the ANC during the war against Apartheid rule. It was why before Mandela boarded the plane to Libya this is what he said to the media. "No country no matter how powerful it may be (refernce to America) can dictate the way we do things. We are not going to forsake our friend (Kadaffi) who stood with us during our struggle against Apartheid". He then went to Libya to encourage Kadaffi to give up the two men that were involved in the bombing of the plane that crashed in Scotland.

Contrary to what you mentioned, not everyone can be transformed by the use of force, for the most part, people become deceptive instead. Saddam Hussein was one after the first gulf war, kadaffi was another after your bombing. It is why smart leaders uses the respect first aiming at having a good relationship which becomes a channel of good influence via good inputs in the future. I would encourage our leaders to speak to the Chinese in the future about human rights once they know they have earned the right to speak. And in reference to your uncle Clinton, he was the only USA president that came so close to finalising a deal between the Israelis and the Parlestinians, peace would have been achieved already if Arafat had accepted his offer.

WE all know China is a communist country, we see on television what went on in the last 20 years or so, but to overemphasize the use of FORCE by the Chinese govt, when kids are admitted to gymnastic schools and trainings merely under the guidance of their own parents is not a good supporting evidence for your argument. I don't agree that the Chinese are forced by the govt. to produce gold medals, I rather believe that they are exhorted and encouraged to do their best. The Chinese athletes have to be really dumb to be forced into producing good results. Look, our own govt. has offered money to our athletes in return for medals.

Anyway, why do you keep on working for the samoan govt. then if it is a friend of the Chinese? Is it not contradicting to your stance? If you believe that by working for a govt. that supports the Chinese enhances the chance of your views to be heard and considered by our leaders, then why can't you look at our leaders embracing China in the same light? If you are there just for the money, then our leaders are free to say the same thing considering the many projects that have been financed and are still being financed by the Chinese.