Our man in China, Liam Bates, just posted an interesting account on his blog, ChinaGold, of walking out in Beijing this morning, only to watch police skirmishes, first with small groups of Tibet protestors and then with journalists who rushed to film them. Liam, who has written on GenevaLunch of his travels in Tibet (we’ll soon be posting a new travel story by him), is fluent in Mandarin, so could hear both sides of some of the discussions going on. (Liam’s photos from his July 2008 trip to Tibet)
And while you’re on ChinaGold, remember the astonishing opening ceremony finale to these Beijing Games? Reuters 10 August provided opening ceremony viewing figures and ratings from around the world, making it clear that the ceremony was viewed by billions, breaking viewing records in several countries. Liam has posted earlier videos of the Chinese superstar but aging gymnast, Li Ning, who “ran” through the air, and shows a video of an earlier, extraordinary Chinese gymnast, Tong Fei – breathtaking stuff, even 20-plus years later.