[2007]update on the barometer column, author's response

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weixue at science.oregonstate.edu     weixue at science.oregonstate.edu
Mon May 14 18:40:11 PDT 2007

Hi, all:

   I have posted my piece (copied below) after I saw Wei Wu's mail.

   Xueming


Hi, Ms Montgomery:
    I have to say that your original editorial contains errors. But I am posting
this piece only after seeing your follow-up posting--that is really "something".
Now I start to doubt your NGO research and your knowledge of Chinese history and
culture. First, Tibet was re-united peacefully with the rest of the mainland
China in 1950--there was no burning of temples or other things as you said in
your editorial. The current Dalai Lama himself went to Beijing to meet the
national leaders to discuss the development of Tibet, he admitted that Tibet
was part of China. The uprising occurred in Tibet in 1959 (9 years after the
reunification) was more complicated than it seemed to be. Historically, Tibet
has been part of China since the Yuan Dynasty. Because of the remoteness and
difficult access, Tibet might have enjoyed a higher degree of self-governing
than other provinces, but all major events and government posts were approved
by the central governments. The current Dalai Lama was approved by the then
Chinese central government (before 1949), the ceremony for him to officially
become the Dalai Lama was presided by the representative (delegate) from the
central government. Today the Dalai Lama also admits that Tibet is part of
China, and he is not seeking independence but more self-governing as a special
region. The same with Taiwan--it has been part of China since the Han Dynasty.
The current separation was a result of a civil war. Even since 1949, the
constitutions of both the Republic of China (government now in Taiwan) and the
People’s Republic of China (Mainland) spell out clearly that there is only one
China in the world. I know that the mainland has been working hard toward a
peaceful resolution of the difference across the Taiwan Strait, and creating a
win-win solution for both sides.  As a matter of fact, Taiwan gets huge trade
surplus from the mainland, and this trade surplus is the only engine that
sustains the Taiwan economy.  All countries have the highest respect for their
national sovereignty and territorial integrity; I don't think that China is or
will be the exception.  As you all know, President Abraham Lincoln is regarded
as the greatest president in US history because he kept the country intact.
     We are aware that there is some truth in Ms Montgomery's editorial. There
are lot things, including human rights issues, to be improved in China.
However, China has made great progress in opening up to the world and embracing
the market economy, hence allows more and more personal freedom. Whether human
rights issues should be sole criteria for hosting Olympic Games is a subject of
debate, I don't know the answer and I am not refuting you on this topic. My
focus is on the history facts. I suggest that people, esp. reporters and
writers like you, should check facts before putting writings in front of public
eyes! Otherwise, you are misinforming the public and causing unnecessary
confusion.






Quoting Wei Wu <wuw2 at onid.oregonstate.edu>:

> some comments are posted following the article, including one from the
> author.
>
> Quote---------------------------------
>
> Jessica
> posted 5/14/07 @ 4:17 PM EST
> I have lived in Taiwan and my family is from China. Many of my relatives
> still live in Taiwan and China today. I spoke with a few of them before
> writing this article to confirm some of it. So please do not lecture me
> about taking history lessons, as I have studied this topic in depth. It
> is very common for Chinese students to want to defend their country. I
> have seen it many times. I urge you to research the topic yourselves.
> However seeing as many of you discredit the largely undisputed research
> from major NGO's, it may be too late to save your poor, indoctrinated souls.
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