Scene of the crime: A Chinese policeman (center) talked with a foreign official (second from left) at the Drum Tower, Saturday, where a Chinese man attacked two American tourists and killed one before committing suicide. (Alexander F. Yuan/AP)
Violence taints the Beijing Games
Saturday's attack on American tourists, and continued unrest in Xinjiang, have tested the trouble-free Olympics Chinese officials sought.
Peter Ford | Staff writer / August 10, 2008 edition
Beijing
In one of the safest capitals in the world, currently under surveillance by one of the tightest security operations ever launched here, Tang Yongming still managed to murder an American tourist on Saturday.
Mr. Tang was not a terrorist, neither did he have a criminal record, according to Chinese and international officials, so nobody was watching him. Armed only with a knife he offered an embarrassing reminder to the Chinese authorities – bent on ensuring a flawless Olympics – that they cannot control everything.
“This incident proves that there is no watertight security anywhere,” says Chen Yali, a security expert at the China Research Group, a think tank here. “Surprises happen.”
“This was an isolated criminal case and no city in the world today is immune from such acts,” adds Sun Weide, a spokesman for the Games’ organizing committee. “Police will now take extra security measures at tourist sites.”
Fatal attacks over the weekend
Tang, who came to Beijing a week ago according to police, attacked Todd and Barbara Bachman, parents-in-law of the US men’s Olympic volleyball team coach, as they visited a popular tourist spot in central Beijing. Mr. Bachman died of his wounds, and his widow is in critical condition after what the US embassy called a “senseless act of violence.”
Embassy spokeswoman Susan Stevenson said, “We don’t believe this has anything to do with the Olympics,” but for the Beijing authorities and for their enemies, everything that happens in China at the moment is Olympics-related.
In Kuqa, a town in the restless far western province of Xinjiang, five men died in attacks on government offices before dawn on Sunday, state media reported.
This was the second attack by presumed separatist forces using explosives in a week. Sixteen Chinese policemen were killed last week in Kashgar, after a shadowy organization calling itself the Turkestan Islamic Party issued a video threatening to attack Olympic venues in protest against what many members of Xinjiang’s Uighur people feel is repression of their culture and Muslim religion.
Chinese security officials have said repeatedly that they believe Uighur separatists pose the greatest threat to the Olympic Games, but most independent analysts doubt that they have the capability to strike in Beijing itself.
Snuffing out protests
So far, the police have had little difficulty dealing with the sort of political threats that officials had feared might get out of hand, such as illegal demonstrations.
The most active foreign group, “Students for a Free Tibet,” has pulled off nearly daily stunts. On Sunday, five protesters unveiled a banner outside Beijing’s iconic Tiananmen Square before police detained them. In recent days, climbers hung a banner demanding Tibetan independence from a 120-foot-high lamp post, three activists unfurled a Tibetan flag for a few seconds outside the National Stadium before the opening ceremony, and five more staged a “die-in” on Tiananmen Square on Saturday, wrapped in Tibetan flags.
All those involved were quickly bundled away, held for a few hours and then deported. “The police are trying hard to use civilized ways to stop protests being seen by the outside world,” says Ms. Chen. One morning last week, for example, policemen opened umbrellas to shield three protesting Christians on Tiananmen Square from press photographers.
Though foreign media have reported on such protests, the local Chinese-language media have ignored them completely. The demonstrations so far “matter very little,” says Drew Thompson, head of China studies at the Nixon Center in Washington. “They are being carried out by foreigners and Chinese people are not associating with them.”
Chinese citizens are not being allowed to demonstrate against the government either, even if they follow special rules announced for the Olympic period that were supposed to regulate protests.
Three parks have been assigned for approved protests, Liu Shaowu, head of security for the Games’ organizing committee told reporters two weeks ago. Spokesmen for two of those parks said Sunday they had been given no further information, nor any indication that any protests have been approved. Nobody answered the telephone at the third park.
Three Chinese groups are known to have applied for permits to protest in one of the official zones; one applicant, Zhang Wei, who lost her home when the Beijing government redeveloped her neighborhood, was taken from her house by policemen early last Wednesday, family members said, and has not been seen since.
Another applicant was warned by police to return to his home province, several hundred miles from Beijing. Leaders of the third group were sent back to Suzhou, a few hours away by train, escorted by police.
Comments
2. John Starrett | 08.10.08
You should remove Tony’s comment. He is too ignorant to express an opinion worth reading on these matters, and his language is inappropriate for a newspaper of your stature.
3. Mike | 08.10.08
Tony’s comment is totally inappropriate, and has no bearing on this article, please remove it.
4. Rene | 08.10.08
I agree with your remarks john, but we need to remember freedom of speech; even from ignorant people like Tony who is not only ignorant but incultus.
5. Phranq | 08.10.08
JOHN,
You JUST said to ‘Remove Tony’s comment’ ……
Yes, I agree Tony’s remark was ‘underwhelming’, but your comment is even more incredulous! You want to remove, to CENSURE, anothers’ thought!!!1 on a post about #&%& COMMUNIST CHINA and their OBVIOUS lack of a FIRST AMENDMENT!!
Speechless
6. jb | 08.10.08
As a CHristian I agree with freedom of speech but in a Christ like manner.
Agree, we need to boycott China and other gov who suppress their citizens.
7. KL | 08.10.08
You act like hate speech is PROTECTED when in fact the existence of hate crime legislation in America is demonstrative of the fact that there is a defacto limitation to free speech.
8. Anthony Bonaduce | 08.10.08
Poor Tony, so colossally ignorant that he can’t even get his racial slurs straight.
9. Annie | 08.10.08
Tony does have the right to say whatever he wants but this forum does not HAVE to provide him the opportunity to say it. If he wants to make ignorant and irrelevant comments, he can get his own blog and rant to his heart’s content.
We as Americans are always spouting off about our rights and freedom but we exercise that right with incredible irresponsibility. With great power comes great responsibility.
10. Geoff | 08.10.08
The First Amendment blocks Congress from making laws infringing on our freedom of expression. It does not unequivocally allow Freedom of Speech in all media or all forms. In particular, it does not ensure Freedom of Speech in a location that is privately-owned by someone other than the speaker, such as a website. Nor does it say that other people will be prevented from voicing THEIR opinion that someone else’s comments are inappropriate. Nor does it say that people actually must listen to anyone’s opinion.
Just that it can’t be infringed upon by the government.
11. Lydia | 08.10.08
what is more important, beijing residents keeping their homes, or feats of strength and agility?
i don’t understand how an institution such as the olympics can ignore such devastating affects on so many people…
shameful.
12. Jeremy | 08.10.08
To JB:
China has come from extremely humble conditions with wide spread social unrest, the likes of which the USA could never even imagine let alone govern. As a Christian, you should reflect on the history of YOUR RELIGION and the people it suppressed and oppressed before you start pointing the finger at people doing their best with a overwhelming population and staggering social problems.
13. hope | 08.10.08
When our Constitution was drafted giving us the freedom of speech which is a freedom we should all respect, I am sure our founding fathers could never imagine our people being reduced to such undisciplined communicators. It is disappointing enough to see that such violence can occur at the Olympic Games, without having that backed up with such disgusting verbal posts. When rights are continuously abused it is no wonder that they can be modified and/or censored. And, that would be a shame.
14. Jeremy | 08.10.08
Lydia,
Are you kidding? These redevelopment models are the hallmark of American capitalism. Do you even know how bad gentrification is in America? People of color being uprooted because Mr. Whitebread wants to move in and push the property values so high that it makes no sense for the landlord to keep renting out the units to lower rent paying residents. Are you really that ignorant to think the same kind of shit doesn’t happen in the US?
15. Wayne O’Neill | 08.10.08
Enjoy Tony’s post. He’s displaying stupidity on so many levels. Besides inappropriate language and an obvious lack of understanding of international economics, he doesn’t even know the ethnic and national slurs he attempts to use. Nip is a term intended for the Japanese and, depending on context, may not even be derogatory. To help him out here, I’ll list some common examples so he can get it right the next time: [Moderator: The rest of this comment has been deleted for inappropriate language.]
16. Hilldebrad Fattenieu | 08.10.08
You guys are great.
First of all, if you want to boycott a country with a government that suppresses [not oppresses?] thier people, then why not boycott the Bush Administration and the Republican Party? Secondly, Christ-like [note the hyphen] would include demonstrating the truth in all conditions.
I don’t think 4-letter words are a sign of spiritual development, and wanting to nuke a civilization indicates a troubled soul.
There are 750,000 Iraqis dead since the beginning of a war that never had to happen. The loss of one US life, while tragic, does not compare with the magnitude of injustice inflicted by the US on other countries already.
We need to mind our own business.
17. Taz | 08.10.08
I can understand Tony’s feelings and maybe his language is a bit rough, sometimes we need to vent! I do! I don’t approve of the Olympics being held in China, nor do I think we should continue to spend more abroad than we do at home…and these things are important to me as an American. But as a daughter, mother and wife, I pray the officials discover (if possible) why that man attacked Mr. and Mrs. Bachman. I will also keep her and her family in my prayers…and I will pray the Men’s US Soccer Team will unite even stronger together for their team and for their coach. I cannot imagine what they must be going through, unable to just leave and deal with their grief, it is the Olympics and these athletes worked to hard to bag it now and give up. So now, more than ever we need to support our athletes, our fellow Americans and our country…We are the youngest country, and we have made many mistakes…which is natural, but by far we have the uniqueness that every other country wants to be a part of,even if they don’t like us. I hope we will learn from our mistakes and make the 21 century a new adventure and see just what America and her citizens are made of and what we can make,the world is changing and it time we ignore what others (countries) are saying and do what we do best. Invent a new way of life!!
19. Publius | 08.10.08
Since the CSM has apparently bowed to those of you who are willing to surrender your right to voice your thoughts, I can’t really give an opinion on Tony’s comments. Welcome to the New World Order.
20. Hendrik | 08.10.08
Your US people are so full of yourself. How many of you carry passports? Well Mr. W. Bush had non when he become president. How many of your mobile’s can call overseas (Hawai not included) etc etc. Please think bigger and understand that we are one world. Your country made China! Look at your foodstore and look at the Dole packed fruit. Made in China! Check your computer (Dell etc)I always thought you had the best of it. Start up your own production again and let me be proud to say to my friends, I just came back from the US. Not wait to long please.
21. editorial | 08.10.08
This message is from the moderator. We welcome energetic discussion, but will remove posts that include expletives or racial slurs.
22. carlos | 08.10.08
“1. tim | 08.10.08
even though I to believe tibet should be free… the olympics show the best in human beings all over the world,,”
for this, tibet should be free? how to free,they have been free, I don’t know what the scenary of your “free” is look like? Did you have a very knowledge of Tibet or its history? Have you been to tibet? or you know all merely though Dalailama’s website and his speech? if that, I think you should go to tibet for a visit ,no investigation ,no comment, all media is full of bias,they can’t be your judgements’ criteria,if you want to know whatever you want to know ,you should go there youself.nowadays,all media is being to government’s tool for their interest, and it’s only follow army.I hate media,No reality,only to provocate countries and world’s peace in form of human rights ,it’s all pretended, only for interests and money,I am very anxious ,if that,the world will be in perdition for not long time for the third war with the media’s strong ability for people’s ideology and cognization’s change,no environment protection, no freedom, all is insignificant, media is bitch, only represent several fixed journalist’s views,but can mislead most people, it’s woefully, forgive me to say so lot
I am only a student in a very common college,and my english is also not very
well,and I also hate english course, but now i am willing to spend so much time and words to have a comment ,perhaps you can think the misunderstanding
between us,but I also very want to listen to american friends’s thought,I am only want to expain clearly what the real china is like ,even if I can change
your one’s view, I also think i have a contribution to world’s peace,of course, you can email to me to discuss me ,but you should put up with my bad
english .email: asiacarlos@yahoo.com,thank you,!
23. Swampy | 08.10.08
Jeremy, you are correct in that we have plenty of problems at home. We always have and always will. Eminent Domain has been abused for much too long and some states have enacted legislation to prevent it. It’s a shame that the individual states have to do this since it’s strictly and plainly forbidden in the Constitution. Enforcement of the U.S. Constitution falls to the Federal Government and the states have had to legislate repeatedly to protect it’s citizens. But, it’s We the People who are the blame for this. You and I.
You referenced “History of your religion” to demonstrate unlawful and willful acts of unkind deeds of the past (present included). I would suggest, however, it’s not my religion that has been the cause of this. It’s, rather, the people who profess to adhere to it that are the root cause. You would not condemn your whole family as a result of one family member’s deeds would you?
To suggest it’s my religion’s (Christian) fault for another’s actions is not appropriate. Perhaps you didn’t mean it to sound exactly as it appeared, I don’t know.
25. John | 08.10.08
In Canada the best explanation of your rights regarding speech is…you do not have a right to be un-offended. Cannot have both …pick one…offended or persecuted.
26. Simon | 08.10.08
Hilldebrad,
How many innocent Iraqis, including Kurds, did Saddam Hussein torture, rape, and murder? How many innocent Serbs did Clinton (and Albright) kill? How many innocent Chinese have China’s rulers killed? How many innocent people suffered and how many will continue to suffer under the rule of Leftist monsters?
Obviously, the answers to the above questions escape your understanding!
27. Taz | 08.10.08
Hendrik and Carlos…Neither of you are saying anything new or really interesting. You Americans have it all wrong…well of course we do. China has it all right don’t they! I guess considering just how wonderful China is, it is amazing to me why Chinese are flocking to any country that will let them in and telling anyone who will listen just how horrific the conditions are. Just us Americans making up more jazz I’m sure. Here in the USA we can get on the net and look up news all over the world ,without interference, and get a better perspective of their cultures. Do we know it inside out? No. Just as you do not know America or Americans inside out, yet you subscribe to the very thing you accuse us of “Superiority”. It seems to be a larger than life theme for China? All I have read is how China wants the world to see how it really is. Really? It seems you only want us to see what is good about China and ignore everything else. I’ll tell you what….I will if you will, but I don’t think you will want to see only the good in America and ignore the rest!
28. Chester | 08.11.08
Returning to the original matter of this post, the murder was a tragic accident, and my condolences to the families affected. However, the media should not use this terrible but isolated incident to hype and suggest the whole Beijing and China is unsafe for foreigners. As a frequent traveller to China, I have found Beijing to be the most safest city I have been to. Foreigners are in general well treated, and I have never felt threaten in any way. A terrible random act of violence in no way changes that. Please bear that in mind.
29. James | 08.11.08
I found many of the comments very interesting. I will admit I disagreed with most but do agree you all have the right to voice your opinion. However the moderators removed the comment that started the discussion, making it almost impossible to make a rational opinion on the matter.
30. Nico | 08.11.08
Some people know nothing about China and nothing about the truth ,but they speak just like they know everything!Please check the truth before you leave your remarks .Don’t take for granted that you are on the side of justice and you are behalf of Chinese residents!It’s rediculous and that can only show your ignorance!Or maybe you envy China for it’s rapid development?
31. Taz | 08.12.08
You do mean “rapid disguise” right? Because the only thing China has proven so far is that China is what it always has been…a has been who has never even made it,is actually a third world country with nothing more than prettily done (Cheap)cardboard veneer simulating a Powerful country.
By the by, is the Chinese government paying all the chinese showing up on US and British blogs to telling everyone how superior they are and how everyone is just jealous? Because it is hYsTeriCal!ROTFLMAO 
I predict China will implode shortly after the Olympics and hopefully other countries who think (LMAO)signing any kind of agreement with China will produce fair business deals, will take a good hard look at the Olympics, will know the Chinese is TriCkY, tRicKY LiaRS and have no word or document of honor!The Olympics and their Human Rights record stand as evidence and proof! GO USA!!!!
32. KillUSA | 08.13.08
warfare makes peace,Thirst for war,perish the west, perish the earth,then no disagreement ,no bias ,no hegemony,no everything.then new order set up.so wonderful!
33. Jeremy | 08.14.08
Swampy,
I don’t think you understand my point. My point is there is NO SUCH THING as universal morality that extends infinitely across time. Morality is contingent on cultural and political conditions. Thus your standard of Liberty is not necessarily applicable to China because they have to face problems of a different magnitude and order than we at home do. Furthermore, you act like American Capitalism is democractic… thats just plain false. People did not freely get evicted and people’s choices are constrained by their social position and economic well being so the idea that we are free simply because we are free to buy a Nike shoe is frankly ludicrous.
Finally, you say that all the **** that Christians have imposed on the world isn’t related to the religion. That is ******* silly. Christianity was operating on the basis of There is only one Lord and savior and that it was the Christian mission to convert people across to globe to save them. This is a fundamental of Christian doctrine and still is today. I am not saying that there is not something beautiful about Christianity or good about it, I am saying that even what we consider the most holy has been ‘evil’ in the past when it exists in specific cultural and political climates. Which is to say, Chinese authoritarianism would have been understood as the epitome of Confucian morality a mere 200 years ago, but is now understood as fascist oppression. You cannot separate the idea from its historical roots. You are trying to claim liberty and Christianity are INHERENTLY good, and not good based in a specific cultural, political and economic climate, which is just ignorant and pigheaded, not to mention, a-typical American.
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1. tim | 08.10.08
even though I to believe tibet should be free… the olympics show the best in human beings all over the world,, as an american I am proud to see our best athletes competing,, but I also hail an excellent or gold medel winner. showing athletisism at it’s best,, the competitors show fellowship so should we all.