Relay of provocation

I resisted writing about the 2008 Olympic torch relay route, when it was announced yesterday in Beijing as the “Journey of Harmony”. I resisted, not because I found the route less of a provocation yesterday, but because I expected nothing less of China, and because I expected the provocation to get picked up immediately by the international media.

So I’m puzzled - to put it mildly - by the pretentious surprise that many papers are conveying this morning at the protests from Taiwan and Free Tibet supporters.

The plan to include Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest) on the route was part of the Beijing bid, and Free Tibet campaigners have been protesting against this inclusion ever since. As for Taipei being part of the domestic route and Taiwan’s subsequent protest, I personally expect nothing less from either of them - China and Taiwan, whenever international attention can be gained.

So why anyone should pretend to be surprised by the further protests from not only Free Tibet supporters but also from Taiwan over the past couple of days, I don’t know. Perhaps the display of surprise is an even deeper rooted political move that just goes over my head!

What are you on about?

In the highly unlikely event that you have not already read about this, Taiwan refuses to be part of the 2008 Olympic torch relay unless Taipei is seen as part of the international route. Currently Taipei is part of the domestic route for the torch.

Ongoing protests from Free Tibet campaigners reached new heights, when four campaigners were detained on Mount Everest on 25 April during their demonstration,  which included a large “Free Tibet” banner. You can read more about their protest on freetibet.blog.co.uk.

The Route

You can see the route of the torch relay on the official 2008 Olympic Torch Relay website.

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