The Other Side of Life in China

No flashy pictures or dramatic tales from clinic this time, just an awareness that today marks the one year anniversary of the Tibetan uprising and riots that led to many deaths and untold human rights abuses at the hands of the Chinese government last year. Recently, the Chinese government has prevented the Tibetans from celebrating their annual prayer service and is cracking down on any of their attempts to gather together. We are living in a province that borders Tibet, and can see the ripples of this here. There is a 'Tibetan' quarter in Chengdu, and when Ian and I tried to go there yesterday we were stopped at a police barrier by an undercover officer. Nothing was said, just an arm raised, barring us from entering the street. Other ethnic 'Han' Chinese and Tibetans were allowed to pass, but it seems that foreigners are being targeted in this instance. We (foreigners) have not only been expelled from Tibet in recent weeks, but are being denied access to areas that are deemed 'sensitive' in an attempt to prevent/squash potential demonstrations, international attention/press, and the bearing witness of Chinese policy towards the Tibetans in action. So, this morning while out walking, I wasn't surprised to see police cars and officers milling around street corners where I've never seen them before. No doubt they're reinforcements sent to help suppress any acknowledgment of last year's massacre, this year's prohibition, or the 50 year anniversary of the Dalai Lama's forced exile which also is being observed this March.