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Chinese ambassador visit sparks protests
Visit from Yang Jiechi promotes relations between University, China;
protestors, supporters demonstrate outside Rotunda
Rachele Byrne
Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Students for a Free Tibet and other University community members wave
posters calling for the release of imprisoned Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek on
the steps of the Rotunda, where Yang Jiechi, the Chinese
ambassador to the United States, discussed relations between China and the
University yesterday afternoon.
Students bear the Chinese flag on the Rotunda steps to display support for
the visit of Yang Jiechi, the Chinese ambassador to the United States.
Bright red Chinese flags adorned the Rotunda steps yesterday afternoon in a
clash of pride and protest when Yang Jiechi, the Chinese ambassador to the
United States, addressed an audience of students, faculty and community
members.
The Dome Room was filled to capacity, and security officials were forced to
turn people away at the door.
History Prof. Chen Jian said the event reflected a commitment to fostering
relations between the University and China. He added that the University has
a long tradition of good relations with China, dating back to 1977 when the
University was the only American college to accept a visit from a Chinese
delegation.
While Jiechi outlined the positive aspects of China in his speech, a couple
of isolated audience members were unwilling to listen. According to Jian,
there were two incidents of heckling during the speech.
"One person suddenly stood up and started shouting," Jian said.
"Another tried to chain himself to a post."
Jian said he stood up and asked the hecklers to leave.
"Freedom of speech is important, but you also need to respect others," he
said.
Jian added that afterward several students apologized to the ambassador for
the disruptions.
"I was disappointed that a couple of people didn't want to wait for the
question and answer period," said George Gilliam, director of special
programs at the Miller Center of Public Affairs, which sponsored the event.
"But students are supposed to be engaged. Ninety-nine percent of the
students were orderly."
Gilliam also said the ambassador understood the importance of freedom of
speech at the University, stemming from Thomas Jefferson's legacy.
"[Jiechi] was extremely good-humored about the two interruptions," Gilliam
said.
Besides the disruptions in the Dome Room, a larger protest carried on
outside on the Rotunda steps. While the ambassador emphasized the progress
that the country of Tibet has undergone inside the building, a small group
of members representing Students for a Free Tibet stood outside the Rotunda,
protesting that the improvement was not enough.
The protesters waved Tibetan flags and signs depicting Tenzin Delek, a
Tibetan political prisoner who currently is on death row.
Rich Felker, a spokesperson for the University's chapter of Students for a
Free Tibet, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Jiechi's speech emphasized the positive aspects of the relationship between
the U.S. and China, focusing on the progress the two countries have made.
According to Chinese Student Association Secretary Lydia Xu, the key
subjects in his speech included the Chinese economy, trade and education.
"The overarching theme was that the U.S. and China should improve relations
to make the world more peaceful," Xu said.
Jian agreed, adding that the ambassador also expressed a desire for Chinese
and American students to improve their personal relations.
"He told the Chinese students to be proud of being from China and asked the
students to learn many good features from the Americans," Jian said.
Prior to the speech in the Rotunda, the ambassador had lunch with University
President John T. Casteen, III to discuss the possibility of more student
and faculty exchanges between the University and Chinese colleges. According
to Jian, Casteen and Jiechi both professed a desire to increase the number
of student and faculty exchanges in the future.
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World Tibet Network NewsPublished by the Canada Tibet CommitteeThursday, April 8, 2004 |
5. Chinese ambassador visit sparks protests
Visit from Yang Jiechi promotes relations between University, China;
protestors, supporters demonstrate outside Rotunda
Rachele Byrne
Cavalier Daily Senior Writer
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Students for a Free Tibet and other University community members wave
posters calling for the release of imprisoned Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek on
the steps of the Rotunda, where Yang Jiechi, the Chinese
ambassador to the United States, discussed relations between China and the
University yesterday afternoon.
Students bear the Chinese flag on the Rotunda steps to display support for
the visit of Yang Jiechi, the Chinese ambassador to the United States.
Bright red Chinese flags adorned the Rotunda steps yesterday afternoon in a
clash of pride and protest when Yang Jiechi, the Chinese ambassador to the
United States, addressed an audience of students, faculty and community
members.
The Dome Room was filled to capacity, and security officials were forced to
turn people away at the door.
History Prof. Chen Jian said the event reflected a commitment to fostering
relations between the University and China. He added that the University has
a long tradition of good relations with China, dating back to 1977 when the
University was the only American college to accept a visit from a Chinese
delegation.
While Jiechi outlined the positive aspects of China in his speech, a couple
of isolated audience members were unwilling to listen. According to Jian,
there were two incidents of heckling during the speech.
"One person suddenly stood up and started shouting," Jian said.
"Another tried to chain himself to a post."
Jian said he stood up and asked the hecklers to leave.
"Freedom of speech is important, but you also need to respect others," he
said.
Jian added that afterward several students apologized to the ambassador for
the disruptions.
"I was disappointed that a couple of people didn't want to wait for the
question and answer period," said George Gilliam, director of special
programs at the Miller Center of Public Affairs, which sponsored the event.
"But students are supposed to be engaged. Ninety-nine percent of the
students were orderly."
Gilliam also said the ambassador understood the importance of freedom of
speech at the University, stemming from Thomas Jefferson's legacy.
"[Jiechi] was extremely good-humored about the two interruptions," Gilliam
said.
Besides the disruptions in the Dome Room, a larger protest carried on
outside on the Rotunda steps. While the ambassador emphasized the progress
that the country of Tibet has undergone inside the building, a small group
of members representing Students for a Free Tibet stood outside the Rotunda,
protesting that the improvement was not enough.
The protesters waved Tibetan flags and signs depicting Tenzin Delek, a
Tibetan political prisoner who currently is on death row.
Rich Felker, a spokesperson for the University's chapter of Students for a
Free Tibet, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Jiechi's speech emphasized the positive aspects of the relationship between
the U.S. and China, focusing on the progress the two countries have made.
According to Chinese Student Association Secretary Lydia Xu, the key
subjects in his speech included the Chinese economy, trade and education.
"The overarching theme was that the U.S. and China should improve relations
to make the world more peaceful," Xu said.
Jian agreed, adding that the ambassador also expressed a desire for Chinese
and American students to improve their personal relations.
"He told the Chinese students to be proud of being from China and asked the
students to learn many good features from the Americans," Jian said.
Prior to the speech in the Rotunda, the ambassador had lunch with University
President John T. Casteen, III to discuss the possibility of more student
and faculty exchanges between the University and Chinese colleges. According
to Jian, Casteen and Jiechi both professed a desire to increase the number
of student and faculty exchanges in the future.
Articles in this Issue:
- Situation in Tibet yet to improve
- A Buddhist practices tough prostration for world peace
- Graduate student arrested during ambassador's speech
- TYC led Indefinite Hunger Strike Update..
- Chinese ambassador visit sparks protests
- China to construct highway from Nepal to Tibet
- Protest march by Tibetan body
- Hundreds Rally on Behalf of Tibetan Tenzin Delek at UN Human Rights Commission
- Two foreigners arrested for staying without documents
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