Ogmin/china

Mystical visions of Asia, a dose of opiated Chinese eye-candy. Some of the most beautiful places in the natural world are controlled by the most repressive regimes on the planet.

The Dalai Lama delivered one of his harshest attacks on the Chinese government in recent times, saying that the Chinese Communist Party had transformed Tibet into a "hell on earth" and that the Chinese authorities regard Tibetans as "criminals deserving to be put to death."

"Usually it's a day of festivity and gaiety when everyone gets together. But this year it's going to be observed as a day of prayer in memory of all the Tibetans who died and all those who are still suffering under Chinese rule."

"China runs on construction, build build build, but there is no reason for that many places and spaces and big mall businesses with no consumers."

"The party is considering an amazing concession - allowing peasants to be able to buy and sell long leases on their land. This would be the biggest step towards granting property rights to 730 million rural peasants since the Revolution. The reason? The party needs them to use their land as collateral to save less and spend more. It is political dynamite, removing one of the key props of the party's support - its control of villages and land rights. But it must be considered. China is beginning the perilous path to becoming freer because the economy demands it."

"In what the official news agency Xinhua called a "landmark policy document," the ruling Communist Party's Central Committee agreed last weekend to allow small farmers to sell their right to till the land. The plan is designed to consolidate landholdings, encourage uneconomic farmers to seek other employment, and boost rural incomes. "

"If you thought the violent demonstrations in Paris or Tibet earlier this spring were disturbing, just wait until 08-08-08. I'm confident that at this very moment, numerous carefully orchestrated protests are being organized for maximum impact and visibility to the over 2 billion people expected to view these events. This might be the single best and last chance of their lifetimes to show the world the 'true'� China, and they won't let this opportunity pass them by. Think about it. If you were a nation living under repression for 60 years, and your government invited the entire world over for a party, what would you do?"