The Chinese way - now That's creative!

Usually governments quash dissension by hunting down the dissenters. But why make they effort when you can get them to contact you instead, that too voluntarily?

At least that's what the Chinese government is doing. And successfully.

To create the impression of a dawn of free speech for Make Benefit Gullible Officials of Olympics, China created three Official protest Zones for use by demonstrators in Beijing. The catch - demonstrators would need to get an approval in advance.

Now, much to the Olympic Committe's surprise and no one else's, not one out the 77 applications has been approved. Instead, we are told, 74 have been withdrawn as they were "properly addressed by relevant authorities or departments through consultations", thereby removing the need to demonstrate altogether. In reality, reports are trickling in of people detained after putting in their requests.

Among the unresolved applicants are two old ladies who have been sentenced to "reeducation through labour". Beijing residents Wu Dianyuan, 79, and Wang Xiuying, 77 [you can see their pictures here] were accused by the authorities of "disturbing public order" since they persisted in asking for permission to demonstrate [they applied 5 times]. Apparently, if they "behave themselves", reports South China Morning post, they will not need to serve their punishment in a labour re-education camp. In any case, they will be watched.

The news has obviously turned out to be a scoop for foreign press. [For instance, New York Times and Herald tribune.] But the Chinese organizers (Bocog) are unfazed, and in fact, can't understand what the fuss is about:

On the issue of demonstration, the basic situation has been already announced by the authorities. And I think you should be satisfied with that. The demonstration parks are announced. There are three places on the basis of Chinese law. The idea of demonstration is to hoping to resolve issue it is not demonstrating for the sake of demonstration.

...We are actually quite happy to hear that many of the 77 cases have been resolved.

Wang Wei, Bocog at a press conference while rebuking a reporter on his question.

He goes on to say how we foreigners are unnecessarily aggrieved because we do not understand the Chinese way of harmony and resolution.

Yep, we certainly don't.