CHINA IS TREATING THE WORLD AS IT TREATS ITS CITIZENS

China is lashing out at Western media and Western politicians. Apparently confusing the world's citizens with the citizens within in its own borders.

China demanded an apology from CNN on Tuesday after network commentator Jack Cafferty called the country's leaders a "bunch of goons and thugs" and said its products were "junk."

It was the latest flare-up after Beijing accused Western media of bias in its reporting following violent protests in the Tibetan capital last month. Atlanta-based CNN has been singled out by some Chinese who say overseas news outlets are smearing Beijing.

"We are shocked and strongly condemn the vicious remarks by Cafferty," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said. "We solemnly request CNN and Cafferty himself take back the malicious remarks and apologize to the Chinese people."

Cafferty made the remarks during an appearance on CNN's daily political news program, "The Situation Room," that aired April 9, according to a transcript posted on CNN's Web site.

He was speaking about the U.S. trade deficit with China when he said, according to the transcript, "We continue to import their junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food and export, you know, jobs to places where you can pay workers a dollar a month to turn out the stuff that we're buying from Wal-Mart."

"So I think our relationship with China has certainly changed," he continued. "I think they're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years.

Goons and thugs

A mood of angry nationalism has spurred government officials to lash out at foreign critics, trying to stay ahead of public resentment — even fury — that foreigners may spoil the Summer Olympics party with what some see as unwarranted criticism.

Several foreign journalists, including correspondents for USA Today and The Times of London, say they've received death threats.

Death threats

And the Chinese aren't limiting their criticism to Western journalists.

Beijing considers its Western critics, who have raised pressure on leaders to boycott the Games' opening ceremony and marred part of a global torch relay with chaotic protests, are unfairly mixing sports and politics.
The Dalai Lama repeated on Friday that he opposed a boycott of the Beijing Olympics, but that has cut little ice with the Chinese authorities.
Chinese television on Sunday showed reporters searching for people it said were listed by the Dalai Lama's supporters as victims of the riot and the government crackdown that followed.
Five who were listed with their Lhasa addresses were either alive or invented, state television said.
Foreign journalists are currently barred from Tibet so Reuters cannot verify reports of casualties.
Xinhua also targeted Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, after she backed a resolution urging dialogue with the Dalai Lama, the end of a crackdown on non-violent protesters and a halt to repression in the region.
The People's Daily accused the California Democrat of cynical double standards and said she would likely top any Chinese poll to find "the most disgusting figure."
"Pelosi would remain the least popular person for China if she stiff-neckedly clings to her double standards and an anti-China stance," the commentary added.

Pelosi is disgusting

China is showing its global immaturity by trying to treat the world press and world politicians as it does its own people. Stubbornly rejecting any difference in thought and trying to bully its critics into silence. The Olympics, which was supposed to be China's coming out party, is showing the world just how backward, oppressive and ignorant the Chinese government, and the society it has created are. The Chinese government knows that its economic ascendancy depends on the continued oppression of its subjects while, at the same time, convincing the world that it is making progress in the way of human rights. But rather than actually changing its practices, it lashes out blindly, accusing Western media and Western governments of treating China unfairly. Just as it stifles dissent within its own borders, it attempts to stifle dissent outside its borders. China doesn't necessarily do this because it feels it's the best way to change world opinion. It simply knows no other way of dealing with dissent or difference than to bully. And that, characteristic, more than any, should be a warning to all nations of the world as China aspires to become a global economic and military superpower.
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