(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-14 07:14

Fearing the rise of China is the primary reason for the call by anti-China forces to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games, says Wa Ching-mou, a political commentator, in the Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po. The following is an excerpt:

Some people hate to see an up-and-coming China and its rising clout on the international stage. China's advance, they have decided, would in no way serve their best interests.

The attempts to sabotage the Olympic torch relay is a well-orchestrated campaign by Tibet separatists. Pulling the strings behind the scene are the Dalai Lama's followers and international anti-China political forces.

China taking a socialist path rather than accepting what they tout as "universal values" has increased their dislike of the country.

In their eyes, this different path to success is unacceptable and formidable. Disrupting the Games thus became a natural expression of their fears and hatred.

(China Daily 04/14/2008 page4)