Machimura urges China to allow access in Tibet area

Monday 24th March, 01:57 PM JST

TOKYO —

Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura urged China on Monday to allow foreign diplomats and journalists into Tibet and surrounding areas as part of efforts to heighten transparency over the rioting in the region.

‘‘I think China should think more seriously about allowing journalists and diplomats in the area in the sense of heightening transparency,’’ the top Japanese government spokesman told a press conference. ‘‘What is expected of China in various aspects is to heighten transparency because that is one of the foundations of democracy. For that, it is better for both sides (China and Tibet) to enter into dialogue unconditionally,’’ he added.

12 Comments

Zybster at 02:43 PM JST - 24th March

Machimura, you must be very naive to say that. What do you expect, transparency or truth from China? You can say whatever you want, but as long as the communists are in power you will get neither.
apecNetworks at 03:22 PM JST - 24th March

I disagree. Given the scale of the riots, the ferocity of the attacks, the excellent timing of it, the sensitive nature of the Olympics, the PRC should take the time to investigate the situation throughly. In fact, the safety of outsiders can't be assured and would get in the way of the operation and investigation. The scale could demand weeks/months.
Zybster at 04:49 PM JST - 24th March

Yes, you're right, the safety of the outsiders can't be guaranteed with the Chinese Army. But, you know what, the foreign correspondents have been present at many wars and other dangerous places and they still want to go there, because people all over the world want some information. Why do you think they wouldn't be able to look after themselves even in such a place? Because the Chinese government said so?
apecNetworks at 05:32 PM JST - 24th March

When I researched the riots, it had the same feel as the 1968 Democratic Convention, and the possibility of communist sympathizers involved - that introduced a national security level scrutiny. The Tibet riots also will bring a national security level scrutiny. In many ways, governments do work in a similar fashion.
Zybster at 06:18 PM JST - 24th March

Yes, you may be right - China is still in 1968. You know, after the war, poor, ravished country, cold war - all this stuff.

By the way, did you, by any chance, research the "riots" in People's Daily? No big surprise here...
tako10 at 01:36 AM JST - 25th March

This is not mideast. Tibetans do not even have a gun.
worldpublic at 02:56 PM JST - 25th March

For all you anti-China and China Skeptics, Read this western/German apology for the recent distorted news reporting on the recent riots in Lhasa, China: http://news.wenxuecity.com/messages/200803/news-gb2312-546438.html http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/25/content_7851808.htm

and to get a more balanced view, read these dramatic riot video: http://bbs.chinanews.com.cn/thread-242332-1-1.html

Western reporters and news have lost much credibility among 1.3 billion and millions of overseas Chinese worldwide. Western media and bias anti-China people should learn to accept facts on what actually happened, regardless of who reported it, even by Chinese government, who is constantly and fiercely attacked by westerners and descendants of former colonial powers, all over the world.
Zybster at 05:40 PM JST - 25th March

Now, worldpublic, if you only gave some NON-CHINESE sources I might take a look at them. Otherwise, to me you are still in your imaginary world taken straight from 1984. Stay there, where you belong.
Jackaroo at 09:15 AM JST - 26th March

I've read some literature on the history of tibet and there are good historical claims on both sides of the sovereign status of tibet. But really no can go back in history and say that's mine and not yours. At one point or in another in history there will be evidence to support your claim. How far back do you go? Well just don't try, in this world it is about who has the economy and military to dominate smaller nations. If Japan or Germany were strong enough and won WWII then we would be reading a whole different set of history books and following a completely different ideology. Groups and whole races of people have been completely erased from the face of the planet by either war, famine, or assimilation. The world will continue to be this way until a world government (not the UN cuz it is useless) can be formed where the rule of law is established with penalties applied if they are broken.
tashidelek at 01:21 PM JST - 26th March

Tibet is head of yours how can we have a life with no HEAD, USE your HEAD...

China must allow access in Tibet area lets see the HEAD of WORLD...
kalsang at 11:50 PM JST - 28th March

Free Tibet is a FREEDOM OF WORLD
Hikozaemon at 10:17 AM JST - 31st March

If China had nothing to hide in Tibet, it would be bussing in journalists to see the armed Tibetan terrorists attacking innocent people.

Fact is they have locked Tibet down because they are afraid of anyone finding out what they are doing there - how can the world trust PRC to "investigate" the situation there when it is the conduct of the PRC that is in question? It is like asking the Nazis to "investigate" German conduct in death camps. What do we expect the answer will be, other than that trouble maker Dalai Lama spies linked to Al Qaeda have attempted genocide against non-Tibetans and the heroic government forces have restored order and arrested all the evil-doers.

China is blocking out the world because it is afraid - Japan is right to pressure China to back up its propaganda with free and open access to the region.

Peace