China's Thugs

NEWS.com.au (24 April): 'China's determination to 'defend' relay sparks fury'

China's paramilitary Olympic torch attendants are in the spotlight again. They were branded as 'thugs' for their rough handling of protestors in London and Paris. Now, the Chinese authorities continue to insist on using them for security purposes in Canberra, despite Australia reiterating that ALL security will be handled by the ACT Government.

Once again, China has crossed the line. Not only does it blatantly violate human rights, it is now disrespecting another nation-state. The Olympic torch will be on Australian ground, and China needs to respect the Australian Government in this and stop their obsessive controlling. China has no right, even as the host of the Olympics, to send out its own paramilitary personnel on foreign land for policing purposes on foreign land.

I think China is damaging its image with such behaviour, despite its wish to boost its international image with the Olympics. Quite simply, awful PR.