As world hesitates, China stands firm on dissent focus 05/28/2011

As world hesitates, China stands firm on dissent

focus

05/28/2011
BEIJING — The international community’s mixed response to China’s crackdown on dissent — ranging from public criticism to total silence — has handed Beijing leeway to maintain its hardline, experts say.

Since Chinese authorities, apparently spooked by the pro-democracy uprisings sweeping the Middle East, began detaining lawyers, artists and other activists in February, a parade of Western leaders have met with Beijing’s top brass.

Some have slammed China over the clampdown — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this month called it a “fool’s errand.”

Others like Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who visited Beijing last month, have avoided making criticism in public..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110528com3.html