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China 'to allow Olympic protests' | China 'to allow Olympic protests' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
China says it will allow demonstrations in three designated city parks during the Olympic Games in Beijing. | China says it will allow demonstrations in three designated city parks during the Olympic Games in Beijing. |
But anyone wanting to protest will have to apply for permission from the city's government and police. | But anyone wanting to protest will have to apply for permission from the city's government and police. |
The announcement suggests China will have a more relaxed attitude towards protesters during the Olympics than it had in the past. | The announcement suggests China will have a more relaxed attitude towards protesters during the Olympics than it had in the past. |
But Chinese citizens are already allowed to stage rallies. In reality, there are few anti-government protests. | |
Liu Shaowu, director of the Beijing organising committee's security department, said protests would be allowed in Shijie, Zizhuyuan and Ritan parks. | Liu Shaowu, director of the Beijing organising committee's security department, said protests would be allowed in Shijie, Zizhuyuan and Ritan parks. |
Organisers say that fans won't be able to take in any banners or leaflets which contain political, religious, racial, commercial, military, or other messages The BBC's James Reynolds Reynolds' China: Protesters' parks "They are all close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," he told a press conference on the city's security preparations. | Organisers say that fans won't be able to take in any banners or leaflets which contain political, religious, racial, commercial, military, or other messages The BBC's James Reynolds Reynolds' China: Protesters' parks "They are all close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," he told a press conference on the city's security preparations. |
But Mr Wu was hazy about how potential protesters would apply for permission, and on whether spontaneous demonstrations would be allowed. | But Mr Wu was hazy about how potential protesters would apply for permission, and on whether spontaneous demonstrations would be allowed. |
"As for the concrete application, and who handles those applications, I have no clear information at this time," he said. | "As for the concrete application, and who handles those applications, I have no clear information at this time," he said. |
'Encouraged' | 'Encouraged' |
The issue of protests is a sensitive one for China, which this year has had to deal with unrest in Tibetan areas in western China. | The issue of protests is a sensitive one for China, which this year has had to deal with unrest in Tibetan areas in western China. |
Chinese law â as Mr Wu made clear â lets ordinary people stage demonstrations, but few protests take place that are not sanctioned by the government. | Chinese law â as Mr Wu made clear â lets ordinary people stage demonstrations, but few protests take place that are not sanctioned by the government. |
To underline just how sensitive the issue is, the Chinese authorities seemed reluctant to publicise exactly where protests would be allowed. | To underline just how sensitive the issue is, the Chinese authorities seemed reluctant to publicise exactly where protests would be allowed. |
A transcript of Wednesday's press conference on the Beijing organising committee's website expunged the parks' names. | A transcript of Wednesday's press conference on the Beijing organising committee's website expunged the parks' names. |
Earlier, Mr Wu made it clear no activities involving ethnic, political or religious activities would be allowed inside Olympic venues. | Earlier, Mr Wu made it clear no activities involving ethnic, political or religious activities would be allowed inside Olympic venues. |
Previously, Olympic cities have set aside areas for protests, and the International Olympic Committee wanted China to follow suit. | Previously, Olympic cities have set aside areas for protests, and the International Olympic Committee wanted China to follow suit. |
"Past organisers have found ways to manage any protests, and the Chinese authorities were encouraged to do the same," said an IOC spokeswoman. | "Past organisers have found ways to manage any protests, and the Chinese authorities were encouraged to do the same," said an IOC spokeswoman. |
At the press conference, Mr Wu also dismissed suggestions that the Olympics would be a "kill-joy games" because of excessive security restrictions. | At the press conference, Mr Wu also dismissed suggestions that the Olympics would be a "kill-joy games" because of excessive security restrictions. |
His assessment appears to be shared by the vast majority of Chinese people. | His assessment appears to be shared by the vast majority of Chinese people. |
An investigation by the US-based Pew Research Centre found that 96% of Chinese people think the Olympics will be a success. | An investigation by the US-based Pew Research Centre found that 96% of Chinese people think the Olympics will be a success. |
Nearly as many believe the Olympic Games will improve China's image across the globe. | Nearly as many believe the Olympic Games will improve China's image across the globe. |