Peaceful, generous people

I have recently read a lot about the people who cry out for "Tibetan independence". They state their objectives with such hatred and violence that it arouses second thoughts about their true character.

They have even gone so far as to attempt to grab the torch out of the hands of Chinese wheelchair-bound torch-bearer Jin Jing in Paris on Monday. They lurched at Jin and her two companions, one of whom is suffering from impaired eye-sight. They nearly knocked Jin out of her wheelchair. You could see the hate and rage in their eyes on TV.

I have to wonder if these people really represent the Tibetans I have met over the years, whose straightforwardness, kindness and passion still influence my way of looking at the world. I am still proud of the fact that I have spent more time in the Tibet autonomous region than I have ever in Shanghai.