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 Heading to Canberra knowing that a huge and fiercely nationalistic crowd of Chinese demonstrators would also be making the trip, this was always going to be a challenging day for Australia’s Tibetans and Tibet supporters.
Nonetheless, through remaining calm, positive and non-violent, even in the face of considerable antagonism, we were able to deliver a strong and positive message of support for Tibet.
While Chinese authorities may be claiming a PR victory in Canberra and the salvaging of the troubled torch relay, reading the swathe of newspaper reports condemning the ‘mob mentality’ of the thousands pro-Chinese demonstrators and criticising the Chinese Embassy for orchestrating the demonstration, there is little doubt where the sympathies of the Australian public and media lie.
Such scenes as we saw in Canberra, with Tibetans vastly outnumbered by Chinese, mirror closely the reality Tibetans now face inside Tibet, where an influx of Han economic migrants has reduced them to a minority in their own territory. While Canberra resembled a sea of red flags, the day will be remembered for Tibetans’ calm determination and the pitching of truth and non-violence against China’s oppressive might.
On Thursday the torch touches down in Hong Kong to begin its journey through China to Beijing. While Chinese authorities have this week shown willingness to resume dialogue with representative of the Dalai Lama, they remain determined to carry the Olympic Torch up Mount Everest and through Lhasa and other Tibetan areas – a blatant political manoeuvre to symbolically demonstrate control over the region.
So while the international leg of the torch relay may be over, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done before the Olympics. Seven previous rounds of dialogue have brought no improvements for the Tibetan people. Only through sustained international pressure and engagement will we break this cycle and make 2008 into a turning point for Tibet.
Finally, we must thank the many groups and individuals who helped make the day a success: The Tibetan Communities of Australia, Senator Bob Brown, K.D. Lang, Getup!, The Greens, the East Turkistan Association and the Federation for a Democratic China. Importantly, special credit must go to Canberra’s Tibetan community for working tirelessly in the lead up to the relay and providing invaluable leadership on the day itself.
“It’s pretty much gone off without a hitch” (Ted Quinlan, Chair of the ACT Torch Relay Organising Committee)
If you witnessed or experienced incidents that you feel the torch relay organisers should be aware of, the contact details for Ted Quinlan and Jon Stanhope can be found below.
Ted Quinlan
Chair, ACT Torch Relay Organising Committee
GPO Box 158
Canberra City ACT 2601
Mr Jon Stanhope
Chief Minister
ACT Legislative Assembly
GPO Box 1020
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Images From The Torch Relay
Not long after the Canberra leg of the torch relay, China announced it was willing the enter into preliminary talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama.
Senator Bob Brown addresses the crowd in front of Parliament House.
A sea of red - Some of the estimated 10,000 students who ‘spontaneously’ caught chartered buses to Canberra.
The Vietnamese community show their solidarity with the people of Tibet.
This student wins the award for the most ironic placard
A thin blue line of police and media separates demonstrators in front of Australia’s Parliament House.
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Australia Tibet Council (ATC) works to promote the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Tibetan people. 
