Attack on Police in Xinjiang – CDT
My coworkers started talking about the threat of terrorism on May 1st. I distinctly remember them talking about how China was becoming a dangerous place. At the time, I disregarded their fears as irrational since while there was a lot of discontent, terrorism itself was rare even in Xinjiang.
Then there were all those bus bombings that some unknown terrorist organization took credit for. I dismissed that too as just some people trying to take credit for what some dude who lost all their money on the stock market did out of despair.
Now, finally, there seems to be a real attack. I guess I was wrong and the fears were justified. I’m an unemotional person, so I’m not going to rant about the evils of Islam or how this is ‘karma’ for the Chinese. This is just people wanting to get attention.
Everybody wants it. For once, all eyes are on China. The CCP leaders want to use the Olympics to show off their modernity and gain prestige. Zhang Yimo wants to create another grand ridiculous show with scantily clad dancers so that he can start directing some Hollywood movies with scantily clad white women. The Tibetans want their religious freedom or autonomy or independence. The Uigurs want the same. The dissidents are speaking up about human rights. The nationalist mobs are talking about Chinese power and defiance against the west. Everyone wants that attention.
I guess I should have expected there to be an attack, but the security and safety in Beijing blinded me to the possibilities. I mean when I had to sign in and write down my passport number to get into my own office building, it did seem a little excessive. However, now I see why they’re doing it, though I doubt a few extra security guards would be able to stop anyone determined to blow himself up.
Hopefully there won’t be any people dying at the Olympic games. Unless it’s from natural causes of course.
