Daily Lesson from Life 03 February 2009

"Tue, Feb 03, 2009 AFP - Protester throws shoe at Chinese PM

CAMBRIDGE, England - A protester hurled a shoe at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao as he gave a speech at Britain's Cambridge University on Monday, in a dramatic end to a five-nation tour of Europe.


In a clear echo of the Iraqi journalist who threw a shoe at George W. Bush in Baghdad in December, the 27-year-old Caucasian man shouted "This is a scandal" as he interrupted Wen from the back of the auditorium.

"This dictator here, how can you listen to the lies he's telling? You are not challenging him," he said before blowing a whistle and hurling the sports trainer at Wen, who had been discussing China's role in the globalised world.

The shoe landed about a yard from the Chinese premier, who glanced sharply to one side to watch it hit the stage, but did not appear frightened. A security man moved across and kicked the shoe off the stage.

As the protester was bundled out, he shouted to audience members: "Stand up and protest," to which some of the spectators -- most of whom appeared to be Chinese students -- retorted: "Shame on you, shame on you."


After the interruption, Wen reproached the demonstrator. "This despicable behaviour cannot stand in the way of friendship between China and the UK," he said, receiving a round of applause from the audience.

The incident echoed the protest by Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi against then-US president Bush on December 14, which won him global fame.


Security was tight around the venue, and outside about 200 demonstrators, apparently mostly pro-Chinese, were kept at bay in two pens on the pavement. Before the event began supporters waved red Chinese flags, while some banged drums and there was a colourful paper dragon -- although one banner from a protester said: "Remember Tiananmen".

Chinese state television CCTV broadcast Wen's speech in Cambridge but abruptly cut away from the coverage when the protest happened.


Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richard said: "I deeply regret that a single member of the audience this afternoon failed to show the respect for our speaker that is customary at Cambridge. "This university is a place for considered argument and debate, not for shoe-throwing." "

Well well, a light hearted moment that I can write about as the shoe that missed it's target were not a BOMB! I find the young man lack of originality appalling really! Also the speed (too slow as he only got 1 shoe away!) and the accuracy of his throw simply left much to be desired!

Jokes aside, this incident taught me a few things:

1. anyone in the so-called liberal world, be it in the East or in the West, can express his or her opinion at a proper venue. However, the local laws will be applied should he or she crossed the boundary of decency and respect for an invited guest giving a speech and not brandishing a weapon like President Bush did in Iraq!;

2. there will be supporters and detractors for any authority, especially a national one, as no one is perfect! No one can perform the tasks to the satisfaction of EVERYONE! There will be choices need to be made, there will be someone somehow getting the short end of the stick! Hopefully the short end of the stick is not so poisonous that the people affected will take drastic and sometimes, irrational and emotional, extreme of blowing themselves up just to bring down a few of their 'perceived' violators/enemies/oppositions!;

3. no one can demand that the people rise against their government unless the people themselves felt so oppressed and deprived that they want to change the government! If they want it bad enough, they will be willing to shed blood and life for it! This of course is different from humanitarian aid that from time to time has to be imposed externally on some governments who violated the very basic human right to food!;

4. Premier Wen's response is wonderful. Still focus on keeping the friendship between UK and China. Great!!

I wish that young man well as he will pay for his conviction that China is not perfect. I also wish that he will soon realised that his country is not perfect too. Hopefully, he will find the right way to channel his energy. Also, in the process become mature and contribute positively to such debate instead of throwing his shoe(s) around!!