If black and white can be in the same country, why should people in Xizang be another nation just because they have defferent living habbits? even two individuals wouldn't have the same living habbits or thinking, why should a whole country?

Lp.wen, edinburgh, uk

'The Talibans have their own habits and traditions many of which are not to our liking but it's their lives'

The point is Lim that the Taliban seek to impose their way of thinking on others, that is what the world, however ineptly is trying to stop.

Mike, Nottm, UK

The Chinese Government views anyone who dares to broadcast views contary to their own as 'troublemakers'

After all people might start to question the offical 'truths' and that might distrurb the social 'harmony' might it not Lim?

Mike, Nottm, UK

Emma H, Shandong, China
2) I am sure you would not want to visit Afghanistan at the present. It is not safe for you. The Talibans have their own habits and traditions many of which are not to our liking but it's their lives. They would have to change by themselves not by others.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Emma H, Shandong, China
Sorry, I can't help here but I believe you can refer to 1)BBC World Service itself or 2) The Chinese Censor Board or similar authority. They maybe able to explain.

Perhaps the Chinese do view the BBC as a "troublemaker"?
010808

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Dear Foreign People,
Let him who has no sin cast the first stone. Likewise, have you contributed to settling the ills outstanding in your homeland? Take care of your own home before you go around putting your nose in other people's home.

Hao Ren, Singapore, Singapore

Lim, as a tourist in a foreign country you have to follow the laws of the land, of course.

It does not follow that the laws are good or decent. If a country killed women who taught kids (a Taliban speciality), you would have to follow those laws. The law however would remain questionable.

Emma H, shandong, china

Lim can you explain to me why the BBC World Service website in Chinese has been eternally blocked by Beijing. Is the BBC some kind of terrorist organisation or something? I am really confused, I can't think of many countries that call the BBC a troublemaker. Quite the opposite.

Emma H, shandong, china

I have lived in China for a number of years. There is an easy way to avoid the so-called great firewall. Firstly you need to have the latest version of Firefox, then you need to download an program called Tor. Search for it on Google. Tor is designed to circumvent all blocks.

Chris, Singapore, Singapore

Thomas, London,
If you are a westerner, I really appreaciate your remarks and you have my respect. You are absolutely right. As a tourist in a foreign country we need to abide by the country's law. I believe China welcomes foreign tourists but expects them to respect its laws and regulations.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

If you visit a country as a tourist, you must abide by the country's law. I know in America/ UK you can access every website. Look what's happened there, degrading moral values... street crimes, violence, terrorism... Every country has its own problems, and guess what, so does China!

Thomas, London,

The IOC have no respect for media freedom or human rights. That was clear before China were granted the games and it is more clear now. It's too late to moan. It's all about capitalism. An opportunity to help millions of Chinese living under corruption and abuse has gone begging. Shame on you all.

Paul, Cardiff, Wales,UK

Oh, give me a break! What did they think was going to happen? They'd be able to have unfettered access? Sheesh! Maybe now that the foreign devils are being hit by the Chinese government's attitudes they will be more sympathetic to the ordinary people of China and its colonies, such as Tibet.

Robyn Daly, Noosa, Australia

This whole grubby affair makes a mockery of the "Olympian ideal". It's not much different to Berlin 1936, but nowadays we cannot plead ignorance in the way many could then.
It's nothing to do with sport, but all about politics and money.

I wouldn't weep if Olympics never took place again.

Piscator, Suffolk,

As a Chinese liveing in Beijing ,I can't say anything for internet blooking.It 's a shame. Anyway,I hope sometime all this will be changed.

Lee, Beijing, China

The Chinese government seems to be going out of its way to confirm everyone’s worst suspicions.

The more draconian restrictions they place the more negative press they will generate.

Either they really don't care what anyone thinks of them or they are stupid.

Mike, Nottm, UK

To Western friends

If you are in China to cover the games, then cover the games but if you are there to create trouble then you will likely get trouble. I don't see "human rights, protests, Tibet & rubbish like Falung gong" a link to the Games. So why all the fuss over such restrictions.
010808

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To Western posters,
Wonder whether you people have forgotten these sayings:
1) People living in glass houses should not throw stones
2) Every dog will have its day.
3) Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you.
Peace to all. 2012 is around the corner.
010808

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

How did the Olympic Games get to China? The International Committie has no respect for human rights. This is merely political positioning and the games shoud be discontinued.

Don, Beau, USA

It is plain for all to see that western journalists are using the Olympics as a cover to destabilize the government of China.

Western journalists and human rights organisations are nothing more than agent provocateurs, out to create another Tian An Men situation..

Hung, kuala lumpur,

I think this is just the begining.

You will never see an Olympics like this.
Full control of everything.
No internet, no flags, no banners, no protesters, no Tibetans, no muslems, no free speech, no phone calls, no photos, no tv, no freedom, no people...

The closing ceremonies will be empty.

Les Copeland, Los Angeles, USA

Would the en masse withdrawal of the media from covering the Games have any impact on the regime?

Colin Ashley, Cumbria, UK

Seeing how the Chinese are using the Olympic Games as a tool to punish other nations by refusing access to the different types of media the nations that are supposed to compete in the Olympics will not allow their athletes to compete thereby forcing the Chinese government to find some other way to recoup that money and save face!

Phil John, Brisbane,

Well, surprise, surprise. Who honestly thought China wouldn't manipulate the games for their own agenda? We are mushrooms. Kept in the dark and fed manure. I hope the hackers and the pirates take aim.

dc, brisbane, Australia