I think Americans often don't realize how little the Chinese (and other countries) consider US reactions to things they do in situations like this. Unfortunately. They have done this for 4000 years and it has at times held China back tremendously, AS IT IS DOING NOW.
But, they don't care. The Chinese leadership's main concern is staying in power, and they will do whatever it takes, even if it kills thousands (or even, I suspect, millions) of people to do it.
The main reason, I think, that China is in Tibet is uranium and other minerals.
They see Tibet the way we see Iraq, Iran, etc.
And as we see, they act similarly.
:o
to the opinions of the rest of the world is good. They do mderate some of what they do slightly when they know the rest of the world is watching. We could be doing much more.
BTW, Nancy Pelosi was doing quite a bit to pressure China at the time. So was Tom Lantos and Barbara Boxer.
