Capitalism sure is bringing freedom to China! According to the Wall Street Journal, the Communist government has put together a list of 57 rules for foreigners visiting during the Olympics. Some examples:
Visitors who plan to stay with friends or relatives in Beijing must register with local police within 24 hours
At major public venues, behavior that “disturbs order” is prohibited, the rules say. Inside Olympic venues, it is illegal to display “any religious, political, and ethnic slogans, banners, and other items.”
People hoping to hold marches or demonstrations must apply to the police for permission, the rules say, but they don’t explain where such protests will be allowed, if at all.
I’m sure it’s oh so easy to get permission from China’s authoritarian government to hold a march or demonstration, unless of course you are marching or demonstrating against the government itself. No doubt anti-Tibet rallies would be fine, though.
Read the whole Journal story here.