by Lisa Provence
A copy of an email sent from the Chinese Embassy (below) to City Manager Gary O’Connell notes the “grave concerns” of the People’s Republic of China over City Council’s decision to fly the Tibetan flag over City Hall March 10 on Tibetan National Uprising Day.
Apparently, the Chinese Embassy doesn’t realize that the City Council in a town often dubbed by detractors as the “People’s Republic of Charlottesville” has a history of weighing in on international matters, such as apartheid in South Africa, and has denounced its own government’s war in Iraq.
Following is the copy of the mail:
From: xin shen
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 4:22 PM
To: FEEDBACK/CITYMANAGER
Subject: Grave concerns from Chinese Embassy
Dear Mr. O’Connell,
The Chinese Embassy learned with grave concerns that the City Council of Charlottesville voted on February 28 to allow the flying of the so-called “flag of Tibet” for “Tibetan National Uprising Day”. As you know, the fact that Tibet is an unalienable part of China has been recognized by all countries in the world, including the government of the United States. The incident happened on March 10, 1959, is just a riot provoked by a small handful of splittists who conspired to separate Tibet from China. These separatist by no means represent the majority of the Tibetan people, who strongly support the unity of China.. The action taken by the City Council not only interfere in China’s internal affairs, but also departs from the established policy of the US government against the Tibetan independence. I urge you to talk with all city council members as soon as possible, and change this wrong decision.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Xin Shen
First Secretary
Embassy of People’s Republic of China
