From The Forbes:
The Olympic torch’s journey has set the western media ablaze, giving it the opportunity to rake China over the coals for its policies on Tibet and human rights. The most vigorous protests, in London and Paris, were played out for prime-time newscasts. The more the police, motorcycle outriders and Chinese guards closed ranks, the more protesters clashed with them for the benefit of the cameras. In San Francisco the mayor had to change the torch route at the last moment to avoid assembled protesters. China’s image in the West is poor.
This is not the case in Hong Kong. Huge crowds welcomed the torch parade. The usual pro-democracy demonstrators were outnumbered by crowds of ordinary people cheering on the Chinese celebrity torchbearers. These crowds shouted “running dogs” in Cantonese at those championing democracy. No pro-democracy legislative councillor dared march against the torch for fear of losing votes in the next elections. Hong Kong is hosting the equestrian events, and its people have realized that their future lies with Beijing and a successful Olympics.
