IntroductionA common image in America is that of a hippie protester in the streets holding up a homemade sign that says "Free Tibet." The hippie surely has good intentions, but what does “free Tibet” mean? Does this mean China should just free the Tibetans and allow them to form their own state? Would even the Tibetans want it to go from being a global superpower, which offers them a certain security and wealth, to a potential third world state without access to land? Perhaps, but what does the “Free Tibet” sign mean: freeing Tibet from the situation that deprives it of its human rights? Or perhaps there is a third option, that the hippie with the "Free Tibet" sign does not understand the reality of the situation in China, because more than likely he cannot locate Tibet on a map he probably thinks Tibet is between the bittersweet state and Thailand. But more seriously, what the mainland Chinese government is accused of is horrific beyond belief, and can only be compared as less sadistic and less evil than the events that took place under Nazi Germany and the governments who participated in the dirty war. in Latin America. The level of horror is not debated, but what is debated is the lack of understanding on the part of people outside the mainland as to the rationality of thinking that mainland China is committing such acts.Why is -this importantWhy does it matter whether mainland China violates human rights or not? This is important because mainland China is the second largest power in the world today and soon, if not already, other states will follow in mainland China's footsteps. China could set a precedent by changing the international norm that any violation of human rights, regardless of what the U....... middle of paper ......uaterly 12.1 (1998) : 74-102.REUTERS. “China aims to completely muzzle the Dalai Lama.” www.nytimes.com. Np, and Web. December 3, 2013. .Jacobs, Andrew. “Rights report denounces mass resettlement of Tibetans.” NYtimes.com. Np, and Web. December 3, 2013. .Sautman, Barry. “Resolving the Tibet question: problems and prospects.” Journal of Contemporary China 11:30 (2002): 77-107. Chan, Joseph. “A Confucian Perspective on Human Rights for Contemporary China.” East Asia's Challenge to Human Rights 212 (1999). Nathan, Andrew J. “Human Rights in Chinese Foreign Policy.” The China Quarterly 139 (1994): 622-643. Dr. Rich, WKU 2013, “It’s like nailing jelly to a wall ».”