As of today, May 4, the Olympic torch has not officially reached the summit. I reported a couple days ago that the PeakFreaks website had claimed that the torch had reached the summit of Mount Everest. Now Chinese authorities are saying, No way. They claim that the climbing team was simply continuing to fix ropes toward the summit. They also said false news reports were being given, some from climbers at base camp on the Nepalese south side of Everest, and that possible retaliatory action against these reports could include the “banning of climbers” as well as “a few more days of waiting at base camp.” EverestNews notes: “Published reports from a climber that the Chinese summited a couple of day ago and had trouble with the torch has some Chinese mad as heck….”
Part of the pact with the devil that Everest south side expeditions had this year was to agree to follow stringent rules established by Nepal, under pressure from China. These included a ban on cell and satellite phones, video and film cameras, and computers so that no reporting could take place. All outside communications to expedition websites has to be approved by Nepalese authorities. This makes any sort of accurate reportage from Everest base camp very difficult, so lots of rumors are going to arise because we’re interested in this ascent of Everest.
The ban also included any language or reporting about China, Tibet, the current unrest between the two, and even mention of the word Tibet. Violation of the rules means expulsion from base camp as well as being banned from climbing the mountain, which already happened to American William Brant Holland, who sinned by having a “Free Tibet” flag in his pack.
It seems somewhat absurd that this level of secrecy surrounds what should be a joyous celebratory occasion—the Olympic torch atop the world. Is the Chinese government that insecure of itself that it stifles not only free speech and rational discussion, but also relegates the unifying symbol of the Olympic torch, which belongs to all nations of the earth, to being simply a tool for propaganda?
Suggested Reading:
Highest Mountains in the World
Mt. Everest: World's Highest Peak
Comments
Again I see a quite misleading report over China’s action over so called “false” report. Aha, such quotes are so well used that I even can’t say nothing about my uncomfort of them.
What I read from the news is that, some fake reports were given by irresponsible climbers, and China just simply stop them from making more misunderstanding. So what’s wrong with it?
Don’t ever say China banned any sort of report about the Everest climb. The fact is that, Chinese government has generously invited outland media to accompany the ascending. However it just cannot allow everyone to go for various reasons. If you don’t have the chance to get so-called “genuine” information, you are not justified to get untrustable information from iresponsible people and make yourself believed it is “genuine”. Such is a robbery logic! Just because you can’t get money justifiably doesn’t mean you can justify your robbery!
Of course China is avoiding all sort of trouble in the Olympic game, simply for the reason that we don’t want to make such a game political. It is you that make good use of such a great time to advertise for your political opinion, who makes this grand game political. Bringing political slogans such as “Free Tibet” to the occasion is not allowed, neither even suitable.
I suggest you taking down your colored glasses and have a closer look over China’s efforts to hold such a grand game. You’ll understand that actually China is doing whatever Olympic holders will do.
The comment above seems to be written by some Communist Party lackey!
Dude, you crack me up! Your whole idea of “robbery logic.” I would like to use that one somewhere. Hey, it might make a good title to a song. We could put it on Chinese Idol. Ha.
Seriously though, if you Chinese would just tell the truth about Mt Everest and the Olympic torch and Tibet and repression of human rights and let there be a free and open dialogue about it all, then there would be no problem.
I think MR Green has been very fair and even-handed in his coverage here about the whole torch fiasco. Like what is he or anyone else going to do? The Chinese won’t give out ANY information nor will they allow responsible journalists to see and hear what is happening and then reporting it back to the rest of the world.
NOOOO…the Chinese gov wants to give us all a sanitized version of events. Well I got news for you TomLi–We aren’t babies and don’t eat the spoon-fed baby food that the Chinese gov is trying to feed us.
Just tell the truth. Report the facts. And let people decide for themselves about the Olympic torch on Mt Everest. Like what’s the big secret? What is the Chinese gov hiding? They’re the ones being irresponsible.
Tell the truth–it’ll make you feel good and you won’t act like such a victim when people call you on irresponsible behavior.
It’s all kind of absurd. We should be talking about a happy glorious event and about the harmony and brotherhood of the Olympics and the Olympic spirit, but instead the Chinese gov (notice I don’t say “people”) is turning it all into this big propaganda machination. Get real. Get truthful.
what does everest got to do with the olympics? oh maybe the guides taking it up ,orhelping to get it to the summit will proffit from it .this kind of stuff has got to stop!!!! we need to realize that the games are for the athletes, now maybe if there was ice climbing in the winter games, will now it would be appropriate, wouldn’t it? or an i missing something? but the games had at one time a good auora about them at one time or another. but i just wish that people would find a different way to capatalize for there own selfish needs, other than running these athletes into the ground! AND NOW THE OTHER PROBLEM………… does every body else in this dam world always have to cause problems for third world countries, the torch has reached the top !!!!!!!!!!!! ………….. i support china in the ban in climbing . because they are just as tired of the b. s. lies all the time as i am. third world countries dont deserve the negative in fluence (speaking of lies) in there lifes. they live a simple way of life in many of these places, and don’t need the ” falacies ” that the more powerfull countries feel so entitled in pushing on other people. so now lets get honest withyourselfs and stop the bullying , and the capitilization on the land of these warm hearted people in that region SPUDER MONKEY IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!