Topolanek is accompanied by his son Tomas. Topolanek previously emphasised he is going to China at the request of the Czech Olympic Committee (COV).
He said he had declined the Chinese invitation to attend the Olympics opening ceremony in reaction to the Tibetan Protests elsewhere as games open ...
Smog obscures Beijing's stadium ...
Hu Jintao pledges press freedom for Olympics ... events this spring. Topolanek presented his approach to China's policy in Tibet at a press conference on the Olympics in mid-July, when he wore a badge with the Tibetan flag. Chinese diplomacy condemned his gesture and Topolanek is unlikely to meet with a warm welcome in Beijing now. According to the press, he probably will not be given an opportunity to meet high-ranking Chinese politicians. Czech human rights organisations have asked Topolanek to speak in support of human rights' observance in Beijing. The Olympic Watch NGO has asked him to express himself, in private talks with the Chinese hosts, and also in public, in support of concrete Chinese dissidents. The Amnesty International has asked Topolanek to speak in Beijing about the need to observe human rights.
(Ceske Noviny)
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