by Xinhua writer Jiang Yaping
CANBERRA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- An anti-China rant by an editor on Australia's biggest-selling national newspaper has come under fire from netizens around the world.
Greg Sheridan, an editor of The Australian, flattered Rebiya Kadeer -- leader of the separatist World Uygur Congress -- for her "courage" to confront the Chinese government in an article published Wednesday.
In his article, titled "Uygurs must fight for rights within China," Sheridan said Rebiya should leave aside her campaign for a separate state for a while and "concentrate instead on human rights, cultural autonomy and democracy," so as to win support and aid from Western nations.
He lauded Rebiya's week-long visit to Australia, saying it would "change the course of Chinese politics."
However, responding to Sheridan's instruction to the self-appointed Uygur leader, many netizens expressed their disagreement with his absurdities and scoffed at his ignorance and crankiness.
"Has anyone worked out of these facts about Kadeer? She was born and grew up in Xinjiang, but she cannot speak Chinese (Mandarin); She has 11 children and many many grand children (a lot of them live abroad); she was once one of the richest women in China; she had been a representative for her people in the highest political body in China and had gushed so much praises for the Chinese government...," Weldon, a netizen in Canberra, said in a follow-up post to Sheridan's article.
"'Extermination of Uygur cultural?' or 'Ethnic cleansing?' or 'Suppressing the minority people?' or 'A woman compassionate for her cause?', I am confused," he said.
Jonny of China called the report "another anti-Chinese rant."
"I did not read all the replies. I did not need to. Most that Iread succinctly corrected your bias," he said.
"The minorities in China including the Tibetans which you again focus on are given favored treatment... Greg your obvious ignorance of China is appalling for a person who writes about international affairs," Jonny added.
A netizen named David said Australia's invitation for Rebiya was wrong.
"Let's imagine what will happen if Australians invite Bin Laden to Sydney to give a speech with topic like 'How to end the U.S. rule around the globe and fight for the rights for all Muslims," he said.
Sharon of Brissy called Sheridan's article "a load of rubbish."
"Get your facts right before you start making bias reporting. The Uygurs get a lot of privileges as compared to the Hans. Plus during the ethnic riots were incited by the Uygurs with the majority who died are Hans," she said.
GMK of Gold Coast, who described himself as a "war veteran -- married to a traditional Australian-Chinese lady with a young son, and a frequent visitor to China," said he was puzzled about this media/Australian government-driven fantasy.
"That is their China and the Chinese, which is being produced. It is nothing like reality," he said.
The 56 separate and distinct ethnic groups within the borders of China all "have their cultural sensitivities guaranteed" by the Chinese government, he noted.
Yue, a netizen in Melbourne, said he did not understand why Western nations always have a prejudice against China.
"Why Western countries always see people instigating terror and hatred in China as a hero? Why do they always believe words said by these people rather than government?" he asked.