The darker reality of China's economic boom was the main theme of discussion at the reception and book release of Buying the Dragon's Teeth, hosted by High Asia Press* and Tibet House in New York City on the evening of October 25,
2004. The event was well attended by over seventy-five guests, both Tibetan and non-Tibetan.
Tibet House president and Columbia University Buddhist scholar, Professor Robert. F Thurman, spoke of the failure of successive American Administrations to pressure China on human rights violations because of US trade interests and
of the need for the general public to keep pressure on through the boycott of goods 'Made in China'. He also emphasized how labor and industry worldwide have
been undermined and fundamental freedoms eroded by the relentless flood of Chinese-made products.

Eminent Chinese dissident and Laogai Institute director, Harry Wu, explained how China's new found prosperity, fuelled by Western investment and growing domination of global industrial manufacturing, was weakening democracy and freedom throughout the world. Harry Wu stressed that China's growing strength posed a special threat to America and American interests.

The author of Buying the Dragon's Teeth, Jamyang Norbu, spoke of the reasons that compelled him to write the book. He explained that because of 9/11 and the Iraq War, America and the world had been ignoring not just China's human right violations but even its dangerous threats to invade Taiwan, and its sale and transfer of nuclear weapons materials and technology to Pakistan, Iraq, Libya and North Korea. Norbu also explained why it was important for every individual of conscience to take a stand on this issue by undertaking a boycott of Chinese products.

Norbu thanked the other speakers, presenting them with khatag scarves, and thanked the Milarepa Fund, Students for a Free Tibet, Champa and Robert Weinrab and others who had contributed financially or otherwise to the publishing of
the book. He also thanked Dr. Lisa S. Keary, for hertremendous work in editing and publishing the book and in organizing the event and reception. He also appealed to all present to join the boycott campaign.

For the last couple of years, the Boycott 'Made in China' Campaign has attempted to get various organizations around the world to undertake some action on or around International Human Rights Day (10th December), the exact
day being left up to the various organizations for their convenience. Different organizations have undertaken different kinds of actions including street theatre, yak dances, leafletting, and singing boycott carols (a good selection of songs is included under 'Action Tools' on www.boycottmadeinchina.org.)

This month many Tibet support groups and their friends will be undertaking a series of actions protesting Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's wrongful death sentence (for more info see: http://www.tibet.org/itsn/campaigns/lithang/). Therefore,
many organizations will not have the time and resources to undertake a December boycott action this year. However, in New York City, the NYU Chapter of Students for a Free Tibet is organizing a boycott day of street theatre and song on Sunday, December 12, 2004 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm in front of Toys 'R Us on West 44th Street and Broadway. Anyone interested in joining this event should contact usa@boycottmadeinchina.org or Tracy Ellwanger of NYU's SFT Chapter at te259@nyu.edu.

With every passing year, as more and more jobs are lost, countries' deficits soar, and China begins to flex its muscle, this campaign will definitely become a more viable choice of action for people with a social and political conscience.

* High Asia Press is a private, non-profit publishing house dedicated to the advancement of freedom and democracy among the peoples and nations on the roof of the world. High Asia is the publisher and distributor of Buying the Dragon's Teeth. Anyone wishing to obtain copies of the book, can contact highasia@earthlink.net.