Whoops!  Free Tibet flags: Made in China

Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning, but then some of them saw TV images of protesters holding the emblem and they alerted the authorities, according to one Hong Kong newspaper.

The forthcoming Olympic Games (and its ill fated torch relay) are currently focusing the world’s attentions on China’s ugly side. To be fair, this was a motivating factor in awarding the games to Beijing in the first place. Business, cultural and sporting links with the world should help China open up and throw light into its horrible dungeons and prison camps. This could help China’s adjustment to adopting the rule of law and human rights.

A whole host of businesses – from Coca Cola to Kodak and McDonald’s to Samsung are starting to wonder if their $1 billion-or-so advertising spend on what has cheerily been dubbed the ‘Genocide Olympics’ was wise. This case only serves to highlight a significant increase in the importance of effective CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility – to the world’s big businesses. Both they – and the Chinese government – are making a host of pledges to improve their record on tackling poverty, ecological problems and human rights.

These are tough issues – certain to be raised in future articles and blogs.