The moment the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony was upstaged by protest, it became clear that wherever the torch went, it would face protestors aiming to highlight the Chinese regime's abuse of human rights. This threatens to undermine China's propaganda exercise, so they've organised a response. When the torch visits London next week, they will have thousands of Chinese students lining the route to drown out any hint of dissent.
It certainly shows the lie behind those claiming that politicians boycotting the opening ceremony will make no difference. Neither, supposedly, will a few people waving a flag. But China is so image conscious that they will massively overreact to that possibility. Which just shows how important it is to keep up the pressure and deny them the happy propaganda images they are seeking.
