Symbolism heavy as Olympic torch readies for Everest

By Nick Mulvenney

EVEREST BASE CAMP, China (Reuters) - Putting the Olympic torch atop Everest was meant to be a celebratory moment ahead of the Beijing Games, but the Tibet protests have made the project even more important for China.

The ambitious plan to carry the flame to the summit of the world's highest mountain was put forward as part of China's bid seven years ago to stage the Games in August.

Then, it was envisaged as a symbol of Chinese unity, ethnic harmony and national prestige.

But the outbreak of violence in Tibet and its neighboring regions in March, followed by a wave of protests around the international leg of the Olympic torch relay, have underscored Beijing's resolve about its sovereign claim to the region.

"There's a lot of publicity about cooperation between the Han people and the Tibetan people in climbing up Mount Everest, as a sign of solidarity, cooperation, friendship and so on," said Joseph Cheng, professor of political science at City University of Hong Kong.

"Of course it certainly symbolizes China's control of Tibet, that Tibet is part of China. It has these two added meanings, making the attempt even more significant," he added.

But that symbolism sits uncomfortably with some following this year's unrest in Tibet, mainly those who campaign for greater freedom in the tightly controlled, remote region.

"The Chinese government is ... determined to take the torch up Mount Everest on the Tibetan side in a callous attempt to legitimize its baseless claims to sovereignty over Tibet," the Free Tibet Campaign says on its website.