State of Mankind

Footage: China's para-police attack street vendor; Lithuania braces for China-led corporate boycott



More countries are joining a #DiplomaticBoycott of the Beijing Olympics, and mixed messages are coming out of Beijing. On one hand, it accuses the nations of politicizing the Games. On the other, Beijing says it doesn’t care if they attend.

But that’s not the only boycott happening. China is now snubbing Lithuania for strengthening its ties to Taiwan. The European Union responds, saying it's ready to stand up against all types of political pressure from China’s communist regime.

Members of China’s Communist Party have a new personal obligation: to have three kids. That's according to a state media editorial, requiring party members to help boost the country's birth rate and relieve its population crisis.

Chinese authorities are disqualifying independent candidates from running in an election, as Beijing claims it embraces a better style of democracy than the United States.