Beijing’s intolerance of protests — and it bears repetition that so far they have been peaceful — is therefore surprising. This is especially so since these protests are part of international events now — whether it be an IMF meet, or the UN General Assembly session. The protests go on, the scheduled function continues, and that’s it. The protesters also get tired and move on, as they have tended to with the World Economic Forum in recent years. By putting its touchiness on display, could it be that China is inviting protests? The Chinese regime has put itself beyond tolerance of any questioning, but what about the cities that host the torch on its relay run? Must they turn themselves into fortresses?