The protests that sparked in Myanmar on Aug. 19 should have come as no surprise to the global community. After 45 years of a brutal military dictatorship, it was bound to happen. Sadly, the violent reaction by the military's junta was no less surprising. In 1988, similar pro-democracy protests led to the army shooting into crowds, killing an estimated 3,000 people.

The people of this impoverished country are well aware of its government's use of bloody force. Still, many, including the country's revered monks, have found the will and courage to fight it — and the global community must unite to do the same.

President Bush, the European Union and all Western governments have condemned the heart-sickening events. And the U.S. is set to expand its sanctions against Myanmar. Yesterday, a United Nations envoy met with two of Myanmar's top military leaders in hopes of persuading them to ease the violence.

These efforts were necessary in sending a strong message. But the key to turning things around lies not with the Western world, but with India, Russia, and most importantly, China.

These countries have profited by selling weapons to the junta and are primary trading partners. China is the country's major commercial partner and has the most influence over Myanmar's generals.

It's an unfortunate irony that the country that could be most effective in quelling the violence in Myanmar has its own poor record of human rights violations. But there is one glimmer of hope in this otherwise bleak scenario: the 2008 Olympic Games.

As hosts of the event, China will be held up to global scrutiny — and they know it. If the Chinese government really wants to improve its image and gain the acceptance of the global community, now's the perfect time to earn it.