In 2001, China was awarded the chance to host the 2008 summer
games, and Beijing has looked forward to showing the world
an economic powerhouse and modern world leader.
"This has a huge meaning for us," Zhang Mingeng,
a real estate developer in Beijing, told the Associated Press
at the time of the announcement.
"It constitutes a recognition of China by the international
community. The world is saying here are the rules, play by
them and you can become a member of the international community.
China has arrived!"
Scrutiny of human rights and foreign policy
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Miss Tibet helps pass the torch for the symbolic "Tibetan
Olympics," an event for Tibetans in exile and a protest
of the China Olympics. |
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But by opening itself to
the rest of the world, China has also opened itself to more
vocal criticism of the communist government, its policies and
human rights record.
Ai Weiwei, the Chinese architect who designed the $440 million
Olympic stadium, will not attend the opening ceremony in protest
of the lack of democracy in China.
"There isn't anything to celebrate. The political system
is incapable of handling economic and social change,"
Ai Weiwei told Spiegel Magazine. "The games are a propaganda
show, a giant masked ball."
Other international figures are protesting China's policy
in Tibet. Britain's Prince Charles said he would not attend
in protest over the exile of Tibet's spiritual leader, the
Dalai Lama.
Movie maker Stephen Spielberg takes a stand
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Director Steven Spielberg pulled out of his role as an
Olympic advisor because of China's lack of action in Darfur. |
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From the United States,
movie director Steven Spielberg delivered a blow to the Chinese
government two days before Valentine's Day by withdrawing from
his role as the Olympics artistic adviser.
In an open letter, Spielberg admonished China's lack of intervention
in the Darfur genocide. China, as Sudan's largest oil investor
and weapons supplier, has a considerable amount of influence
with the Sudanese government, he said.
Spielberg had already sent two letters to Chinese President
Hu Jintao, and although China appointed a special envoy to
Sudan, Spielberg, who created the Shoah Foundation dedicated
to remembering the Holocaust, said it was not enough. "Conscience
will not allow me to continue with business as usual."
A Chinese spokesman called Spielberg's decision "regrettable"
and argued that "the Darfur issue is neither an internal
issue of China nor is it caused by China, it is completely
unreasonable, irresponsible and unfair to link the two as
one."
China and the conflict in Sudan
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Over 200,000 Sudanese have died and 2.5 million have become
refugees during the ethnic conflict in Darfur. |
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As the consumer of two-thirds
of Sudan's oil and Sudan's main weapons supplier, China is an
indirect major player in a military conflict largely centered
on oil and resources.
In 2003, two groups of ethnic Africans from the oil-rich
Darfur region rebelled against the Arab-led central Sudanese
government, demanding inclusion in new power-sharing arrangements
and some of the money made by the sale of oil.
To suppress the rebellion, the Sudanese government trained
and armed militias of Arab nomads, called the Janjaweed, according
to human rights groups. The Sudanese government denies it
has trained, armed or helped these militia members.
The Janjaweed went on killing, raping and pillaging rampages
against particular ethnic groups, attacking civilians who
were not directly involved in the fighting. The United States
officially called their actions genocide in 2004.
More than 200,000 Sudanese have died and around 2.5 million
forced from their homes since the start of the conflict five
years ago. Fighting continues in the region, often preventing
the delivery of much needed humanitarian aid for civilians.
The Chinese government has used its position as a permanent
member of the U.N. Security Council to veto measures calling
for intervention in Sudan or for imposing economic sanctions
on Sudan's oil exports. China agreed to the deployment of
U.N. peacekeeping troops after the other counties agreed that
all forces would have to abide by conditions set by the Sudanese
government.
The Olympics as a sporting event
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Swimmers at the Athens Olympics show off their medals,
one of the most coveted accomplishments in sports. |
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The majority of international
officials and leaders seem to agree with China's argument that
the Olympics are about rising above politics through the celebration
of sports.
When asked about Spielberg's announcement, President Bush
said that although he was concerned about the slow pace of
international action in Sudan's Darfur, it wouldn't stop him
from attending the Olympics.
"I'm going to the Olympics. I view the Olympics as a
sporting event," Mr. Bush said in an interview with the
BBC.
"On the other hand, I have a little different platform
than Steven Spielberg, so I get to talk to President Hu Jintao,"
he added. "I do remind him that he can do more to relieve
the suffering in Darfur."
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American schools and financial aid should be only for legal citizens of the United States. There should be no exceptions to this.
