Welcoming the World to the Nest: Beijing Olympics Welcomes a world both anxious and ignorant

A change of topic during a remarkable time in this world as China broadcasts to the world its history, language, culture, and art. And yes, it is still the same regime we know of as the People's Republic of China. What this country has done within the last decade is surpass any imagination or pessimism to shock and awe the people of the world with their ability to grow, change and lead the global community to a new era. I will not deny that there are certain "freedoms" withheld within China, but the ability for a country to host a coming out party that shouts as loud as this after a century of turmoil and chaos. I've decided to reflect upon this change within my blog though it is a far cry from my usual banters on food (though I have written papers on the changing politics of food within China). As IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge puts it, "The Games are a chance for the rest of the world to discover what China really is".



Why am I promoting this Olympic? Firstly, because it is the most debated Olympics since the 1980s boycotted Olympics in Moscow. Secondly, this is a test of China's control and the ability of China to adapt to a harshly critical western media (at most times unnecessary). Thirdly, this Olympics is something symbolic for the people of China to unite and show solidarity within a world that misunderstands China. Finally, I believe the west is still ignorant of the leaps and bounds this country has made in most aspects of its citizens' lives.

China unveils itself to spits on the face.

China and its people wanted to open the world to its history, culture, art, and power with a grand show. Many will say that this is excessive, that they are merely flexing their muscles like body builders, and like body builders they are weakest at the moment the perform and are judged. What has the criticism so far been by Western media? The pollution, the human rights, the sudan genocide, the tibetan rights, and great firewall of censorship. None of these other than the pollution and slight exception of the firewall has ANYTHING to do with what the Olympics are about or what the Chinese want to offer the world. Face is one of the most important points of respect within the Chinese culture. What some ignorant and self-righteous groups have done is offer Western media slanted opinions on the very things that they should question their own part of the world about. In my opinion the greatest disrespect these groups have done already is to attempt to snuff out the Olympic torch, a symbol which is held dear to global athletes and the Chinese which have symbolized it as their leap forward into global intergration.

This blog here offers the some insight into the Torch as a symbol for the Chinese people: http://thechinabeat.blogspot.com/2008/07/why-were-chinese-people-so-angry-about.html

The following is an important passage within the article. .

"In my classroom re-enactments, I am often surprised at the effect on myself, and in Deyang I experienced the sudden insights into my own culture that Turner says are a potential of ritual (a product of "liminality"). Against the background of the furor over the international torch relay, observing the reverence and emotion for The Torch and The Torchbearer made me suddenly see how cynical we are, more often than not, in the West, as a product of our secularized, rationalized society in which there are only small spaces in which it is acceptable to express reverence for symbols. A picture appeared in my mind which is an exaggeration but perhaps with a kernel of truth: In China, the majority of public expressions take place in a vast field of rituals and symbols, while the protest zones that were recently announced for the Olympic Games are the small, circumscribed spaces where critical analytical thought is expressed. In the US, the majority of public expressions take place in a vast field of critical analytical thought, while ritual expression takes place in small, circumscribed places like churches and, arguably, sports events. I realized that at least part of the anger that many Chinese people felt at the disruptions of the international torch relay was the result of the (to them) appalling and uncivilized lack of respect for a nearly-sacred object.

In the West the Olympic Games have struggled with a loss of idealism due to challenges like commercialism and doping.

The ChineseOlympic organizers and many Chinese people held an idealistic faith in the transformative power of the Olympic Games, believing that they could facilitate China's integration with the world and benefit its future development. The West duly regarded this with skepticism. According to Turner, a balanced social process requires rituals. The global village needs its ritual and the Olympic Games are currently serving that function. But also according to Turner, ritual has the potential to either increase solidarity or initiate irreparable schisms.
In Deyang it was possible to foresee the closing of this cultural gap between China and the West. Everyone agreed that our final performance at the elite Foreign Languages Middle School in Deyang was the "most orderly" – and all but myself and the artist Sun Yiyong considered this a good thing. The children did not mob The Torch or me. They spoke very good English and they paid 40,000 yuan per year in tuition. Apparently for such privileged children The Torch and The International Person had already lost some of their lustre."

For most Westerners who have little introduction into Confucian ideology and neither live it in any instance of their lives this concept of respect for such a thing may be hard to understand, but for many Chinese this symbol is the binding that keeps the national nuclear unit together. The cleave between China and West is increased at every moment a group attempts to smother the Olympic flames or to place a "free tibet" banner on the Great Wall or on any national symbol. This disrespect is not so much a message or liberating act within China but rather a spit on the face. They will question, "why are these foreign devils attempting to destroy our nation, our culture, and our pride?" It is self-righteous to attempt such demonstrations before looking upon your own side of the world with its many injustice and unrighteousness. Confucius says, "Respect yourself and others will respect you." Does China criticize or question us on; the Quebecois? the Basque? the IRA? The oppression of Native Americans/Canadians? The massive effects of Colonialism in Africa? I live and grew up in the West but my Chinese background gave me special identity in a Country that is accepting of muti-culturalism, but my experience here has taught me that the friction between Western individualist values and Chinese Confucian Familial values were great. I applaud the attempt by many of my friends and colleagues in attempting the understand and respect these values but in general the ignorance and misinterpretation is still there.

The Boycott of the Beijing Olympics by Foreign Officials

This Olympics has been hotly debated especially by Foreign Officials. Most of the officials calling for a boycott against the Olympics because of China's Human Rights records. Other than the hypocratic statements made by many of these officials the mis-information fed to them is more important. What exactly are the human rights records they speak of? What are the specific examples? Are these examples more damning then the own happening in their country.

One supporter of the boycott is Mia Farrow, her article may give you a better opinion on the issue:
http://www.miafarrow.org/genocide_olympics.html

Please view the NBC video on linking the Sudan crisis to the Olympics in Beijing naming it "The Genocide Olympics".
http://www.miafarrow.org/editorials.html
Her article that claims linking Chinese to genocide in Sudan.
http://www.sudanreeves.org/Page-10.html

A website urging the masses to "shame" China for their role in Sudan.

http://www.straight.com
Read the article on China's contribution to Genocide.

I will let you decided whether or not the claims by Actress Mia farrow and her Hollywood comrades are correct or legitimate. I do ask the readers to critically read and assess each media source. Where are these articles written? Where are the academic and scholarly sources to these claims?

The Tibet Incident
This was a most devestating blow to the PR of China's Olympics. A riot happening within it's own territory with massive media attention. However, for better or worse this was a chance of China to adapt to Western media. I as a Westerner will admit to our use of Media as a propagandic tool of what is the "in" topic for liberalists and self-righteous Western Celebrities. The domestic situation of economy for the US was at an all time low, what can we do to draw attention to another issue in the world? Well you know the rest. I'm not making an excuse for the Chinese government. Some of their tactics are harsh by Western standards but in my opinion necessary. However we must question the seeds the Tibetan government has placed within western media and sollicitation with our officials through the propaganda they use towards celebrities calling towards their so called compassion.

China has stated that Tibet is an internal issue. Why do people no heed this? Because the west is fixed upon this pedestal complex that it must step into issues not of their own. What about our issue with the Quebecois? The Basque? Are these seperatist movements not "Internal"? Confucius says, "What you often attempt to find in others are found within yourself". The contention of Tibet being a territory of China has been in debate for over centuries. Tibet has always been a tributary nation since the Yuan Mongol Dynasty of Khublai Khan. Even now the Dhalai Lhama has accepted the sovereignty of China within Tibetan lands and only hoped for a dialogue of cultural and historical preservation. The Tibetan government in exile are working externally without the guidance of the Dhalai Lhama. He has called for repeated peace while the Tibetans rioted. He even wished the games well in China and praised China as a fitting host. What this "Free Tibet" movement has become is out of his control.

Also some interesting reads for a better understanding of China is the "Serfdom debate before PRC regime sovereignty in Tibet".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom_in_Tibet_controversy

Controversies Aside

Let's now remind ourselves what the Olympics are about. It is about the athletes who compete in a world stage to represent their nations. It is about a global harmony, one which China has hailed in it's slogan "One World, One Dream". Never before has a country under authoritarian rule look so keen to lead the world in technology, economy, arts, and environmental issues. These games are touted the greenest games with the least amount of waste produced through its extensive infrastructure that re uses most of its waste. The amount of monies inserted into this project amount up to $40 billion including a $100 million on the opening ceremonies alone. Over thousands of Chinese have flocked to the capital hoping to volunteer and view the competitions. These games should be a guiding example of what the Olympics should be about and not what extra political concerns created by media propaganda is spinning. I implore my fellow Vancouverites to come together to meet the standards the Chinese have set for us. I ask for all walks of life in this city to come together to support our Nation's dreams of hosting the world.