China’s Games live up to hype
Mark Sappenfield | 08.15.08
China’s Olympics have been China’s Olympics. We knew the Chinese were coming, but we weren’t expecting them from every direction: weightlifting, shooting, wrestling, gymnastics, diving, even swimming.
If an opening ceremonies that included everything but live, fire-breathing dragons didn’t tell us that the Chinese were serious about this whole Olympic thing, the first week of competition certainly has.
As of Thursday, the gymnastics and diving venues could have simply left the Chinese flag in the gold-medal position. In seven events, there have been no other winners. At the weightlifting gym and indoor shooting range, the Chinese flag has been raised the highest in 10 of 16 events.
All that stands between China and Olympic domination, it seems, is Michael Phelps and every flexed muscle in his body, an American Great Wall. Perhaps he can solve the mortgage crisis and the weak dollar, too.
President Bush saw him set one of his world records. Don’t ask which one, though; we’ve lost track. His father saw three women win America’s first medals – all in one event, fencing.
There was rain. There was also smog, or haze, or some version of atmospheric opaqueness for which the International Olympic Committee has yet to invent a word. But it didn’t really seem to bother anyone but NBC, which has hardly taken its panoramic camera out of the box. Let’s just say that while the venues looked spectacular, the sky looked yucky.
Kobe Bryant has made his appearance, as have tennis star Rafael Nadal and soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
The sun, however, is still in hiding. Otherwise, we have seen how the Olympics can be transformed by a nation that embraces them.
There is no doubt that China – and the Chinese – desperately wanted these Games. And for every rafter-rattling call of “CHI-NA! CHI-NA!” there are a hundred grinning volunteers, an image of a China far more humane and hospitable than it often gets credit for.
At the end of the first week of competition Sunday, we say goodbye to swimming, to rowing, and to the drama of team gymnastics. Week 1 has been Olympic in every sense of the term, and all evidence suggests that the next leg will not disappoint.
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2. Brian | 08.15.08
I, too, applaud this article. I did not discover the CS Monitor until not long ago, and was very impressed by many of their objective and in depth commentaries and analysis.
I will sure come back many times in the future.
3. Andy Chao | 08.16.08
CS Monitor has done a great job today. A good article that make the world redefine about China. China is a great country. Thanks for everyone in this world to welcome China in the world stage. Thanks.
5. KKLim | 08.16.08
China has been a unitary state since it’s foundation by the First Emperor of Chin, a period of approximately 2500 years. For all the criticism levelled at it, Western journalists perhaps should remember something Henry Kissinger said — “to have existed as a state for such a long period of time, they (the Chinese) must have done something right!”.
Yes, there are admittedly many undesirable attributes to their existing system of government, but has any country the experience to say what system of government is suitable for a country as large geographically as China and with a population of 1.3 billion. The fact is the Chinese pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and without any significant aid from other nations. As late as 1989 it was viewed as a pariah state because of Tien An-Men! But the current government did it — they lifted some 400 million out of poverty and enabled their own economic development.
After 150 year of decline, as Mao declared in 1949 “The Chinese people have stood up”. What many Western journalists miss out, because of ignorance and arrogance, is that this century will witness China’s rennaisance — this is the reality of the situation. Finally China will evolve within the context of it’s native culture albeit grafted with ideas absorbed in it’s stride to absorb modernity.
6. 董国华(dong guo hua ）PRC | 08.17.08
Well, in order to be fair, a lot of things have to be done before assaulting on china’a air pollution. It is now rainy months in China, so I’m wondrering can you see the sun in some cloudy, even not rainy days? To be “objestive”, see her in fine days.Neither its scenary cor its nice people will disappoint you.
7. Elex | 08.17.08
I don’t know the exactly count of floating particulates in Beijing these days, but the Chinese have made Herculean efforts to ensure the best air quality, more, I suspect, than any other country would have done. Even there, as in anything about China, some will see good, and some will see evidence of totalitarian behavior. But overall, the Chinese themselves are proud.
8. Jeremiah | 08.17.08
Mr. KKLim
“China has been a unitary state since it’s foundation by the First Emperor of Chin a period of approximately 2500 year.”
First of all, it’s been about 2229 years, but that couldn’t matter less…
I understand the trumpeting of the narrative of a single, unbroken China extending back through history is a popular trope among overseas Han nationalists and certainly it has been a key part of the “Patriotic Curriculum” used in schools in the PRC since 1990, but it doesn’t factor in a number of interesting points: 1) How does one define historical China? By way of one small example, does it include ALL of Pax Mongolica or just the part which is, conveniently, now within the boundaries of the PRC? 2) After Mark Elliot and others using the voluminous Manchu-language archives in Beijing, how to account for the Manchu-ness of the Qing? 3) What about those sections of what is the today the PRC (including several of the naughtier bits) which weren’t added or consolidated until long after the Qin? 4) Finally there were long periods of division between the Han and Tang and a shorter, but no less important, one between the Tang and Song. These are only a few of many, many, fascinating wrinkles to a long and glorious history.
I’m not looking to debate these points, just to note that history is a complex subject with multiple perspectives and contingencies based on a critical reading of available sources, not a polished teleological narrative designed to serve the political and emotional needs of a particular group. I also understand that arguing this point with the fenqing is moot, their point of view is a matter of faith, rather like some very conservative Christians on the issue of evolution” alternative perspectives are generally not seen in the light of intellectual debate and open inquiry but as an “attack” on “people like me” that must be rooted out and opposed.
Which gets me, roundabout, to my main point: I think Mark’s article was quite good, and I do think that shining the light on positive aspects of Beijing’s Olympics is important. The Games are a big deal for people here in Beijing and in China, and it’s right that we should celebrate them. At the same time, the role of the media is to watch the watchers, something often lost on the more nationalistic of China’s youth. Just because somebody criticizes the policies of the CCP doesn’t mean they ‘hate China’ anymore than a person lamenting the Iraq War ‘hates America.’
Nuance and critical analysis…these are valuable things when understanding our world.
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1. Michael Lou | 08.15.08
Oh my heavens…..what happened? For once, someone with the courage to be objective and fair to the Chinese! What happened? This is the most circumspect, respectful and objective summation I have read about China in months!!!!!! Thank you for your balanced observation!