The Eve of the Olympics
I’m half a world away in New Zealand, but today, my thoughts are in Beijing for the start of the Olympics.
When I was in Beijing in October, the countdown clock was excitedly ticking the days down from 330. Here’s a picture when I was in Guilin – at 195 days. Now, the countdown clock will show 1 day.
I’ve not been close to the news in recent weeks, but on the odd occasions I’ve had the internet time or – and this is rare – watched telly, I’ve caught snippets of the rising attention being focused on China’s preparations for the Olympics as well as her human rights record.
And oh, how my thoughts and feelings are mixed.
As you know, I spent time in eastern and central China, I spent time in Xinjiang, I spent time in Tibet. I experienced, albeit in a limited way, as a tourist, many different aspects of China in a short time, and it was such a rich and rewarding experience.
I saw firsthand the oppression of the Chinese system; on their own people and on ethnic minorities. I witnessed the closure of Drepung Monastery after celebrations following an honour given to the Dalai Lama. I witnessed the divisions between Uighur and Chinese people in Xinjiang, the veiled tension rippling below the surface of people’s everyday lives. I talked to Tibetans about their lives. I talked to Chinese people about their lives. I developed my understanding and changed my opinions as a result.
The protest banner raised in Beijing yesterday carried with it the best of intentions. But you can be sure that Tibetans in Tibet will feel the heel of the Chinese military as it stamps harder to prevent subsequent uprising. George Dubya meant well when he was talking about political prisoners and abuses of human rights in China, but as the man in charge of Guantanamo, his words were fouled by hypocrisy.
The unfortunate by-product of these, and other, misdirected good intentions is that the ordinary Chinese man and woman in the street believes the rest of the world is anti-China. They don’t understand why. They just see anti-China action being taken, words being spoken. The distinction is not being made that protests are against Chinese government policy, not the Chinese people themselves. It’s a very important distinction and it’s a worrying omission.
Anti-China sentiment increases patriotism in China. This is currently sky high anyway; Chinese people are so proud to be hosting the Olympics. Increased patriotism leads to greater acceptance and less questioning of the actions of the CCP. As Chinese people perceive anti-China sentiment to be rising across the world, the CCP becomes stronger, winning more support from their people, keeping a firmer hold on power, and may take greater risks with future policy.
It is right to criticise the policies of the Chinese leadership. I did it here myself. You can do it here. But it is important to remember that the Chinese people are hearing these words, and thinking the rest of the world means them; is criticising them. The concept of ‘face’ is so important in Asia, and by criticising their government in the same manner as we criticise our own, we make the people lose face.
Chinese people so want the Olympics to go well. They want China to be appreciated for her beauty, her organisation, her athletes to achieve greatness. China is on the world stage for an incredibly positive reason and this is a major watershed for Chinese people. It really isn’t helpful to have international journalists running around with pollution monitors, slagging off everything that’s wrong. It’s true, Beijing has high pollution, but this is not news. The IOC were aware of its pollution problems when they awarded the games. The Chinese people are taking this criticism personally. Culturally, there’s no other way for them to take it.
My little corner of the cyber-world is not read too widely, but I do have readers in China.
I want to add my voice to the millions currently talking about China; be clear that I love your country. I love the people I met there. I admire the strength and determination and energy I found across all of China.
When I criticise, I comment only on your leaders and their damaging policies. I don’t address my criticism to the Chinese people, just to those few old men in suits who have so much blood on their hands.
I hope your Olympic Games run as smoothly as possible and are a cause for celebration and pride in China. I wish your athletes the best of luck.
And best of luck to the British team.
Bring on the Olympics!
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A very profound and thought provoking post, Jackie. One that makes me think and look differently at things. No-one wants to eliminate the human rights issue that pervade China from memory but yes, let’s hope the next 3 weeks focus on the positives, the facilities, the athletes (hopefully drug-free!) and the sport. Like you I can’t wait – bring on the Olympics…..especially since we do have some Scots in there – go guys and girls!
love mum
Jacs, hello, another magnificant piece of writing and it made me wonder, what governemnt today anywhere does not have blood on their hands.
Hi Mum, Chief,
I’ve been so irritated by some of the news coverage I’ve seen that this post just flowed from my annoyance. The Chinese have invested way more in making the Games a success than we could ever afford to do for London 2012; I just wish that some of the great stuff they’ve done could be acknowledged more. You’re right about the investment in the facilities Mum, but it’s more than that – it’s infrastructure all over the place; 3 brand new metro lines in Beijing for example. London would love that for 2012, eh?
The Chinese government has to shape up its ideas on several areas; Tibet, Xinjiang, associations with Burma and Sudan, environmental and pollution controls, to name a few. But surely fair, balanced reporting and dialogue rather than custard pies in faces will do a better job of moving us towards this?
Chief – you’re so right. I nearly spat my tea out when I heard George Dubya wittering on about the release of political prisoners…! And I’ve come face to face with some of the damage caused by British Imperialsim while I’ve been travelling; a lot of which is no different to what China is doing in Tibet and Xinjiang today. Just today, I was learning about the British Government grabbing land from the Maori. Not to mention the mess we’re currently making of Iraq…
I just wish I could custard pie all the journos in Beijing with pollution monitors!
Must be all that Tizwaz watching in my youth…
Oh the passion in your writing but do try to chill out a little bit. Sadly, here at home some of the negative journalism and reporting is also impacting on the way we go about our lives here. Yes we’re in the grip of a recession right now but the way the press and tv constantly harp on about it will halt anyone thinking of investing, moving house, splashing out a little in their tracks – whether they can easily afford it or not. Anyone would think the world is about to end next week, if not tomorrow. Let’s start a Pollyanna campaign! Only news reported with as positive a slant as possible should get air time!! Somehow I think that could blank out a lot of tv screens and leave a lot of gaps in newspapers. Positive journalism? What’s that then?
Hope you’re still finding time to enjoy your trip and not getting too bogged down in the history of it all.
lots of love
Mum
Hey mum, I’m chilled, don’t worry.
Just back from a fantastic evening out. I might be annoyed about the reporting of the Olympics, but just like a bad Celtic result, I don’t let it ruin my day!
I wondered what you’d think about it – I was getting quite annoyed by the political witterings in the coverage of the opening ceremony the other day. It was pretty impressive stuff (particularly liked the way they lit the torch) and I can’t bring myself to care what Hazel Irvine thinks about pollution in Beijing. It seems almost that the media can’t say that China has invested huge time and effort and money into making these games a success without qualifying any praise with some sort of criticism of Chinese government policy.
I’ve also been watching the three-day-event which started on the first day. The equestrian sports are based in Hong Kong, next to Sha Tin racecourse. There have been audible protests during dressage tests which is incredibly unfair to the competitors.
Hey, thanks for your comment. Sorry it’s taken so long to reply – been offline in the middle of nowhere! Totally agree with you!
Hong Kong is a really interesting one – there is ‘officially’ freedom of speech there, but the reality is that the police usually quickly move protesters on, and shut them up.
Dressage requires such precision, protests would have really disrupted things for the competitors.
It’s a really difficult balance – things are wrong and need to be highlighted, but the way of doing it just isn’t working…