11 July 2008
Welcome to the Olympics, Communist Style
Posted by Roger under: China News & Events; China; Beijing Olympics .
Normally its the price of fuel, the latest trends in home furnishings and any and all things “quality control” related, which get us excited. But these days, for us (and most others in China), the closer we get to the Beijing Olympics, the less we are able to focus on much else. Like “mommy to a toddler,” the Olympics is just one big, bad looming force not to be taken lightly and showing up around every corner.
Take yesterday for an example. I turn on the television for my morning coffee with some CNN noise pollution as a backdrop. During a commercial break, a promo for an upcoming “spirit of” program suddenly catches my eye; there on the screen in from of me, for a few brief moments, are images of students protesting in Tiananmen square in 9teen 80nine. There is even the famous image of the lone man standing in front of the tanks (which ironically my Chinese girlfriend has never seen before). My draw drops in amazement at images I never thought I would see in mainland China.
Score:
CNN: 1 PRC government: 0.
A day later, during my morning coffee routine, the same promo airs but this time with a twist: just as the images begin to flash across the screen, all goes black with the text “poor quality signal” in its place. Normally in such circumstances, the screen goes black for a few moments, but the “poor quality signal” text is new and is a nice touch.
Final score:
CNN: 1 PRC government: 2.
And then there is our office, located in the heart of the “Gaobedian Furniture Street.” Despite the nice sounding name, the reality is Gaobeidian is still just a dirty, dusty village. Behind our office are train tracks (complete with old style gate crossing), most of our neighbors live in their shops, and more then one cannot read or write. The public toilet across the way is a one time experience: Use it one time and you never want to go back again. And then there is the public PA system: 1950’s style loud speakers strung up on poles lining the streets, periodically broadcasting instructions telling residents how to behave. Everyday around 7pm the loudspeakers start squawking. Every few seconds the phrase “Ow Yun Hway” (Olympics) constantly echoes loudly throughout the air, peppered with instructions on how be civilized. “Don’t spit. Be polite!” A few years back it was SARS related. Today its the Olympics. Either way, its loud and annoying.
So, when 8/8/2008 comes around, here is our predictions on what to expect, along with a roundup of some of the more relevant headlines floating around:
1) Lots of “cat & mouse” between the press and the Chinese government
Journalists seem to instinctively probe, investigate and press limits. Its in their nature. Promise press freedoms? Then you can bet journalist are going to put this to the test.
Stop blocking the internet, Olympics committee tells China
“Kevan Gosper, vice-chairman of the IOC co-ordinating commission, said blocking the internet during the Games would reflect very poorly on the host nation. “Even this morning we discussed and insisted again. Our concern is that the press is able to operate as it has at previous Games — at Games time.””
Covering the Beijing Games? Expect to be Censored
The Chinese media is arguably more restricted now than it was when China was awarded the Games, and it is not realistic to expect that it will change before the Olympics.
POLICE REQUIRE REPORTERS TO REGISTER, DESPITE OLYMPICS REPORTING RULES
“Officials in Ningxia demanded that two correspondents - one French, one Danish - register with authorities before interviewing an imam, after the journalists were told by foreign affairs offices in Shanghai and Ningxia that due to new Olympics reporting rules, the offices could not issue reporting permits. “We have been told we can go freely anywhere, but it’s not true,” said Caroline Dijkhuis of the French newspaper 20 minutes.”
China Promises Media Freedom, One Month Before Olympics
“We were stopped by security guards last week, on the Great Wall, and we had all the permissions we needed. They stopped us,” he said. “We had a rehearsal before and nobody interfered. But when we started the live (shot), when we were on air, then they stopped us, running to the camera, putting their hands on the camera.” Hano said he does not care as much about the working facilities, as he does about having the ability to report freely. He said he is worried that, despite Chinese promises, media freedom will be seriously curtailed.
The Olympic media tussle
The report alleges that the Chinese government has violated its promises that media would have “complete freedom to report” during the games, instead treating foreign correspondents to close observation, intimidation and even violence.
Broadcast access to Tiananmen still issue
“Others told of calls being answered, but only in Chinese — or calls being referred to another number, only to be referred back to the original number. Several said the endless bureaucratic run-around, a crackdown on visas and rising hotel costs, were discouraging many foreign journalists and sponsors from attending, which seems to be the government’s intention.”
FREE TO TELECAST, SORT OF
The Chinese authorities also finally responded today to concerns that international television would be barred from broadcasting from remote sites outside Olympic venues, Reuters reports.
A month to go, with unfinished Olympic business
“Beijing Olympic organizing officials have repeatedly promised that reporters will be free to do their jobs and cover the Olympics as they have at previous games. “I think this free reporting will be a problem for everyone,” said Johannes Hano, East Asia bureau chief of Germany’s ZDF television. “They will stop you even if you have permission. It will be the biggest problem. There is no freedom of press as they promised.”"
2) Pollution, pollution, pollution.
Pollution is so deeply embedded in the contemporary Chinese mainland way of life that pulling a few cars and trucks off the roads is expected to barely make a dent. Concepts such as chemicals seeping into groundwater, waste which becomes hazardous if burned,or scarce non-renewable resources simply “do not compute” with the average man on the ground. Interviews on CNN with a few enlightened city dwellers don’t count - make no mistake, it is the newsstand seller, the delivery boy or the construction worker that reflects the reality of China today. A telling example of the indifference to the environment can easily be spotted in this example: Workers spraying chemicals or paints almost never themselves wear protective masks themselves often while using chemicals widely known for years to cause issues like sterility, cancer or brain damage. If you are not worried about killing your health, why would you possibly be concerned about the overall environment?
One month before the Olympics, the dirtiest air in China is in Beijing
Despite advertised measures to decrease pollution, as the one-month countdown to the Beijing Olympics approaches, the government’s numbers rank Beijing as having the dirtiest air in China. With a rating of 98, officially a “blue sky day” but only by two points, Beijing yesterday had the dirtiest air among monitored cities according to the Chinese government Web site that releases daily pollution figures.
Smog in Beijing five times over safety limit as Olympics nears
“Chinese officials admit they can no longer guarantee that the air quality will match international standards as pollution tests by The Sunday Times revealed the full extent of the challenge facing British athletes.”
3) Lots of black hair, not so much blond, brown or red….
At this point, its become common knowledge that getting a visa to even get to the Olympics seems to be an Olympian task. Foreign students, long-term expat residents, business travelers, company executives, investors and business owners have all be booted out. And then there are the enlightened ones who do have visa, but are planning on hightailing it. To quote a recent friend: “I am out of there long before the madness starts!”
For China’s Olympic guests, a not-so-warm welcome
“Only 25 percent of tickets to this year’s games were allocated to international sales – half the proportion that organizers of the Athensmost populous nation to host the Games, but their decision has made it harder for foreigners to buy tickets. That may explain disappointingly slow bookings for hotels at a time when Beijing was meant to be bursting with visitors. Although the city’s five-star hotels, where Olympic and national officials will stay, are registering a 77 percent occupancy during the Games, four-star hotels have so far filled only 44 percent of their rooms, according to Zhang Huiguang, director of the Beijing Tourism Bureau.” Olympics sold abroad in 2004. Organizers point out that China is the
China’s Visa Policy Threatens Olympics Tourism
“Business is so bleak,” said Di Jian, the sales manager at the Capital Hotel in Beijing. “Since May, very few foreigners have checked in. Our occupancy rate has dropped by 40 percent.” Many other cities in China are also feeling the pain of fewer tourists, including Shanghai, where some hotels say occupancy rates are down 15 to 20 percent.
Visa Trouble Deepens
“The situation is much worse than most people suspect, I was told, with hotel occupancy rates plummeting even among the supposedly bulletproof five star hostelries. Checks with a series of top hotels had them reporting rates well below 50 per cent and in one case in the twenties, an astonishing figure given we only have a little over a month to go before you-know-what. That’s what rates were at during the SARS crisis.”
Olympics a Bust for Beijing Business
It’s not only long-term residents who have had nasty surprises from the Chinese authorities - business travelers and tourists have also had problems getting visas for China this summer. As a result, despite expectations of a tourist boom, the number of foreign visitors to the capital last month was actually down in comparison to last year. Some large events have been called off or rescheduled, such as a four-day rock concert that authorities ordered be held only after the Games.
China visa confusion
“China plans to order most foreign students to leave Beijing before the Olympic Games in August, strictly regulate the issuing of business and tourist visas, and deport refugees, sources said yesterday. Even if you have to continue your studies in September, you need to leave Beijing in July and August,” a spokeswoman for Beijing University said.”
4) Ho-hum, sports, sports, sports and not much else.
Wining, dining, shopping, amazing parties and interesting, cosmopolitan new faces to meet - oh wait, I got confused for a minute - thats New York. Though previously expecting Beijing to shift into party mode, the central government now seems to be pulling out all the stops to ensure the only parties occurring are official events. Even local nightlife venues will be forced to close before 2 am. Planning on stocking up on pirate DVD’s while you visit? Good luck finding them… So to summarize, no drugs, no sex, no partying and no firecrackers, and no shopping… Even Maggies is closed!
Beijing moves to stop vice industry staining Games
” The crackdown is part of a hurried makeover aimed at sweeping the city’s less savory elements under the rug, at least until the August 8-24 Games conclude, and which has seen campaigns against drug offenders and even spitting and queue-jumping by the general public. “
Beijing takes aim at counterfeit goods
But with China now cracking down on everything from prostitution to possible security threats in advance of the Olympics, merchants said it was the desire to avoid embarrassment during the Games — not any foreign pressure — that finally nudged authorities into action. “We don’t have any more Abercrombie, Louis Vuitton or Coach bags because of the crackdown,” said Wang Yi, a woman minding a stall at the Yashow Clothing Market said, referring to counterfeit versions of those brand-name products.
China announces Olympics drugs crackdown
Authorities will target drug use at nightclubs and other entertainment venues, as well as smugglers supplying major cities, said Yang Fengrui, director of the Bureau of Narcotics Control under the Public Security Ministry.
Olympic security concerns suspend part of Beijing nightlife area
“About six restaurants and bars inside the Beijing Workers’ Stadium compound will be ordered to suspend operation for more than 20 days before and during the Olympic Games,” said He Zhenxing, stadium vice manager.
China Says “No” To Spitzer
The Olympics are coming. The Chinese are not eager to have sex workers around (according to Danwei anyway). In that article the government expressed concern that a lot of foreigner sex workers might enter the country during the Olympics. But since that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever, maybe our local eyesores were the real targets of the sweep.
China Lists Dos and Don’ts for Olympics-Bound Foreigners
Do not bring any printed materials critical of China. Do not plan on holding any rallies or demonstrations in China. Do not think that you are guaranteed an entry visa because you hold tickets to an Olympic event. And do not even think about smuggling opium into China.
Beijing to impose 14-week ban on crackers, fireworks
Crackers and fireworks will be banned across Beijing from July 1 to October 8 for safety considerations before and during the Olympics and the Paralympics, the city’s safety administration said Monday.
5) Some fights, some scuffles, some really awkward moments
You can’t have a country with 100 millions little emperors and still expect everyone to get along, especially when that spoiled child comes face to face with a rough and tumble kid who grew up with multiple siblings. Westerners tend to speak their opinions freely (probably a side effect of the freedom of speech thing) and regardless of whether or not you agree with the others opinion, we have become accustomed to hearing and being heard. We don’t like being told how NOT to think, so one wonders what happens, when the outside world bumps up against the other half (who have been told specifically how TO think). This is bound to create some really interesting moments along the way, especially with such a great list of flash points on the current agenda from pollution, to the Dali Lama to Taiwan.. Here is what one somewhat blunt (though humorous) blogger in Malaysia had to say upon his return home from a visit to mainland China:
1) They are smokers
2) They are only interested in money
3) They have no laws except how to earn more money
4) They cheat without blinking an eye or touching their noses
5) They are dirty
6) They adore baby boy (and I am worried sick they will snatch mine)
7) They are loud
Their foods are lousy
9) They will trampled you flat (in their haste to get on the MRT to earn more money)
10) They are nothing like what we watch on TV series
11) A ride in their vehicle is dicing with death (taxis that almost killed us and van driver who talked too much and almost head on with lorry)
12) They will impersonate just anyone to earn money (Professor, my foot!)
13) They are pickpockets (and lucky we are street smart)
14) They imitate everything
And what happens if you “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people?” Here are a few interesting articles discussing what happens when hot and cold meet:
Crowd nightmare haunts Beijing Olympics organizers
Chinese fans regularly irritate players at the country’s growing number of top golf tournaments by talking loudly and snapping pictures during shots. Visiting snooker players have similarly been startled by camera flashes, mobile ring-tones and even loud snoring coming from Chinese galleries. “It was a circus,” complained one player after an event in Beijing. In 2005, China’s basketball match against Puerto Rico erupted into chaos when fans hurled plastic bottles and yoghurt after a fight on-court, echoing scenes repeated regularly in the domestic league.
Chinese bring culture shock to HK Disney
Mainland Chinese tourists visiting Hong Kong Disneyland on its debut day smoked in non-smoking areas, went barefoot and even let children urinate in public. The Ming Pao Daily reported Tuesday that visitors from mainland China disregarded the theme park’s rules and smoked cigarettes in restaurants and other nonsmoking areas. It ran a photo showing a woman in a Minnie Mouse cap smoking in an open area. The newspaper carried another photograph showing a woman from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong helping a young child loosen his trousers to urinate beside a flower bed.
The Ugly Chinese
But now across the globe China is dropping in the polls. And it’s not due to lack of contact with the Chinese, people who are polled say, it’s because we’re getting to know them better.
Chinese tourists: Asia’s new ‘ugly Americans’
Chinese tourists have acquired a reputation in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia as loud, pushy bumpkins with table manners that leave much to be desired. Even tour operators concede that their Chinese customers can be rude and bossy when they hit the road.
Controversy over ‘Thuggish’ Chinese Olympic Torch Guards
They were very robotic, full-on, and I noticed them having skirmishes with our own police and the Olympic authorities.”
Chinese Students in U.S. Fight View of Their Home
As the monk tried to rebut the students, they grew more hostile. They brandished photographs and statistics to support their claims. “Stop lying! Stop lying!” one young man said. A plastic bottle of water hit the wall behind the monk, and campus police officers hustled the person who threw it out of the room.
Let the games begin! 
Related posts:
- Beijing Olympics Update: Major shutdowns ahead for the reproduction furniture industry
- Beijing 2008 Olympics effects exports & factory output in China.
- Update: Olympics continue to cause major disruptions to business in China.
- Beijing traffic curbs stifle trade, may ripple to U.S.
