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Posted on 03/28/2008 7:37:09 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
With the Olympic torch relay in China heralding the beginning of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Chinese government faces daunting challenges in the wake of recent events, including ethnic minority independence protests, terrorism, and the international community?s threat to boycott the opening ceremony.
With its official slogan for the Olympic Games, “One World, One Dream,” the Chinese government has aimed at emerging as a global powerhouse through the games. But ominous clouds have begun to gather over the Chinese government’s ambitions.
Tight Security in Tiananmen Square
The Chinese government has increased security in Tiananmen Square where the Olympic flame arrives in Beijing from Greece on Monday, for fear of protests for Tibet’s independence. Last Monday, in Greece, the torch-lighting ceremony was disrupted by supporters of Tibet’s independence.
With just three days to go before the ceremony, a heavy security presence continued to be seen in Tiananmen as the mood there was more grave than during the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In front of every ten gates in the plaza, three security officers and two police officers blockaded streets into the area, checking the belongings of tourists. They allowed people to pass after examining their bags and even inspecting beverages by opening them.
When asked, “What are you looking for?” the security officer snapped back, “Toxic materials.” A tourist guide said, “Alcoholic beverage with more than 50 degree is also included in the prohibition list, because it can be used as an explosive.”
Mounting Calls for a Boycott of the Olympics opening ceremony
Expressing opposition to the Chinese government’s crack down on the independence movement in Tibet by using military force, a number of countries have said that they would boycott the opening ceremony.
Presidents of the Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia announced their decision not to attend the Olympic opening ceremony on Mar. 26-27, said AP and AFP.
During a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, “I will sound out our fellow members whether we should boycott.” However, Gordon Brown of the U.K., which will inherit the Olympic torch, reiterated Britain’s determination to have an official presence at the ceremony.
Sarkozy, by contrast, threatened to boycott the opening ceremony even before his visit to the U.K. Given that the foreign ministerial meeting of EU members started on Mar. 28, it is expected to address the issue of a joint boycott of the opening ceremony, as chances are high that more EU countries will not attend.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang strongly insisted that, “The Tibet issue is totally an internal affair of China and we do not accept any foreign interference.”
Ping, guys.
Qin Gangs are now being redeployed along roadsides.
Run the gauntlet of tanks. Last one shot is the winner.
It’s just a prison, a big prison with billions of people in it. Its prisoners/slaves, even not brainwashed, have to pretend life is great without liberty and human rights granted by God or nature. CCP officials, their prison wardens/slavemasters, one day feel like it and want to give some bonuses to their slaves and then label themselves be to good slavemasters.
err.. uhh.. “Tiananmen”
Tian’anmen — The Gate of Heavenly Peace???? The square where I saw the plastered over bullet holes and the gouges on the central monument from the tanks?
Wow, if the ChiComs continue to behave like this during the games in August (and you know they will, paranoid as they are), the Olympics are going to be a real disaster. Why would anyone, spectator or athlete, want to travel to Beijing just to be manhandled by police state tactics?
“Wow, if the ChiComs continue to behave like this during the games in August (and you know they will, paranoid as they are), the Olympics are going to be a real disaster. Why would anyone, spectator or athlete, want to travel to Beijing just to be manhandled by police state tactics?”
I don’t see the point of just boycotting the Opening Ceremony.
It seems weak.
“Why would anyone, spectator or athlete, want to travel to Beijing just to be manhandled by police state tactics?”
It would be miserable just being in that thick smog and then to have to put up with that crap is too much. Sometimes visibility there is way short of a mile.
Self Ping.
It’s going to be a heck of a good time...between friskings and beat downs. :^)
Toxic air, toxic water, police every where, random arrests, etc.
Sounds like fun for the whole family.
I went there in Dec of ‘98, stood where the tank tracks gnarled the pavement, and took a pic of the marks with my Canon film camera.
Just like the democracy attempt, those marks seemed to have faded into oblivion - when I got my pictures returned, the marks appeared no more than passing shadows.
I know there’s an analogy there, somewhere.
Nothing like standing by helplessly while some PAP dyke pats down your wife and teenage daughter. Memories the family can cherish forever and even share with friends back home if they don’t delete the memory in your digital camera.
Gads, that happened to you?
Heck no. I was just imagining going through security at the Olympics.
Something tells me that your scenario will be the more positive version.
I don’t think the question is will the Chinese treat Olympic tourists badly but will the press report it? Look for our own media to willingly whitewash as much as they can get away with.
I agree. Our media is likely to smooch the hindquarters of the ChiComs during the Genocide Games.
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