When the World is Watching: The 2008 Olympics in Beijing

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The Olympics symbolize hard work, passion and unity. Every four years a country is chosen to host the Olympics, which is the ultimate honor. In 2001, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave China the bid to host the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. In light of China’s human rights record, their treatment of Tibet, and their diplomatic status in the world, this decision was met with controversy and global protest. The IOC claims that the bid was given to China in agreement that China promised to improve their human rights conditions. Since, China has failed to keep to their end of the agreement, and the IOC has not held China accountable. Instead, China has used the Olympics as an opportunity for their propaganda to showcase their growing market and rising wealth and to also improve their diplomatic reputation around the world.

These past couple months have been a testament to the world's overwhelming disapproval of Chinese policies. Demonstrators all around the globe have swarmed the streets during the Olympic relays in protest of China’s involvement in Sudan and Burma and most heated, China’s policies towards Tibet.

For over fifty years, Tibetans have faced a repressive Chinese government that has systematically tried to destroy their religion, history, culture and political rights. Students For A Free Tibet is one of many organizations fighting for justice and freedom for the Tibetan people. They have been working endlessly and taking advantage of this opportunity to get their voices heard and educate the world about Tibet. Tenzin Dorjee, the Deputy Director of SFT stated that “the summer Olympics is the most important opportunity that has come our way. It is a platform to highlight the oppression and occupation.” SFT is proactively using the Olympics and the torch relays to speak to the world and the Chinese government. “We are reacting to the Chinese government,” said Dorjee. “They are using the Olympics as propaganda- an opportunity to legitimize the occupation of Tibet and close the door on Tibet forever.”

Amnesty International is another organization that is using the Olympics to shed light on important human rights issues in China. AI hopes that the Olympics will “create a positive human rights legacy for China,” however, West Coast Director Mona Cadena stated that “there have been very few substantial reforms.” In fact, AI has found that  “more human rights violations are occurring because of the Olympics.” China has been cracking down harder on protestors. China has also adopted a very rigorous screening process for individuals considering attending the Olympics. They are doing extensive background checks in an effort to deny potential protestors from having their voices heard and dissenting opinions expressed. These actions demonstrate that China is backtracking on their promise to the IOC and the IOC is not taking any action.

There are several possible explanations as to why the IOC is so lenient in dealing with China. For the past several years China has been experiencing a period of great growth and global competition. China has passed Japan as the number three trader in the world. They are overtaking the United States in consumption and China’s industrial development is twice that of the United States. Most surprising is that China is second to the United States in oil consumption. Given China’s global position and economic leverage, it is no mystery why the IOC chose to give China the bid for the 2008 Olympics.

The upcoming Olympics in Beijing has caused so much heat that many world leaders, including those from Germany, Canada, Poland and the Czech Republic have decided to skip the opening ceremony as a way of protesting Chinese behavior towards Tibet. Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain have also stated that President Bush should consider staying home for the opening ceremony. Considering the economic relationship between the United States and China, that is very unlikely to occur. China is the second largest exporter of goods to the United States, meaning one third of Chinese exports go to the United States. Guy Pfeffermann and Bernard Wosow of The Globalist wrote “this means that the economic health of the United States is of vital interest to the Chinese leadership.” In return, Chinese authorities are accumulating billions of dollars worth of United States Treasury bonds each year. Therefore, “China’s authorities are playing a pivotal role in helping the United States government finance its enormous fiscal and balance of payment deficits.”

China has come to represent the ongoing trend of the western world and their leaders ignoring important human rights issues in favor of economic gain. However, these Olympics have come to be a blessing in disguise. Beijing has become one of the largest international platforms for discussing Chinese policies and behavior. It has shed light on very important international issues and given a voice to those that have been silenced by the Chinese government. China’s hopes for improving their international reputation has backfired as more and more people have joined the protest. With international scrutiny and media coverage, come August, we will see what happens when the world is watching.

To sign the petition asking President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympics, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/547669135. It only takes three to express your opinion.

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