How to Botch the Beijing Olympics
Let me be clear. For those of us in Beijing, the Olympics will be a lot of fun. I suspect the best way to enjoy them will be getting one set of plastic pre-school sized table and chairs that restaurants in this blessed country love, get some friends together, grab some beer and maodou , and sit on the corner for two weeks waiting for crazy crap to happen. All of that aside, as an objective observer, I can’t possibly imagine screwing up the pre-Games period worse than has been done.
The key to Olympics success tends to be an international crowd. However, China seems not to be in a mood for foreigners just at the time when people are dying to blow huge amounts of money in the country. For 20 years China has promoted development at any cost, including the health of it citizenship from pollution in the air, water and food. But suddenly they are tightening the visa noose, aboslutely choking business as inflation shoots up and gas prices are unbearable. Why would you discourage tourism and money for nothing right when the economy is taking a downturn? Terrorism? I hardly think 60-year old businessmen from Hong Kong are looking to blow anything up.
Then there are the signs that they are clamping down on the internet. Anyone tried to get to Facebook recently? Is facebook really the great threat to social stability? Note to the government: usually people on Facebook just post comments on pictures things like, “We were so drunk that night! We should get drunk again soon!” Don’t worry, these people are not organized enough to lead a revolution.
And what’s the deal with police coming to all the foreigners’ apartment for the interogations? Okay, I made that up, but the fact that you were wondering for a moment proves my point.
The best way to show that China is not a Stalinist state is not to revert to one. Get it?
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Nick responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 am →
I’ve heard of quite a few foreign enterprises with significant investments here who have had to send expats home because of the visa clinch. It’s a shame that many of those that have given the most they can to China’s development are the ones getting burnt by te selective enforcement of the olympic era policies.
Lindel responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 am →
A colleague mentioned one day that he had once been a marine. Gee Gary I said “I never would have guessed YOU had been a marine” Most marines are former marines. So I asked how did you get through it with out have your personality permanetly altered? He said he decided before he enlisted to just do what they wanted him to do, that he would act they way expected him to act, and just gave in and but his mind elsewhere and just became the model marine they wanted.
I bring this up to suggest maybe the foreigners living in China could decide to just give in and go along with the program. Just turn your selves over to the Government’s controland be a model citizen during the olympics. You could get other together and practice the official cheer. Learn some patriotic songs. Study the directives on correct behavior for foreigners and then ask the officials for help. Show the chinese that you can out chinese the chinese in your celebration of the sacred games. Organize some french friends to stage public self criticism events, boycott the stores of your nation of origin. Cheer for the Chinese team more loudly than the chinese people. That would really freak them out.
Pete Braden responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 8:27 am →
It hit me like a bolt of lightning the other day: the Olympics really are just for domestic consumption. The government will gladly give up tourism money, international press recognition, etc. in its quest not to fall on its face in front of the world. The hospitality industry and the traditionally international flavor of the games are sacrifices the gov’t is happy to make if it will keep anything bad from happening and making them seem foolish in front of their people.
Ying Jia responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 am →
More China bashing from Josh the grumpy white guy. The site should be renamed “Cup of Bile”.
Nick responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 am →
yeah Josh.. don’t criticise China.. you have to let people think of it themselves, revert to the obvious and take the credit, otherwise it’s China bashing.
Yokie Kuma responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm →
Anonymouse is bl*cked.
Pete Braden responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm →
Not sure if you’re talking about my remark, Nick. But I think it bears making, because the Chinese gov’t is really just operating from a different set of goals than most foreign observers, who can’t seem to get over the mental hump of “Gee, a tightly monitored, foreigner-hostile environment isn’t very Olympicish!” My point is that it just doesn’t matter to the government, who have a lot more riding on this than some vacant hotel rooms and investors grumbling that they’ll take their money elsewhere.
And in this land of the cheap DVD, let me recommend Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia for your viewing pleasure. The parallels are harrowing. And no, I didn’t just break Godwin’s rule. I’m talking about the naked politicization of the games, not comparing host countries.
Nick responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm →
Though I wasn’t spurred by your remark Pete, I’ll look out for Olympia (i had to look up “Godwin’s rule”, we learn something every day I guess). I’m just not a great fan of the term “China bashing” as a retort to criticism of Chinese policies.
Mike responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:17 am →
I agree the Olympics are intended just for domestic tourists and a few rich tourists who can afford the tour packages. It’s kind of like the torch relay that was run in Xinjiang where local residents were told to stay home and watch it on tv, with just a few selected people could actually watch it live.
Pete Braden responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:32 am →
Yeah Nick I hear you. It’s not enough to have lived here for years, speak the language etc. The minute you criticize some aspect of China, you’re a China basher. Constructive criticism is not real popular here.
And Mike, I think even more than domestic tourism (the vast, vast majority of Chinese people actually won’t see the Games in person) is the propaganda value. Imagine all the Chinese flags flying merrily in the crisp blue Beijing skies as the state-subsidized athletes win enough medals to prove that no foreigners can look down on China ever again etc. etc. The games are one of the Gov’t’s last chances to prove that it has its shit reasonably together, at least enough not to have anything “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people” during the celebrations.
Aaron Solomon responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm →
It’s funny how China comments recently seem to have split into two camps: the relatively young, but grouchy people (like this thread on Cup Of Cha, and many others), those who report from overseas about China who are equally if not more rabid about China (ref: China Law Blog etc, especially see: http://www.chinalawblog.com/2008/03/beijing_olympics_you_want_jail.html), all of who seem very opinionated about the subject and are all bitching about the Olympics, and anything to do with China, and the older, experienced players who’ve been here awhile (Jack Perkowski, Chris Devonshire-Ellis especially)
who just seem to just get on with it and take it in their stride. Compare Cup of Cha and China Law Blog’s Olympics comments with Managing The Dragon (Jacks blog) and there’s a real big difference in attitude from the long term expats here: http://managingthedragon.com/index.php/2008/06/30/olympic-update/
It seems the experienced players here have no problems with it. So what gives with the young killjoy grouches and cynical American-based lawyers? It seems to be the older China hands who understand China and can deal with it rather
better than the others. Maybe they are also paying taxes here and being properly employed. Maybe the young expatriates are ducking and diving here, not wanting to get properly registered, and politically correct up their own arses?
China Olympics bashing is for losers. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the frigging kitchen and frug off back home if you don’t like China. The Olympics, after all, were democratically awarded to the Chinese by the rest of the IOC international member countries. Deal with it.
Josh responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 10:12 pm →
@Aaron,
I can assure you that I have all my papers in order, am properly employed and will be staying in Beijing during the Olympics. I also find the comments you made baffling since the links you posted are about (1) how China (or any other country) can jail people and embassies can’t automatically bail people out, and (2) about how dumb visa policies are killing the local economy. Isn’t that EXACTLY what I’m saying? So the wise Jack Perkowski, whom I enjoy reading very much, shares my opinion, even if he’s less grumpy than I am.
Incidentally the “experienced players” you are thinking of are getting out of Dodge. I’ll be here. I’m going to have a great time during the Olympics; the policy stupidity won’t affect me. But I can still see things clearly, and the government is botching this badly.
Hugh Davids responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am →
Josh - botching it up from your point of view. You’re a young white guy Amercian in China - how can YOU see things clearly? You’re an arrogant little twat more like. Your entitled to your point of view, but a more objective attitude might be in order instead of these types of rants. The Beijing Olympics are not being held for your personal satisfaction on Cup of Cha. I agree with Aaron - too much sniping out there, and the older expat guys seem to know where its at. One I know just bought a Harley to cruise around. So stuff that in your pipe and smoke it. Bitter twisted cynics like you trying to tell us it’s all shit. It’s not, and Beijing will rock.
Lindel responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 11:44 am →
Perhaps we should take a page from Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb and learn to stop worrying about China, incidents in Weng’an, the Olympics, Tibet etc and love father Hu (Jin Tao).
It could also be said more discussion is needed now because china is entering a phase in its development that is less clear in direction and has the potential to impact many generations to come. Opening the door and starting development is relatively easy compared to the some of the complex issues facing China and consequently the rest of the world, now the hard thing to handle is what to do about that giant portrait of Emperor Mao, how to implement rule of law in places like Weng’an so that the citizens there have some sense that justice and fairplay are at work in their local, province and central governments and law enforcement agencies vice taking to the street in mass protest due to individual personal experiences with other corrupte and less than just activities of the local government.
I am not worried about the olympics at all, just find it hard not to carry around a large placard with a photograph of the dalai lama.
Nick responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 1:54 pm →
@Aaron I fail to see how anyone could take issue with advising visitors from a legal standpoint the potential implications of unfurling a politically sensitive banner or getting shitaced and stealing a street sign while they are visiting Beijing.
I am employed by an American company, I pay taxes in China and I’m older that 25 years old. (does qualify me to hold an opinion)
Josh responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm →
“Let me be clear. For those of us in Beijing, the Olympics will be a lot of fun.”
I’m going to put that in my own pipe and smoke it! All I’m saying is that current policies are killing local businesses. Does anyone even vaguely disagree with this?
I enjoy seeing this “older expat guy” cruise around in his Harley…on alternate days of the week.
Pete Braden responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 10:42 am →
The venom of some of the apologists here is jaw-dropping. Who appointed them “Defenders of the People’s Republic”? China is a big country now, it can look after itself. There’s no need for contrarian/radical-chic/ill-informed Westerners to defend it like a bespectacled nerd at the playground.
I confess that I don’t read a lot of blogs by well-established high-rolling expats. But if their tone is sunnier, more confident or smug, it could well be due to the fact that the writers are largely insulated from the day-to-day inanities and snafus that bedevil those of us without legions of personal assistants. We have lived here long enough to remember China Before the Games, can understand the propaganda without the help of China Daily’s translators, and don’t have the money to casually fly back home when we need to “get out of the frigging kitchen.”
And what is it to “not like China”? It’s so broad and ignorant an accusation that I really don’t know how to respond. It’s like saying “If you don’t like the EU constitution, get out of Europe!”
Pappi responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 11:00 am →
@Peter,
Before you get too excited, I suspect that “Aaron Solomon” and “Hugh Davids” are the same bitter expat. And I suspect it is the same “old China hand” who bought a Harley during his mid-life crisis. You can’t take these trolls too seriously.
“Hugh Davids”? What a phony name.
justrecently responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm →
Mr Braden: let’s not make too many presumptions about the “old China hands”. They only make your jaw drop when you hear them first time. When you meet them again, you either listen to them politely but indifferently, or laugh at them - depending on your temper.
Bobby responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 9:08 am →
Three beakons of light:
Dan Harris
Jack Perkowski…
and Chris Devonshire Ellis…
Hmmm…one of these doesn’t fit.
Jennifer responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 9:59 am →
Actually, funny that you mention that they haven’t come knocking on peoples’ doors interrogating them. They’ve done it to a few of my friends and old teachers, asking to see their visas, passports, and residency permits, and what the purpose of their residency/stay in China is. Apparently they’ll stop random people on the street and ask to see a copy of your visa and residency permit now … I don’t know if that’s just a rumor, or if it’s actually happening, though.
Peeple responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm →
I’m not into the Olympics this year because of the near slave labor used to build the facilities to celebrate human achievement. And every person from China, Dubai, Isreal and India (the majors) always say….”America was built the same way”…Yeah it was….150 years ago when humanity was 5 steps out of the stone age. Your telling me there is no way in this day and age of putting people on the moon and building single carbon nanotube radios that there is no humane alternative? I don’t have to wait for the olympics to be a travesty, it already is one.
Pete MaGovern responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 7:00 pm →
Surely its presumptous to be calling the Olympics “Botched” or a “Travesty” when they haven’t been frigging opened yet. The older expats are here because they’re successful. I’d rather have a drink with one of those guys than some of the pathetic China wingers I can read here. Memo to Josh: You were much better on your old site when you did neat stuff like explore Xiniang and review Gong Fu at Shaolin. It wasn’t political and soon as you went down that road you ceased being fun. And Ernie is funnier than you. You seriously need to take a chill pill these days.
Pappi responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm →
@Pete:
Who the hell is Ernie?
justrecently responds:
Posted: July 8th, 2008 at 3:21 am →
I have no intention to insult “older expats” collectively. But I haven’t seen their books, and all I can say is that they are in China because they or their bosses invest. Murdoch was here, too. Your post is pretty pesumptous, Mr MaGovern. I see no obligation for anyone to like the way the run-up to the Olympic Games are going.
@ Pappi: Ernie is a Sesame Street muppet, I think. It’s not easy to be funnier than Ernie.
nanheyangrouchuan responds:
Posted: July 10th, 2008 at 2:26 am →
The “older” ie geriatric expats defend Bad China so vigorously because there is no where else for them to go. Certainly not their home countries where warrants, alimony and child support payments wait for them.
The best thing that Chinese can do is to crush the elderly expats and put them into the nearest canal or rice field. Old expats represent the worst of the expat community, they came to escape the law in their home countries, make money by all means necessary and mess around with barely legal locals.
Hugh Davids responds:
Posted: July 13th, 2008 at 5:34 pm →
So you’re saying all expats ‘of a certain age’ are only here because they failed at home, have something criminal to run away from and are essentially pedophiles, is that correct? And that all young expats are basically all OK? Man I just wonder how old you are…
Bobby responds:
Posted: July 14th, 2008 at 8:05 am →
I think watching two trolls like Nan and “Hugh” fight is high comedy:
“Pedophile!”
“Fascist!”
Although it’s creepy that Hugh declares he’s been branded a pedophile and then immediately asks how old Nan is. This sounds like To Catch a Predator to me.