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OLYMPICS 2008

Taking Away Olympic Fun

Visitors to the Games will find the newly spruced-up Beijing cleaner—and blander

By Mary Hennock and Manuela Zoninsein | NEWSWEEK
Published Jul 19, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Jul 28, 2008

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  • Posted By: EmilyRCI @ 07/28/2008 11:18:21 AM

    Comment: Radio Canada International present a unique, innovative web series 'A NEW FACE FOR BEIJING'.

    The series is about a 25 year-old Chinese-Canadian, Jennifer Hsiung, who moved to China to work for CCTV international as their sports anchor 2 years ago. The series documents her integration into the Chinese community and the transformations of Beijing in the last few months.

    The atmosphere is Beijing is electric, and the series captures the environment and mood of the people in the capital as the Opening Ceremony fast approaches.

    The series is shot by Jennifer's sister Tiffany and together they offer a different lens through which to view Beijing from the point of view of CBC's and ABC's living in the city. This unique viewpoint has made the series a great success so far.

    We invite you to look online and make your own opinion heard at www.rcinet.ca/rci/pekin

  • Posted By: IamID @ 07/27/2008 10:05:25 AM

    Comment: I don't understand what all the hoopla is. So China is thinking about enforcing its 2 A.M. closing laws and performance / liquor licensing requirements. How is that "a communist country suppressing its people and business" as someone had commented here? And as for the club owner who is complaining that the officials showed up one day and shut him down without prior notice for violating the performance license requirement, my reaction is: "what the hell are you complaining about?" I know there is due process of law but you are violating a statute! You should already be on notice, or do you have problem reading?
    Also, this whole griping about the visa issue is ridiculous. China is tightening visa controls for two reasons. 1: to tighten security for the Olympics in the face of a mounting wave of global terrorism; 2: to weed out some of the less desirable foreign expatriate elements. I believe that most of the people complaining are those who do not have any legitimacy working or being in China. Take for example the significant English teaching expatriates, many of those making a living teaching English in China are not qualified to be teachers! Many of them had rudimentary education back home and some didn't even finish high school. Some are not even native speakers! It's pretty ridiculous and how is China at fault for upping its visa requirements to seek proof of a proper teaching background before granting a visa? Everyone that has a legitimate sponsorship (government, corporations, NGOs) has had no problems getting a visa. China just wanted to keep a few bums out! Seems like the US and Europe have been doing that for ages with a much more stringent visa requirement.
    One last thing, I must comment on the sensationalistic elements of the media. It seems to me that many reporters believe that there is a contingent of readers out there who will react to anything about China, even if it is completely ordinary events like the ones described in this article. What happened to in-depth, responsible media reporting? Why don???t they delve into exactly who is being denied of visas and why? Why don???t they report on all different viewpoints and voices? What's going on with the editors at Newsweek??? Better get the quality up or Newsweek may someday become another US or Enquirer in terms of readership.

  • Posted By: 05041245 @ 07/26/2008 1:37:51 AM

    Comment: it is essential that chinese government takes measures to boost security for the coming of beijing' Olympic,so everyone should stand for it.
    come on ,beijing!!

  • Posted By: 05041245 @ 07/26/2008 1:32:45 AM

    Comment: it is essential that chinese government takes mesure to boost security for the coming of Beijing'sOlympic, so i stand by it.
    come on beijing!!!!

  • Posted By: JerryAdam @ 07/25/2008 9:24:25 AM

    Comment: Maybe there exists some inappropriate manners in actions of authority,however,please remember it's the Party who can combine all sorts of effort to join together to do something postive such as holding the games.It's an evolution,an evolution towards a correct aim.

  • Posted By: suki1989 @ 07/25/2008 3:21:19 AM

    Comment: woo! I hope all of your know that china is not a so undeveloped nation, they're able to see what you are talking about ,actually ,the net is very popular among chinese, you know ,amost everyone are assess to internet.
    as to the writer ,one word ,shortsighted ,you just criticiz, if BeiJing do'nt do like this, once you come to china , you'll be killed by the terrorists .

  • Posted By: suki1989 @ 07/25/2008 3:06:41 AM

    Comment: we

  • Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 07/23/2008 4:28:09 PM

    Comment: China is a communist country and the government is doing things to suppress the people and their businesses? Wow, what a shock!!

    • Posted By: hugowf2008 @ 07/26/2008 05:19:04

      Comment: Communist country doesn't equal bad things or suppressing the people. You dont understand china at all. you have so many prejudiced views on china.

  • Posted By: amyrabinovich @ 07/23/2008 4:45:54 AM

    Comment: Maybe the Municipal Government of Beijing is perhaps overreacting, but only time will tell. After all, China is attempting to prevent terrorist attacks plotted by the likes of East Turkistan Warriors and Tibetan Independence Fighters, both well funded, trained and armed by the CIA (check the internet for details) and the German intelligence. Given the unprecedented level of terrorism, can you blame them for being nervous?

  • Posted By: Tan Boon Tee @ 07/23/2008 4:10:12 AM

    Comment: To ensure a smooth running and successful (as measured by Beijing???s stringent benchmark) Olympic Games, China has gone all out to leave no stone unturned. So much so that the whole exercise appears near paranoid.

    Take for instance, the meticulous (albeit often unnecessary) screening and questioning of the background of visitors to the Capital City in the recent months. The fear of ugly protests (let alone physical violence and for whatever reason it may be) that would tarnish the good Chinese image during the Games has become so intense that many leaders are losing their regular sleep.

    To put up a more than obligatory yet superficial cosmetic for the sake of an illusive international alter-ego is just inessential, it only causes lots of inconveniences. People come mainly to watch the world standard competition, and few would care what actually has transpired under the communist regime in the past few decades.

    After all, will the ???show??? be still sustainable after the Games?
    (btt1943@yahoo.com)

  • Posted By: ngy460 @ 07/23/2008 12:49:39 AM

    Comment: does they allow collored folks in those bars and stuff ,or are they racists too? is they any ho's?

  • Posted By: rover81 @ 07/22/2008 9:21:35 PM

    Comment: Dalai lama: The most charismatic LIAR on this planet!
    Dalai lama: The most charismatic LIAR on this planet!
    Dalai lama: The most charismatic LIAR on this planet!
    Dalai lama: The most charismatic LIAR on this planet!
    Dalai lama: The most charismatic LIAR on this planet!

  • Posted By: rover81 @ 07/22/2008 9:13:10 PM

    Comment: What kind of "FUN " r ya looking for? my pervert friend.
    If you have some special kind of "FUN" in filthy back street of your own country, go for it!
    I've been to your place, I understand how special that FUN can go.
    Enjoy!

  • Posted By: rover81 @ 07/22/2008 9:08:05 PM

    Comment: BBC: Biased Broadcasting company;
    CNN: Cooked News Network.
    .....

  • Posted By: rover81 @ 07/22/2008 9:06:47 PM

    Comment: Feeling on reading newsweek:
    Americans: a bunch of people born to curse!
    God said: I curse those who try hard to curse others, AMEN!

  • Posted By: stefano rollero @ 07/22/2008 12:35:37 PM

    Comment: A few days from the Olympics: "Raise the voice against all wars and violations of human rights!" Support our nonviolent struggle of the Tibetan people. Support human rights defenders that, in China and many other parts of the world are persecuted because of their civil commitment.

    Stefano Rollero, Turin-Italy.
    http://www.artmajeur.com/catanquader

  • Posted By: andy_0236 @ 07/22/2008 9:13:15 AM

    Comment: Newsweek, Just so narrow-minded and hostile to China, always. The Chinese have beening trying hard to make this land a better place for friends all over the world. Compared with their hospitality and friendliness, your words are definitely so mean despite the fact that you are also aware that there is no perfection. Stop making effort to be a total outsider and attacking. They are the Olymic Games of our own. We are all looking forward to a better world where people are living happily. Are you one of us or the one who is eager to witness sadness??

  • Posted By: andy_0236 @ 07/22/2008 9:12:50 AM

    Comment: Newsweek, Just so narrow-minded and hostile to China, always. The Chinese have beening trying hard to make this land a better place for friends all over the world. Compared with their hospitality and friendliness, your words are definitely so mean despite the fact that you are also aware that there is no perfection. Stop making effort to be a total outsider and attacking. They are the Olymic Games of our own. We are all looking forward to a better world where people are living happily. Are you one of us or the one who is eager to witness sadness??

  • Posted By: mitchonius @ 07/22/2008 7:39:29 AM

    Comment: Let's not get too saddened just yet, because surely the huge masses of foreign visitors will need places to party during the games, and I expect the Visa regulations to be relaxed afterward. I agree though, that the very relaxed nightlife atmosphere in Beijing is something that would be tragic to lose. Every era has to come to an end someday, let's hope that day is tomorrow and not today!

  • Posted By: Beulahdyce @ 07/22/2008 7:29:20 AM

    Comment: i've fed up with your tone with Beijing and China, what we done is doomed to be wrong, OK? you just don't understand us, whereas we are trying to tinker us with your regulations, so ridiculous, Have you ever try to learn sth more about Beijing instead of see everything we do from a so narrow aspect? Chinese hope everything will go well, is that shameful? also it's our tradition and ritual to treat you as cherish...just want to do better, at least we have tried, cause we are not the same, so how can you criticize just because we are not in line with your imagination? so narrow minded and acid, we tried to welcome you, not to SHOW ourselves, please understand then speak, I've read many essays about BJ Olym, I've fed up, Chinese if can all see this, they will feel very hurt.

  • Posted By: Beulahdyce @ 07/22/2008 7:28:52 AM

    Comment: i've fed up with your tone with Beijing and China, what we done is doomed to be wrong, OK? you just don't understand us, whereas we are trying to tinker us with your regulations, so rediculous, Have you ever try to learn sth more about Beijing instead of see everthing we do from a so narrow aspect? Chinese hope everything will go well, is that shamful? also it's our tradition and ritual to treat you as cherish...just want to do better, at least we have tried, cause we are not the same, so how can you critisize just because we are not in line with your imagination? so narrow minded and acid, we tried to welcome you, not to SHOW ourselves, please understand then speak, I've read many essays about BJ Olym, I've fed up, Chinese if can all see this, they will feel very hurt.

  • Posted By: jchan53 @ 07/22/2008 4:35:24 AM

    Comment: One small factual error: Michael Wester is General Manager of True Run Media, the company that produces The Beijinger. Oliver Robinson is the Managing Editor.

  • Posted By: OnlyCureJGK @ 07/21/2008 8:48:16 PM

    Comment: Homosexuals should not be aloud to spend time with children and corrupt there minds. Homosexuality is just as wrong as Murder they are both depraved sick crimes against what is natural.
    Both these crimes fly in the face of what is normal decient human behavior.
    Anyone that supports homosexual activity is a contributor to it.
    Homosexuality is wrong.
    Its is not diversity it is perverisity
    They should be given the mental help they need.
    It is not about left or right wing politics its about right and wrong.
    Homosexuality is wrong and always will be just because you say its not does not mean its true.

    • Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 07/23/2008 16:21:41

      Comment: I second that...

  • Posted By: ducdebrabant @ 07/21/2008 4:52:57 PM

    Comment: If Westerners are so despised in China, maybe China shouldn't have offered to host the Olympics. They happen to be a Western tradition, and it is customary fro Westerners to attend.

  • Posted By: Cavallino_Rapante @ 07/21/2008 1:26:22 PM

    Comment: Awwwe.....'Westerners' won't be able to partake in 'Fried Cat', underage Prostitution, reckless debauchery.....gee, perhaps the Westerners who are hell-bent on bathing in ONLY 'Western Culture' should just stay home instead. Yea, that'll teach those Communists....

    Oh, wait, we're in a Recession - we're too poor to travel! Yippee!

 
 
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