In addressing the proposed boycott of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics, supporters of People’s Republic of China are urging the world community to not to politicize the Olympic Games. That is a fair comment. After all, in ancient times, the Games offered an Olympic truce during war. Yet, supporters of China cannot really be truly honest about the issue of the politicization of the Olympics until they condemn China too; China itself is guilty of politicizing the Olympics on a number of occasions in the past.
China boycotted several Games to object to the participation of Taiwan in the Olympics from the 1950s up to the 1980s.[1] In 1976 in fact, not only China boycotted the Olympics, it forced the host Canada to pressure Taiwan on the issue of national identity. That eventually caused Taiwan to refrain from competing in the Games.[2] In 1980, China again showed its willingness to politicize the Olympics: it boycotted the Moscow Olympics to protest the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union.[3]
Supporters of China must acknowledge China’s past politicization of Olympics and criticize China for that if they would like to have the moral authority to criticize those whom propose a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
Regardless of that, I do not support a boycott of the Olympics, be it in partial or in full. Rarely does a boycott work. In my opinion, the better way of highlighting issues associated with the Games is engagement. Witness the torch relay first hand, watch the opening and the closing ceremonies and follow the Games.
But do it in protest. While attending or watching the Games, whether in private or public, express your displeasure of China’s action peacefully. Put banners up. Distribute pamphlets around. Engage the crowd and make them aware of the situation in Darfur and Tibet as well as China’s record of disrespecting liberty.
It is only through greater awareness could the world gently realize of the issues at hand and apply gentle pressure on China to reform and respect liberty.
[1] — China participated in 1952 but boycotted the Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized Taiwan. The Taiwanese team carried the “China” banner in 1956, and China did not return to Olympic competition until the 1980 Winter Games. [Cold War Olympics highlights. CNN. Accessed April 9 2008]
[2] — See the 1976 Summer Olympics at Wikipedia.
[3] — See the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, at Wikipedia.
4 replies on “[1615] Of China is no stranger to the politicization of the Olympics”
niuku,
It is not a matter of whether PRC brings development or not. It is a matter whether the local accepts PRC sovereignty over Tibet. And talking about western agenda, what about China’s agenda? Everybody has their own agenda.
Mudasir,
Yet again, awareness. It tells the PRC that people care.
How is this any different from the Lights out day?
Its symbolic and the only thing it would do is maybe create a little bit more awareness about the situation.
Besides that it would have no direct impact.
Having said all that, I definately would boycott the chinese olympic. Matter of fact I’m not sure why they are even hosting it in the first place.
Everyone should boycott the games and force them to drop china all together from hosting, now that would put a nice dent to their communist butts.
No, I do not agree to the call to free Tibet or boycott Beijing Olympic, etc…
Make no mistake about it, I think China had been handling and managing Tibet very well. China as known, had been sharing resources, helping and treating all minority groups very well. For Tibet case, one just needs look at the type of infrastructures and the sort resources provided to make Tibet more accessible and improving people’s standard of living there.
I think a very good example is the most recent completed world’s highest railway – Qinghai–Tibet Railway which costs billions and years to build. Having recently watched a documentary on the construction of this railway which had also been generally described as a great human’s engineering marvel and achievement, I think one will appreciate the great efforts of China to keep the Tibet and their west side highlands peaceful, green and clean. After all, these western high lands of China are important catchment and source of fresh water to so many rivers that flow through China, India and others Middle Asian countries. Hence, a peaceful Tibet will benefits the entire regions.
Tibet is a part of China and will always be a part of China. No foreign power or other influence should attempt to interfere or disturb this well managed and balanced world. I think Tibet in its current form and relationship with China is harmonious with nature and its the people. Western powers or groups who try to bring in those mainly city based ideas or ideology may not serve Tibet and China well. I think these mainly western groups have their own agenda to fulfill.
Lastly, I also came across a tourism poster which tags or brand Tibet as the “Roof of our Planet Earth”. I think this is most appropriate. As a Chinese who always believes in maintaining peaceful, harmonious life with our natural environment and our people, we do not want our “roof” to be disturbed or else there will be no peace. Hence, the Western power or influence should get out and must not stir things up in Tibet. I think the whole wide world is looking forward to a great and fantastic 2008 Beijing Olympic.
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