2008 Olympics: Chinese preparations for hosting the Olympics

Like all host cities before it, Beijing has gone about making improvements on the city in order to show its best face to the world. Aware of critics and concern about human rights, air quality and political unrest, among other issues, the Chinese government has taken steps to remedy some matters, and silence others. Since 2001, when the Games were awarded to China, leadership has moved with intent and determination to show the West a united China, steeped in oriental and communist tradition, and most of all, in success.

There is no doubt that China is modernizing. Their need for steel, to name just one example, is driving the price of this resource ever higher; some estimate the price of steel will double every year for the next decade due solely to China’s needs. Electricity and growth are taking the countryside by storm unfortunately the effects of this tornadic growth is crippling the land. Because growth in China is coal-driven, air and water pollution are at an all-time high there; an estimated 70% of Chinese waters are polluted beyond human use. Beijing is, according to satellite information, the most polluted city in the world. While Beijing pledged to be green’ for the Olympic Games, meeting the World Health Organization’s 80% smog-free minimum by the time the Games start, it is unlikely that it will happen. Despite precautions, changes in fuel, increased public transportation and multiple studies into the problem of air pollution from Beijing and surrounding areas, the city simply isn’t meeting the goal. This will introduce new difficulties for both spectators and athletes.

The Chinese government has done a good job on face-lifting’ the city. Gray, bland buildings have been repainted, flat roofs replaced with more attractive sloped ones and ugly single level housing hidden behind ancient-looking walls covered with brightly colored murals. New hotels have sprung up in the city. Du Jiang, Director of Beijing Tourism Bureau stated that over 110 hotels have been constructed in Beijing in preparation for the Olympic Games. “with a majority of them targeting high-end guests.” Beijing hotels are expected to accommodate about 550,000 guests per day during the Olympics.” In an already crowded city, one has to wonder where the space for such an explosion of accommodations fit. The answer is not what one might hope, but certainly not unique to Beijing. An estimated 1.7 million people have been displaced from the city, forcibly removed and relocated to make way for stadiums, accommodations and other needed space. This isn’t the first time it has happened, however; in Seoul, South Korea citizens, mostly poor, were displaced in 1988 to make way for the Olympics there.

Government scrutiny is, itself, being scrutinized. With a State Department warning about surveillance issues in hotels, bathrooms, restaurants and other private and public places, westerners worry about their freedoms being stripped, at least to some degree, during the Games. Chinese officials state emphatically that the assertion is untrue, and are considering lifting restrictions on Internet access for foreign journalists covering the Games.

Preparations continue, with both positive and negative effects. The clock is ticking on China, and the world is watching, and waiting, as August 8 approaches.