Talking Points, August 6-20, 2008

In January and February snow storms paralyzed transportation, stranding millions of spring festival travelers, damaging the economy, and prompting an apology from the premier. In March and April civil unrest rocked Tibet and adjacent communities, the suppression of which drove demonstrations abroad. Also in April, torch relay points became contests between those critical of China’s government and those eager to note China’s achievements and aims for the Olympics. In May a massive earthquake and aftershocks devastated a large swath of Sichuan province, killing more than 70,000 people, leaving millions homeless, and generating unprecedented domestic and international relief efforts. Dramatic increases in food and energy prices caused economic worries. Those worries and nervousness about government efforts to revalue the currency and manage growth have caused investors to flee China’s stock markets, leaving indices down almost 50% from 2007.

All this troubling news, though, hasn’t induced a general gloom in China. The economy continues to grow at a remarkable 10% annual pace, and this Friday the largest and most scrutinized Olympiad ever opens in Beijing. A record number of international leaders will attend the opening ceremony which promises to be a remarkable spectacle of color, movement, and sound. Billions more will watch on television. Chinese and their leaders believe the Games confirm China’s reemergence as a great nation and that those watching the Games will be left with an even more favorable view of China.

Towards this end the Chinese government has spent a staggering $43 billion to build 19 world class venues, including the Bird’s Nest Stadium now featured on the nation’s 10 yuan note, plus infrastructure projects such as the Capital Airport’s Terminal 3, the world’s largest building. The road and subway network has been greatly expanded while pocket parks, sometimes with stunning plant sculptures have been created.

The Beijing authorities have relocated more than a million people to facilitate these construction projects. Thousands have been mobilized to assist visitors and tens of thousands of cab drivers have undergone English language and etiquette training. Bars and other entertainment enterprises have been guidelines intended to minimize the chance of patrons being tempted into disorderly conduct. Neighborhoods have undergone government subsidized makeovers. As part of the struggle to lessen Beijing’s air pollution, driving has been restricted, plants closed down, and clouds have been seeded to induce rain.

This effort to put the best possible foot forward has included a campaign to send domestic and international migrants without approved housing, employment, or residence permits packing. This is also intended to reduce security risks.

Security is a paramount concern. Any high profile international gathering is a potential target and one which includes 80 heads of state is unprecedented. The Chinese government announced this week that it is ready. More than 110,000 security personnel have been deployed. Spectators will be carefully monitored. Keeping protests out of stadiums and arenas is in keeping with the International Olympic Committee’s charter which prohibits political, religious, or racist propaganda at Olympic sites, venues, or other areas. The Chinese government will enforce and extend this. Only authorized demonstrations will be permitted in three designated protest zones.

Journalists, activists, and China watchers have followed all of these preparations closely. Most people, though, are just anxious for the Games to get underway. They look forward to seeing some 11,000 athletes from all over competing against each other, against the heat and pollution, and against all their predecessors to run or swim faster, jump higher or farther, balance, bounce or drive with greater grace and precision, lift more, or play with more skill and determination.

A lot of money has been wagered on us watching and feeling positively about the Games. Broadcast rights have been sold for $1.7 billion (NBC paid $894 million for the U.S. rights), multinational firms paid hundreds more as sponsors so they could put the Olympic rings on their ads and packages, and many companies have spent lavishly on the commercials they have and will air.

Beijing first sought to host the 2000 Summer Games. That 1993 effort failed, but in 2001 the Chinese bid prevailed. It’s now showtime.

And this is a show many in China have long wanted to host. As historian Andrew Morris notes, as far back as 1907, when the modern Olympics were just a decade old, many Chinese in Tianjin were anxious to respond to the challenge issued by the YMCA there:

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