After the Olympic Grand Opening

Please let nothing bad happen. It appears to be the faintest wish for China’s Olympic, but it’s so true when the news brought to the world with two Americans being attacked with one dead and the other injured in Beijing, just a couple of hours after what by many accounts was the most spectacular opening ceremony in Olympic history. The attack was more than shocking because of the rarity of violent crime against foreigners in the tightly controlled China.

Just as Yiu Ming said, “it’s the dream not only belongs to myself but the entire nation.” Holding the nine-year old survivor of the Sichuan earthquake in his arm and standing before the backdrop of fireworks displaying its extravagance in the sky, Yiu’s eyes were glittered with tears. The opening ceremony received rave reviews such as “it’s over the top,” “a pageantry,” “need to reconcile from the sheer massive scale of the presentation with the impeccable precision that was required to achieve it,” and “Impressive seems so inadequate.” But as the event sets in, one can tell of the palpable tension in the air.

This supposed-to-be the last communist country in the world has been facing trite comments from the west on issues one can think of. From the dynamics on the international stage to boycott and protests along the Olympic torch relay, the harmony the party trying hard to preserve is liable to be shaken. Let’s make it clear: this year’s Olympic has been loaded with expectations and political agenda that are hardly dismissed. Potential signs of terrorists’ movement were found as well. When the lights were dimmed, the crowd was dispersed; the show is just to begin.

“The world will draw their own serious conclusions about Beijing, even if the Games go well. But in the event of a violent or dramatic incident, Beijing's response will spur even more serious judgments about China. They may be fair, and they may be informed, but most likely they will be soaked in the bias and misunderstanding that unfortunately typically surrounds Western discussion about China.

How will those conclusions impact the way the Chinese government deals with the rest of the world? How will it impact how Chinese citizens sees themselves and their country?And apart from what the rest of the world thinks, more importantly, what conclusions will Chinese draw on their own?”

It is hard not to detect a shred of bitterness and the underlining motives to watch any mishaps happen with folded arms. (the unmistakable scent of schadenfreude.” Some may said it’s the time to show the Chinese government that it can’t control everything.
As always, it’s tragic though for those who have to resort for measures which penalize rather than reward. I cannot subscribe to the idea of waiting for causality and then the awakening of the Chinese government. In similar vein, good-willed advice always comes stronger than useful criticism. I wonder why it takes so long for both sides of the world to learn from different lessons.

It might be a stupid question, but who doesn’t hold an agenda to suppress the other so that one may be able to claim the gold medal again?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/09/chinese-man-kills-relativ_n_117890.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-pasternack/please-let-nothing-bad-ha_b_117779.html