Mon 14 Jul 2008
For most Beijingers, the Beijing Olympics can’t be over soon enough.
Posted by + mOdOk + under Currents , Life in Beijing , olympics
Olympic security forces training in Qinghuandao
Though the Chinese media will surely present the image of a city enraptured with Olympic Spirit to the rest of China, and less importantly, to the world, there may very well be far more frowns on citizen’s faces throughout the long-anticipated Beijing Olympiad than all the euphoric smiles displayed incessantly on every TV screen, in every bus, on every train, in every elevator, and on every huge screen throughout the city combined. To be sure, every victorious moment will be repeated ad infinitum in a media frenzy likely to be second only to that of the recent tragic Sichuan earthquakes. If Liu Xiang manages to overcome what may well be the heaviest Olympic pressure ever felt by any single individual and clinches gold, the glorious moment will surely become the symbol of China’s greatness for a generation. To be sure, the Beijing Olympics are a great source of national pride for the whole of China! So, what does it matter if a few people are inconvenienced in the process? With the imminent arrival of the games in Beijing, the inconveniences are mounting daily, along with unhappy faces.
Among the first to feel the crunch were many of China’s foreign residents who suddenly found that due to new visa restrictions they had to return to their home country to apply for a new visa, which they very likely wouldn’t get. At least not the one-year multiple entry visa they were used to. Even famous celebrities like Canadian Dashan were not immune, a fact which he reportedly lamented after an unexpected trip back to Canada when his visa renewal was denied in Korea.
The Olympics are no longer touted as an opportunity to host the world. In fact, due to visa restrictions and heightened security measures, hotels throughout China are reporting the worst occupancy rates since SARS. Journalists who have been China regulars for years have suddenly found out that they are not invited to the party, seemingly along with anyone else who has ever had an unkind word to say about the current regime. In fact, it seems that this is likely to be one fancy part in which the world is sent invitations and then told after they RSVP that they are not actually able to attend.
From July 1st, many small shop and restaurant owners felt the heat as they were informed that there shops were to be closed “for security reasons” until September. Nearly every shop near subway stations and Olympic venues that no doubt anticipated high profits during the season were disappointed to find that they would instead lose a summer’s worth of profits. For many restaurants, that can be a death sentence. For those of us who are denied good eats and entertainment at our favorite establishments, it is merely a tedious bore.
Many of the Beijing residents most affected are not actually “Beijingers” at all, but the fifth of the population of the capital that is made up of migrant workers, who have lost their livelihood as construction sites have shut down in July to clear the air for August (which, I must say, is a pleasant development for the rest of us) as well as hundreds of small dives, noodle shops and BBQ stands that feed them. Many have returned to the countryside, likely in keeping with unstated government objectives.
Most recently felt by all Beijing residents are the invasive security measures. Everyone must undergo security checks when getting on the subway, including bag checks and occasional body checks. Intercity rail transport is purportedly even worse. Fully armed SWAT teams are now visible throughout the city. Tank-like vehicles are showing up underneath major flyovers on the ring roads. For the first time in over five years, I have seen helicopters over Beijing skies! While these measures are understandable in light of genuine security issues, it is still burdensome for Beijing residents who couldn’t care less about the games.
Security measures are encroaching upon the lives of ordinary Beijing citizens in surprising ways. I have heard one account that all teachers for a certain university have been told that they must report to their campus every day throughout the Olympics just “in case” something happens, so that they will be available to offer assistance. I’m not sure how many universities this affects, but I can just imagine what my reaction would be if someone told me that I had to give up my hard-earned summer vacation to sit in an office doing nothing just “in case” something happens!!
Beijing-based artist Ai Weiwei, co-designer of the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium eloquently summed up the angst felt by many Beijingers in a blog post that was subsequently translated by China Digital Times.
An Olympics far from the will of the people and the spirit of freedom, a national ceremony without the inspiration of the citizenry, a myth so far away from modern civilization, the end result will be endless nonsense and a bore. The reason is simple: In this world no autocracy can pretend to be the joy of democracy, nor can it masquerade as harmony and happiness. No one can win the people’s support through deceit and betrayal.
“One World” — What world? No democracy, no human rights, no justice or equality, only deceit and betrayal.
“One Dream” — What dream? More corrupt officials, more shady deals, continued lies and questionable prosperity.
7 Responses to “For most Beijingers, the Beijing Olympics can’t be over soon enough.”
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July 14th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I agree with everything except for the University teachers bit — Don’t they work like little bees all summer making money?
July 14th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I suppose all university teachers have to remain on duty and stay in the office. They take turns — superiors say it’s ‘political obligation’ so you must observe the authority no matter what.
Frustrated enought that Kros, Toms and an unnamed Russian restaurant are all closed… and all the university gyms (for a whole year!)… frentic constructions on campus… Sigh!
July 15th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I don’t think every teachers is interested in making money all year long…
BTW: You are not supposed to take extra wages for ‘Political obligations’; you must be ‘on duty’@@
Dare I say… that Chinese are ‘superstitious’ in some way. At the beginning everyone celebrated the Game; people were proud. Now they fear: Say the Fuwa, it is rumored that the antelope symbolizes Tibet tumult; the panda foretells earthquake in Sichuan; the fire on Mt Everest offended the local gods and nature took her revenge…
Does the government want people to panic during the Game – as Americans worry about potential terrorist attack after 911? Rather than promoting economics or enhancing the image of Beijing… now ‘no accident’ has become the ultimate triumph. Delete my reply if it’s safe. I don’t ever want your blog blocked!
July 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I’ve also heard the Fuwa analogy, but I heard that Nini the swallow symbolized the train wrecks in Shangdong and Huanghuang the flame the attacks during the torch relay. Some say Beibei was responsible for the snowstorms, while some say the recent flooding, and others say that Beibei has yet to strike!
He he… I think compared to the rest of the content of the article, your reply is safe enough!
July 15th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
‘They’ say flood would strike Qingdao in September! Now we’ve got all five rings connected, although in a heretic way… I’m just curious about what the final budget could be, since the 2nd edition is almost ten times compared with the 1st one. Do we have to pay an BJ Olympic tax for 30 years?
(Since Facebook sucks… wonder if ‘we’ shall move the discussion board to somewhere else…)
July 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
You know how universities keep non-Beijingers outside after the Beijingers all go home for summer vacation? They cut off hot water, shut down the bathroom, canteen and supermarkets on campus. I can visit Beijing University of Technology no more without faculty/staff ID card. Beijing Normal is closed for some international sports teams — can’t imagine they’re currently staying in a newly completed polluted building with wet paint.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hmmm. I wonder. People are already so concerned about air pollution during the games, but do they even consider the pollution from new renovation?
I’ve been noticing all the key-maker/shoe-menders seem to have disappeared as well. Anyone who plies their trade from an unsightly cart has likely been told to refrain until after the games.
Speaking of unsightly, I notice the cosmetic surgery is continuing on buildings throughout the city. After spending who knows how much on the homogeneous matte silver tiles that have been affixed to the store fronts of nearly every old building in the city, now I seen they painting buildings which have been labeled “拆” (chai) for years so that they will not be such an eye sore. I suppose I shouldn’t complain, as I am a man who appreciates aesthetics, but still, I have to wonder at the expense. Indeed, now that they are keeping out all of the people who would have brought in money to help cover the costs, I really have to wonder how many years it will take to cover the costs of the games.