The Big O
CHINA | Saturday, 10 May 2008 | Views [171]
Recent encounters, conversations, and observations have led me to a particular cynical conclusion regarding the O-lympics (hereby referred to as "O" in order to avoid censorship).
The theme is "One World One Dream". The idea was that a developing country could and would be allowed to host a world event -- for the first time ever. The government has made it a mission to prove that nothing bad ever happens in this country through censorship and downright lying about what actually is going on.
Currently, foreigners are having hell getting visas renewed. The laws change daily, they've changed the ports where you can enter, and almost everyone who's already here can't stay past July 1 (I have the latest visa of anyone I know and it expires on July 15). The idea is to "make room" for new foreigners and bring in people who will pay more money than those who've been living here for months or years (at least that's what I can gather).
But I have my doubts about how many foreigners will actually be making the voyage over to the PRC for the "O"...and, if that's the case, then will it be a world event? (I won't even mention the countries that are boycotting.) Because it seems to me that kicking out all the foreigners and a lack of foreigners actually showing up leads to an all Chinese "O".
One World One Dream? I still don't rightly know what that means, but it's plastered in English and Chinese on everything in the city (from billboards to barbeque stands to taxis). Racism against foreigners? Bus signs that are only in Chinese characters?
Are they really trying to be a world stage? Or are they just trying to have the title and keep anyone who may be disgruntled about it away so it seems like they were?
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