In anticipation of Friday’s opening ceremony in Beijing, and the full dose of Chinese Communist Party propaganda that it’s guaranteed to deliver, revisiting global reactions to the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony is an interesting exercise.
The Guardian put together a roundup at the time, citing stories from newspapers in China, Taiwan, the U.S., and elsewhere. For all the ways in which China, and international attitudes toward the country, have changed in the past 14 years, some things have remained the same.
Here are some of the most noteworthy snippets from that roundup:
‘This great performance was a brilliant distillation of 5,000 years of glorious history. China will embrace the world with openness, self-confidence and warmth.’
People’s Daily, China‘It started with grim paramilitary goons in blue track-suits accompanying the Olympic torch on its embarrassing tour of democratic countries. And now the Games begin with broken promises on press freedom and shipping in party members to forcibly replace ordinary Chinese hoping to see the torch relay.’
Taipei Times, Taiwan‘Any Olympic opening is a propaganda exercise, but Friday night’s blockbuster show demonstrated the broader public relations challenge facing the Communist Party as China becomes richer and more powerful. The party wants to inspire national pride within China, and bolster its own legitimacy in the process, even as leaders want to reassure the world that a rising China poses no danger.’
The New York Times, USA‘The heavy presence of Chinese (People’s) Liberation Army officers throughout the proceedings left many wondering exactly what image the hosts were intending to project to the international community. . . . At a time when Tibet, Darfur and China’s broader human rights record are proving delicate issues for Beijing organisers, the move to present thousands of drilled, sobersided army officers … was surprising for its brazenness; a none too subtle projection of strength.’
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia‘”Friends who come from far, how happy we are to have you here,” was the message of greeting to the world, even the part of the world China has had harsh criticism from. And in a stroke it made the latest polemics about Bush’s words on human rights slide away.’
Corriere della Sera, Italy
Two quick things to add to this. The idea that the games could be used to distract from the Chinese party-state’s mass atrocities against ethnic minorities is today at least as potent as it was in 2008, amid a crackdown in Tibet. Consider the following headline from China’s state-owned CGTN as a preview of what the opening ceremony might offer later this week: “Olympic fever boosts winter sports, tourism in Xinjiang.”
And second, the lead paragraph of the 2008 Times piece excerpted in the Guardian roundup summarizes China’s message to the world, as conveyed by the Olympic ceremony: “Do not worry. We mean no harm.” The party seems likely to convey a similar message on Friday, but it will be heard by a considerably more skeptical global audience. Not least because Beijing’s victims say quite clearly that the Chinese regime is a threat to the world.