China is no stranger to controversy.
So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the communist country is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The crackdown in Tibet a few weeks ago is still big news across the world. Except this time there is a twist to the coverage – how it will affect this summer’s Olympic games in Beijing.
Let’s be clear: China is using the Olympics to make a statement about how it has progressed and is ready to join the elite countries of the world. This is way more than pole vaulting and synchronized swimming to the Chinese leadership – this is a political opportunity.
Since it is a political event as much as it is a sporting event, the rest of the world should react to the events in Tibet politically through the Olympics.
Right now we believe that a full boycott is too much to ask of the American delegation.
However, there seems to be a growing movement toward a partial boycott that we think gets across the same idea. It involves world leaders not showing up to the opening ceremonies.
Some feel this isn’t tough enough, but we think it would be an effective message.
China wants to stand on the same world stage as the rest of the developed nations. A snub by world leaders would leave China alone during its big moment, robbing them of the attention and approval they seek.
It would be big news and the focus would be on China’s shortcomings like suppression of dissidents, lack of personal freedoms, its connections to Darfur and the oppression of Tibet.
All are important issues and international pressure would be welcome rather than leaders of other nations turning a blind eye and showing up to the games.
Prince Charles has already said he won’t be at the opening ceremonies as a show of solidarity with the Dalai Lama and French president Nicolas Sarkozy said he is considering the move. Unfortunately, President Bush said this week he will still go.
Hopefully momentum will continue to grow for this partial boycott so the Chinese leadership will be held accountable for their actions.
