What do you think of Olimpics in Beijing 2008

I have been in China for 3 years and as a foreigner I can see lots of changes here.
Do you think Olympics was a good think for Chinese development or its a step backwards, its a tool of propaganda for Chinese government or it will bring some good ideas to Chinese people .....

 

I don't think it made a difference. They are still the same communist country that they were before the Olympics.

 

As an Olympics, I think it was one of the best run events in the modern Games.

As to whether it will effect substantive and lasting changes within Chinese society, no, I don't think so. If anything, the success of the games is approbation for the current leadership, who will springboard this to further control over the instruments of party and state power - "prestige" within the CCP matters as much as it does between states, as a matter of aggregating power.

I think what will happen in China will happen much as it did in the USSR: a demographic paradigm shift that makes a profound shift inevitable.

 

Interesting question Jacobworld. I read the commentary of one writer upon returning from China, and from spending some time at the Olympics.

The writer returned to the US. He referred to the enormous investment in infrastructure in roads, rail, and airports that reflected the growth of China. He also commented upon the amazing levels of poverty throughout China that are not physically far from the areas that have been built up. The growth has been uneven. It is easy to see the physical differences between areas that received investment and those that didn't.

He contrasted the infrastructure development in China with the crumbling infrastructure upon returning to the US through New York area airports, roads and ultimately train.

The Chinese infrastructure was newer, worked better, provided for more efficient and comfortable travel and was far more inviting. If you had to move goods into the cities with Chinese infrastructure it would have been easier faster and less expensive than working through the crumbling infrastructure he experienced in the NYC region.

I see you state you live in China/Ireland. Ireland also has seen significant growth and improvement in infrastructure.

What do you think?

 

Just a nod: great post, Earl; and thinking more on this, nice topic, Jacob. Could blossom to a really engaging discussion.

 

I can see now how everything will go back to the way it was before Olympics - Shame they don;t want to keep up the good work. Soon more news

 

Well the bird nest is an improvement than before

 

I felt a lot of new Changes which were fr the better!!
Hope 2 see a better olynic next yr..
But Beijing 2008 roX..

 

London should be more open minded i reckon

 

One more thought - Chinese standards are being lowered again - air, pollution - hmmm

 

其实中国的污染没有你说的那么严重吧，我感觉自己居住的城市还好啊！人民的物质、精神享受相对以前任何时候都有极大的提高！

目前中国的现代化进程犹如西方的第二次工业革命，部分城市是有一定污染，但是你也应该看到政府和人民正在努力改善自己的居住环境！

中国还是一个发展中国家，曾经受过西方一百多年的侵略；改革开放也只有30年时间，请你们给中国时间和帮助中国来改善、发展！！！

另外，我bs一下二楼的，共产主义社会有什么不好？中国五千年来的历史都走过来了，难到资本主义就好吗？我不这么认为。

 

"Actually China's pollution you have not said that seriously, I felt oneself lives city fortunately! People's material, the spirit enjoyed relative before any time all had the enormous enhancement!

At present China's modernized advancement justs like Western the second Industrial Revolution, the partial cities have certain pollution, but you also should see the government and the people are improving own diligently environment!

China was a developing nation, has received the Western more than 100 years aggression; The reform and open policy also only then 30 years time, asks you to give China the time and to help China to improve, the development!!!

Moreover, my bs next two buildings, what does the communist society have not to be good? The Chinese five millenniums come the history all walked, as difficultly as capitalism? I not such thought."

 

China has perhaps one of the worst run economies around. They just don't know what they are doing. And all this infrastructure expansion/explosion what have you will come to a screeching halt. Something like 35-40% of their GDP is capital investment in China. That is a huge bet that everything will keep steaming ahead as usual. It's another bubble. Oh, and their inflation is rampant which drive building costs through the roof.

All in all China is toast, which you can see from to 50%+ drop in their stock markets so far.

 

To be frank, Olympics is a great thing I believe. Note that the way China was like in Beijing is not like that everywhere around the country. But there's been so many changes in China and such a misunderstanding between China and the West. Olympic helps bridge the gap on misunderstanding.

For example you still got people like PHPGator that thinks China still the same. I'd put money that he has never been to China recently. Talk to the people on the street and see what they think.

 

I think that China is heading in the right direction in case of modernism.

Peace,

 

good point - I talk to them everyday and they believe at least that's what they say

 

One more thought - I am in China and they just don't wanna let go - still on tv all the time.

 

And Para Olympics the same on and on