by Digger

China will be hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing August 8-24. The Games have brought dramatic political focus not witnessed since the boycotts of US and Soviet Union games of the 1980's.

China has often been criticized by other nations leaders and major news organizations throughout the world for human rights violations and atrocities ranging from jailing dissidents, forced abortions, child labor, cultural cleansing in Tibet, ethnic cleansing in Africa, crackdowns on students, lack of women's rights, and a wide ranging of freedom of speach issues.

China has also received negative press amidst trading practices of shipping substandard supplies such as tainted children's toys, contaminated human/pet foods, problematic blood thinners and a whole array of shoddy products.

China's aggressive and non-transparent military buildup is another issue of concern as they continue to threaten Taiwan. In recent months past, a Chinese submarine approached US Naval ships without notice or provocation. They have been alleged to be supporting hackers attempts to infiltrate various defense department facilities from around the world. Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, remains concerned of China's use of force in attempts to quell peaceful protests within the country.

According to an ABC News (March 15, 2008) story, there are signs China is well aware of "international opinion". ABC News continued: "Chinese officials promised reforms before winning the right to host the games. The current secretary general of the Beijing organizing committee said then that he thought a Chinese Olympics could "promote" human rights. In a May interview with The Associated Press, Wang Wei said human rights were improving and dismissed the issue as "an old topic."

We'll soon see how China reacts to planned demonstrations ahead of the Games. I anticipate a gentler human rights side will emerge from the Chinese government ahead of the games in attempts to distance themselves from negative publicity. Once the games begin, most of the coverage will rightfully be on the hundreds of athletes representing countries of the world. Then it'll be business as usual once the games conclude.