Poor old Robert Mugabe. Do you know what that guy needs? An Olympics. Harare
2012, he really missed a trick there. A well-run Games and nothing else
matters. Put on a show, throw up a couple of impressive buildings and the
world is your friend.
The road home from Beijing is lined with wide-eyed converts who've seen the
light on totalitarianism. “China has set the bar very high,” Jacques Rogge,
the president of the International Olympic Committee, said. “There are some
things that London will not be able to compare to, or equal - such as the
ability to bring hundreds of thousands of volunteers to different sites.”
Yes, Jacques, it is amazing what people can achieve once they appreciate
there is no alternative.
And there isn't in China. About 100 miles south of Beijing, an agricultural
community has been destroyed because its water supply was rerouted to
deliver a green and blooming Olympics. Road blocks stop people from that
area travelling north, while taxi drivers were told to take any passengers
with unusual requests directly to the police.
Official reports state, however, that the 31,000 people that lost homes or
land are delighted to be making this sacrifice. “The legacy of these Games
is ultimately up to the Chinese people,” Rogge added, but that is a lie too.
Nothing can be decided by an oppressed people.
What happens next in China is no more determined by its citizens than the
destiny of Iraq was in the hands of Iraqis. The West got rid of Saddam
Hussein, not the locals. When the eyes of the world turn from Beijing, this
regime will go back to its old ways quicker than a Jamaican sprinter out of
the blocks.
Not that it made much pretence of reform while under scrutiny. There were 77
requests to protest in official zones agreed with the IOC, but none was
granted. A number of applicants were sentenced to re-education through
labour, including two women, aged 79 and 77, one of whom is disabled and
almost blind.
“You can get big headlines back home by slating the oppressive regime, but
there is a risk of going too far,” Tessa Jowell, the Minister for the
Olympics, said. Quite right, Tessa. Oppressive regimes have feelings, too,
don't they? As a member of Tony Blair's Government, Tessa clearly did not
think that it was going too far to accuse an oppressive regime of possessing
weapons of mass destruction, bombing it, invading it, and then finding none;
but having got on the totalitarian happy pills in Beijing, she knows the
pain that a media barb can bring. Worse than collateral damage, that is.
This is the most worrying legacy of the Beijing Games. It has shown our
ministers, civil servants and sports administrators what could be achieved,
if we could only suspend personal freedom. Change is afoot. There was a
sketch in the infamous Brass Eye television comedy in which the predatory
paedophile and child murderer Sidney Cooke was to be fired into space, only
for it to be discovered that an eight-year-old boy was sealed in the capsule
with him.
The London Games had its Brass Eye moment on Sunday night when a video, made
by the tourist authority Visit London and screened at the handover party,
was found to contain an image of Myra Hindley, from a portrait by Marcus
Harvey, shown at the Royal Academy in 1997.
I admit that I laughed. There we are, trying to look all Cool Britannia and
icily efficient, and a picture of a notorious child murderer finds its way
into the show. At the very least, we should be thankful to live in a society
in which freedom of artistic expression is allowed. Although maybe not for
much longer.
“It is disgraceful this night of British pride has been sullied,” said a
government spokesman. “Those responsible should be found and sacked.” Or
sent for re-education through labour, maybe. Now there is someone who has
been supping too deeply from the cup of governmental control in Beijing.
No surprise that Ken Livingstone was lavishly entertained by the Chinese
Government. Having done so much to smooth Anglo-Chinese relations with his
astute comparison of the Tiananmen Square massacre (death toll 2,000-3,000,
according to the Chinese Red Cross) with the poll tax riots (death toll
none, according to everybody), it is clear what appeals to him about the
Chinese system.
He said this week: “When I first got interested in politics all the quality
papers had an entire page reporting MPs' speeches. There would be the most
salient point reported each morning.” The pronouncements of the powerful,
dutifully recorded and displayed without comment, Ken? The Chinese people
would recognise that.
Of course the Beijing Games went without a hitch. Give anyone total,
terrifying control over a population, with force, and they will make them
march in unison, drum, smile, dance, mime, jump through hoops if necessary.
“They don't look very oppressed,” wrote one observer. No, pal, and neither
would you if you knew the consequences of complaint.
The same columnist wrote that the young girls carrying the flags before events
were “perfect examples of what a beautiful young Chinese woman looks like”.
Yes, they were. This is how that was achieved. Those applying for the job,
who numbered thousands, had to be above 1.66m tall, pretty of face and
stripped naked for the judges, who measured their body proportions. Isn't
that healthy?
Those performing the three-minute umbrella dance at the opening ceremony
trained for six months for 14-15 hours each day, while the 900 soldiers
unrolling the scroll that was the centrepiece of the production wore nappies
because they had to stay hidden for seven hours, with not even a trip to the
toilet allowed. And this is the event that our Olympics Minister called
wondrous? That Rogge thinks will be hard to beat?
The Beijing Olympics was China's Triumph of the Will. Immaculately staged, but
there is a bit more to it than just choreography.
The success of the Games reflects the progress made in the political and economic reforms. Chinese government officials are much more efficient, humble and well-educated than what is [mis-]represented in Western media. Many British journalists and scholars have observed the positive changes.
Edward, Bristol, UK
Don't be such a CLUELESS sour grape. Why can't you just face the reality to accept China's success? You need to go to China to really understand what is going on there. People there know what they want. Please give them something constructive and helpful bettter than opium from your ancestors.
Jimmy, LA,
You Brits are just jealous that CHINA put on the best Olympics ever. I continue my wholehearted support of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese people. If only the world's biggest democracy had a dose of totalitarian, the millions of poor Indians would face a better life.
S K Lin, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
To: DL London. UK
You are mixing up extremes of nations and politics as though they can be compared on the same platform. Are you being deliberately misleading or just confused? Not all of China is rich, just the smaller proportion of selfish up and coming middle class. Are you one of those??
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
It's all about greater good. Which would you pick, democracy but poor like India or no democracy but rich like China? Human rights and free speech in the UK yet you would not dare walking the London streets at night and survival as bad as Bangladesh in some parts of the country?
DL, London, UK
Oh, those usual arrogant British self-haters, I wish it could have one fraction of the same national sense of identification most of the Chinese have (albeit a very centralized political system and a must larger population size country with virtually no external ethnic mix imports)
anthony mayer, ny, us
Gary from London needs to take his happy pill- you're way too high-strung. I like the article, and unlike Gary from London, I live in China and have expertise. Most the author's points are, in fact, true. And of course all chinese support their govt. Duh.
Brian Rosen, Shanghai, PRC
"Independence for Scotland!
Independence for Wales!
Independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia!"
Sounds good to me.
Patrick, London,
There was also the case of the delightful little angel who "sang" at the opening ceremony while miming to the voice of the "real" singer who, apparently, was not pretty enough to be seen before the worlds media. Says it all doesn't it?
K. Hall, Helsinki, Finland
Independence for Scotland!
Independence for Wales!
Independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia!
TS, London,
This is the shoeshine opinion of an ignorant xenophobe. Most Chinese (85%) support their govt, thats a fact. All the author has to counter that is some anecdotal evidence which on balance is of little consequence. He knows next to nothing of it's culture and what's clear is he doesnt want to know.
gary, london,
I thought politics was off the menu where the olympics is concerned. Oh, that's right. Only when those pesky liberals pipe up. Bit if it's about targeting the left then it's fair game.
What about Boris going over there for there for the closing ceremony? Free Tibet!
Patrick , London, Britain
Kaletsky is way off !
The most important function of democracy is to choose A government & to throw out old one. It is the right to prevent monopoly.
Majority vote doesn't have to be a good govt, and old one doesn't have to be bad.
If a good govt is not what people mainly aim for, what is?
Hu, London, England
Samuel Martin, Have you been to China before ?
Have you spoken to the locals about their charisma for the Olympics ?
Did you read the survey from an international organization that 80 % of Chinese people are happy with the way their life is ?
John, LA, USA.
"The most important function of democracy is not to choose good governments but to throw out bad ones. It is the right to eject bad governments that prevents tyranny." (Anatole Kaletsky)
This is the one argument that the China apologists can never counter. Personally, I'd like to see them try.
Rob, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Compared with what happened in Iraq, I'd much prefer what Chinese have in China now. I'd have to give credit to UK of having the most scandalous record in human history as to messing others up while making a profit from it.
Kerr, London,
well, I think you really need to pay a visit to my country and experience the life we are living.Actually I am not surprised about the opinion you hold about China,because the western countries knew little about the changes happened these decades.So,I invite you to come here.
Jiangyin, Beijing, China
Whats this obsession with "changing China"?Why don't you try & change Saudi Arabia with the same media zeal.Oh thats right China is the next super power and you're not only jealous of their achievements but scared too.Don't forget the destruction you brought China, guess you miss those "good days"
Brundi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
If only it was possible to send all of the loony left of Britain to China, permanently. Just like Kim Philby they pine for a totalitarian regime, of which they are the ones in control and conveniently overlook the ugly reality. The Chinese olympics were 1936 all over again.
Martin, London, UK
i lived in china for two years. you may want to look in the mirror a bit before throwing stones from your glass hut...
christopher brent, hawai`i, usa
Best article ever. In any newspaper. In any era. Best article ever. Well done Martin for speaking the truth.
Sean Hunter, Glasgow,
Pay a trip to China and talk to a few person on the street before you came to the delusion of "depressed" Chinese people.
Jerry, San Jose, USA
Martin, only August 2008 and already making excuses!
Dave, Perth, Australia
The achievement of China by Roger Eberton
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2008/08/the_triumph_of_china.html
Hugh Jhon, FL, USA
Mintin,I really think you should ask the local people what they think and what they want before you make your own decision
in a completely difference culture China.
kmlee, canton, china
Excellent piece, Martin. It is deeply saddening to see the change in emphasis from the IoC, where the games were meant to be a beacon of hope and positive force for change, they seem to have been taken in by the limitless funds available for China's magnificent and necessary showcase. Not here, bub.
PB, London, UK
Super piece. We should be proud of our sportswriters in this country. Mr Samuel, Jim Lawton, Paul Hayward, Simon Barnes , Jeff Powell, and Frank Keating never fail to hit their targets. They are incomparable.
stuart, Burry Port, Great Britain
Remember, China is an occupied country - thus the comparison with occupied Zimbabwe was quite astute. And South Africa suffers under an occupation regime too, but may still host the 2012 world cup. Ossetia in 2016 anybody?
Nick the Greek, Cape Town, South Africa
China is open to sure-footed reforms in economy, politics etc. Having abandoned the cold-war ideology, it is now focusing its attention on such social problems as poverty, inequality, corruption etc. Hence, the neo-Confucian doctrine of social harmony. It rejects anything that risks anarchy.
Edward, Bristol, UK
A population that is under total terrifying control will look essentially totally terrified. They don t go round grinning from ear to there. So by that observation this country is far more under total terrifying control than China. It is one of the defects of the Press in this country that it is always running everything down. It doesn t do itself any favours thereby because its opinions thus tend to be subject to instant scepticism. Not that I think you really mean what you portray, but it would be nice to have a more deliberately balanced account occasionally.
Henry Percy, London, UK
with a billion people to do any form of work the poliburo deem necessary,its going to take at least two generations for the enlightened chinese to change,its easier to look the other way ,nod like the plastic dog on display in the car and keep buying cheap goods,supporting west ham is just as bad..
jonnie, brixton, england
You should not imagine that China is progressing albeit so slowly towards democracy. The dictatorship of the Emperor was replaced by the dictatorship of the Communist Party. Mao could clearly see that one party rule would be easy to apply to a subject people. The Emperors are still firmly in charge.
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Excellent reporting.
Al, Southampton, UK
Sir,
I am sorry but I was really curious about how you came up with this statement about the local cheerful Chinese "...No, pal, and neither would you if you knew the consequences of complaint...". You are brain-washing people or you have been brain-washed. I dare say. Either way, it smells.
Peter, The Hauge,
Not a surprising article, the same old negative news. Some people just cannot be more negative. One can find a lot of negatives no matter the subjective country is China, UK or US.
David, USA, USA
Fantastic article, well-written and astute as always. I've been thinking this for much of the Games and am glad to see it argued much more skilfully than I could ever have.
Well done Mr Samuel!
Emma, Oxford,
ok, ok already. The cup of total control sucks. And I liked Led Zepelin out of a No.10, But, I had 30 years of slowly cook the froggy feminist emasculation went to work in China, and found it at a personal level, liberating. After 2,500 years of "tremble and obey" rulers, current rulers seem mild.
Dennis, Sydney, Australia
"There is such a thing as too much personal liberty."
Never. Please move to China, you're not welcome in the west.
Matt Perry, London,
This is a good article, and in the best tradition of British journalism - taking on the hypocracy and injustice meted out by the powers that be. Emporers new clothes articles like this are great for stimulating debate, and also counteract the appalling sycophancy of Livingstone, Jowell et al.
Mabbs, AD, UAE
What an excellent article.
While the world was being bedazzled by monkeymen and fireworks, the spirit of freedom was being mocked at every turn by totalitarian China.
As for re-education though Labour, the UK has been suffering this particularly unpleasant fate for a long while now.
Michael Birbeck, Ongar, Essex
Martin, I thought you were a good sportswriter. Chinese people know that they don't enjoy as much personal freedom as westerners and they don't yet have democracy. But they're not brainwashed. What you said is an insult to their intelligence.
KW, Hong Kong,
Is it so hard to accept or comprehend that the Chinese people would be proud to stage their first Olympics? Clearly the concept of working 14/15 hours a day is alien to some but the Chinese have never been shy of hard work. 1000's of dancers would have volunteered to have the honour of performing.
Alan T, Leeds, UK
No matter what china does,those people always have things to say...
lindsay, wuhan, china
The Chinese have been shown to be brutal, inhumane and controlling.Here we can have complete freedom of speech.Not so in China.Here we enjoy having world-class media, free from state interference.Not so in china.They live under anincreasingly totalitarian kleptocracy.
China is a disgrace.So sad.
Sue ming, Wembley, England
Why do people get so excited over the Olympics? Enlighten me please.
Jim, Berwick on Tweed,
Nothing to see here. Should UK worry about Russia invading Georgia, North Korean not destroying their nuclear weapons, increasing casualty in Iraqi war? Those are real events that happen now. Who care Olympics in the time of crisis?
jim, Dallas, USA
Thank you, Martin Samuel! For making a competitor or more less for China!
A proud Chinese, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
China is on a different historical track from that of western democracies. In Britain, how many centuries was it from Magna Carta until women were recognized as persons and not chattels? Likewise, China's political paradigm needs time to progress and only the Chinese can determine this change.
Patrick, Toronto, Canada
Has the journalist has ever been to China? Accusatory statements founded on v little! For 2012, won't performers (& athletes) also train for hours everyday to be part of the coming together of so many nations? Celebrate the dedication and the performance and leave out the politics!
Victorai, Chamonix, France
It is good whatever critising or supporting. I would like to hear the different voices just as Chinese government began to do so. Try to understand the topic which the openning ceremony try to transfer to the world. That is part of Chinese traditional philosophy: treating others well and harmony.
Jenny, sheffield, UK
Thank you Martin for voicing what people ,a whole lot of sanereal people actually think about the olympic games in China ,not the Tessa Jowells or Ken Livingstones but people who care about other ordinary ,oppressed human beings!!!
Jean, London, England
I've been to China many times in the past 8 years. I found the Chinese people to be warm, intelligent, genuine, eager to learn western ways, but most of all, loyal to their country. I have found it to be the same for any people in any country. Hey, I have an idea? Let's get rid of governments!
M Healy, San Diego, CA, USA
It is apparent that all the comments that have come from China are complimentary, or attack the west. Not many from the west attack the west, but some do and all could freely do so. Certainly 1936 was more slick than the austere 1948. The cost of both characteristics was the same, totalitarianism.
D.L. Stephens, York, England
The country is, of course, a one party state, but the situation in China is far more complex than this writer represents. He makes it sound like North Korea, which, no matter how mass choreographed the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies were, it is patently not. Clueless indeed.
JFK Miller, Shanghai, China
wow I thought China bashing is no longer fashionable. Just when I started to pick up my trust in the level of British journalism again, here we are - this little piece of thing filled with "logical thinking", "hard evidence","first-hand info" and "reliable insight". Oh my poor eyes.
Eva, London,
China has abandoned traditional Communism, but it doesn't want to go the way of Russia. So it will enter the future with a blend of technical excellence, and total population control. Judging by the dissipated state of much of Western society, we will soon be looking to them for guidance.
Antonio, Estepona,
It's a matter of degree. UK citizens do not have 100% freedom under our system of government.
Scaling up population necessarily involves reducing the precision of a government's treatment of each individual.
Jimmy, London,
Martin Samuel, the fact that we know about the fake fireworks, the miming girl and soldiers wearing nappies indicate that there is free speech in China. You think we have human rights and free speech in the UK? National security trumps both.
DL, London, UK
Did you talk to anyone when you were in Beijing ? The Chinese people differ from the west in 2 key ways: they are positive about the future and proud of their country.You measure freedom by your freedom to rant-they measure it by the freedom to be happy and freedom to walk safely down their streets.
Mike Blackburn, beijing, china
funny...
people who have never lived in china, know its history, speak its language, know so much about the welfare of its people...
dont go around assuming the moral high ground. and don't base your entire world view on what you hear from others.
pn, London,
When you organize an event, you want to go through rigorous planning and execution. (What else are you supposed to do???) This is how you get things done. China get an A+ from me.
NZ, phoenix, Arizona, USA
One feels ashamed of preaching "human rights"and "democracy" to China. Save it and let us sort our house out first on hooliganism, alcoholism, paedophilia and the increasing anarchic state by our so called "democracy" and "human rights". It is indulgency and irresponsible rather than anything else.
TWK, Peterborough, UK
We could easily afford to surpass the Beijing olympics. We would have to compulsory purchase half of London with no compensation, force thousands to work with no pay, and slash the NHS budget by billions. Won't happen because public opinion would be outraged and rightly so. No such worries in China.
anthony, Brum,
Well said, well said. Nothing to add. But Britain can certainly put on a great show despite not being a repressive one-party dictatorship that disregards the rights of its own people. I have no doubt 2012 will be terrific.
David, Washington DC, USA
The Beijing Olympics have certainly taught the rest of the world that there is still an unbridgeable gap in basic human values, freedom and justice and ways of logical thinking between China and everyone else. This has now been clearly stated and seems wider than ever before.
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
No pain, no gain. Western societies achieved their prosperity by imperialism, colonialism, and exploitation of the Third World through forced slavery and overtaking of resources. China will be doing the same to achieve supremacy. Have a nice day!
William, San Francisco,
The fine line I read is some dumb journalist who doesn't have clue what is really going on China. There is also a sense of jealousy that they pulled off a great Olympics....
Most negative people hate the fact the Chinese are taking up their rightful place among nations like before the 1800's....
George, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
What is really scary about this article, is the number of people who think China is doing nothing wrong by crushing freedom and democracy. Those people must live in a very scary place.
Arthur, Newcastle,
Dear westerners who is going out against China:
If I were you, I will say a lot sweet words than bitter words, as this probably works better! Now Chinese wouldnt think of your western's concept of Freedom or Democracy any more! How can they so gratefully learn from you while being humilated! ha ha
tim, london,
The unfortunate price of economic progress is human suffering. I'm glad I didn't go through it in this country, but thousands did, and yet we now expect the Chinese to play by different rules. Our forefathers were evicted, imprisoned and starved for your right to read this, don't forget.
Mike, Bristol, UK,
No country is perfect. China has come that far. It has its flaws but the system is working. With such a large population, China can't afford complete democracy now. Historically Chinese people think highly of 'harmony'. That is why we are willing to do things that are beyond Martin's imagination.
Yuan, London,
the chinese people you saw at the olympics and those that are able to respond to such articles as this are in the minority and are doing very nicely from a repressive culture so too the ex-pats living in China telling us how great it is. The majority suffer. compassion? morals? equality?
martin o'neill, Tsaotun, Taiwan
Remind me again, when was the last time a Chinese athlete defected to the west?
Dave, Perth, Australia
The Olympics is all about the hatred of freedom and individuality, how do you think they managed to cover , The Nazis, Soviets , China in such little time. The OIC must be thrilled they have helped crushed peasants under boot's of the state yet again.
Gavin, London, GB
That's hilarious. The only way two out of a billion-plus people could possibly be dissatisfied with a totalitarian regime is because of "outside agitation."
Tom, Washington, DC, USA
And the British Government in enabling private citizens with penal powers over others? China is looking good to me from here. At least their Big Brother admits its intentions, unlike the Euro despots.
Jon, Bath,
West doomed if happy serf chat typical of citizenry. Founding fathers warned, watch out for serfs willing to trade Freedom's Responsibilities for "security" of bread/circus from state. Freedom is hard, take care of self /others. Twits who think free=sex drugs hooliganism ok already lost it.
sherry, Hico, Texas, USA
Who can run a country of 1.3 Billion all with improving living standards? China can - but imagine if the governments of the USA or the UK tried there would be mayhem.
People in glass houses------------
I live in China and my son is safer here than in London etc etc
Dave Peacock, Beijing, China
It's so irritating that you relate everything good in China you can think of to human rights. Volenteers in China train 14 hours a day for the pride of their Country is branded by you as no alternative! What a laugh! ... You never understand country comes in first!
Joseph, London, UK
Yuan - in such an oppressive country would 85% say otherwise? Were the 15% who said they were unhappy sent away for "re-education". I'm sure peope living in Stalinist Russia claimed they were "happy with the government" because if they didn't they'd be off to the gulags.
Sam, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Living in the same country as JR 'these-have-been-exceptional-Olympics', I cannot say how ashamed I am. It was clear that the Chinese authorities did not just control their own...
Vinnie, Bonheiden, Belgium
To Hamish:
It is nonsense to suggest people's home were destroyed without compensation. However, there were a few who would not accept the compensation package despite the package were accepted by the majority. They are called "nails" in china and typically they do get more by being awkward.
Mark Lee, Birmingham, UK
Patrick Cavanagh, I am certainly interested in the fate of those two old ladies, unfortunately most of the world isn't. As I watched all the celebrations when our athletes came home, all I could think about was those two women who will probably die in prison due to their age and frailty.
Liz, London,
I think this article shows a bunch of sour grapes in the west, especially in UK where the next Olympics takes place.
Clare, London, UK
We don't know who are actually behind the two old chinese women applying for protest. There may be are some foreign people or human right groups paid money to them and asked them to protest. Similar case happened in Hong Kong several years ago.
uwqi, Peking,, China
China is the model for the EU in the 'post-democratic' age being planned for.
David, Chester,
Lived in China for nearly 3years. This portrait is so far off as to be comical in so many ways. People here are proud of the national effort to produce a great olympics. I think for London 2012 taxi drivers may also report suspicious requests to the police. One bomber was caught in a city near me.
Paul, Wuhu, China
"A benign totalitarianisn is better than anarchy, which is what we have...in Britain"
Ian Cheese you should be ashamed of yourself. Firstly for the hyperbole that Britain today is anarchic.
But mainly for the first part of your statement. How do we ensure a benign dictatorship remains benign?
Ed W, London,
All this righteous indignation doesn't really wash! Perhaps if we spent a little less time trying to impose our flawed standards on others and let them make the choices themselves,if the people are unhappy with the system they will change it.Richer workers will eventually ask their own questions.
neal, Reading,
I have lived in the West for 10 years and China for 3 years. America and Europe are definitely not the model for any other country to build a nation - it is rotting away to the coreI Give me China any time.
S K LIN, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I won't deny problems exist in modern China. But people are free to talk about what they want so long as they don't cause problems for the government. They are optimistic for the future; better off each year; well educated and healthy. Articles like this just make them lose face and reject the west
paul, Wuhu, China
Matthew Bailey,
No no no, by just taking a peek at the swastika-alike (some call it logo), one can tell "l"ondon easily comes the best, in light of 1936. That "inspiring" tatoo boosts various innovative color schemes which 1936 lacked.
BTW, good luck with that hedge bus too. A very nice bus...
WONG, Amsterdam, NL
From the BBC commentary for the opening ceremony to this article, the media has sought to politicize the Beijing Games rather than enjoy it for the amazing spectacle that it was. I am British born Chinese, proud of the Games put on by China and my heritage. I hope that I will be as proud in 2012.
Alan T, Leeds, UK
You can't change a medieval society into a Western-style Democracy overnight. It took us over 500 years to do it - and the real benefits only came in the last 100. China's advance in the last 30 have been astonishing. Get real - and watch out.
Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.
Martin Samuel, you clearly live in the PRISON of your prejudiced view, just like many of your fellow Royal subjects. You know absolutely nothing about today's China, just old imaginations. I just say one thing here: despite control, Chinese people aren't afraid of their government at all.
Mark Lee, Birmingham, UK
Throughout history democracy has had no place in China. Chinese conception of an ideal king is one who was strong, ruthless, kept the country together and expanded its frontiers. No notion of a benevolent king period. Thus, Chinese are OK with totalitarian rule and are proud of their country.
pahari, Delhi, India
As a Chinese, I have to say: Very well said indeed. Perspicacious and incisive. Spot on!
Well done!
Francis, Bristol,
I don't know what all the fuss is about. I thought these were the best Olympics since 1936.
Matthew Bailey, London, England
I don't think Westerners have the concept of "giving face" down. The more you criticise China openly, the less likely they are to change. Changes are going to happen behind closed doors.
Natalie, Hemel Hempstead,
Is it disputed that people's homes were destroyed, without compensation, to make way for the games? Is it disputed that water supplies were diverted to cater for the games, depriving an agricultural region of the most basic resource needed for survival? If not, then China has little to be proud of.
Hamish, Dundee,
Martin, everything comes at a cost. Many people in Britain don't feel safe within their own country eg. gratuitous violence day in day out, shootings, etc, etc. A benign totalitarianisn is better than anarchy, which is what we have managed to achieve in Britain.
ian cheese, london, uk
Brilliant! Would that our political leaders had the courage to speak of the evil of communism in these words.
Rob, London,
'Triumph of the Will?' Wasn't that Hitler's literal definition of the Berlin Olympics?
Arnold Attard, Brighton, UK
Brilliant economic progess, burgeoning capitalism, a huge country, an out-of-date, oppressive political system, rebellious provinces, a new middle class, growing importance on the international stage......this was Russia in 1914 and is China today.
Frank Upton, Solihull,
China has lifted hundereds of millions of people out of poverty in just 30 years. It has become the 3rd largest economy in the world. Recent survey (by a Western company) showed that 85% of Chinese are happy with the government and fully confident with their country. That must have said something.
Yuan, Shanghai,
No one who had been to China recently would recognise this picture. I travelled round China in July. People were happy to talk about politics and protests. It's not a democracy, but freedoms are coming thick and fast. They're going quickly in the right direction. Could we same the same?
Martin, Birmingham,
Martin Samuel,I think you had read 'Pride And Prejudice',but I believe you didn't really understand it.
welcome to china,maybe you'll chang your mind .
Actions speak louder than words.
Amy, shanghai,
I admit that we have a long way to go to establish fully developed democracy, but don't forget that it took western countries several hundreds of years to do so, More than 100 years ago, China was still a semi-feudal,semi-colonized society, chinese still underwent western powers' invasion.
Renee, Changchun, China
Why not to talk with your Olympic reporters who have talked with these Opening ceremony volunteer ? You will know that they are very glad to do it . If give me a chance to be one of Opening ceremony volunteer , I will like to do everything . 14-16 wokrs per day ? It is not important .
Paul, Ningbo, China
If whoever that was from Malaysia thinks that Chinese people are more clued up, about world news, than 'Non Asians,' then he or she must be about as clued up as they are.
Pete Wasabi, shenzhen, China
Excellent article Martin, great to finally see these games placed in their political and socio-economic context. As grand as the ceronomies & stadia were, and as fantastic as the sporting action was, for me these Olympics were about China trying too hard to impress the West through smoke & mirrors
Sam, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ironically, the western countries which slate China's human rights issues are the ones that invaded China 150 years ago. More than 50 years ago, a lot of chinese were still facing the poverty and starvation, it's pointless to talk about human rights with a person who is on an empty stomach.
Renee, Changchun, China
Best Olympics since 1936.
Ethan, Surrey, UK
Try to look on the bright side.
tuoya, hulunbeier, china
Thank you, Martin for a welcome return to decency. Totalitarian regimes can indeed produce marvels- friends of mine were amazed by the marble subways of Moscow and I loved the remains of ancient Egypt. That opening ceremony was a sight I'll never forget. Yet in the end, people come first.
G Davidson, Kashiwa, Japan
Anyone who visited China before or during the games will know that most Chinese people where genuinely proud -- and not because they had a gun in their back. Morevoer, the writer grossly underestimates the Chinese people, who have already turfed out one repressive regime within living memory.
John, Stafford,
The western media need to be careful. Asians today are better educated, better read and better informed than ever before. They read, watch and follow the western media which dominate the international media. But, unlike the average western reader, Asians also read their own media.
udayakumar, cyberjaya, malaysia
While plenty of Chinese beg on the streets to survive, especially the disabled and elderly, it's hard to accept that the Chinese people thought it a good idea to spend twice as much as any other country on hosting the games. Half the extravaganza would still have been a great show.
Angela, Guangzhou, China
china is a lovely country, why do you always make much ado about nothing? I am a common chinese, and my nationality is mogolian, I feel happy all the time since I was born....
I love china!!!ROREVER!!!
TUOYA, yimin, china
The reality in China is far more complex than suggested in undergraduate polemics such as this. Not only is it incredibly patronising of Chinese people but also blithely uncomprehending of western democracy.
John, Stafford,
Gentlemen
I write this from India. As the world's largest democracy,we have a unstable Pakistan and a totalitarian China as our neighbours. The west should stop dealing with China. Only then will sanity creep. Stop buying cheap Chinese goods. Its cheap because the state sets the prices,subsidies...
Swami, Bangalore, India
This article at its posts are ignorant and biased. I am in Beijing typing this post right now, now if it was as oppressed as the media makes it seem, how can be reading this article in the first place? Why don't you actually come to Beijing and speak to most locals like I have to see how they feel?
Andrew, Beijing , China
It may not have occurred to you, dear author, that at least some of the Chinese volunteers would not think to complain as much as you do here. You really should read Tony Blair's opinion piece today in the Wall Street Journal today (8/26). Things don't change overnight, unlike in the world of media.
Miles, New York City, USA
Yes, there is more to the Olympics than just choreography, "harmony". That's the Chinese character formed by so called "soldiers". Over the past 20-25 years, China lifted over 300 million people out of poverty. I guess you will say they are "oppressed" to live a wealthier life.
Jake, Edmonton, Canada
Finally, someone who saw the same Olympics I did. There must be money changing hands for leaders of other countries to even suggest this was a great Olympics. Anyone in China who says otherwise is dead.
Rich, San Angelo, USA
Brillant!. I only wish more people would see reality instead of being brainwashed by dances, lights and color.
Dolores Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador
Really great article, a huge shot in the arm for the many who have been drawn in by the bright lights of the Olympics and and started to forget the realities of China. Well done...
Tomas Finnerty, Sydney, Australia
Those people losing homes, umbrella dancers and 900 soldiers ARE truly happy for their sacrifice. Actually not only happy, but very proud. You have to understand the difference between our chinese philosohpy and yours. Otherwise, your comments will make us sicker and sicker. Kim,Its NOT a 'spot on'!
Alan, Shanghai, China
I know this is an opinion piece but I would really appreciate some sources. There are a few things that probably are true but are hard to believe: Girls stripped naked, 14 - 15 hours a day of training for six months, soldiers wearing nappies. People, having read this, will quote you as their source.
Michael, Parramatta, Australia
And if, Sam Young, the French Government suddenly took away your "personal liberty"; how high up the wailing list would you be?
Great aericle, thank you for that.
Ray, Sydney,
People losing homes, umbrella dancers and 900 soldiers ARE TRULY happy for their sacrifice. Actually not only happy, but feel very proud. You have to understand the difference between our chinese philosophy and our understanding of human rights and yours.
Alan, Shanghai, China
Funny thing is while the west keep saying how badly chinese are treated and pushed by the government, we chinese don't really think the same way. Even worse, the west media just focus on a few anti-china protests and just 'wisely' ignore the huge voice of vast majority of chinese.
Alan, Shanghai, China
Look who's wide-eyed and clueless. You wouldn't know the meaning of sacrifice until you've endured 100 years of poverty and humiliation. Freedom can't feed an empty stomach. China has to take baby steps towards democracy and not plunge headlong into it. Give them time.
LaoChuang, Perth, Australia
Average Chinese people live with far more freedoms and choices now than before... and are thankful for it. Of course there are problems in the country and of course the government does things no one can justify. But this China bashing is as clueless and myopic as the Sino cheerleaders!
Tim, Seoul, Korea
To A Johnson, Christchurch
FYI: The girl's age is true. IOC proved that China didn't cheat. Have you read the latest news about that? Some Japanese investigators even called on her childhood friends, neighbours, and teachers and prove that the age is true. Have you watched the Japanese TV program?
Ran, York, UK
You didn't see the voluntary hard work by thousands of Chinese who really want to make these Games great. You didn't (want to) know that millions of Chinese whole-heartedly support the country's bid for the Olympics. The success of the Olympiad belongs to the Chinese people, not the government!
He Ping, Beijing,
Maybe you Englishman should go to free the poor people!Why not send your troops just like what you did in Iraq?Will you show the world how you invade the poor country a hundred years ago in the openning ceremony of London Olympic Games.Freedom?You make me feel sick
chunmaoxie, beijing,
Martin Samuel expressed my opinions, and, perhaps, those of most Tibetans, perfectly.
Deborah Wade, Sandia Heights, New Mexico, USA
Is it okay to restrict basic human rights to its people, So long as country can host a grand olympic? Olympic is nothing when citizen can't question its own govt on spending billions and kicking out residents from their own home.
IOC should get the biggest gold medal for thier part.
Chris Chung, NY, USA
aH, EXCELLENT!!!!!
jonas, liverpool, uk
Will London emulate Beijing in cheating? Beijing has shown that if articles are found that show it is lying about the ages of its gymnasts, it can going through and fix the offending articles. Will London be able to modify the birth dates of its competitors if it needs to? (Google He Kexin)
A Johnson, Christchurch, New Zealand
Every country has his own problem, including yours.
lu, liken,
That's totally nonsense,i am afraid. How can you make such a big event without even making a little bit of sacrifice? No pain no gain is the truth.And we Chinese are honoured and happy to put forward such game to the rest of the world with our hardwork and sweat.
Steven Italiona, guangzhou, China
Insightful, but most Chinese people look joyful is real instead of fearing the consequences of complaint, they were educated to be "patriot" since primary school. how could you ask a person to write comment of a wine when he/she never tasts it?
phillip, Shanghai, China
An area of a Beijing park was set aside for protests. You could apply for a licence to stage one. Seven applied and none were granted, though the applicants were condemned to political re-education. Newly appointed mayor of Beijing was formerly the gauleiter of the Autonomous Region of Tibet
Graham Snodt, Cape Town, RSA
So the athletes are returning home to the arms of the marketers and corporations that will transfer the gold medals into rivers of gold for the corporations.A pepsi gold,a coca cola gold and apple gold.
Anyone interested in the fate of two old women undergoing reeducation for the next 12 months?
Patrick Cavanagh, Brisbane, Australia
I am still grateful to be living in a country where articles such as this one can be published. Way to go, Martin Samuel!
R. Douglas, Princes Risborough, UK
I don't care.
There is such a thing as too much personal liberty. I think China did a great job.
Sam Young, Paris, France
Is Rogge pronounced Rogue?
Richasrd Bale, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Excellent. Best piece on the Olympics I've read so far. There's a whole book to be written on the Beijing Games....in good time, as the whole truth emerges.
Chris, Hong Kong,
Absolutely spot on. Thank you so much for a welcome touch of reality. Now, while the nations of the world relax and count their medals, spare a thought for Tibetan dissidents, whom the Chinese authorities can now deal with comfortably, at leisure and with complete impunity.
Kim Birley, Upper Woodstock, Tasmania