Spring Break
Passing of the torch
As the Olympic Games end, China marches toward a more open future
By: Kenny Ryan
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Opinion
In the 59 years since, China has slowly but surely built its way out of the ashes of war and back into the super power its size suggests it should be. Its methods have been questionable, and aid to the growing nation has been scarce when available at all. But one Chinese finger trap at a time, the economy has been built to where it is today; a communist nation with economic weight that rivals that of the king of capitalism.
As sure as any Hollywood crime lord that rises to power from poverty on the streets, China's methods have been anything but clean, literally.
In blatant disregard for its environment, China's foundations are built on factories that pour pollution into the ancient land. The reason for China's faked fireworks display is that the nation had to film the show weeks early so it could capture a rare, clear blue-sky day.
Fireworks weren't the only victims of rampant pollution. Many athletes arrived to the games at the last possible moment to avoid being weakened by the smog that saturates the air around the Chinese capitol.
China is far from perfect, but it seems to be working on it.
Popular support of democratic reform has slowly spread through China. Since the British gave China control of Hong Kong in 1997, more and more Chinese have been exposed to western cultures.
Progress might be measured in the medals of gold that China's athletes wore around their necks, but points may be deducted for the number of 14-year-old necks.
Questions still swirl around the ages of Chinese Olympians whose passports conveniently list one of them as turning the required age of 16 on Jan. 1, 2008, just in the nick of time.
As the Olympics end the U.S. finds itself second fiddle to its red rival, trailing in gold medals 36 to 51. The rising influence of China as it competes with the U.S., and the increasing demand for westernization by a Chinese population tired of its repressive government brings another Bob Dylan lyric to mind.
"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
Leaders of America and China might want to listen to a little more Dylan.
As sure as any Hollywood crime lord that rises to power from poverty on the streets, China's methods have been anything but clean, literally.
In blatant disregard for its environment, China's foundations are built on factories that pour pollution into the ancient land. The reason for China's faked fireworks display is that the nation had to film the show weeks early so it could capture a rare, clear blue-sky day.
Fireworks weren't the only victims of rampant pollution. Many athletes arrived to the games at the last possible moment to avoid being weakened by the smog that saturates the air around the Chinese capitol.
China is far from perfect, but it seems to be working on it.
Popular support of democratic reform has slowly spread through China. Since the British gave China control of Hong Kong in 1997, more and more Chinese have been exposed to western cultures.
Progress might be measured in the medals of gold that China's athletes wore around their necks, but points may be deducted for the number of 14-year-old necks.
Questions still swirl around the ages of Chinese Olympians whose passports conveniently list one of them as turning the required age of 16 on Jan. 1, 2008, just in the nick of time.
As the Olympics end the U.S. finds itself second fiddle to its red rival, trailing in gold medals 36 to 51. The rising influence of China as it competes with the U.S., and the increasing demand for westernization by a Chinese population tired of its repressive government brings another Bob Dylan lyric to mind.
"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
Leaders of America and China might want to listen to a little more Dylan.
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com