Beijing and the Olympics

With China hosting the 2008 Olympics, much concern has arisen around the world. There are many people that oppose such an oppressive nation, a nation that lacks basic human right freedoms. However, senior Chinese officials, as well as the International Olympic Committee believe having the Olympics in China can do nothing but better that nation. Beijing leaders stated that having the Olympics could aid in human rights development in China, and thus far improvements have been made. According to senior leaders and the IOC, China has improved their labor system, which consisted of long unbearable work days, for less than minimum wage. They also stated that journalists and reporters will have total freedom when printing stories about the Olympics, something that has never happened before. However, oppositionists declared that the labor system has not improved, and no outside pressure can make China change their current system. Others dispute the claim of total freedom of journalists reporting on the Olympics stating that those who oppose the government will not be “around” to state their opinions to reporters; the secret police will make sure those in opposition of the Chinese government will not be interviewed. The IOC’s stance on this issue is they do not involve themselves in political and social situations; they focus on the Olympics which is a coming together of people for a sporting event. In closing, China never promised to improve human right freedoms in China. They suggested that having the Olympics in China would better their nation. The only pledge China made was to improve the air quality for the Olympic Games and decrease traffic jams during the 2008 Olympics. Those are two criteria Beijing is currently working on, so that the Olympics can be held on schedule.