China in 2008

My thoughts on the Chinese Olympics are thus:

Yes, the government of the People's Republic of China is brutal. But nobody suffers more from its brutality than the people under its jurisdiction.

They have endured so much. Crushing poverty, isolation, gory revolutions, disappearances, the destruction of their own beautiful culture from the outside in.

Now, finally, people are getting a taste of wealth and commerce and increased communication with the rest of the world. Hosting the Olympics in Beijing is an honor and a privilege for the entire nation. It implies a sense of participation and belonging and goodwill in the greater community of Planet Earth.

The people of China deserve it.

Ai Wei Wei, the architect of the new Olymipc stadium in Beijing, has denounced the games. He is saddened that the scale of civic renovation is for the sake of the games only, so as not to lose face on the world stage. Watch an Al Jazeera interview with him here.

This is damning, coming from someone so intimately involved. At the same time, greater scrutiny from the international community may chasten the government of the PRC into making the very changes he suggests.

To boycott the games would send a very sad message to the Chinese citizens. It would be an insult to the Government, but also to the people. As though we were saying we do not want the finest gifts they have to offer:

Aside from the obvious irony of America taking anyone to task on human rights these days, I think the best thing we can do is lead by example. China is an important partner, and I hope we can evolve together.