Rio de Janeiro Wins, My Memory of Beijing Bid 16 Years Ago

I can only image how emotional people are when the IOC president announced the name, Rio de Janeiro!

Sixteen years ago in Xi'an, around the same time in 1993, the day when I got up at 3am along with many many coworkers, and we were all standing outside amid early morning chill and watching anxiously the only TV set available for the whole work unit, many of us were young and feeling strong about the Beijing's bid to host the 2000 Olympic games.

Finally the moment came, the president opened the exactly same envelop, I remember clearly the envelop because they all had the five ring mark. I held my breath, and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

I had to look around to ease the breathlessness, and found that my colleagues, young in their 20s, many fresh out of schools and went through the 1989 Tiananmen student pro-democracy movement, looked just as tense as if they were ready to jump up and grape someone in their throats.

All in a sudden, no one utter a single word. Some of us even closed their eyes. But all ears were on the mouth that uttered the simple words....

I announce the host city for the 2000 Olympics......(the envelop was opened) The moment was unbearable long and enduring.

Sydney!
OHHHHH.......Aaaa...........

Everyone looked confused and in denial. We turned to each other, as if the opponent has a answer for the obvious question: How come for we put so much hope, it could be busted like a balloon?

Still in disbelieve, people disappread into the predawn darkness, all the excitment, anexity, wish went along with them.

Sports and Politics

Looking back to 2008, one of the biggest event to China would be the Beijing Olympics. During the seven years leading to August 8, 2008, Beijing went through a facelift. And looking forward, many years later, people will possibly still attribute some big impacts to China to the 14 days.

Indeed, the relationship between sports and politics like water and milk. Dr. Victor Cha, former U.S. National Security Council Asian Director, explained in today's briefing to introduce his new book on sports and politics in Asia.

Why Asia?

According to Dr. Cha, Sports are particularly politicized in Asia for the reasons:
1. frequency, such events as BJ Olympics are truly big and significant events to not be politicized
2. So many resolved historic issues in the region
3. developments associated with big sports events

Regarding BJ Olympics, Cha pointed that there are four benchmarks: first being perform well, which China leads with the most gold medals, second being host well, Atlanta is not good, Sydney is good, BJ is good, too. Third being Clean Air, which had made such a huge issue before the games and the expect ion was so low that no one cared too much any more during the games. Fourth being marginalized demonstrations, which China effectively avoided and controlled.

Cha also pointed out that on 08/08/08, the opening day, Russia invaded Georgia, which was godsend good news to BJ Olympics, as all in a sudden a news cycle start that people turn attention away from Beijing, all the bad news such as Tibet issue activists, underaged gymnasts, lip sync,etc are not on the top news worldwide any more.

Even like many people, he thinks the BJ games were just too perfect, not organic. Next games in London will certainly turn the games back to real games, However, Cha did point out that the profound impacts to China are probably yet to play out.

what's wrong with the Olympics?

Taiwan President Ma Yingjiu travels to Lantin American vie the U.S., he said he wouldn't do anything that may anger China.


As peace returns to Georgia and Russia, everyone wonders how far a full blown war will break out, considering Russia assert s its oil money supercharged muscle and China as the undoubtedly superpower already considering its gold medal sweeping this week in Beijng.

9-year girl lip-sync at the opening ceremony, the spectacular fire works of giant food ended up being a piece of computer graphic work.
What's wrong with the Beijing Olympics? Is it just started?


Japan's economy, the second largest in the world, shrinks 0.6 percent in the first quarter from April to June.


Just when foreign tourists flood Beijing this week, they are asking, where are the Yaoming shirts, Liu Xiang mugs?

Twp Days To Beijing Olympics

Finally, The torch climbs the the Great Wall of China
(Left: Jiji Press Photo)


Over 80 leaders of different countries gather in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow, including U.S. President Bush, who will be in Beijing soon.


Just when you think everyone is forgetting about it, then all in a sudden, Toxic Dumplings came to attention again. This time, Chinese eat the dumplings and got sick. (Who said only Japanese are picky...)


Not only he attends the opening ceremony, he will not meet Dalai Lama, either. A 180 degree turn for French President Sarkozy


A bridge to connect Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai will start construction in 2010.

4 days to the Olympics

Two Japanese journalists, one reporter of Tokyo Shumbun and one cameramen of Nippon Television were beaten by Chinese policemen where reporting The Olympics in China.


Following the terror attack in Kasgar in XinJiang, where 16 were killed and 16 were injured, the security, which is already highly tightened, were further strengthened in China


If you are in Beijing, you may be able to taste a Chinese restaurant that offers Olympic Menu?


A Hong Kong men paid out of his own pocket to educate homeless kids to be the volunteers that speak FIVE languages, they are active in Beijing busiest shopping street, Check the video here


600 strictly selected art school students and dancers will showcase Chinese traditional music at the Olympic Opening ceremony

Fukuda Shuffles Cabinet, 7 Days to Olympics

Japan's Fukuda shuffles cabinet, with the title of "Safe and Realist" cabinet. (Yomiuri Shimbun)


How China and America view differently on the Fukuda new cabinet? (Kyodo News)


China's Hu Jintao held a very rare press briefing
(Yomiuri Shumbun)


Good Gesture from Beijing, today China lift bans on many foreign media websites inside China, such as BBC, etc. However, no one knows how long it is going to last? (Asahi Shimbun)


Have seen the Diamond Ring of the Sun? Check the video clip out
(TBS News)


What's the relations between the Olympics and the Terra Cotta arriors in Xi'an?
(Kyodo News)

8 Days to Beijing Olympics

A Beijing Olympics dress rehearsal video shot by Seoul Broadcasting System leaked in the internet. In case you want to take a sneak view. here is the link.


Business suffers from strict visa rules imposed by Chinese authority right before the Olympics.


Surprising! Japanese population increases for the first time in three years, reach 126 million. Returnees and naturalization attributes to the increase.


Japanese embassy in Beijing warns sports fans to curb their enthusiasms.


Have you checked out the Olympics all competitions Schedule Yet?


China's newest fitness phenomenon


Is it an Anxiety Olympics?

9 Days to Olympics

More troubles in China just before the opening of the Olympics


China closes down 30 factories that make illegal drugs to boost athletes performance


It seems the five Fortune Babies (Fuwa) didn't bring doughs to Beijing, three star hotels see only less than 40 percent of rooms are booked.


BBC Chinese website will be allowed to be viewed inside China


Video of Dress Rehearsal for the Opening ceremony


Italian Prime Minister Will not go to Beijing, reason: Temperature over 50C

11 Days to Olympics

Beijing flexes its muscle, this time in international trade. At WTO's recent meeting in Geneva, China gets the first seat in selecting negotiating group.


Washington, at the same time, slams China and India at the trade talks.


Rice also warns Beijing on security


北京五輪期間中　テロに注意を＝邦人に呼び掛け－日本大使館


北京五輪「テロ突撃隊」、装備費用は1人450万円


北京五輪ホームステイ家庭に、防毒マスク配布

奥运赛场将实现中英法三种语言播报

北京奥运安保严防自杀式袭击及刺杀

Olympics turn woods into enemies

A mass protest and clash break out in Guangdong province, China, a new wave of social unrest just days before the Olympics to be opened raise questions about effectiveness of Beijing's control over local unrests.


Parents of the students who died buried in collapsed buildings in Sichuan Earthquake agreed to be payed 60,000 yuans ($8000 dollars) to settle the dispute with the government.

为奥运草木皆兵？(Olympics turn woods into enemies?)
Beijing Capital Airport will be closed during the Opening ceremony on August 8


Beijing and Tokyo definitely get hotter by day -- China and Japan will have another leader summit, just days after they met in Hokkaido, this time at the Olympics Opening in Beijing, when Fukuda will attend and possible meet Hu Jintao to discuss recent development in Six-party talks.

At the same time, Washington is also gearing up to Asia. Not only Bush will attend Beijing's coming out party celebration, and Condi Rice will follow up to attend the closing ceremony, but Rice will also attend the Six-party foreign minister meet in Singapore at the end of July.

Sarkozy goes--"Correct" Decision

Sarkozy to attend Beijing Olympics opening


How does Sarkozy's decision sound to you? Chinese President Hu Jintao--"Correct"


U.S. spy cases raise concern on China's intentions


Olympics let Beijing recyclers to go away


China says kills five Uighurs seeking "holy war"


Have you seen "The People's Republic of Capitalism" on the Discovery Channel?


Thank goodness, China still lags behind of US in influence


China's silencing season


A British Tibetan is deported in Beijing

Beijing or not?

Who goes, who not? Anyone, Beijing?

As a host of this year's G-8 summit, Japan's Fukuda is eager to show his good will toward Beijing and among the major leaders first to indicate his intention to attend the Olympics opening ceremony on August 8, and he said he would tell the news to Chinese President Hu Jintao next week, when they meet in Toyako, Hohaido for the G-8.

Bush seems to be in the game, too. Even the White House spokeswoman Perino has said the President didn't think a boycott is a good idea, Bush has not said he will go. However, considering the recent development in North Korea, Bush seems to be ready to make a legacy in U.S. foreign policy in Asia. As a major player in North Korea and other issues, China is needed by the U.S. more by day than Beijing needs Washington, so however the short trip it will be, Bush seems to be in the Go camp.

Then there is fence standing camp, French's Sarkozy belongs there. He has said whether go to Beijing or not depends on the recent talks between Beijing and Dalai Lama's representatives. Now, the talks has ended, he is still undecided. Actually, there is not so much time left for Mr. Sarkozy to make up his mind, Chinese official media has indicated that he is not welcomed by Chinese people, since he linked the trip with Tibetan issue, an issue that Beijing considers to be an internal affair.

No Go camp includes German Chancellor Merkel, UN secretary Ban Ki Moon, and Japanese royal family among leaders from former communist party countries such as Poland.

The next week's G-8 Summit may well turn to be a referendum and final stage to define who goes, and who don't.

US-China Economic Stragety Meeting Opens in Maryland

Fourth round US-China Economic Strategy meeting open in Maryland


Japan sunk a Taiwanese fishing boat near disputed Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands, and stirred up a diplomatic crisis among Japan, Taiwan and China, now the Taibei side seems to be willing to be flexible in talking to Tokyo.


Beijing Olympic torch arrives in Urumqi, Xinjing, the region is known for tense relations between Han majority and Urygul minority. Locals are barred from going out to welcome the torch.


IOC Chairman Said Beijing Olympics has steered away from a crisis.


Olympic Torch To Lahsa has been set at June 21, scheduled 3-day has been shortened to one day only.

58 days to Beijing Olympics

China mainland and Taiwan delegates meet for the first time since the relationship warms up.


One month after the Sichuan Earthquake, parents of school students who buried died inside collapsed buildings demand for justice.


China's military budget ranks World's No. 3 and Japan is No. 5


What's the best Japanese companies for Dad to work for?


Oil passes $138 a barrel, in the U.S., even polices are affected, instead of patrol cars, they drive golf carts.


58 Days to Beijing Olympics

Road to Beijing Olympics

Today marks the start of torch rally for Beijing Olympics, the torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, and will travel through five continents. Amid protests on issues of press freedom, human rights and recent Tibetan riots, the ceremony has been interrupted and shadowed by protesters and activists. (TBS News)


Regarding Tibetan riots, Police in Beijing announced have arrested five Tibetans for setting fire in Llahsa.(TBS)


Even Secretary of State Condi Rice calls for negotiations between Beijing and Dalai Lama to solve the situation in Tibet.


A Chinese American in California was charged with espionage for Chinese military and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Japan's Next Export to China

Who has ever thought about the next export to China from Japan is Ski instructions and Ski culture. However, with the ever growing China's new rich are hungry for anything that is fun and new, no one should be surprised to see that around Beijing, within the past year or two, 15 ski facilities were opened.

Japanese instructors are warmly welcomed in Beijing, however, to their biggest surprise, the facility is so well maintained and yet the skiers don't know how to stop in a safe manner.

Interested to know more and see a video, check out a TBS news clip (in Japanese) Here.

Road to Olympics: Water Cubic Opens

From today, I will post more on Beijing Olympics, after all, it is only a seven months and 200 some days away. Today is the opening and the tragedy:

Water Cubic, the nickname for water sports including swimming, diving and synchronized swimming debuts. It is also the largest in the World, which holds over 17,500 audience.


Bird Nest, the nickname for the main stage for Olympics, hosting the opening ceremony, has seen at least two workers' death from start of the construction, British press reported that more than 10 deaths and the more tragic than the deaths is that the government has hidden them until been exposed by the press.