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Does China deserve a 'fair go'? What has the IOC achieved?

By Arthur Thomas - posted Friday, 18 April 2008


While the use of military force, intimidation, suppression of human rights and media manipulation work as one to impose "respect and order" and a "harmonious society" within China, such means are abhorred in the global community.

The international community has responded to China's request for technology and expertise. Foreign input was integral in helping China build its futuristic skylines, Three Gorge's Dam, Tibet Railway, mining, environmental management, and so on. Russian, US, Canadian and European experts provided technical advice and technology ranging from rail construction across permafrost, tunnelling in seismically active regions and state of the art systems controls for the Tibet Railway. The US supplied the high performance high altitude engines for the locos and Canada, the carriages. South Africa's revolutionary nuclear pebble reactor forms the basis for its joint venture with Tsinghua University and Huaneng.

Engineers, economists and architects do applaud China's efforts, but it is not for China to demand respect for these achievements. Respect is a human gift, but unlike material achievement, it is freely given for the respect and recognition of the dignity and rights of mankind.

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When the Games are over, Beijing will be back to normal and industry will ratchet up production to cover the financial losses suffered due to the Olympic shut down. On the streets, the low quality fuel will be back in the cars and trucks, pushing air pollution back above previous levels. Free of penalty, the muzzles will be back on most journalists. As for water, the SNWDP will not be completed before the end of 2010 and Hebei and Beijing farmers will continue to pay the price. To cope with urban expansion under the 11th Five Year Plan, 11 new satellite cities are planned around Beijing alone.

So! Just what did the IOC achieve with its commitments from China?

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About the Author

Arthur Thomas is retired. He has extensive experience in the old Soviet, the new Russia, China, Central Asia and South East Asia.

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