Did your opinion of China change because of their ability to host a great 2008 Summer Olympics show?

Question

It has been opined by some that China needed to be the best host the Olympics ever had and perform this extravagant show to become respected on the world stage.

Did your opinion of China, their Communist Regime, change because of their ability to host a great show?

(I am not talking about the citizens of China. I am talking about the Chinese Government & Officials.)

Answer 1

I agree completely with d4n131v comment above.

The gov't set up designated areas for protest and told citizens to put in an application and they would be able to protest in the designated areas.  When citizens put in the application they were arrested instead.

The pollution measures were a charade that will be gone in a week, back to cancerous smog.  

In months leading up to the olympics they imprisoned dissidents and buddhist monks.

Web sites were censored or banned, limiting freedom of information to Chinese people and tourists.  Even iTunes was banned for a particular song that it contained.

Foreign media was not allowed to film freely, only in designated areas.  Hotel internet traffic was monitored and censored.

Very bad impression of the Chinese gov't.

The Chinese people impressed me very much.  Great fans and hosts, the people.

Answer 2

No because they are still a communist country. The olympics unite counties together for seventeen days and then they all part ways and go back to daily agenda of their country.

Answer 3

Are the Chinese officials the same as US or UK or Canada?

Corrupt; violate human rights; human rights abuses. You cannot tell me Gordon Brown and Bush and Harper's administration is not like that. Indeed China is an authoritarian state with a capitalistic society with a hint of socialism and they don't need the laws and rules that other Democratic society so they can spend $40 Billion on the Olympics whereas Canada or UK wouldn't even match that.

Answer 4

Hmmm, that's a good question.  Personally I think people have over-reacted to some of the things that went on - I mean, replacing the little girl might have been a bit hard on her but hardly deserved the outrage that resulted.  Same with the 'fake' fireworks.

Personally it confirmed in my mind that if the Chinese want to do something, they will do it well.  It was clearly a well-organised games that ran pretty smoothly.  I thought the Chinese people came across as quite friendly also.  As for the government I think it is sensible to withold judgement.  Sure they opened up a little bit for the games but who knows what will happen now?  time will tell.

Answer 5

No

Answer 6

they still have the Paralympic games to host from 6 of September to the 17 so after that I will have an answer for you.

So far China done a good job, not perfect like taking the girl out of the opening ceremony.  But some people vote on idol because of the way someone looks too.  

Answer 7

Honestly, my opinion of them worsened. I knew that in fact their ceremonies would be quite special because of the hard-working output of talent such a strict regime produces. However, when I learned about the fake girl singer in the opening ceremony (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08... i just thought how dare they to do such a superficial thing. Then came the girls on the gymnastics, and I just kept thinking worse. They indeed were very good hosts and excelled in the competitions, but, answering your question, my opinion did change: it's worse.

Answer 8

My opinion of China changed when they cheated in the gymnastics.

Answer 9

i ALWAYS knew that China was awesome! however, i'm not sure about the Chinese government and gov't officials because they are another story. they're still questionable and probably highly corrupt.

Answer 10

not really. their culture is beautiful, yes but in a metaphorical sense  a dirty car can be cleaned up by the owner until it gets c**p under it's wheels again. They put on a good show but bad habits die hard.  

Answer 11

Yes.

I have almost seen China as a developing country. Nothing more than that.

But after watching these Olympics, I have now realized that China is a country with high ideals and they are capable of achieving their goals.

It's just a question of time until a new superpower will rise...

GO CHINA!

Answer 12

no, it would only change a kid's opinion or someone ignorant.