China Makes Policing an Olympic Event
With the eyes of the world on Beijing, China imposes obsessive security measures around the games
The entire city was declared a no-fly zone for four hours during the opening ceremony on the evening of August 8, with no flights allowed to land or take off. Even model airplanes and kites were banned from taking to the skies.
The question being asked is what will happen after the Olympics. Many hope that things will return to normal.
Paul Mooney is a correspondent based in Beijing.
Reader Comments
A one-side view about China
The author enjoys putting together all negative things about China, some of which are not fairly reflecting the reality. Chinese people have made great efforts to ensure a successful Olympic game. For such a huge country similar to USA in terms of territory, you can easily pick up "bad things" and putting them together to make it "look bad". We should be fair to China, most of the security measures are considered necessary. Let's change an angle: we can also easily blame China if something bad happened due to lack of security measure (it did happen in Beijing).
William from Shanghai.
culture shock
The author didn't know the in-depth of China, or say, as an outsider, he viewed China by using his own (American?) way. This is not appropriate, because there should not be only a mono-standard in the world. Some policies were set to ensure public safety, which is the major concern of any country.
Every country has its comparative advantages, and vice versa. Olympics is just a platform where China tries to show the best of itself. This is so common that people hope their best side could be seen by others.
Do you notice that journalist and reporters can now making live show in the Tian'An Men Square? This is a huge step which shows the sincerity and the open mind of the Chinese government.
Some people wants to smear China
As an ordinary Beijing citizen, I see the police officers and gurards everyday, and to safeguard all those who attend the Olympic Games, the local government has done all it can, to strengthen any kind of security measures. I wonder why some poeple are still trying every means to attack Beijing? In one sentence, these foreigners are too stupid and crazy, they simply don't know what they are, and what they are doing!!!1
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