John Baldock
ROAD TO BEIJING: IS THAT AN ELEPHANT OR A TIBETAN ANTELOPE IN THE ROOM?
Wednesday, 23 April, 2008
China’s use of Olympic Mascot “Ying Ying” – a Disney-like creature based on the Tibetan Antelope, suggests to me that China isn’t overly concerned what the rest of the world thinks, says or does in relation to it’s controlling role in Tibet – but it does appear sensitive to criticism, especially if that comes from within the Olympic movement.
The president of the Association of National Olympic Committees - [ANOC] Mario Vasquez Rana is no doubt still pondering the answer to the elephant/antelope question. A recent speech of his touched on the need for China to address the Tibet issue peacefully. But as the ANOC conference in Beijing ended last week, Rana re-drafted his speech with the offending remarks removed and added words of support for China and it's hosting of the games.
Had he made a mistake? Had he suddenly decided Tibet didn't warrant a specific mention after-all? I'd imagine his comments were poorly received at the Peoples Congress, and that an adroit back-flip was called for.
But don't expect the organisers of the Games to replace "Ying Ying" as one of it's five Olympic mascots anytime soon. "Ying Ying" may just be a mascot – but the message is simple: Tibet is China, and China is Tibet.... sovereignty isn’t in question and furthermore, what right does the international community have to question China's role there?
Currently, the pro-Tibet pressure groups are grabbing most of the headlines by disrupting the torch relay....in fact Darfur isn't getting much of a look in these days with the western media. And time is now of the essence. Grabbing a slice of the media's attention is vital, because once the Olympic flame flickers and dies in the Olympic Stadium in Beijing on August 24th, the possibility of a human rights pressure group making worldwide headlines criticising China will also diminish.
Next week's 24 hour torch relay in Canberra could well provide another headline flashpoint - as thousands of Chinese students plan a mass show of support for China's right to stage the Olympics despite ongoing opposition from what they believe is an overly judgemental outside world. Anger is growing amongst the Chinese community, that media coverage has so far focused mainly on the people trying to sabotage the torch's progress.
No free thinking Australian questions their right to show support for their country in this nation's capital. We can protest, we can support, we can wave banners and as long as we do so in a law-abiding manner that's our right. The use of the cuddly looking "Ying Ying" by the Olympics organisers however, makes me wonder just how tangible a change in China's policy towards Tibet or perhaps Darfur will occur once all the shouting dies down and the flame is extinguished.
The president of the Association of National Olympic Committees - [ANOC] Mario Vasquez Rana is no doubt still pondering the answer to the elephant/antelope question. A recent speech of his touched on the need for China to address the Tibet issue peacefully. But as the ANOC conference in Beijing ended last week, Rana re-drafted his speech with the offending remarks removed and added words of support for China and it's hosting of the games.
Had he made a mistake? Had he suddenly decided Tibet didn't warrant a specific mention after-all? I'd imagine his comments were poorly received at the Peoples Congress, and that an adroit back-flip was called for.
But don't expect the organisers of the Games to replace "Ying Ying" as one of it's five Olympic mascots anytime soon. "Ying Ying" may just be a mascot – but the message is simple: Tibet is China, and China is Tibet.... sovereignty isn’t in question and furthermore, what right does the international community have to question China's role there?
Currently, the pro-Tibet pressure groups are grabbing most of the headlines by disrupting the torch relay....in fact Darfur isn't getting much of a look in these days with the western media. And time is now of the essence. Grabbing a slice of the media's attention is vital, because once the Olympic flame flickers and dies in the Olympic Stadium in Beijing on August 24th, the possibility of a human rights pressure group making worldwide headlines criticising China will also diminish.
Next week's 24 hour torch relay in Canberra could well provide another headline flashpoint - as thousands of Chinese students plan a mass show of support for China's right to stage the Olympics despite ongoing opposition from what they believe is an overly judgemental outside world. Anger is growing amongst the Chinese community, that media coverage has so far focused mainly on the people trying to sabotage the torch's progress.
No free thinking Australian questions their right to show support for their country in this nation's capital. We can protest, we can support, we can wave banners and as long as we do so in a law-abiding manner that's our right. The use of the cuddly looking "Ying Ying" by the Olympics organisers however, makes me wonder just how tangible a change in China's policy towards Tibet or perhaps Darfur will occur once all the shouting dies down and the flame is extinguished.
