accoring to jerru guo, the '08 olympics may not be so great for beijing, or china...
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"The capital hasn't seen this kind of an architectural makeover since the Mongols overtook the city, but a new Beijing may not be what's best for a modern China..."
7 Comments
the author seems to be pimping things that would mesh with the forbidden city over ccty/birdsnest/etc...
I went to Beijing in 1980, 1989, 2001 and 2005. The city looked less and less interesting every time I went. I don't object to modern buildings in Beijing but they need to be a coherent part of the city. At the moment all these mega buildings and mediocre high-rises are dotting the city without any respect to the city itself.
The government indeed did not very well in treating China's heritage. For example, it was a total disappointment to tour the Forbidden Palace, with over-crowded tourists and some so-called improvements were actually interferences to enjoyment.
Olympics of course will not do any good to Chinese people because from its right beginning the government hijacked Olympics to be a political thing. Can anyone inside China to speak out their objection to Olympics? - Jail waits you if you say so. Government will do everything to make the Game a pleasant one, including asking people not going out during the game, sending all workers back to their own villages during the game, limit number of cars driving in Beijing during the game, etc, etc. Don't ever think it is not political. It IS in every way! China is still a totalitrian country. It will not change a bit just because a game.
It is ironical that Chinese government keeps on telling people or organisation or other countries not to use Game as political means to express concerns about human rights, etc.
I am glad that other countries or foreigners showed so much interest about China, whether it be business interest only or not. But, unless Chinese people inside China stand up for their own rights, there will be no improvments happening politically. People will love to be slaves when they are better off economically.
Yep!!....and the 06 was did so much for Atlanta? Funded by all private money, no "government" involvement. What a beautiful games that was right?
Face it American system is no different than the Chines government, The Chinese are just not as subversive as America. The American Empire was built from dirty deeds and so will the Chinese.
Under capitalism, man exploits man.
Under communism, it's just the opposite.
--J.K.Galbraith
Whether there were CCTV or Bird's Nest or not, Peking was bound to change. Fortunately, there were interests to let a tiny percentage of the new development to be something iconic. modern, experimental and... none fake Ming-Qing Po-Mo crap or Soviet revisionist....
fangzhouzi, you are lying to yourself. Peking was not that great of a historic city after the cultural revolution, or arguably, after the fall of the Imperial rule and the burning of the Yuan Ming Yuan Gardens. Respect for the city? The Chinese were not even respectful to an Old Peking!!! Ever! Most of the ugly high rises were built by the Chinese/Hong Kong developers without any architectural consideration. Please be more thoughtful before you make simplistic criticism like that. Liang Ssu Cheng would be turning over in the grave to hear them.
Why don't you guys live forever in Beijing? You will understand the city better if you live inside China forever.
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