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The Time Has Come!
August 08, 2008 7:03 AM
Jo Ling Kent, ABC News, Beijing
The atmosphere in Beijing today reminds me of being at home before an important guest arrives. The city is scrambling with last-minute cleanup and 11th-hour decisions in time for the opening ceremony. It's such a big day here that the government declared a state holiday in Beijing. An estimated 16,400 couples have registered to get married today, which has been widely deemed as auspicious.
However, unlike most holidays, when Beijingers take to the streets and parks, the sidewalks are relatively empty. Stores are closing early this evening and traffic is almost nonexistent, all in preparation for the fast-approaching opening ceremonies.
Volunteers were out in full force crawling the streets while Chinese President Hu Jintao, President George W. Bush and other heads of state sat for a state banquet in the People's Congress. With around 80 heads of state and royal family members in attendance, the Chinese government did its best not to seat any enemies or rivals next to one another.
At the head table, Hu entertained Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, both of whom have been among the most vocal about the government's actions in Tibet and China's human rights record. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and China's loyal friend, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, also sat with Hu. Seated next to Hu was International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, the guest of honor.
Controversy and political tension were left off the menu. Pork was nowhere to be found, out of respect for Muslim and Jewish guests, including Israeli President Shimon Peres and the king of Malaysia.
As dignitaries prepared to feast on beefsteak and Peking duck, tourists visiting Tiananmen Square were cleared away to guarantee the security of the dignitaries. There was not a soul to be found except for security guards. Local Chinese and tourists have also been adversely affected by other security measures. Last night in an emergency meeting, district authorities reportedly decreased the number of outdoor screens showing the anticipated opening ceremonies, out of fears that Beijing doesn't have enough security forces to handle the crowds. However, the city is trying to make up for the tightened measures. Subways that typically close at 11 p.m. will remain open for 44 hours straight to shuttle the crowds, buses will run along special routes and a free public wireless Internet network will be available in Beijing.
Now to the question that everyone wants to ask: how is the air? It's been a fairly hazy day in Beijing, but it looks marginally better that yesterday's heavy blanket of pollution. Tonight's forecast predicts rain but it hasn't fallen yet. Soon we will find out if the Chinese Communist Party can overcome Mother Nature's plans with its weather control efforts.
Although security has dampened the mood, people seem to be in high spirits. Fortunately, fireworks will be launched from 32 locations inside Beijing for one and all to see. Overall, the opening ceremonies seem like they are going to go off without a hitch but with that said, we've still got hours to go. Anything could happen.
Sidenote: Last night in central Beijing, it felt like the Olympics were already well under way. Almost a thousand fans gathered to watch the China v. New Zealand qualifying soccer game last night on giant television in Wang Fu Jing, a famous pedestrian shopping avenue that last night felt more crowded than Times Square at New Years. The nearby McDonald's was packed with customers watching the game on a flatscreen television, cheering on China. One family camped out for three hours, feasting on soft serve ice cream, fries and hamburgers. Each time the Chinese team came close to scoring, the crowd roared with delight. Finally, the Chinese team scored a goal to tie the game.
August 8, 2008 in Jo Ling Kent | Permalink | User Comments (15)
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If I lived in China, I'd be holding my breath too. Nasty air!!
Posted by: Greg | Aug 8, 2008 8:10:15 AM
Let us pray to God that our atheletes defeat those from elsewhere because we deserve it because we are Americans.
Posted by: Tina Fresno | Aug 8, 2008 9:12:42 AM
I wonder how much the Olympic officials received in KICKBACKS to choose China ???
Posted by: Dave | Aug 8, 2008 9:26:39 AM
We don't deserve anything just because we are Americans.
Posted by: Bill | Aug 8, 2008 9:28:23 AM
China is pretending to be a nation with freedom of speech, religion and expression during these games. The reality is that too many people are tortured, imprisoned and killed by the Chinese commi regime for worshipping God or having a different political persuasion. I feel bad for those people and refuse to buy into the hype.
Posted by: Chinos | Aug 8, 2008 9:34:09 AM
Perhaps the Olympics in China can help nations all over the world come for one common purpose..... athletes to compete for the gold, silver, or bronze!
Isn't that a beginning for our countries? Presidents, PMs, and other dignitaries have met to dine before the games begin. One can always hope there will be a way for nations to get along.
Posted by: senior | Aug 8, 2008 9:48:50 AM
Perhaps the Olympics in China can help nations all over the world come for one common purpose..... athletes to compete for the gold, silver, or bronze!
Isn't that a beginning for our countries? Presidents, PMs, and other dignitaries have met to dine before the games begin. One can always hope there will be a way for nations to get along.
Posted by: senior | Aug 8, 2008 9:48:53 AM
Has the Opening Ceremony started yet?
If not, then the "lucky day" (08.08.08) is almost gone.
Posted by: ablanche08 | Aug 8, 2008 9:55:44 AM
I am most proud of my vote against US boycotting the 1980 Olympic games and wish all athletes, particularly our own US athletes, well. Competition is a beautiful and stimulating thing to watch and enjoy!
Posted by: Viking | Aug 8, 2008 9:56:55 AM
I remember once an Olympic official said to an American journalist, "If you think the world should only be in a way as you think, then there must be something wrong with you". I feel a lot of Americans, like this journalist, fail to realize the world has so many countries with distinct histories, cultures ethos, and are intolerant to any different voices, thinking in general every country should be like the America. For example, when they know some Beijing residents are asked to stay home during the opening ceremony they would naturally think the residents are forced to stay home, while it is not true, because those Americans don't know Chinese people are highly disciplined people and they don't feel upset at all staying home.
Posted by: YL | Aug 8, 2008 9:58:00 AM
The west is worried b/c china is raising up. Yes china is the next super power. What are you gonna do about it?? They are over a billion of them they would swallow any one who try to mess with them in a second. Go china Go...
A friend from ethiopia
Posted by: NYC girl | Aug 8, 2008 3:42:28 PM
example, when they know some Beijing residents are asked to stay home during the opening ceremony they would naturally think the residents are forced to stay home, while it is not true, because those Americans don't know Chinese people are highly disciplined people and they don't feel upset at all staying home.
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Yeh like do it !!! or you won't see your family
for a month
Posted by: spacerook1 | Aug 8, 2008 3:53:44 PM
The fact that almost the entire world could watch the olympic opening ceremony LIVE except Americans says what?
Americans are not quite as free as they think, nor are the Chinese as oppressed as many Americans would like to believe. Thousands upon thousands of them are doing advanced degrees in science and engineering in the US and then voluntarily returning to China.
Posted by: Eats Wombats | Aug 10, 2008 4:42:23 AM
The Olympic Games are a farce.
You see officials, athletes, watchers, and now statesmen, cheering and celebrating, but the One True God has no place because of the diversity of religions.There are only vain glories for victors, bitter rivalries, cheatings,faulty judgments, political gripes, etc.
They are nothing compared to the gathering of all nations in Hajj in worship of One God, during one season, in one place, in one costume, one language of prayer, and one purpose. In Olympics the God is Gold, no chance for any poor nation to get one or more as much as the rich and superpowers.
Posted by: muhammad eisa de jesus | Aug 10, 2008 5:48:25 AM
Yeh like do it !!! or you won't see your family
for a month
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HOW MUCH CHINA DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CHINA? HAVE YOU EVER LIVE THERE? IS IT ALL FROM THE MEDIA, I am Chinese and I am sick of people from other Country telling us we are not happy, If you compare the people in the US and China, more people are on Anti-depressant in this country, Just look around when you visit China, how happy we are. Don't worry about another Country unless you have fix all the problem you have in this country. I feel sorry for you. The Olympics Opening ceremony was amazing and I am pround to be Chinese. I feel sorry for those people that are not Chinese and try to tell us how we should feel or should live. (Is that what you call Human rights in American terms?)
Posted by: Bah to NY Girl | Aug 10, 2008 12:17:20 PM
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