More furore

The Olympic Flame made its way through Seoul on Sunday. On my way to the English club I saw some people dressed in Beijing 2008 T-shirts. Apparently they were Chinese students with a small number having been flown to Seoul from China for the event (as counter-protesters I guess). Not much really happened in Gangnam but at the Olympic Stadium...

There were not only pro-Tibet protesters but also a group campaigning against China's repatriation of North Korean refugees. Obviously, this group did not get anywhere near the media attention they had hoped for even though some members had threatened self-immolation. The worst thing, for the Chinese at least, is that these thugs who attended the relay 'in support' of the Beijing Olympics were hurling stones and bottles at other protesters.

This kind of behaviour is detrimental to the Chinese idea of 'soft power' (think the Korean Wave or Halyu). Though, one must wonder why the Chinese Olympic Commitee insisted on a global relay. Athens held one for the first time, visiting former host cities and finally returning to Greece, home of the Olympics (not the flame, which was a Nazi German innovation). I can see how maybe this global relay is a test of loyalty for China's 'friends'.

Luckily, protesters on both sides in Australia behaved themselves. Kevan Gosper, Australian deputy chair of the IOC, summed it up best when he said "We are an Olympic-minded nation, but also a democratic one". On the Chinese side, there is some regret for conceiving such a fantastic relay. Bear in mind, the Chinese are proud people who are very concious of history. In fact, for a very long time the only way to enter the Emperor's service was through a rigorous examination system which emphasised the importance of history.

What interests me most however is whether governments will boycott the opening ceremony (expect one as historically rich as the Athens ceremony). I venture that any government with important trade deals will not. It also seems rather hypocritical to be in anti-China relays when close to 90% of the clothes on one's back were made in China.

P.S. The Chinese government has agreed to meet a representative of the Dalai Lama to discuss the civil unrest in Tibet. Having agreed to the meeting, the Dalai Lama has essentially accepted responsibility for the riots and looting. This is akin to Korea and Japan going to the International Court to settle the Dokdo Island dispute. Japan insists this is essential to resolve the issue. However, going to the court would suggest there is a case for the Japanese claims to the island. The Korean governement insists Dokdo was Korean territory before the Imperial Japanese government made Korea its protectorate.