美 Mei - Zhong 中 關 Guan - Xi 系

No Need to Pay Too Much Attention to How Many Heads of State Attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics
不必太在意有多少元首参加奥运开幕式

By Tian Dezheng (田德政)

Original Publication:

The China Youth Daily
中国青年报
Link to Original Article in Chinese

Translated by Anton Lee Wishik II for Mei-Zhong Guanxi

The Olympics, this grand, worldwide sports event held once every four years, leads to the eager participation of world leaders from every nation and region.  One after another, they express how they look forward to being able to personally visit Beijing and cheer on the athletes from their homeland.  Up until now, more than 80 nations’ heads of state and government leaders have confirmed that they will attend the opening ceremonies in Beijing.  These leaders include America’s President Bush, Japan’s Prime Minister Fukuda, and Korea’s President Lee Myung-Bak.  The total number will set a new record for the number of leaders to attend an Olympic opening ceremony.

When some in the media report on this matter, they always can’t help but reveal the complex feelings that these world leaders arouse.  As for who’s coming and who’s not coming, we seem to show excessive sensitivity.  For those who are coming, we feel they are showing us respect and holding us in high esteem, so we like them and express our thanks.  For those who are not coming, there is an unavoidable feeling of ill will in our hearts and minds, a sour taste in our mouths, and we take it to heart that they are being unfriendly to us.  In fact, there is really no need for this.

Of course, according to the international Olympic conventions, a nation’s head of state and head of government should be invited by the International Olympic Committee and be regarded as a registered and distinguished guest as they attend Olympic-related activities.  We will definitely respect any decision by the International Olympic Committee.  As the host of the Olympics, we will follow Olympic conventions and provide conveniences for any national leader attending Olympic-related activities.  In the words of the Chinese, ‘Isn’t it a delight when friends come from afar?’  Receiving guests with great kindness and doing the utmost to be friendly hosts is what the hospitable Chinese people should do.

As for those leaders who will not come for whatever reason, there is no need to take it to heart and pay so much attention to counting their numbers.  Those who come will be our guests, and for those who don’t, there is no need to try and force them.  Making friends depends on sincerity and can’t depend on imposing on people.  Using that method, even if they came, it would be meaningless.  The Olympics has been entrusted to China by every nation, and in holding this grand event we should maintain a moderate attitude.  On the contrary, if we are too sensitive as to who’s coming and who’s not, it shows a lack of self-confidence.  It also intangibly raises other people’s attempts to belittle us and gives people a hold over us which then causes people to go off and make a big fuss.  Excessive bickering can only show that our attitude is still not steady enough, our mindset is still not mature enough, and we lack enough confidence in our own nation.

Regardless of whether it’s the government, the people, or the media, what is now needed it to look upon the Olympics with a normal mindset.  It’s just as Fudan University professor Shen Dingli (沈丁立) said regarding political figures who come to see the Olympics: “We are not at all eagerly anticipating your arrival.  If you come, we will be very happy.  However, we can’t be extremely excited because we will be spending taxpayers’ money to receive and protect you.  So, it would actually be right for you to thank us.  However, since we always raise up the Olympics on a high political level as this grand sporting event which vitalizes nations, it gives other people a lever to use.  It seems as if foreign leaders coming to watch the Olympics are seen as actually doing China a favor.  And it’s exactly for this reason that the outside world has an opportunity to use their attendance at the Olympics to bring up certain issues with China.”

The Olympics are a grand sporting event for all people worldwide.  What we should promote and advocate is the Olympic spirit of “mutual understanding, friendship, unity, and fair competition.”  In this grand event, only the sportsmen and sportswoman have the main role.  The exhibition of their performances is the substance of the Olympics.  The arrival of a world leader from any nation is only one more spectator and nothing more.  We needn’t give them excessive prominence because this is not a meeting of world leaders.  In reality, from the beginning, the arrival of foreign leaders to watch the Olympics doesn’t even need to be eagerly anticipated, and what is even less necessary is our heartfelt appreciation.

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