No Medals for Prying Journalists

Frustrated: Wang Wei, secretary general of the Beijing organising committee.

 A leader of Beijing’s Olympics committee has criticised sections of the international media for coming to China solely “to peek, to be critical, to dig into the small details and find fault” in the country’s human rights record.

Wang Wei, the secretary general of the Beijing organising committee, expressed his frustration during an IOC-Bocog press conference, when journalists repeatedly demanded to know whether a single Chinese citizen had been granted permission to use the three Protest Parks set up for the Games.

Wei claimed twice that he had not been given figures from the Office of Public Security, followed by his exasperated outburst.

“After 30 years of reform China has developed greatly,” he said. “People enjoy more freedom. People are living a good life. Everyone is happy. That’s a fact. Of course there are exceptions, like in any other country. But they need to take the legal process and procedures to resolve any issues. We cannot allow this country to be in chaos.”

“There are a few people who have come here to peek, to be critical, to dig into the small details and find fault,” he added. “This does not mean that we are not fulfilling our promises [over human rights to the IOC]. The whole country can see how can China has developed; how China has genuinely welcomed the world to enjoy everything with us.”

After awarding the Olympics to Beijing in 2001, the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, said he hoped that hosting the Olympics would improve China’s human rights record. However, today Wei denied that his country had made similar promises. “I did not say that China would promise to do whatever with the Games in China,” he said. “I think the Games will open up the horizon about China. People will see better what China is about.”

During the press conference, Channel 4 journalist Alex Thomson repeatedly asked the IOC whether it was “in any way embarrassed” by the Chinese government “lying through its teeth”, and the “manifest failure of the Chinese government to keep their promises” to improve human rights and press freedom.

The IOC communications director, Giselle Davies, avoided answering Thomson’s questions directly, claiming that “We have to note that there have been enormous steps forward in a number of areas”. She went on to say she was “very proud about how these Games are progressing”.

“I’m not asking about how well the Games are being run, or how wonderful the Games are,” replied Thomson. “Are you embarrassed by China? I don’t think anyone thinks you have answered the question.”

Davies insisted: “The Olympic Games is largely about the athletes and they have given us extremely strong feedback about how things are going.”

Thomson did not ease off the pressure: “We’re not getting anywhere are we?” he said. “Are the IOC embarrassed about the Chinese governments record on human rights? One more chance?”

“We have to note the enormous steps in the wider area,” side-stepped Davies. “The world is watching and the IOC is appraising.”

‘Appraising’ with emphasis placed especially on praise, perhaps.