“China Surveillance may extend to taxis.” Front page of the WSJ Asia, a gripping reality to all free world born tourists heading to the Beijing Olympics. As it turns out, those little black microphones that started popping up in taxis a few years ago, were really part of the governments protective defense against terrorists for the planned summer Olympics. These days it is no joke. The majority of the friction so far seems to be coming from Xinjiang and Tibet, which both have just cause to despise the Chinese way of life, but there are still plenty more dissidents in line. Still, the massive Chinese surveillance system that spans cameras, phone bugs, cell phone/online tracking software, vast networks of informers and the low tech system of tracking where foreigners have traveled through our passport checks at all hotels, will exist for years after the games have left Beijing. China may be blossoming into one of the most culturally vibrant and exciting courtiers in the world, but it is still leans heavily on its controlled communist past.
With the games only a few days away, locals are quickly cowering in their homes in fear of the terrorist strikes to come. Personally, I would say that the safest place would be right by the Olympic venues. If there were any government that I would trust with keeping the peace (Americans, British, Australians), it would have to be Hu Jintao and his armed guard. There is something about the tattered velvet glove over the iron fist that is China that soothes my fears. They may be crude and rude, but they are certainly not sloppy. With one and a half days to go, I wish them all the luck with the coming Olympics!
4 comments:
Dear JJS,
I agree with your sentiment there is no safer place from terrorists right now then China, for all it's worth the Chinese government does not dilly dally when it comes to "control" if there was one government i trust to keep those terrorists at bay if would be them. Other governments would most likely think twice about using drastic measures if the need arises, but not China. Chalk it up to the old iron fist.
Sourpuss
I am a foreigner in China and I have always been interested in why they make a photocopy of my passport at all hotels?
I notice they also charge me more than what is listed on the room rate sheet!
Yes, that old iron fist is on full alert these days. They have not been taking the criticism about their weather too well. It has not helped much that many world leaders and activists are calling for human rights among many things; and that all those hotels who do take passports (and DO charge higher rates) are now relatively vacant as compared to expectations.
It has been both a terrific and challenging year for Beijing.
Dear JJS,
I was able to catch the opening ceremony via cable and i have to say i was impressed. I am proud of what they were able to achieve, the pressure is on for London 2012...
Sourpuss
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