All eyes on Beijing Olympics

Inter Lake editorial

In many ways, the Chinese government will be the biggest player in the upcoming Olympics, and will be watched as closely as the blood-test results of any athletes who perform above expectations in the Games.

China isn't a model government in many respects, certainly not according to Western standards, but it is performing way above any reasonable expectations.

Remember, just a century ago, China was a completely closed society and with the exception of Western commercial activity in Hong Kong, the country remained mostly closed until much more recently. It's a society that most Westerners still don't understand.

Friday's opening ceremonies are expected to be the most widely watched in the history of the games, and it's partly because of curiosity about how the Chinese regime can mesh with the traditional global goodwill associated with the Olympics.

China's occupation of Tibet and its general track record on human rights were issues even as the Olympic torch was making its way to Beijing through other countries, with protesters attempting to interfere with torch carriers.

And in the days leading up to the games, there have been reports of tightened visa and travel rules within the country and restrictions on media. There was also a deadly terrorist attack in one part of the country, prompting even more stringent security measures.

According to a Reuters report, there will be a security force 100,000 strong, and there are also 300,000 surveillance cameras watching Beijing. There have even been reports of planned surveillance of Internet activity at Beijing hotels.

Granted, security has been beefed up substantially at all Olympic games, no matter what the country. But the question here is how the Chinese authorities will behave in managing thousands of visitors, especially if they encounter activists of any kind.

Symbolic of the Chinese government's obsessive inclination for control is its long running "weather modification program." To ward off rain and help curb the now notorious smog problem in Beijing, the government is prepared to use artillery and rocket launchers to propel dust and anti-smog pellets into the atmosphere.

The government has also closed dozens of factories and businesses to curb pollution. Cleaner air will be appreciated by athletes, but it still seems oddly authoritarian for a government that desires to present China as a nation that is harmonious with the Western world.

Ultimately, the 2008 Olympics are a world-class gamble by the Chinese government. Starting tomorrow, the whole world will be watching to see who wins the bet.