By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Aug. 27 - In this brave, new post-Beijing Olympics world, it has become a relatively common pastime to imagine what next, especially as the hosting of the Olympics has often been a precursor to change in the country holding the event.

In China, the die has already been cast, and it is every Western political commentator’s favorite word, democracy. For those of you possibly surprised to see such a word on a China site, I can assure you China has moved on. There is indeed democratic movement in China. Premier Wen Jiabao believes that it is the single most interesting aspect of modern China today. Indeed, the National Reform and Development Commission have a specific research division looking into the impact of democracy on Chinese society. (more…)

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Aug. 25 - Now that they’re over, that was some amazing journey! It began, for those who remember, not just a little over two weeks ago, or even when Beijing was awarded the Games in 2001, Beijing’s bid for the Olympics went right back to 1993, when they tendered for the 2000 Games. I was in Hong Kong, and Dezan Shira & Associates was a small, two city practice (Hong Kong and Shenzhen). The politics, as always, were out in force. The Tiananmen Square incident of 1989 was still fresh in many people’s minds, and there was a ground swell of thought that said China wasn’t quite ready. The city bid had been impressive, yet Beijing was a great deal different from today’s modern gleaming metropolis. In 1993, the main hotels were the Jiangguo, the Great Wall Sheraton, and the Nikko. People danced the night away at the Havana Club. Charlie’s Bar was the place to hang out, and the Jiangguo Hotel getting a fax machine was a major event—the hotel even ran adverts for a year showing how it had helped cement a large U.S. JV deal through “instant communication with the U.S.-based legal team in Detroit.” (more…)

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Aug. 20 - With so much recent attention on China due to the Olympics, surprisingly little has been mentioned about the great strides the nation has made over the past twenty years from a dingy communist backwater of a nation to a modern, competitive country with a marked commercial edge. The Olympics in Beijing celebrate that momentous achievement, for China twenty years ago was a far different place.

Back then, foreigners weren’t even allowed to possess Chinese money, let alone have tickets issued in their names. Prices were controlled by the State, and commodity ration coupons were the order of the day. There would be absolutely no chance of being able to make a profit on any transactions. It was unethical, capitalist, and anti-society. (more…)

Aug. 18 - We’re now into the second week of the Beijing Olympics, and despite all the pre-Games hype about the weather, pollution, and issues such as Tibet and security, the overwhelming feedback from people we have spoken to who have attended events has been very positive. The main areas where Beijing has come up trumps include:

Venues
Excellent facilities—the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube have almost become instant international icons. People don’t just want to see the events; they want to see the architecture. Meanwhile, refurbished stadiums such as the Worker’s Stadium and the various gymnasiums have been completely revamped, are well air-conditioned and made easily accessible. Signage in both Chinese and English has been almost perfect. (more…)

Aug. 18 - Beijing is cracking down on Olympics ticket scalpers, arresting and detaining individuals caught either buying or selling tickets without official permission. Prominently displayed signs around Olympic venues in both Chinese and English warn touts, and we have learned that foreigners have also been briefly detained and let off with a warning, after attempting to buy entrance into venues through such means.

Those selling tickets illegally are likely to face more serious punishments, including detention, confiscation of tickets and a fine. (more…)

Aug. 4 - China Expat, the national China portal for China travel, culture and art, has just put up online their guide to the Beijing Olympics.

Featuring details on all Olympics venues (including those held in other cities), with dates and schedules of events; a guide to “Olympic Putonghua” (ie: how to say “Please take me to the National Stadium” to a Beijing taxi driver); an interesting comparison of who’s won what over the past six Olympiads and a snapshot of Chinese athletes to watch out for; a 20 page, full color guide can be downloaded from the China Expat website by clicking on the cover.

Also on that site: 57 China city guides; train and flight schedules and links; sections on China travel, music, literature and art; plus a daily journal reflecting what’s going on nationally, our personal favorites being these introductions to Cai Guo-Qiang, the man whose fireworks displays will open the Olympics this coming Friday evening. (more…)

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

July 22 - A lot of comment continues to appear in various media about the Olympics, much of it negative. From reports in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post about “black people not allowed into Beijing bars,” to issues over excessive clampdowns and visa issues, it seems whichever way the Chinese turn, a media angle is there to criticize.

However, much of the criticism is directed at issues that are not quite as they initially appear. The article about black people in Beijing’s bars, which in the face of it appears racist, emanates from a different set of circumstances. Regrettably, the bar street concerned (a rather seedy area to be frank, populated by bars selling low cost happy hour beers, and a haunt of students, rather than Beijing locals or businessmen) has long had problems with drugs. The pushers and dealers are regrettably often Africans. What the police actually asked bar owners in the area to do was to “look out for black people behaving suspiciously on your premises, and if necessary, ask them to leave.”

Given the full context of the circumstances, it’s not as initially racist as it appears. It’s not unreasonable for the police in any country to work and make requests concerning security to bar owners and managers. Who are the perpetrators of wrongdoing here; the Chinese police, trying to crack down on drug abuse during a time when the city is full of tourists; or the drug dealers, viewing the Olympics as a prime occasion to make more money than usual? Yet it’s the Chinese police who get all the negative headlines. (more…)

BEIJING, July 21 - Beijing opened three new subway lines on Saturday to facilitate better transportation during the upcoming Olympics. The opening of the new metro lines represents yet another effort to combat the notoriously polluted air of the capital before the Games start in August.

The city has already enacted numerous efforts as to ease traffic issues. For example, a new law also went into effect Sunday that restricts driving private cars to alternate days through an odd- and even-numbered license plate system. Special Olympic road lanes, too, have been designated for the use of vehicles serving the Games. Measures such as these are crucial when a city has 3.3 million vehicles, increasing by over a 1,000 daily. (more…)

July 16 - Our Publisher, Chris Devonshire-Ellis has just returned from a ten day tour to the remote, ethnic Tibetan parts of China. This is his report on the social state of the region: (more…)

HONG KONG, July 15 - Canadian entrepreneur Michael Agopsowicz has proposed a new seaplane service to the Hong Kong government, the South China Morning Post reports. The route, a Hong Kong-Macau service from Kowloon’s old Kai Tak Airport site to the Pak On Ferry Terminal in Macau, would be the first time since 1961 that seaplanes have seen active commercial service in Hong Kong.

The proposal, which was put forward to the permanent secretary for transportation, Francis Ho Suen-wai, has received favorable comments as Hong Kong seeks to bolster its image as a city of interest and distinction. “An alternative means of fast transportation between Hong Kong and Macau should be a welcome addition to enhance connectivity and choice,” Ho said. (more…)