Concerted and Captivating Conquest by China

China opened its curtains to the world and cast a massive presence of its capacity and capability as an ascendant world power. In spectacular fashion and stunning presentation of fireworks and pageantry at the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games, China effectively used a resource it had in greatest abundance - people. Some 12,000 performers took part in the extravaganza to an estimated 91,000 people in the Bird's Nest arena, telecast to at least a billion viewers worldwide. An additional 15,000 musicians and acrobats encapsulated 5,000 years of Chinese history into 55 minutes of artistically choreographed and exquisitely illuminated sequences.

The opening ceremonies undoubtedly mesmerized the 91,000 spectators at the Birds Nest, with elaborate costumes and a giant screen at the center of the field; plus 29 sets of pyrotechnics representing the editions of the games. Those who watched at the arena were generous and unanimous in their praise. What was evident was the determination of each participant to provide their best efforts without mistakes, yet their pride and enthusiasm for their involvement and contribution resonated ceaselessly throughout; and their joy, marked the genuine smiles on their faces as their respective sequences came to a close. It was China's grandest coming out party and they were awesomely successful.

The event was very capably handled by Chinese Film Director Zhang Yimou, who took over after American Director and Oscar Winner Steven Spielberg backed out for political reasons. Having over a billion people in their country, it was not difficult to find a worthy, if not better, replacement for Spielberg; apart from knowing, sharing, and caring for, the aspirations of the Chinese people.Ten months of rehearsals plus a US $ 40 billion budget for the hosting of the games paid off handsomely for the Chinese.

US President George Bush may have attempted to downplay China's imminent success by citing the country's human rights record in a recent speech, but he attended the games nonetheless together with 90 other Heads of State who ignored calls for a boycott. Earlier on CNN, Larry King was interviewing Christian music recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman about the tragic death of their adopted daughter who was born in China. It may be dismissed as pure coincidence but the timing is certainly in bad taste. The awaited event that would earn China enormous praise was akin to being discredited by the fact that Chinese children were being adopted by the US. Much of the interview covered the process, procedures and costs of adopting children. However, these efforts failed to diminish in any way, the global response to what China had to offer. In some respects, it was the proverbial sun rising in the east, after it has gone down in the west.

Western leaders have a lot to learn about the meaning and practice of respect in Asia. Admonitions about human rights, military conflicts, among others, from countries whose own hands have been dirty for much longer periods and in several continents, are futile attempts to project themselves as better. It is a delusion of unworthy leaders who believe they can convince others of their higher moral authority by putting others down. Coming from one whose tenure has brought more damage to the face, image and economy of his country than any one of its past Presidents; and whose national conscience carries no remorse nor apology for what they had done to their native inhabitants, the admonitions are spits aimed at the heavens that will only splatter on their faces.

Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed it succinctly when he remarked, " it's inevitable that people from different countries may not see eye to eye, so we should try to expand our common ground on the basis of mutual respect". Politics has no place in sports, and it must be reiterated that it was the Western nations that initiated and perpetuated such practices; not the east, not the Asians, and certainly not China. China's hosting of the games has brought honor and glory for its country, and its courteous and diplomatic management of the proceedings will bring the same upliftment and pride to most, if not all, of Asia. This is the inevitable outcome of this event, and it will strengthen China's influence in the region, and the rest of the world.

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