Ready, Set ... Preparing for the Beijing Olympics

Ready, Set . . . Preparing for the Beijing Olympics

GET SET . . . In China, and all over the world, preparations for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing are gearing up for the ﬁnal lead- up stage. This IR2008 update focuses on three groups—the Beijing hosts, the corporate community and ath - letes—to report on some of their key preparatory activities. This IR2008 update also identiﬁes some actions that different actors can take to address the ongoing deterioration of human rights, including violations related to Olympics preparations.

OLYMPISM The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to pro - moting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.—Olympic Charter, Fundamental Principle 2.

The “Fuwa” Mascots: Environmental contingency plan: Close • Beibei (a fish), Jingjing (a panda), Huan - down, take a vacation huan (an Olympic flame), Yingying (a With growing concerns over environmental Beijing Hosting Tibetan antelope) and Nini (a swallow) degradation, including air and water quality, 1 • Lele, a cow, is the Paralympics mascot rumors are circulating that factories and “Hosting the Games will help raise the living • The five names form the Chinese other businesses will be shut down during standard of the Chinese people and speed up phrase “Beijing huanying ni” (“Welcome the games to clear the air—resulting in a China’s reform, which will also leave an to Beijing) 16-day vacation for all Beijing residents. important legacy to China.” • English name changed from “Friendlies” —Beijing Mayor Liu Qi, also president of the to “Fuwa” (“lucky kids”) because of con - Producing the Show: “Vision Beijing” Beijing 2008 Olympic Bid Committee .1 cerns about Chinese people misreading Organized by the Beijing Association for Cul - the name tural Exchanges with Foreign Countries, five The Beijing Organizing Committee for the directors will each shoot a five-minute film to Games (BOCOG) of the XXIX Olympiad con - Yuan Yonglin, Vice chairman and president celebrate Beijing. Italian director Giuseppe cluded its seventh meeting with the Interna - of Shanghai-listed Haixin Group, manufac - Tornatore finished his film about a school tional Olympic Committee (IOC) on October turers of the Fuwa (the five Olympics mas - reunion on October 14, 2006. Iranian direc - 27, 2006. cots), is being investigated for involvement tor Majid Majidi began his project, “Beijing, Recent activities include launching two in the corruption scandal that led to Shang - 2008 Olympic Games Host,” at the begin - new posters to recruit volunteers in early hai’s party secretary Chen Liangyu’s resig - ning of November in Houhai. Ang Lee and November 2006, and ongoing selection of nation for misuse of pension funds IOC member He Zhenliang have also been sponsors and providers. In response to con - recruited to the creative team behind the cerns expressed by international media out - Several other preparatory developments are opening and closing ceremonies, which also lets about access, Beijing has promised to worth mentioning—and following! includes Stephen Spielberg and Zhang provide quality and efficient services to Yimou . Jazz musician Quincy Jones will com - news media. A coordination commission Learn English! pose music for the events. review said Beijing’s preparations were on “A: China has a lot of problems. track for 2008. However, Hein Verbruggen, B: I don’t think so.” 3 the official IOC coordinator for Beijing Olympic Games, said more focus was The “Beijing Speaks English Program,” was needed on services, cleaning up the environ - introduced in 2001 aiming for 400,000 flu - Media and ment, improving traffic and ensuring free ent English speakers by 2008. As part of 2 access to foreign media. Some construction the program, English classes start in first IT companies— is still underway, including the Rem Kool - rather than third grade. Government and Profiting haas tower for CCTV and the Herzog & De private employees are encouraged to learn Meuron Olympic Stadium. Since 2003, a with vacation and financial incentives. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an third of the 62km area that makes up the Plans to edit poor English in signs citywide essential means of risk management. “It’s central part of the old city has been were announced in October 2006. about pre-emption and thinking about what destroyed for Olympics preparation, 2 often In recent months, the English campaign might go wrong before it does. CSR is a mind - without proper permits, with more clearings has been joined by efforts to clean up “bad set, not a band-aid to cover things up, ”4 notes expected in 2007. Nearly 580,000 people behaviors” such as spitting and littering, Bill Valentino, general manager of corporate have been displaced so far. under the slogan “Prepare for the Olympics, communications for Greater China at German Strive for Civility and Create New Habits!” pharmaceutical maker Bayer, a leading spon - sor of the Special Olympics.

containers ofsetsandequipment. containers bringing120shipping ees willgotoBeijing, Twothrough Beijing. thousandNBC employ- the fiveOlympicsfrom2000inSydney $3.5 billionfortheU.S.rightstobroadcast casters. forrights-holdingbroad- and services broadcastingfacilities install necessary designand andwillplan, toaccess, ers television andradiosignalsforbroadcast- broadcaster,” itwillprovides international 2004.Asthe“host tember 6, was establishedonSep- casting Services, funded by BOCOGandtheOlympicBroad- fefr,theeducational value ofgood of effort, seeks tocreate away of lifebasedonthejoy Olympism withculture andeducation, sport Blending willandmind. qualities ofbody, and combininginabalancedwhole the exalting Olympism isaphilosophyoflife, Training forthegold 3 Wifi The holds exclusiverightsfortheUK. Broadcasting rights: ingly prominent. willbecomeincreas- rity systemssectors the mediaandcommunicationssecu- ofvenuesinitsfinalstages, construction multinationals:with tune globaltop500 oftheFor- 450 including invested inChina, countries andregionsworldwidehave from190 corporations 2006, As ofMay 21, by thePublicSecurityBureau. locationsormobilevehicles from stationary anddataintegration city-wide surveillance whichwillenable company, ifornia-based aCal- over thecityprovidednetwork by Strix, Beijingisdeploying awirelessmesh Games, ices atthestadiums. generation mobilecommunicationsserv- include exclusivedigitalcellularandnext- tobeofferedwill of2006.Services quarter isscheduled tobegininthefourth struction systems attheOlympicstadiums.Con- bid tobuildtheindoorwirelesscoverage ChinaGrentechwonthe September 2006, Ltd. enhl,inpreparationforthe Meanwhile, Beijing OlympicBroadcastingCo., is beinginstalledinallthevenues.In BB,aSino-Foreign jointventure (BOB), 5 n19,NBCpaid In 1998, BBC social causes.Someexamplesinclude: be spokespersons forarangeofpeaceand to usetheirprestigeandOlympiadstatus Past have Olympicsmedalwinners goneon Doing goodwiththegold company. aChinesetobacco agreement withBaisha, came undercriticismforsigningan OlympicmedalistLiuXiang May 2006, too muchmoney In fromsponsorships. kicked offtheOlympicteamfortakingin advance,” headded. they fromtheSGASin getthepermission “Butexceptionswillstandif 2006, ber 8, toldameetingonNovem- (SGAS), Sports China’s StateGeneralAdministrationof Presidentof tions fromtraining,” LiuPeng, kinds ofsocialactivitiestoavoid distrac- inall areforbiddentotake part big stars, includingthose “Allplanning. theathletes, and apotentiallydetrimentalimpacton ties” toprevent distractionfromtraining andother“socialactivi- porate sponsorship China recentlybanneditsathletesfromcor- countries aretraininghardforcompetition. A projected10,500athletesfrom204 FundamentalPrinciple1. —Olympic Charter, mental ethicalprinciples. funda- example andrespect foruniversal • Reported $5billioninrevenue inChina2005;hopes toraisethat$10bil- Reported • winning morethan$150millionincontractsfor reported ByOctober2006, • officialU.S.broadcastpartner OwnsNBC, • oftheBeijingOlympicsCommittee partner SignedinJune2004asthefirst • Paid $200millionin2003tobecomeOlympicsponsor nearly • Lookingforward tomeetingyouinBeijing.” difference. we’re proudtomakethesmallest “In events where onehundredth ofasecondcounts, (http://www.ge.com/olympicgames/) Sponsor Profile:GeneralElectric goldmedalistTianLiangwas In 2005, lion by 2010. Securityequipment:baggage-scanningdevices atBeijingCapitalAirport; • bulletproofplastics;dynamoelectric Productionofcutting-edgetechnology: • with ShenzhenBankandWal-mart toissuecreditcards Partnerships • Olympic-related projectsincluding: on u,letalonethosewho hidecontrabandontheirbodies.” found out, anyone intherecentpastwillbe whohastoucheddrugs seconds. Inthis, and analyzethedustwithin onaperson, matically collectthedustparticles “The doorcanauto- AGEtechnician explained, explosive devices anddrugs. electronicallyphotographingandscanningthosewho enterfor secure doors, advanceddustcontrol technologies medicalinstruments; vehicles; portable NOTES Joey Cheek(SpeedskaterU.S.) 3. U.S.) skater, MichelleKwan (Figure 2. ElfeneshAlemu(Run- GezahegneAbera, 1. .http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200412/Nation- 5. http://www.ethicalcorporation.com/content. 4. http://www.beijing2008.com/11/53/article 3. http://chinadigitaltimes.net/beijing_olympics 2. http://english.people.com.cn/200107/21/ 1. the battle-ravaged Darfurregion. athlete-driven charityorganizationfor toRightPlay an money forhisvictory Cheek donatedhis$25,000prize lege-bound femaleathletesayear. gram withChevrolet 10col- thatbenefits Kwan pro- alsolaunchedascholarship city’s tourismaftertheSARSepidemic. the her parentswere tosupport born) hospitals. Sheflew toHongKong (where Children’s ofchildren’s MiracleNetwork Kwan isanationalspokeswoman forthe Chicago marathonfundraising. inEthiopiathrough ing forAIDSorphans raise awareness and$105,000infund- to workedwithWorld Vision The runners Ethiopia) ners, 200412(A).htm. asp?ContentID=4633. 212035311.shtml. _2008/. eng20010721_75512.html. 5

REGULAR FEATURES 121 CHINA RIGHTS FORUM NO. 4, 2006

Taking Action for 2008

NGOS IN ACTION WHAT YOU CAN DO PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE GAMES? NGOs continue to produce reports, Stay informed: Download the forthcoming press releases and recommendations Olympics Resource Packet from HRIC; Stay informed: Stay current on Olympics to the international community, are Visit the sites of the NGOs above and learn preparations that will affect your stay in Bei- also developing creative, interactive, more about their campaigns. jing by contacting HRIC and other NGOs for multi-media strategies to draw atten- more information on issues including: tion to ongoing human rights issues Write to the IOC: Support calls for a com- K Environmental damage in Beijing and its and concerns. Below is a round-up of prehensive review of China’s Olympic affect on the air, health and food; some of the more active campaigns. Games preparation and independent moni- K Constructions and demolitions that toring of construction sites. have destroyed neighborhoods and Campaign name: Race for Tibet IOC Executive Board increase congestion in the city center; Organization: International Tibet Château de Vidy K Detentions and crackdowns on journal- Support Network, a coalition set 1007 Lausanne ists, lawyers, religious practitioners and up by International Campaign for Switzerland grassroots activists. Tibet (ICT) and including the Australia Tibet Council Write to the Beijing Organizing Committee Get prepared: Contact your national Website: http://www.racefortibet.org and the Beijing Mayor: Urge them to: Olympic committee for information on how K Provide open and transparent access to access uncensored news, for example, Campaign name: 2008-Free Tibet for all media groups in Beijing; on the Internet. Organization: the Free Tibet Campaign K Provide assurances that the Olympic Website: http://www.2008- security infrastructure will not be used freetibet.org/ to monitor private citizens; WHAT CAN THE BUSINESS K Make the Beijing City Contract for the COMMUNITY DO? Campaign name: Beijing 2008 Olympics public to all to facilitate an Olympics Campaign open assessment of compliance; Raise the bar: Review corporate policies Organization: Students for a Free Beijing Organizing Committee and activities in China against international Tibet For the Games of the XXIX Olympiad principles that obligate businesses to Website: http://studentsforafreetibet. 267 Bei Si Huan Zhong Lu respect human rights in all their activities org/article.php?id=545 Haidian District in China, including: Beijing 100083, PRC K On-going construction; Campaign name: Beijing 2008: K Manufacturing of Olympics parapherna- Human Rights and the Olympics lia: With an estimated $300 million profit in China WHAT BEIJING CAN DO TO ENSURE from merchandise related to the “Fuwa” Organization: Human Rights Watch A SUCCESSFUL OLYMPICS mascots ($100 more than the Athens Website: http://hrw.org/campaigns/ mascots), the production of this mer- china/beijing08 Fulfill international obligations: Ensure chandise is a good opportunity for manu- that all ongoing construction and imple- facturers to ensure worker rights and Campaign name: Boycott Beijing mentation of services are implemented workplace conditions. 2008 without violating international human rights Organization: Reporters Without obligations. Call on Beijing to ensure open access: Borders Bring us all up to date: Update the Chinese Complete access has been guaranteed for Website: people and International community on the 2008 Olympics, but new media rules http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php steps taken to deliver on the promises and journalist detentions raise concerns. 3?id_rubrique=174 undertaken in the Beijing Olympic Action Support calls for demonstrated assurances Plan and elsewhere to: of complete press freedom. Campaign name: Olympic Watch K Ensure that information services will be Organization: Committee for the 2008 available to all; Giving back to the community: Re-invest a Olympics Games in a Free and K Increase standards of living in Beijing; portion of Olympics profits in projects that Democratic Country K Develop guidelines to ensure that secu- contribute to local communities and Website: rity measures do not violate interna- groups, such as education and healthcare http://www.olympicwatch.org tional standards on data retention and programs for migrants, rural children and Image: three Olympic rings interlinked privacy. AIDS orphans, or establish computer liter- into five by a set of handcuffs acy centers to promote greater access to the Internet.