Chinese games

Via Normblog: In September of last year, two Chinese human rights activists, Teng Biao and Hu Jia, issued the following open letter calling for the international community to examine the reality behind China's promise to improve human rights in the run up to the 2008 Olympics.

The Real China and the Olympics

On July 13th 2001, when Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, the Chinese government promised the world it would improve China’s human rights record. In June 2004, Beijing announced its Olympic Games slogan, “One World, One Dream.” From their inception in 1896, the modern Olympic Games have always had as their mission the promotion of human dignity and world peace. China and the world expected to see the Olympic Games bring political progress to the country. Is Beijing keeping its promises? Is China improving its human rights record?

When you come to the Olympic Games in Beijing, you will see skyscrapers, spacious streets, modern stadiums and enthusiastic people. You will see the truth, but not the whole truth, just as you see only the tip of an iceberg. You may not know that the flowers, smiles, harmony and prosperity are built on a base of grievances, tears, imprisonment, torture and blood.

We are going to tell you the truth about China. We believe that for anyone who wishes to avoid a disgraceful Olympics, knowing the truth is the first step.

You can read the rest here.

Three months after the letter was published, Hu Jia was arrested by the Chinese authorities and is now on trial for “incitement to subvert state power”.

Lawrence Donegan at the Guardian's Sportblog takes up the story.