The impact of the Beijing Olympic Games in China

Résumé du document

In 2001, a historic decision was taken. Indeed, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed the organization of the Olympic Games (OG) in China, and entrusted it especially to the city of Beijing. The challenges were big for China, because it was an opportunity to open up to the world. Through this event, China wanted to use the media to showcase its achievement in these past decades. By organizing the OG, China wanted to be considered a great nation, and wanted to be a part of the international community. They hoped that the Olympic Games would bring good fortune to China. Beyond sporting challenges, there were economic, political and social issues. According to Liu Qi, (mayor of Beijing) the OG would contribute to improve the economy, social progress and human rights. My analysis is on the impact of the Beijing Olympic Games in China. In order to justify the cost of investments, I would like to show what kind of benefit China could hope. The Olympic Games required 7 years of preparation and an investment of $40 billion. It is the largest amount spent by any country in Olympic Games history. The Games began on 8.08.2008 at 8 hours 8 minutes 8 seconds; the figure 8 is very symbolic for the Chinese, but what are the impacts on China?

Extraits

[...] Most of the companies prefer to produce in China to take advantage of low wages cost. According to the figure, in 2001, exportation represented $266 million and in 2007 this amount were multiplied by 4,6 times reaching $ million. (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development-OCDE) Figure China's Statistic since 2001 to 2007 China Country Year Subject Population Total Evolution Total and population of the population migration population Population growth rates Total fertility rates Economic Economic Evolution Real GDP globalisation growth of GDP growth Trade Exports of goods Foreign Inflows of direct foreign investment direct (FDI) investment Source: (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development-OCDE) /The Olympic Games benefits Events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World cup are given a lot of attention from the entire world. [...]

[...] The situation has to be improved but Beijing took the environment challenge seriously. The coming years stay a challenge for Beijing, indeed, it has to maintain its environmental situation positively and improve it for the next generation. The environmental issue has left a legacy to the city. After this reward, the nation must take Beijing as an example to improve the situation throughout. Hopefully, the country will take its own initiatives to achieve these improvements .5/ Tourism industry more foreign tourists visit the country the bigger is the economic impact.” (Holger Preuss 2008) According to Holger Preuss (2008), the tourists are a good tool to promote a country. [...]

[...] These industries could be the factors of development for Beijing. The municipality will use the decline of the consumer price index to re-adjust the prices of raw material because the current prices are cheap. Therefore, if the prices are set at a reasonable level, the consumption and emission of energy will be reduced and cause a decline of demand The investment post the Olympics won't decrease, on the contrary it will increase. The city will develop its underground trains, transportation system and build a new airport. [...]

[...] Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”(The Universal Declaration of Human Right) Few months before the Games started, Beijing's Olympic dream turned into a broadcast nightmare. In March 2008, Tibetan Buddhist monks were commemorating the 49th anniversary of Tibet's failed independence, for a better autonomy of the country and for the return of their leader, the Dalai Lama. Tibet community used this event to claim their rights and their independence. (Elizabeth C. Economy and Adam Segal 2008) This day was a nightmare for China because of all the effort they had made for the Olympic Games started to collapse. [...]

[...] Success of the games and improvement of infrastructures had to be recognized by the international community. Examples of optional activities were in 2006 to educate 400 millions pupils in Olympic Education and the objective to have 238 blue sky days in 2008. All of these efforts were to transform Beijing as a new destination for businesses, fairs, tourists, events and congresses. Beijing knew that all of these efforts will be used by the media to spread the message about good infrastructures and better environment. [...]