Opening Ceremony Goes Off Without a Hitch

{
  "authors": [
    "Minxin Pei"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "AP",
  "programs": [
    "Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "China"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform"
  ]
}

In The Media

Opening Ceremony Goes Off Without a Hitch

After seven years of meticulous and costly preparation, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics transpired without issue. In the eyes of the Chinese people and their government, the event – attended by 86 heads of state – was all about respect and acceptance into the world community.

By Minxin Pei

Published on Aug 8, 2008

Source: PBS NewsHour

After seven years of meticulous and costly preparation, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was hailed as a success. In the eyes of the Chinese people and their government, the event – attended by 86 heads of state – was an important introduction into the world community.

On the PBS NewsHour, Minxin Pei discussed the significance of the Olympics to the Chinese as well as the potential effects it will have on political, social, and economic change. Pei concluded that citizens may likely hold the CCP to higher environmental and governance standards, but he is skeptical that real political change is possible.

Watch the video or read the transcript here.

About the Author

Minxin Pei

Former Adjunct Senior Associate, Asia Program

Pei is Tom and Margot Pritzker ‘72 Professor of Government and the director of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.

Recent Work

In The Media
How China Can Avoid the Next Conflict
- Minxin Pei
In The Media
Small Change
- Minxin Pei

Political Reform China

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
How China Aligned Itself with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
China has aligned its cooperation model with Saudi Arabia’s own priorities, most notably since the kingdom unveiled its Vision 2030. Although China announced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the big push in relations happened only after the ascendance of King Salman to the throne in 2015 and Riyadh’s push for Beijing to meet Saudi needs.
Hesham Alghannam
Commentary
Sada
Navigating Danger: Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Risk Returning
A humanitarian crisis in Lebanon deepens, and Syrian refugees face a perilous choice: remain in a war-torn environment or return to Syria where they risk encountering significant dangers and discrimination. There are significant challenges and risks to their search for safety in Syria.
Haid Haid
Paper
Borders Without a Nation: Syria, Outside Powers, and Open-Ended Instability
In Syria’s border regions, changes in demographics, economics, and security mean that an inter-Syrian peace process will require consensus among main regional powers that Syria must remain united, that no one side can be victorious, and that perennial instability threatens the region.
Kheder Khaddour, Armenak Tokmajyan
Commentary
Diwan
Why Tunisia Lost Faith in Democracy
For many in the society, the post-Ben Ali years were mainly about successive economic crises and political instability.
Jasmine Khelil
Article
The GCC’s Multipolar Pivot: From Shifting Trade Patterns to New Financial and Diplomatic Alliances
The Gulf Cooperation Council has shifted its energy export focus to Asia, particularly India and China. This is part of a broader shift as GCC members look to expand their geopolitical alliances away from the West.
Alexandre Kateb

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary

How China Aligned Itself with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

China has aligned its cooperation model with Saudi Arabia’s own priorities, most notably since the kingdom unveiled its Vision 2030. Although China announced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the big push in relations happened only after the ascendance of King Salman to the throne in 2015 and Riyadh’s push for Beijing to meet Saudi needs.

Hesham Alghannam

Commentary

Sada

Navigating Danger: Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Risk Returning

A humanitarian crisis in Lebanon deepens, and Syrian refugees face a perilous choice: remain in a war-torn environment or return to Syria where they risk encountering significant dangers and discrimination. There are significant challenges and risks to their search for safety in Syria.

Haid Haid

Paper

Borders Without a Nation: Syria, Outside Powers, and Open-Ended Instability

In Syria’s border regions, changes in demographics, economics, and security mean that an inter-Syrian peace process will require consensus among main regional powers that Syria must remain united, that no one side can be victorious, and that perennial instability threatens the region.

Kheder Khaddour, Armenak Tokmajyan

Rally organized by lawyers from the Toulouse Bar to protest against the arrest of their Tunisian colleague Sonia Dahmani and journalists, in front of the consulate in Toulouse, southwest of France, on May 16, 2024

Commentary

Diwan

Why Tunisia Lost Faith in Democracy

For many in the society, the post-Ben Ali years were mainly about successive economic crises and political instability.

Jasmine Khelil

Article

The GCC’s Multipolar Pivot: From Shifting Trade Patterns to New Financial and Diplomatic Alliances

The Gulf Cooperation Council has shifted its energy export focus to Asia, particularly India and China. This is part of a broader shift as GCC members look to expand their geopolitical alliances away from the West.

Alexandre Kateb