Opening Ceremony Goes Off Without a Hitch

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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.

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