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 Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Much-Touted Middle Corridor Transport Route Could Prove a Dead End
For the Middle Corridor to fulfill its promises, one of these routes must become scalable. At present, neither is.
Friedrich Conradi
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Rada Reawakens: Ukraine’s Messy Politics Returns
The return of parliamentary politics reflects a broader shift from earlier expectations of a settlement and elections toward the reality of a prolonged war.
Balázs Jarábik
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Who Is Responsible for the Demise of the Russian Internet?
The Russian state has opted for complete ideological control of the internet and is prepared to bear the associated costs.
Maria Kolomychenko
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is Opposition to Online Restrictions an Inflection Point for the Russian Regime?
After four years of war, there is no one who can stand up to the security establishment, and President Vladimir Putin is increasingly passive.
Tatiana Stanovaya
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?
It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.
Mikayel Zolyan

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Much-Touted Middle Corridor Transport Route Could Prove a Dead End

For the Middle Corridor to fulfill its promises, one of these routes must become scalable. At present, neither is.

Friedrich Conradi

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Rada Reawakens: Ukraine’s Messy Politics Returns

The return of parliamentary politics reflects a broader shift from earlier expectations of a settlement and elections toward the reality of a prolonged war.

Balázs Jarábik

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Who Is Responsible for the Demise of the Russian Internet?

The Russian state has opted for complete ideological control of the internet and is prepared to bear the associated costs.

Maria Kolomychenko

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is Opposition to Online Restrictions an Inflection Point for the Russian Regime?

After four years of war, there is no one who can stand up to the security establishment, and President Vladimir Putin is increasingly passive.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?

It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.

Mikayel Zolyan