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Running to Stand Still With Erick Haskell, COO of Greater China for the Adidas Group

For those who Google "China" or "Olympics" on any given day in latest months, except for the few weeks China Marathon was tormented by lethal earthquakes, you may be overwhelmed by the shower of unfavourable coverage from the mainstream Western media against China and its internet hosting of 2008 Beijing Olympics.

For months leading up to the Beijing Games, China has been put below the Western microscope with accusations and complaints towards the country and its government sweeping throughout all terrains, from massive political issues akin to Tibet, human rights, protest rights, press and spiritual freedom; to social issues together with air air pollution, authorities relocation of Beijing residents; to conspiracy stories about particular visible results of the opening ceremony and ultra performance of Chinese athletes; and to extra trivial displeasures about losing a pair of pricey sun shades, difficulties to entry Olympic Green, English commonplace of volunteers, and over-eagerness of residents to assist the foreigner guests. The list goes on and on.

As if that's not sufficient, an NBC correspondent went on a stay TELEVISION hunt for Chinese language meals in Beijing. Let's check out what she found: giant scorpions, lizards, silk worms, seahorses, iguana tails and dung beetles. Other Western reportors additionally cited rabbit head, pig mind and animal penis. Being a native of Beijing with 20 plus years of living there and a meals lover myself, I've little data the place to search for these unique issues, to not point out ever eating them. Come on, China has a civilization of 5,000 years - Western reporters can't be critically fascinated about portraying the Chinese language as barbaric aboriginals or man-eating cannibals, proper?

The truth is, Dave Barry of Miami Herald admitted to a weblog "beijingboyce.com" that "The Chinese language people I saw all seemed to be buying issues like lamb kebabs and fruit. Then again, the folks gathered across the centipedes and scorpions on a stick have been, in virtually every case, tourists or American TV reporters doing fun options on weird Chinese food.... The Chinese language do not eat scorpions. They feed their scorpions to TV reporters. I might not be surprised to study that the Chinese word for scorpion is "TELEVISION reporter meals."

2016 TCS New York City Marathon runners from China from runbuk on Vimeo.

Granted, China shouldn't be completely harmless from many of the aforementioned allegations and criticisms, but it is neither an evil host which deserves no credit score at all. As the world's fastest growing economic system and one of many world's most historical civilizations, there has received to be one thing constructive to report on.

You may be simply frustrated, nonetheless, if you're looking to read something extra constructive or, in any case, constructive about the country and its hospitable individuals. Certain, there is at all times the official Xinhua Information or China Day by day one can learn for a change, however any praise from self-proclaimed independent and goal mainstream Western media is surprisingly arduous to come by.

In the meantime, for common Westerners, it is exhausting not to be misled by the drowning destructive coverage on China. A homemaker in the US informed reporters that she does not wish to "legitimize the Chinese authorities" by supporting the Beijing Olympics." Didn't President Bush just open a much bigger US Embassy there? What are we speaking about right here precisely? I am as puzzled as an Atlanta man who demanded a web-based answer for not seeing Russian tanks there.

As a lot as I disagree with President George W. Bush on many issues, I have to applaud his recent TELEVISION interview in Beijing with NBC through which he stressed that the US and China as two very totally different international locations and cultures are sure to have agreements and disagreements on a spread of things, but you will need to have a constructive relationship which is able to help each other communicate disagreements.

Wow, how I wish that he had possessed this wisdom earlier than starting the Iraq war - lives of estimated 1.2 million Iraqis and 5,000 US troopers might have been saved.

Ought to the 2008 Olympics be awarded to Beijing within the first place?

Although the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games is developing in a matter of few days, the arguments surrounding if IOC had made a mistake in letting China host the 2008 Olympics and if China had fulfilled its related promises appear to have just began.

Why pick a heavily-polluted country that is dictated by "free market Stalinists" which suppresses human rights, faith and press? China broke its promises to IOC for all of those areas, prices the mainstream Western media.

Nevertheless, in line with the IOC, its mission is "to construct a peaceful and higher world in the Olympic Spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and honest play - Olympic Spirit strives to inspire and encourage the youth of the world to be the very best they are often via instructional and entertaining interactive challenges. Olympic Spirit seeks to instill and develop the values and ideals of Olympism in those that go to and to promote tolerance and understanding in these increasingly troubled time by which we dwell, to make our world a more peaceable place."

Does China need to be awarded the hosting right of Olympics? Apparently, the Chinese language folks said a loud "sure". The whole world witnessed how a lot grass-root support China obtained from its people when it utilized for and won the internet hosting right of the event.

As a country with multiple fifth of the world's inhabitants - should it not be given an opportunity to host one of the many games? With 1.3 billion individuals not represented, can any Olympic Video games really promote its mission of "constructing a peaceful and better world with mutual understanding"? That's the reason the IOC made its decision and it is undoubtedly an accurate one.

By comparison, I have severe doubts if the mainstream Western media actually understands and honors the spirit of Olympics - questioning China's legitimacy to host such an international event only provides away its conceitedness, self-righteousness, entitlement and cultural supremacy in international affairs.

If the mainstream Western media is still the true believer of human rights and continues to uphold the universal perception that "all males are created equal", it should acknowledge the birthright of any country together with China, for internet hosting the Olympic Games.

While China needs enhancements in lots of areas as each other country on this earth does, the adjustments and progresses made by the country prior to now 30 years are unmatched within the its personal history, which cannot be hidden from view by the mainstream Western media.

China should not be compelled to make any concessions or promises to any interest teams to be able to be "bestowed" the hosting right of Olympics, because of the downfall of colonialism and imperialism! The country's pursuit of reform in all home political and social-economic fronts, together with however not limited to human rights and freedoms of its individuals, can and may only be pushed by desires of its own individuals, slightly than being imposed on by external forces.

In addition to disputing China's hosting rights, the mainstream Western media also has aired many conspiracies about China's intention for internet hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Present of power? Self-interiority? Promoting China's development path to exchange the US model? Bla, bla, bla....

We all are humans and predictably we all want similar things in life at the end of the day. Splendid displays, inflated egos or adorned ideologies can not substitute folks's primary wants for meals, clothes, shelter and healthcare.

For lots of of years, the Chinese people have craved for a peaceful setting where they'll give attention to making a better dwelling for themselves fairly than laboring for self-serving emperors or grasping overseas opium merchants. They have been fairly successful prior to now three many years and now they merely wished to celebration and rejoice with the world through Beijing Olympics. Is that so hard to grasp?

Why is the mainstream Western media so indignant with China?

In his recent article "Are the Media Being too Mean to China?" published on slate.com, Prof. Tim Wu of Columbia University wrote that "China's concept of what makes for a better Olympics for foreign consumption-tightened security and cleaning up marginal parts-is strictly what makes Western reporters loopy."

Whereas Prof. Wu's statement solely touched on one of the floor symptoms that irritated the mainstream Western media, it does shed some mild on the current tension. What he described is in fact a cultural distinction in how the Chinese language and the Western individuals obtain and entertain their visitors. But the root of drawback is the ethnocentric mindset of the Western reporters to the cultural differences and their entitlement that things ought to solely be finished in their ways.

Related examples are plentiful, whether it's about different ways beneath which Chinese language and Western athletes are educated or about how they differ in protecting their private look or etiquettes. I'm significantly disappointed with Prof. Wu's comments that "China would not have the manners and charm of the richer international locations, even when it has increasing financial and political clout."

Whereas making noises during eating is a taboo in lots of Western cultures, being openly confrontational in social interactions is a sin in many Asian cultures. These are merely cultural differences that shouldn't be judged as superior or inferior, or we danger entering the boundaries of cultural supremacy.

Unfortunately, it's this boastful mindset that has led the mainstream Western media to guage China by its personal culturally biased standards and self-centered expectations. It is not a shock they drew the conclusion that China broke its guarantees for hosting Olympics, an allegation China has denied.

What adopted was an irrational unleash of anger by the mainstream Western media in the direction of China in an try and pressure the nation into the route the Western media desired to see. The collective media assault on China, however, is more primarily based on self-interests and ethnocentrism, slightly than fairness, objectivity and independence which the mainstream Western media typically preach.

Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone!

A latest subject of Newsweek carried an article, "Rise of the Sea Turtles", that found "Westernized Chinese individuals" tend to be more resentful to the West. Though I wasn't particularly impressed with its evaluation of the foundation causes, the article does present us with an excellent pointer to an emerging pattern.

I can most likely qualify as one of many "Westernized Chinese people" the article was referring to, though I choose to identify myself as a Chinese language American after becoming a naturalized US citizen for many years.

I think it's unfair and simplistic to conclude that the "Westernized Chinese individuals" are more resentful to the West, as a result of the scenario is much extra sophisticated than portrayed. The resentments, in truth, will not be the towards the West in its entirety but more targeted at the double normal and intolerant attitudes often adopted by the mainstream Western media and Western governments in direction of China and different non-Western nations. "Westernized Chinese language folks" are typically elites who are educated within the West and their advanced coaching and mind make them independent thinkers. They're sensitive in the direction of the hypocrisies of the mainstream Western media which scrutinizes China with one set standards while closing its eyes to the identical problems at home.

No one individual or one country is ideal and the Bible tells us that everyone is a sinner. If we (People) can permit ourselves make errors and settle for skeletons in our own closets, why ought to we dissect different countries under our tinted lenses and punish them for not satisfying the requirements that even ourselves often can not meet?

We should always pursue "constructive dialogues" quite than endless "regime modifications" by using power - sarcastically both methods had been supported by President George W. Bush. I salute his newly-found knowledge which helped him attain a peaceful resolution with the North Koreans and hopefully the same can be executed with the Iranians.

If we desire international solidarity in opposition to terrorism, why is the mainstream Western media always so reluctant to sentence those who terrorize China? Read its protection of current terrorist assaults in Xinjiang and you already know what I am speaking about.

If the mainstream Western media wants to be the function model for its Chinese language peers, why does it conveniently distort information, use phony photos and brush away individuals who have totally different opinions and deny their right to have their voices heard? A Chinese American confronted a CNN journalist a number of months in the past in LA when she and plenty of other pro-China protestors have been denied chances to be interviewed, the journalist responded harshly - "do not inform me how you can do my enterprise!"

We teach every citizen in the West to respect legal guidelines and laws, yet the mainstream Western media participated in cheering the unlawful protests and vandalism in Beijing.

Personally I had a painful expertise demonstrating on London streets in 1989. It was chilly in that morning and I stepped out of the picketing line for a couple of minutes to get some desperately-wanted sunshine. I was subsequently handcuffed by drive and arrested by the London police. When my petite spouse disputed their motion, she was also handcuffed and arrested. We have been locked into separate cells for hours with no meals and water, to not mention entry to a cellphone and authorized recommendation. We have been solely released after the demonstration organizer intervened and after being pressured to sign the British equivalent of confession statements.

If being out of the picket line for some solar is a criminal offense that deserves to be handcuffed and thrown into jail in London, why ought to the Chinese be criticized for expelling illegal protestors in Beijing who purposely climb lamp-posts, buildings and promoting billboards to show unauthorized banners?

Why should an American "pastor", who proudly vandalized the two Beijing resort rooms and then cowardly sneaked away, be cheered as a "righteous protestor" by the mainstream Western media?

If a Chinese language protestor goes to the 2012 London Olympics to protest against the British suppression of Northern Ireland and hold banners on the Big Ben - can she or he depend on the mainstream Western media for for the same "heroic" coverage? Ought to we additionally question the proper of London for hosting Olympics and its dedication for press freedom if its police arrests the protestor?

Meals for thought - "Do unto others what you wish to do unto your self" (Confucius) and "let he who is with out sin cast the first stone!" (Jesus)

Is Western-styled press freedom what China needs?

A extremely-respected US scholar once told me that the Western media is founded on the spirit of challenging authorities and it's the media's job to be cynical, vigilant, critical, defiant and damaging.

I'm a powerful believer of the basic principles on which the US political system is based. Moreover many deserves of the system, media stands out as an indispensable element designed to supervise, on behalf of the general public, the three branches of the federal authorities. This is almost a perfect setup besides three potential flaws - firstly, there is no mechanism in place for the supervision of the media itself; secondly, there are serious conflicts of pursuits between the 2 contradictory roles of media both as a consultant of public pursuits and, on the identical time, as self-serving profit-making enterprises; and thirdly founding media on the idea of cynicism and negativity has its personal social prices.

For media to fulfill its role to oversee the federal government, it needs to serve public interests, quite than its personal pursuits. It needs to be unbiased, goal and impartial.

Nonetheless, it is effectively-identified that the mainstream Western media has long blended its function for public welfare with relentless pursuit of ego, energy and profits. Because the world enters the knowledge age, the mainstream Western media has grow to be a brand new rising superpower with ever-growing influence on domestic and international politics, economic system, social construction, value methods and other people's on a regular basis life.

Does Individuals actually have as a lot freedom as the mainstream media would really like us to consider? Because the mainstream Western media pursue freedoms in other nations, Individuals are shedding so many freedoms that after made them so proud.

In the past few many years, America has skilled a string of significant challenges and setbacks including the breakdown of family/social construction and worth systems, falling non secular affect and freedom, common abuse and dependence of narcotics and prescription drugs, rising violence across the country, escalating racial pressure and police brutality, widening hole between the wealthy and the poor, dropping commonplace of literacy and fundamental education, failing healthcare system that denies coverage of 23 million Individuals, and a tendency of resolving international disputes with "regime change" by navy drive quite than diplomacy, violations of on constitutional civil and human rights underneath the quilt of anti-terrorism, to name only a few.

Our children can not stroll to the school bus by themselves for worry of drug pushers and little one snatchers on the way. By the time they arrive of their schools, steel detectors await for them in some inside metropolis faculties. They've to leave their bags in lockers and no colored drinks are allowed for worry of bombs. Their lecturers usually are not allowed to mention any religion or educate morals in colleges. Even "Christmas bushes" should not be known as "Christmas trees" but "family timber". They have to go through evacuation drills often to stay vigilant as a result of college shootings are spreading. Now persons are even more scared as a result of a school district in Texas took the result in allow teachers carrying guns to the classroom. However can we trust the academics? Do we have to outsource our lecturers from India or China at some point?

As an American citizen, nothing is extra precious than my voting proper. However even that has depreciated. Why? As a result of the mainstream media is not doing its job of dissemination of objective info. As an alternative it confuses me with a relentless stream of selectively edited, distorted and manipulated info with a view to advance its personal preferences, agendas and commercial interests.

Let's check out the tainted media pictures of presidential candidates. John Edwards is a wife cheater, but that has been kept from the general public till now; Hilliary is a liar who believes she is entitled to be the President and her husband Invoice is hostile to the mainstream press; John McCain is a patriot but a battle monger who knows nothing about economy; and at last Obama, alas, is actually a star, radical of racial politics, Muslim (not that there is something flawed with it) and "Anti-Christ"! For God's sake, cease harassing me with all this sensational talk designed to boost rankings and I need to vote for Paris Hilton, however unfortunately she is not on the ballot. So my pathetic one vote looks fairly ineffective, nicely, at the very least for now.

Moving again to subject of Beijing Olympics. A Western journalist was quick to point out his disagreement with the slogan, "One World One Dream", which is supposed by the host nation to stress the commonalities all peoples share. However, this reporter selected to emphasize the different values he has from the Chinese language host.

Fine, let's talk in regards to the variations. If the mainstream Western media can acknowledge that peoples on this earth are different and that there are huge variations between them within the geographic landscapes, inhabitants structures, social-economic hierarchy, cultural values, beliefs, religions and ideologies, it should not be difficult to appreciate that their political, legal and media systems also need to differ from one another to accommodate for the specific needs of each nation. It's dangerous to assume the programs of the West are one way or the other superior which might be transplanted to other nations.

Does China need a Western-model media system? I doubt it. Whereas elementary Western media ideas of cynicism, defiance, negativity and confrontation could or might not work properly in the Western cultures, they most-positively won't be successful within the Chinese cultural environment which values hierarchy, harmony, benevolence and tolerance amongst people.

Nevertheless, it's the Chinese language people who should determine ultimately what political, economic and media programs are the ones they need. I have religion that with five thousand years of civilization, China has the knowledge to draw from the strengths of the West, keep away from its fundamental flaws and in the end develop a optimistic-spirited media system with Chinese traits that is constructed on the idea of upholding public welfare and pursuits. Our Facebook Page.