Beijing 2008 Olympic Games requires an objective and fair opinion environment. Some anti-China forces in the West, however, attempt to take it as a "good" opportunity of spurring China to a "political shift" with the use of their customary tactics to discredit the Beijing Olympics and bring disgrace on China.
Particularly in the past year or so, a few media overseas have hyped or exaggerated some global issues and domestic social events in China, such as the Darfur problem of Sudan, and issues about the so-called "freedom of the press", "freedom of religious belief" and China's food quality (or safety)," which are misled and used by the foreign anti-China forces in an organized and planned way.
As the 2008 Olympics is drawing near, preparations for the Games have been shifted from the construction of sports grounds and gymnasiums and meticulous arrangements of events in the "hard strategy"field to the "soft strategy" centered on the creation of a fair and objective opinion environment, and going in for diplomacy with general public and dialogues with the populace of global community.
First of all, we should enhance a positive impact on the China-related opinions overseas. For some time, we often made clarification and explanations only after we were attacked on the issue of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. So, populace overseas has often been led astray by preconceived ideas before any negative reports about China are refuted and explained. And so we should make detailed, predetermined reportage of those issues that are tough, heated and hard to tackle with a greater initiative to bring into play the country's positive influences.
The chief objective of an Olympics hosting nation is aimed at general public in society, according to relevant experience of previous Olympic Games hosting countries. As for 30,000 overseas reporters and cameramen and several hundred thousand viewers from around the world to come to China for coverage or for travel, what they care most is definitely the Chinese culture demonstrated by how ordinary people live and work, or in other words, the "Chinese faces and content beyond," which merit attention.
Second, it is imperative to step up public diplomacy. Fundamentally speaking, the Olympics represents the meeting or an encounter between peoples and between their cultures and, therefore, it poses a grand gathering of human civilization. Hence, the diplomacy outside the "government diplomacy," which comprise all forms of non-official dialogues, is nevertheless the most crucial component part. To this end, we shall erect a multi-layer "theatrical stage" for general public and people-to-people organizations to perform during the period of Beijing Olympics, and provide them with more opportunities to display the national image and convey the Chinese culture.
Of course, the prerequisite is for people at large to have sound ideological and ethical qualities, and particularly citizens in Beijing and other Game events hosting cities, as well as those at or around tourist attractions. Only with their fine trans-cultural contacts and communications and ample chances for involvement, shall the Beijing Olympics be a truly Olympic Games with both "high standards and unique feature."
Third, concepts of taking the whole situation into an account and making overall arrangements should be fostered, so that "the whole nation will coordinate its moves as in a game of chess." Surveys done so far have shown that people from overseas come to Beijing for sightseeing or personally experiencing the Chinese culture, and so watching sports competitions is only part of the aim for their trips. It implies that due attention should be given to things both inside and outside the arenas, and a harmony inside and outside the sports grounds should also be guaranteed.
A genuine China should be presented to the world along with its civilization and progress, not merely by the Olympic Games or the superb performance of Chinese athletes. If the nation wants to make the Beijing Olympics a success, it cannot hinge merely on a few government departments or several concerned cities.
The media's main task is to spread and promote headway of the Olympic Games, and civilizations of the Chinese nation and its social development. This can be attained only through joint efforts of people from all walks of life across China. As the Beijing Olympics is only some 140 days to go, the Chinese people are resolved to make ultimate efforts for its full, complete success and thus offer the world a splendid, successful Olympics.
By People's Online and its author is Zhao Qizhen, vice-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee under the National Committee of the Chinense People's Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and cncurrently dean of the Journalism College of the Renmin University of ChinaAuthor：China Others Time：2008-05-24 From：china daily
