China needs time for change

(in response to "Games face just a mask?" p. A2, The Straits Times)

Why hurry for changes, when China already took a huge sacrifice for the Olympics 2008?

The Bejing Olympics 2008 has left us with spectacular hosting, fireworks, performances and preparations that will be remembered in history. It is their first time after a long time waiting, and they made it brilliant and "truely exceptional." Of course, their efforts came with a price. Apart from the extraordinary costs of displaying what they are capable of doing for the Olympics, security issues, compensations for polluting factories and power plants on the outskirts of Beijing, and five provinces who had suspended their operations without satisfactory explanations are current issues that China has to face after the games. If we were to evaluate whether the Olympics have changed China, it is too early too comment. They are not "tough questions" in my opinion, we just need more time to anticipate the changes in China. Is it going to be the same for China in its transformation to become a "polite and gracious" country?

Evidently, China has to balance the "socio-econmic forces that the Games bring" and find the right solutions to consolidate their political grounds and tackle their air pollution problems; and I do not wish to comment on that at the moment. However, if we are concerned that all of these joyeous moments, Olympic limelights and "occasional rains" were a face behind a mask for China, I thought it was a bit too harsh to bear for the Chinese. They deserve more credit on what they have done for us, and fulfill their promise for hosting the Olympics remarkably.

Thus, let us embrace their courage and significant exhibitions that will keep in our minds for a long time. I hope that China will continue to give us more surprises to come outside of the Olympics.