Soft power in the snow: why it’s ‘mission impossible’ for China’s Winter Olympics to replicate Beijing 2008’s coming out party
- China left with little room to showcase its national image and burnish its reputation this time around
- Covid-19 pandemic and political controversies force organisers to settle for ‘simple, safe and splendid’
Fireworks of red and gold faded to give way to 2,008 performers beating the fou – an ancient percussion instrument – while chanting excerpts from Confucius’ Analects.
It was the night of August 8, 2008, the opening ceremony for China’s first Olympic Games. Beijing was not only eager to flaunt China’s rich history and culture but also its brand new stadiums, its ability to run an international event smoothly and its talented athletes who went on to win more gold medals than any other nation.
The New York Times reported at the time: “And if the astonishing opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games lavished grand tribute on Chinese civilisation and sought to stir an ancient nation’s pride, there was also a message for an uncertain outside world: Do not worry. We mean no harm.”
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Final preparations under way for artificial snow production at Beijing Winter Olympics
