China Issues Rules to Foreigners for Olympic Behavior

The Communist government in Beijing has just issued rules for visitors who will be attending the Olympics. “A guide to Chinese law for Foreigners coming to, leaving or staying in China during the Olympics” could have been a helpful little guide, a friendly reminder of different codes of conduct that apply. Sadly, it seems more proof positive that the ChiComs remain totalitarians despite having Kentucky Fried Chicken and designer labels.

To be fair, some of the rules are pretty logical. Those with tickets to Olympic events “still need to visit China [sic] embassies and consulates and apply for visas according to the related rules.” And the guide says that the government will refuse a visa to those “who might conduct acts of terrorism, violence and government subversion . . . and those who might engage in activities endangering China's national security and national interest.” That’s perfectly fine as is the ban on weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currency, drugs and poisons.

It gets a bit less enticing when the Chinese government tells visitors that certain areas are off limits. Now, for national security reasons, military bases and some government buildings could be excluded from a guided tour, but this prohibition applies to all of Tibet. It’s rather like the American government saying, “Come on in, but no one can go to Alaska.” Naturally, the ChiComs fear protests that would harm their occupation of that nation.

And of course, there are other things to protest such as the treatment of the Falun Gong in China and the PRC’s oil-for-arms trade with Sudan that perpetuates the disaster in Darfur. So, “In order to hold any public gathering, parade or protest the organizer must apply with the local police authorities. No such activity can be held unless a permit is given. . . . Any illegal gatherings, parades and protests and refusal to comply are subject to administrative punishments or criminal prosecution.” And since all foreign visitors have 24 hours to register with the local police (72 hours in rural areas), they’ll know where to look.

This goes against what International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said back in April, that athletes could exercise freedom of speech in China. His words were “Freedom of expression is something that is absolute. It’s a human right. Athletes have it.” Someone needs to tell the Communists in Beijing. And some athletes need to exercise that right, no matter how embarrassing for the ChiComs.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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