Jul 21 2008
Late to her own party
Since Beijing scored the Olympic bid in July 2001, China observers have used the metaphor of a debutante ball to describe the 2008 Olympics. China plans to use this Olympics to showcase how well she has developed. The country’s growing influence has not gone unnoticed, but this blowout is designed to eradicate all traces of doubt. The only catch is that Beijing is not ready yet and time is running out.
Like any good “deb,” Beijing has made extreme efforts to doll herself up. She has had a pedicure – trees and flowers now line the major roads in an effort to make the city greener. She has had her hair done – the city government shunted previously “unsightly” out-door markets indoors. But she really hopes to outdo the other girls with her jewels – the monumental new architectural gems springing up all over the city.
Vanity Fair, the New York Times, and The New Yorker have each run glamour spreads about Beijing’s shiny new buildings. Of particular note are Lord Norman Foster’s new Terminal 3 at the Capitol Airport (the biggest building in the world); Paul Andreu’s National Centre for the Performing Arts; and Rem Koolhaus’s and Ole Scheeren’s new CCTV headquarters. And that does not include any of the several dramatic structures built specifically for the Games.
What no one seems to be reporting, however, is that Beijing just isn’t ready yet. Her date has arrived, and she’s madly scrambling to put on the finishing touches. By government decree, all the buildings must look complete by August 1, but for environmental reasons, all construction in the city must cease by July 20. And for other reasons, all migrant workers in the city – many of whom are Beijing’s construction workers – must leave the city. So contractors are slapping glass exteriors over shells and unfinished buildings, of which there are a good number. It calls to mind hastily applied concealer.
To be sure, this is not akin to Athens in 2004, in which even the athletic venues were under construction until right before the Games began, but Beijing is still working on several essential accessories. The new Westin, where President Bush is rumored to be staying, is not yet complete. Worse, the Dongzhimen public-transport hub is rushing to open by August so that all the much-touted new subway lines and airport express train will be operational and polished-looking. Without the new station, it is hard to imagine how Beijing will be able to support the 2.5 million expected visitors.
The deb ball is fast approaching. Construction on some buildings continues around the clock. Perhaps the municipality will bend the rules and allow crucial construction – and the construction workers – to continue past the July 20 deadline. Or perhaps the cosmetic cover-ups will do the trick.
Either way, when she finally makes her debut on August 8, Beijing will look beautiful.
Paull, we will be counting on you to give us the real scoop. If anyone knows it, you do.
Yes, indeed, Beijing is an aspiring deb. Let’s hope her slipper doesn’t fall off.
Great going, Paull. Let’s just hope that this debutante ball won’t be spoiled by an intoxicated (uninvited) guest!!! The Chinese are doing everything in their power to keep these Games calm and sporty but there seem to be a lot of people out there who want to share/steal the spot light………………………….most unfortunately. We Beijingers keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Hi Paull,
Enjoyed reading your Blog. Every bit as good , if not better than the article in the current issue of FOREIGN AFFAIRS on China’s “Olympic Nightmare.”
I recall banners in the Beijing Airport in January of 2001 touting Beijing as the site for the “08 Olympics. In our competitive world its reassuring to see that the Chinese procrastinate as much as the rest of us.
Dick