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.
