China and the Olympic Games

A major focus right now for many Chinese centers around the 2008 Olympic Games which are to be hosted in Beijing. Although it is still 2006 China’s preparations to host the event are well underway. With a total bill for the Olympics estimated to amount to $39 billion the Chinese are leaving no stone unturned to ensure they put on a show to dazzle the rest of the world. For many the Olympic Games is a chance for China to show a global audience just how much progress they have made as a nation.

In terms of the economy, the Olympic Games will likely have a positive effect on an already booming Chinese economy. It is expected to provide 1.82 million jobs for Beijing and increase the GDP by 0.8 percentage points for the period 2004 to 2008.

One of the things I found extremely interesting when reading about the on going preparations was a government campaign which is aimed at instilling manners in the country’s population. This includes efforts to stop such habits as public spitting, cutting the queue and even slurping soup! It will be interesting to see the level of success that will be had in trying to change an ingrained way of behaviour.