In RE today, we were split into groups and given topics to present a debate on to the class. Most of these topics were things like euthanasia (Or children in Pakistan: Youth-in-asia, hahaha). Most of these debates were absolute rubbish, with neither side managing to bring up even slightly convincing arguments, and most got stuck on one single point. However, Joe, Pete and I decided to debate whether China should be allowed to hold the Olympics. Joe, who feels very strongly about this decided to argue against China holding the Olympics. Pete and I were for it. Pete and I prepared, but Joe thought that he could hold us off. Because of this, we shot him down in flames.
After the lesson, I thought I’d have a look at some information about this on the internet. China’s government really isn’t very nice, and although in the debate I almost ended up convincing myself that they should be held there, My mind changed pretty quickly.
You’ll know about all of the Human Rights issues in China, and there is far too much to talk about here. However, here are some interesting facts:
- It is estimated, that since 1949, the party controlling China has been responsible for between fifty and one hundred million deaths.
- It is also estimated that they are responsible for the torture of tens of millions
If the Olympics were in Husseins Iraq, then what do you think what would happen? There is lots of information about China and Human Rights on the internet. A good place to look would be Human Rights Watch.
Did you know, that in fairly recent days, a ship from China, carry millions of rounds of ammunition, destined for Robert Mugabe docked in a harbour in Duban? Plenty about that here.
When the IOC gave China the Olympics in 2001, it was under the grounds that China would improve their human rights. Like that happened. It just got worse. Why did China get them in the first place? That’s what I wonder. It’s not like there was much different in 2001.
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The big issue here is how the Western Powers are completely unwilling to move against China. Why? Because they depend on so many things that are ‘made in China’ in order to sustain their economies. What do the people in their countries (such as the UK) want? Economic ‘growth’ so that they have more money for more material things - helped by a ‘good’ relationship with China. Thus in our democracies precious few of us apply pressure to our leaders to do anything, and nothing gets done. It’s all too far away and inconvenient.
Yes, Pete did bring that up in the debate. I wonder how many bits of my computer were made in China… It’s a shame, really.
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