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Local community organisations, clubs, courses and programmesBehind the Beijing Controversies
No Olympic Games is without controversy and Beijing 2008 has its share. In the lead up to the games there has been concern about human rights in China – highlighted during recent troubles in Tibet and with international protest during the Olympic torch relay. There has also been concern about the rights of ordinary Chinese citizens whose homes have been demolished to make way for new buildings including those associated with the Games. In Beijing this has focused on the increasing disappearance of traditional buildings and neighbourhoods called hutongs.
Journalists are focusing on the issue of Chinese government censorship of the internet with claims that contentious websites are being blocked – for example Amnesty International, Falun Gong and Human Rights Watch. The media is also focusing on pollution issues including the air quality in Beijing and the toxic algal bloom at the Olympic Yachting venue.
A perennial concern at the Olympics is the issue of athletes using illegal performance enhancement like drugs and blood doping.
Terrorism Threats to the Olympic Games
Olympic Games will be safe, says China
BBC report on the latest issues with security from terrorism at the Olympic Games.
Chinese Government Censorship
- Which websites has China blocked?
- Article from the BBC on July 30.
- Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China
- Wikipedia article on censorship.
Human Rights in China
- Human Rights in China
- International, Chinese, non-governmental organisation with a mission to promote international human rights and advance the institutional protection of these rights in the People’s Republic of China.
- Tibet
- Xinhua – Official Chinese News Agency’s page on Tibet.
- United Nations Development Programme - China
- UN work in China and reports on China.
- Human Rights for China
- Amnesty International campaign for greater human rights in China.
- Human Rights in China
- 1991 document from Information Office of the State Councilof the People's Republic of China.
- Human Rights Watch – China and Tibet
- Information from international human rights organisation Human Rights Watch.
China and Darfur Human Rights
- China and Darfur
- BBC report on China’s relationship with Sudan.
- China and Darfur
- BBC report on China’s moves to resolve the humanitarian conflict in Darfur in the lead up to the Olympic Games.
- Changing the Rules of the Games
- New York Times story about the American based campaign to target corporate games sponsors and the Chinese government in the lead up to the Olympic Games to effect changes over the crisis in Darfur.
- China’s Darfur Policy in tune with law, morality
- Article in the Chinese newspaper, China Daily, about Chinese policy in Sudan.
Pollution in China
- In Pictures: Beijing Pollution Watch
- Daily picture series from the BBC showing the air quality in Beijing.
- Beijing Pollution: facts and figures
- Information from the BBC including showing measurements they are taking daily.
- Massive algae growth puts cloud over Olympic sailing venue (+photos)
- Article in the New Zealand Herald.
Drug Testing at the Olympics
- International Association of Athletics Federation Anti Doping
- Information and news from the IAAF.
- World Anti-Doping Agency at the Olympic Games
- World agency WADA at the Olympic Games.
Changing Face of Beijing
New York Times articles about the hutongs (traditional neighbourhoods) of Beijing
