With the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics just weeks away, China is facing a global backlash and a significant diplomatic boycott.

The Olympics will go ahead, with pageantry and huge television audiences. But will they be a soft power victory for China?

Jennifer Hsu says it’s not so simple. Because there hasn’t been a unified voice against China’s actions – Olympic sponsors haven’t stayed away, for one – Beijing believes the diplomatic boycott has failed to resonate.

It also demonstrates the weakness of the west – that professed democratic values and respect for human rights can be compromised when profits are at stake.

So, we shouldn’t expect the Olympics to change many opinions about China. But we shouldn’t expect China to change, either.

Justin Bergman

Senior Deputy Editor: Politics + Society

Can China win back global opinion before the Winter Olympics? Does it even want to?

Jennifer Y.J. Hsu, UNSW

China has been unfazed by diplomatic boycotts by the west. In Beijing’s eyes, the Olympics still have broad support by many nations and, importantly, corporate sponsors.

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If you’re stuck in mall traffic this holiday season, spare a thought for Victor Gruen, whose grand urban vision turned into today’s suburban reality.

 

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