An article by Tini Tran (Associated Press Writer) recently appeared condemming Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's decision to quit the Beijing Olympics over the Darfur crisis. In reaction, China's state-controlled media has set off a groundswell of criticism from the Chinese public.
Last week, the Spielberg withdrew from his role as an artistic adviser to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Games, because he felt China was not doing enough to press for peace in the troubled Sudanese region.
The Chinese are angry, accusing Speilberg of breaking his promise to the Chinese people and using the Olympics as a tool to make a statement about Darfur. "A biting front-page editorial Wednesday in the overseas edition of the People's Daily, the Communist Party's official newspaper, blasted Spielberg for his decision.
"A certain Western director was very naive and made an unreasonable move toward the issue of the Beijing Olympics. This is perhaps because of his unique Hollywood characteristics," it said.
Over the weekend, the Guangming Daily, also published by the Communist Party, ran an editorial saying Spielberg "broke his promise to make his contribution to the Beijing Olympics and betrayed the Olympic spirit."
He "is not qualified to blame China because he knows nothing about the great efforts the Chinese government has made on Darfur," it said."
Last week, the Spielberg withdrew from his role as an artistic adviser to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Games, because he felt China was not doing enough to press for peace in the troubled Sudanese region.
The Chinese are angry, accusing Speilberg of breaking his promise to the Chinese people and using the Olympics as a tool to make a statement about Darfur. "A biting front-page editorial Wednesday in the overseas edition of the People's Daily, the Communist Party's official newspaper, blasted Spielberg for his decision.
"A certain Western director was very naive and made an unreasonable move toward the issue of the Beijing Olympics. This is perhaps because of his unique Hollywood characteristics," it said.
Over the weekend, the Guangming Daily, also published by the Communist Party, ran an editorial saying Spielberg "broke his promise to make his contribution to the Beijing Olympics and betrayed the Olympic spirit."
He "is not qualified to blame China because he knows nothing about the great efforts the Chinese government has made on Darfur," it said."
In light of our recent readings, this reaction is not surprising. What's next, an outbreak of violence against cinemas that play American movies? A full-scale student protest in Bejing? An attack on the American Embassy? We'll see.
1 comment:
Our readings this week have taught me how seriously the Chinese take this sort of thing. Mr. Spielberg should have read Susan Shirk's book.
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