2008 Woodie Awards
Darfur affects 2008 Olympics
by Matthew Jackson
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Connections
China's lack of involvement in Darfur has caused Hollywood director Steven Spielberg to quit the Beijing Olympics. Spielberg had joined on as the artistic adviser for the opening and closing ceremonies of this summer's Olympic games. The director decided to call it quit on the grounds of human rights by accusing China of not exerting enough peace efforts in the Sudanese region.
Since Spielberg decision to quit, China's state-controlled media has harshly criticized him. However, the Chinese government has not officially criticized Spielberg.
A front-page editorial last week in the overseas edition of the People's Daily, the Communist party's official newspaper, offered harsh criticism about Spielberg's 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," said the editorial.
Also, in the past week, the Guangming Daily 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.
The United Nations believes China has influence over Sudanese leaders because it buys two-thirds of the country's oil.
Spielberg hasn't been the only one to speak out. The U.S. Congress and a coalition of Nobel Peace Prize winners, politicians and elite athletes have also lobbied Beijing because of Darfur.
Actress Mia Farrow and other activists delivered an open letter addressed to Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Chinese Mission to the United Nations.
The recent storm of international criticism has prodded China to take steps. Earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry announced that China's special envoy to Darfur would be making its fourth visit to the region later this month.
Since Spielberg decision to quit, China's state-controlled media has harshly criticized him. However, the Chinese government has not officially criticized Spielberg.
A front-page editorial last week in the overseas edition of the People's Daily, the Communist party's official newspaper, offered harsh criticism about Spielberg's 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," said the editorial.
Also, in the past week, the Guangming Daily 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.
The United Nations believes China has influence over Sudanese leaders because it buys two-thirds of the country's oil.
Spielberg hasn't been the only one to speak out. The U.S. Congress and a coalition of Nobel Peace Prize winners, politicians and elite athletes have also lobbied Beijing because of Darfur.
Actress Mia Farrow and other activists delivered an open letter addressed to Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Chinese Mission to the United Nations.
The recent storm of international criticism has prodded China to take steps. Earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry announced that China's special envoy to Darfur would be making its fourth visit to the region later this month.
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