Amid security threat, questions arise about "No-Fun" Olympics

That is the question on the lips of many of the city's expatriates and locals, amid dire warnings from the government of terrorist attacks, ramped up security checks and a clampdown on night life ahead of next month's Games.

Add tighter visa procedures and inflated hotel prices that have kept tourists away, as well as restrictions on car travel, and some are wondering if Beijing will be able to recreate the party atmosphere of Sydney and Athens.

Popular bars and restaurants deemed too close to some of the Olympic venues, such as the Workers' Stadium in downtown Beijing, are having to close down for security reasons.

Those that are still in business have been told to search people's bags and to avoid "crowds", according to one Western bar owner, who declined to be named for fear of further police attention on his venue.

Meanwhile, parts of the city's burgeoning live music scene has been told to keep quiet.

Bar owners realised they were in for a tougher time when China's largest outdoor rock festival, the Midi Music Festival, was abruptly cancelled in May with just a few days' notice.

This came amid a particularly sensitive time for China after its March crackdown on violence in Tibet, which erupted after four days of peaceful protests against Chinese rule, drew international condemnation.

Looming restrictions on cars, when vehicles with even and odd number plates will have to run on alternate days, are also worrying some Beijingers who will have to use an already crowded public transport if they want to go anywhere.

Weekend trips into the countryside are no longer possible, they complain, because they can not use their cars for two consecutive days.

In addition, all people in the city now have to carry their ID cards or passports with them at all times for random security checks.

Critics have said China's communist rulers are desperate to avoid being embarrassed during the Olympics in the form of protests, whether they be by Tibetan activists, local dissidents or foreign human rights critics.

But authorities in Beijing have warned of an unprecedented terror threat to the Olympics, particularly from its Muslim Xinjiang region, and have made no apologies for putting security of athletes and tourists as their top priority.

A weekend commentary in the Communist Party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, derided Western press reports warning of a "cold and cheerless Olympics" as it warned of the security threat from Xinjiang and Tibet.

"The Beijing Olympics is facing a terrorist threat unsurpassed in Olympic history," it said.

Vocabulary

amid, preposition: in the middle of; surrounded by

to ramp up, v: to increase forcefully not caring about others

clampdown, n: severe enforcement of regulations

inflated, adj: increased above its actual value

condemnation, n: act of showing strong disapproval

to loom, v: to come soon; to near; to approach

consecutive, adj: one following the other directly

random, adj: without plan or system

priority, n: something given special attention to

unsurpassed, adj: never seen before; unequalled; unprecedented

Questions

1. Why can people of Beijing not go on weekend trips any longer?

a. China has run out of petrol.

b. The government has introduced travel restrictions.

c. They can use their car on only one of the two days.

d. Everybody has to work every day to get things ready.

2. What is the Chinese government most worried about?

a. unsold tickets

b. lack of interest

c. foreign tourists

d. terrorist attacks

3. What venues have to stay shut for the Olympics?

a. any inland or domestic airport

b. all hotels and places of accommodation

c. all immigration offices and border crossings

d. any bar or restaurant close to an Olympic venue

4. Why should you carry your passport with you at all times in Beijing?

a. It might be stolen if you leave it at home.

b. You may be asked to identify yourself at any time.

c. You may be called upon to join the athletics team.

d. You can get free entry to the Olympics with your passport.

5. What nickname are the Beijing Olympics expected to get?

a. No-Fun-Games

b. The Frolic Farm

c. Sticky Sticks Stick

d. Comrade Glorious

Synonyms

1. dire

a. grim

b. hesitant

c. tentative

d. imaginary

2. deem

a. prove

b. declare

c. demand

d. consider

3. burgeon

a. train

b. expand

c. support

d. regulate

4. abruptly

a. forcefully

b. suddenly

c. persistently

d. pre-emptively

5. unprecedented

a. routine

b. expected

c. controlled

d. unsurpassed

KEY

Questions                1.c, 2. d, 3. d,  4. b, 5. a

Synonyms                1. a, 2. d, 3. b, 4. b, 5. d

By Ajarn Horst Baelz