China and It’s 60’s Anniversary

While I was watching Chinese Parade 2009 on their national day (1^st of October), I was shuddered at the sight. Everyone knows that the purpose of the parade is to let their people to feel proud to be Chinese as well as show off their power to the others but still the ceremony was jaw dropping outward show.

Now that China has rival expectation due to Beijing Olympic, expecting Shanghai Expo in 2010 and became 2^nd largest economy in the world, ceremony of their 60^th anniversary had to be too perfect and organized. And here I am amazed with thier ‘behind story’.

1. Manipulate weather

It is not new, since China already did it during the Beijing Olympic, but once again China manipulated weather for National day to have clear blue sky as background. In order not to rain on 1st October, they used “artificial rain reduction” (thanks to that Shanghai rained all day long on 1^st October), 24 machines was set on the land on national day to suck up all the smog.

2. So many banned action

• Tourists spots, hotel, restaurants in Beijing was closed and armed police was located at many intersections as well as metal detectors in the subway to scan the bags of passengers from few weeks before the parade.
• People who live on parade route were told not to open their window and not allowed to come out of thier balcony to see the parade.
• Few weeks before the parade, knives and soaps (it can be used for bomb) were banned to sell in every store (even Wall Mart) in  Beijing.
• Flying kites and BIRDS were banned on 1^st of October.

3. Military parade

Total 52 types of weapon that were all MAID IN CHINA were displayed in the parade including nuclear weapon. 14 blocks, each comprising 352 soldiers, marched past the country’s leaders everyone in same height, shape and posture. When president of China, Hu Jintao, passed through soldiers, all the faces of soldeir moved exactly same direction on same pace.

“Parades have always been considered the best way to display national strength and military might. It is also a good chance to educate people about national defense” Luo said. (Luo Yuan, a military expert with the with the Academy of Military Sciences) But I think it was also educational purpose to the other country sending message that ‘DO NOT MESS WITH CHINA!’

Plus showing the image of military weapons, at the same time broadcast  emphasizing that China is seeking and supporting peace was very contradiction.

4.  Crowds controlling

Total people participated in parade were 200,000 people. Among these numbers, 80.000 were children and they signed the contract in advance that they would not talk with any media until the parade is over. I wonder what that reason was, just hoping that children were not abused.

Moreover, I heard from Chinese that for one day performance they had to practice the parade since JANUARY, sacrificing their summer holidays. Although they get paid 50RMB per day, there is no option to say ‘No’ to participating the parade. It’s an ORDER. Some Chinese even feel that it is honor to be part of the parade and most of Chinese who are in the other cities sat at home and actually watched the whole parade. (Well I can understand since both day and night parade were entertaining and huge that it draws attention)

The 60^th anniversary parade certainly draws the world attention and  surely gave big impression to the people both Chinese and rest of the world. (Especially seeing the reaction on the Twitter was very interesting) Many Chinese felt that their nation is now strong and no other country would never look down on them.

Western media were generally assumed critical attitudes. They criticize on 80,000 children that were in the parade, the parades means rise of communist party in China, sees it as old-fashioned parade with new weapons. (More detailed information in source 3)

No one can deny that China is giant tiger that grows super fast. Some say China is becoming more and more capitalistic, but after this ceremony it feels like they are going back to Communism. I wonder when China becomes largest economy in the world, would history be repeated.

Sources:

1. http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=7445&sec=1
2. http://www.3news.co.nz/China-clears-central-Beijing-for-anniversary-party/tabid/417/articleID/123339/Default.aspx?ArticleID=123339
3. http://shanghaiist.com/2009/10/05/what_western_media_had_to_say_about.php
4. http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?sec=1&id=7915
5. http://english.chinamil.com.cn/site2/news-channels/2009-01/21/content_1627155.htm