Monday, August 18, 2008
Litter-free streets, shiny new glass buildings and a crackdown on pollution categorize the changes made during the past few years in Beijing, and international student Chenyang Zhao, 18, experienced this transformation first hand.
Zhao, who comes from China’s Sichuan province, is studying English at the University of Kansas. He spent 2006 to 2007 living and studying at Beijing Technology and Business University.
“It is a very beautiful city now,” Zhao said.
The Chinese government spent at least $40 billion tearing down and rebuilding the capital city in preparation for the Summer Olympic Games, according to the Associated Press. Beijing impressed the world with its transformation, and its coming-out party at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games sealed its debut as a global power.
The Olympic Games and the city’s transformation speak for the economic revolution and modernization in China, and the country’s emergence as a world power, Zhao said.
“I’m very proud to be Chinese because China is developing fast. We have a higher rank in the world,” he said, “Now we are respected.”
The Olympic games are playing a large part in the Chinese desire to prove themselves to be a contesting world power. The Chinese men and women’s gymnastic teams’ earning gold medals last week solidified China’s position. According to the Chinese team’s spokesperson, Zhang Peiwen, this win carried extra importantance for the country because of the prestige placed upon gymnasts.
Peiwen told the China Daily that the Chinese were taught to compete against themselves, which, according to Zhao, is the mindset of the entire country.
“We all want to succeed and … show ourselves that we can,” Zhao said.
As of Thursday, the Chinese had won 22 gold medals, eight silver and five bronze. Though the Olympics have shown the pride and determination of the Chinese, they have also brought out the strict nature of the country.
To reduce pollution for the Olympics, a schedule was implemented for driving cars in the city, regulated by the last number on the license plate. Though Zhao rode the bus and wasn’t affected personally, he said the streets were a lot less congested.
Airport security was also tightened. Chinese exiting the country used to be allowed to bring liquids on the plane, but Zhao said that they were no longer allowed. Before boarding the plane to come to America last week, Zhao was patted down, checked and rechecked at least four times, he said.
“The foreigners had their own special line to get through security, and the ones who had passes for the Olympics had another line,” he said.
While he said the Olympics were very important for his people, Zhao said he wouldn’t be watching most of the games because of new student orientation and the scramble to get ready for school.
— — Edited by Jennifer Torline
Olympic protests reach the University
While several large cities have protested against the 2008 Beijing Olympics, some ...
Students savor Chinese business experience
A trip to the most populated country in the world gave 11 ...
Petterson: 2008 ‘Genocide Olympics’ a disgrace
China was selected as the site for the 2008 Olympic games, despite ...
Talk back: The 2008 Olympic Games in ...
What students say vs. what we say.
Graduate student qualifies for 2008 Olympics
Scott Russell, former Kansas javelin thrower, threw 83.20 meters to qualify for ...
KU launches new study abroad in China
Business students can choose from two Chinese universities.
Adams: China should be seen as a ...
Let's Talk Foreign Policy takes a look at negative stereotypes of China.
New restaurant opens on Massachusetts Street
The casual dining experience includes flat screen televisions and a karaoke room, ...
Adams: Prize sends strong message to government ...
Awarding the Nobel Prize to a Chinese dissident was the right move.
Tibetan artist to discuss politics, art at ...
Gonkar Gyatso explores political themes in his artwork, which often features silhouettes ...
Kansas Relays to begin on Wednesday
Olympic athletes Bershawn Jackson and Scott Russell, among others, are slated to ...
New programs draw in Confucius Institute
Olympic athletes ready to shine at Relays
The Gold Zone returns to the Kansas Relays Saturday afternoon.
Dodd: Despite some amazing performance, Olympians are ...
KU graduate Scott Russell’s 10th-place performance proves that, even for world-class athletes, ...
Record-breaking runner in final season
Nickesha Anderson’s run has been historic, and she was part of the ...
Scott: In Chinese new year, let’s re-evaluate ...
We should shift our outlook on China from a competition to a ...
Incoming international students get involved
Cultural clubs help to introduce students to college life, other students around ...
International student enrollment rising
University officials say international students are attracted to Kansas because of its ...
Students gather for harvest celebration
East Asian festival recognized with barbecue, moon-viewing party.
Weak dollar attracts students to United States, ...
The falling dollar and economic growth in home countries are favorable for ...
High school students will learn Chinese
Rather than picking the typical languages to learn like Spanish and French, ...
Chinese New Year celebrations help students feel ...
Many Chinese students are looking forward to celebrating the 15-day holiday.
Jayhawks can’t jump the hurdle to the ...
KU track and field athletes compete for spots on the U.S. Olympic ...
Trumpet player’s practice pays off at competition
Peixiang Li attended an international trumpet competition and took second place.
Pros compete in Gold Zone
The Gold Zone competition is the main attraction of this weekend’s Kansas ...
University photographer’s work goes on display in ...
After traveling to over 30 countries in his life, University photographer Pok ...
Davis accepts invitation to USA World University ...
Carolyn Davis is one of 34 players chosen to attend workouts in ...
Morning Brew: Give our money back
What if poorly performing players had to live up to a money-back ...
Olympic tradition continues at Relays
From hurdlers to long distance runners, the Kansas Relays will feature a ...
Wacker: The best is yet to come
Noted Chinese director visits campus
Chen Shi-Zheng will be working with theatre and film students and discussing ...
Kansas hopes incoming freshman can play as ...
Travis Releford has played in Argentina, China and Germany before coming to ...
Wu: Misconceptions of China still prevalent
Although China's economy has made great progress, it is still far from ...
Chinese students adjusting to life in Kansas
Acclimating to American culture has its challenges, but the adjustment process can ...
Spice up your Halloween by dressing up ...
Tennis star Roger Federer, Rays pitcher David Price, Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin ...
Alumnus creates Kenyan running program
A former KU Track and Field member looks to broaden college runner ...
Grad student aims for Olympics
Top-ranked Canadian javelin thrower studies at KU and continues working toward his ...
Athletes ready for the Kansas Relays
2010 event features Olympic medal-winners and other collegiate runners.
Japan native excels in academics, athletics
Ryotaro Hayakawa came to the U.S. without knowing how to speak English. ...
Foreign to the Fourth
International students have opportunities to celebrate more than just Fourth of July ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID