Beijing's shot in the arm

Overview

China was anxious to get the 2008 Olympics for Beijing primarily for political reasons. Opening on 8 August, they are intended to be a major feather in the PRC’s cap, a global public relations exercise in “soft diplomacy” to accompany China's growing economic power.

After negative financial fall-out from some other recent Games, there have been forecasts of China being saddled with a white elephant in the shape of expensive excess facilities and a high bill. This view appears to be...