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This week Chinese authorities received an uncomfortable preview of the scrutiny and criticism likely to accompany the Beijing Olympics in August. On Tuesday, Hollywood heavyweight Steven Spielberg announced his resignation as artistic advisor to the Beijing Olympics, citing concern over China’s failure to help curb the atrocities in Darfur.
“I have made repeated efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan. … Although some progress has been made … the situation in Darfur continues to worsen and the violence continues to accelerate.”
“With this in mind, I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual.”
 It’s not love of sport alone that led China to host the Games.
Rowan Callick 
Two days later, as campaign groups vowed to turn their attention to the major Olympic sponsors and other high-profile supporters of the games, a letter of protest organized by a group of Nobel Laureates was carried on the front page of the UK’s Independent newspaper. The letter criticised Chinese President Hu Jintao for “providing succour to a government that continues to carry out atrocities against its own people”.
Uma Thurman on Tibet
Hot on the heels of Spielberg’s announcement, actress Uma Thurman, daughter of leading Tibetan Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman, encouraged further protests against China’s “appalling human rights record”, calling in particular on Spielberg and others to draw attention to China’s continuing and escalating human rights abuses in Tibet.
“Cheers to Steven Spielberg and lets make the list longer,” Uma told journalists, “Although there is so much good in China and in the Chinese people, the human rights record of the Chinese government is appalling”.
Political Games
China has reacted angrily and defensively to these latest efforts to ‘politicise’ the Beijing Olympics. However, as pointed out by Rowan Callick, China correspondent for The Australian, “China has not been a sports mad culture … Its not love of sport alone that led China to host the Games. … It’s Olympic goals are no less political …”.
Media Links
SMH: Spielberg boycotts Beijing Olympics over Darfur - 13 February 2008
The Age: China Sidesteps Spielberg - 15 February 2008
The Australian: Beijing Should Drop The Mind Games - 15 February 2008
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Australia Tibet Council (ATC) works to promote the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Tibetan people. 
