The Beijing Olympics took Beijing, and ultimately the world, by storm. China’s athletes dominated the gold medal field, and iconic wonders of contemporary architecture like the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube were beamed around the world during four-hour opening ceremony extravaganza. When it was over, China had been redefined in minds around the world. No longer a backwards third world manufacturing center, the renovated Beijing and the success of the games gave viewers a new, perhaps greatly improved, image of China as a burgeoning economic force and a new global destination.

Photo: Fred Dintenfass

The makeover came at a cost, however. The Olympic Commission itself spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion USD, but total cost, including new subway lines, construction of new and better roads, putting something like 40 million flower pots around the city to brighten up the massive concrete expanses of the 3rd and 4th ring road, training 400,000 volunteers, arming a force of 300,000 special police, building the newest biggest airport terminal in the world, etc. was a whole lot more than that. All said and done, cost estimates for the whole shebang run from 41 to 44 billion US Dollars. In comparison, the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics cost a third of that.

Was the new image worth the financial cost? Worth the relocation of somewhere between 6,000 and 1.5 million people (depending on which numbers you look at)? Should a country with hundreds of millions of citizens living in poverty been spending so much on fireworks displays? Please share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Do you even have to ask the question? Hundreds of millions of dollars of the Chinese government's (and peoples') money is spent on a shopping mall?!! Well at least it's not as bad as the U.S. spending trillions on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The average American will never have the pleasure of buying something in Baghdad, at least not without wearing a bulletproof vest.
M / USA

Photo: Rivard

I guess it is worth it, there is should be more insane buildings like the Bird’s Nest, and the Olympic Park is great.
T / CHINA

Coming from London I'm used to seeing this all the time. Many people were against the Olympics for this very reason, how ever I think it is important China gets the chance to make the same mistakes we in the west made 40, 30 years ago.
L / UK

My Chinese friends tell me that the Summer Games were too expensive. I believe that Chinese people always do too much to impress a guest because it's the Chinese cultural norm to do this.
R / USA

As a Chinese it’s hard to say. While I am very proud of my country during the Olympics I also think it was a lot of money. When I saw the opening ceremony in Wangfujing with so many people I was very happy but I also know that many common people did not make much money during the Olympics because tourism was less than expected. So I am not sure if it was worth the money and the many years preparing.
J / China

Photo: rich115

It’s so western of me to say so but… the Olympics are just a sporting event! They are freakishly fit men and women running around in tights and short shorts! They are not even three weeks long! China has so many other more important things to focus on. Would people be willing to pay so much money for an art exhibit, or a concert? It’s the same thing. Chinese people need to realize the world already thinks highly of them. We saw Shanghai in Mission Impossible 3, we see the news reports everyday about how strong China is, we already know you guys rock! Spend the money to help your people, not your reputation.
S / USA

Beijing and China and their people will be remembered forever by the world. There is no amount of money that is too much for the memories in billions of people’s minds
G / ?

For the reputation of China, the Olympics were very important. For years people in other countries have looked down upon us. Now because of the Olympics people start to realize that China has been developing and will soon surpass most other countries. I think this is also good for business and for citizens. No one wants to hire people from backward countries, or do major business with a third world country. With the Olympics the rising tide will raise all boats.
X / China

Perspectives seeks to promote dialogue and cross-cultural understanding by featuring Chinese and foreign responses to a single question. Email us to be added to our weekly question mailing list or to suggest questions of your own and feel free to add your opinions in the comments section below.

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