During the opening ceremony of the last Olympic Games, China had astonished the world with its elaborate choreography. But it was nothing compared to what they will do tomorrow. Because Beijing is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of People's Republic of China. Two hundred thousand soldiers in the background of Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the birth of new China, will take part in the celebrations with dancing, music and the finale of fireworks.
The anniversary has been prepared in detail by the regime. The People's Liberation Army (APL), the largest in the world, is preparing for a long time its first parade in the last ten years that will end, it is certain without a hitch, before the portrait of Mao. There will be exhibited 52 different types of military equipments (100% Chinese), of which about 90% will be shown for the first time, like five new types of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic.
Few hours before the start of the festivities, censorship, which has long controlled the country, grew sharply. A wide area around Tiananmen Square had become a kind of ghost city in view of the military parade. The big hotels have been closed. The emperors' prohibited city, which remains the biggest tourist attraction in the capital, is inaccessible.
Few hours before the start of the festivities, censorship, which has long controlled the country, grew sharply. A wide area around Tiananmen Square had become a kind of ghost city in view of the military parade. The big hotels have been closed. The emperors' prohibited city, which remains the biggest tourist attraction in the capital, is inaccessible.
Websites as Twitter and Facebook have been obscured, it was banned any form of protest or petition and it was also forbidden to fly kites.
The Chinese authorities, especially in recent days, tried to explain to people that the country's military buildup is not a threat. Thanks also to an annual growth that over the last 15 years has been in double figures, China has been able to spend (only in the last year) 71 billion dollars for the armed forces. So China, now, is second only to the United States, first with over 500 billion, in military spending.
The Chinese authorities, especially in recent days, tried to explain to people that the country's military buildup is not a threat. Thanks also to an annual growth that over the last 15 years has been in double figures, China has been able to spend (only in the last year) 71 billion dollars for the armed forces. So China, now, is second only to the United States, first with over 500 billion, in military spending.
Despite the reassurances of the government, many were frightened by such a strong interest in the war field, especially if one considers the vindictive attitude of Beijing towards anyone open to the Dalai Lama or to the exiled Uighur leader, Rebiva Kadeer.
In 30 years since the reforms, China is still at the bottom of the list for the application of human rights. It does not enjoy freedom of press, association, religion and the executive, judiciary, legislature powers are all under the control of the CCP, chinese communist party.
A country that each day reaches a goal, but it cannot overcome its past and becoming fully "modern". China still lacks social support to the poor, pensioners, the unemployed. Corruption continues unabated and indeed has become common practice for any office. And pollution gradually is destroying environment and people.
A country that each day reaches a goal, but it cannot overcome its past and becoming fully "modern". China still lacks social support to the poor, pensioners, the unemployed. Corruption continues unabated and indeed has become common practice for any office. And pollution gradually is destroying environment and people.
Marianna Lepore
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