Jun

19

China began construction of a highway yesterday leading to the northern base camp to Mt. Everest in preparations for the 2008 Olympics. They want to host the Olympic Torch at Everest en route to the five continent torch relay. This smart display of hubris comes at a Chinese stated cost of just under 20 million USD.

I wonder, with a cost of constructing the 108 kilometer path for the torch-bearers much less than the cost of constructing the top floors of the world's tallest skyscrapers, are the Chinese not real smart at making a global statement?

Irrespective of the stated cost being Chinese and irrespective of the fact that it is a smart statement of intent, isn't hubris all about profound gestures of ambition? I find it difficult to assume that China with a continuous history of conquests and occupation of foreign lands is trying to take Olympian harmony and brotherhood alone to the highest heights.


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2 Comments so far

  1. Rik Kwan on June 20, 2007 1:21 pm

    On the contrary, since losing the Opium War in the 1840’s, China has been raped and pillaged by Western countries and Japan, including the looting of Imperial treasuries from the Forbidden City, the ceding of Hong Kong, the Rape of Nanjing, etc. I think you are confused with Japan or Europe when you say “a continuous history of conquests and occupation of foreign lands.” Even Genghis Khan invaded China, not the other way around. China has been one of the more peaceful large countries in the world relatively speaking.

  2. Rik Kwan on June 20, 2007 1:24 pm

    Btw, the Opium War was started by the British. Importing opium into China from India in order to drug the Chinese people has to be one of the darkest periods in British history.

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