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Are You Ready?2008/06/20
Joyce Chao
Is Beijing Ready for the Olympics? Are you Ready for the Olympics?
Interviews of Beijing city dwellers with less than 45 days to go the 29th Olympic Games by Joyce H. Chao
1. Zhang Quiyue and her 8 month-old son Beijinger for five years, from
“The Olympics is a dream come true for China. Are we ready? It’s hard to say, but I’m happy the streets are cleaner and prettier and there are more (public) bathrooms and people seem to be more polite and aware. When I was pregnant, people were always helping me and giving up their seats for me. I do hope that all these changes will make our lives better and give my son a better education, now and a long time after the Olympics.”
2. Tang Xiaofeng Beijinger for eight years,
from “I’ve been so busy building up my business, I’ve not really noticed. But when I went to visit the Bird’s Nest, I noticed the roads are still not fully completed. Some parts of Chang'an Jie are not ready either. We must hurry. But I am proud to be Chinese and we are hosting the Olympics. I see there are many changes, but I am used to it, things in this city are always changing.”
3. Zhang Guangfa Beijinger for two years, from “We have to be ready, because we are the company that helped to build the Water Cube, the National Tennis Center and the hockey centre and beach volleyball venue. I am now working on the back end to ensure the design vision becomes a reality. We are conducting tests every day and inspections are constant. But I am not tired from the work, because I feel a national pride to be hosting the Games for the world. I hope what we do will make the Olympics great, but after the Olympics, maybe our hard work and diligence can affect other Olympic cities and help raise the quality of building other athletic venues.”
4. Uncle Zhang, age 65 Beijinger for a long time; hometown,
Yantai, “Yes, I am ready and glad to be alive to experience this only once in our lifetime event. I will be going to the games with son and grandson to watch basketball and cycling. My son got us the tickets. I will watch my other favourite sports, gymnastics and swimming, on TV. Beijing is ready, for sure. I have noticed that people are nicer and many people on crowded buses always stand up to offer me seats. This reminds me of the simpler times of the 1950s to 60s. Also, I like how the word, volunteer, has emerged with the Olympics. This is a new word in my vocabulary after all these years. I know there has always been benevolence, but this word means being the person who has a spirit of giving oneself to others. This is great. This mindset can influence people for generations to come.”
5. Zhang Ayi, age 62 Beijinger for just as long as Uncle Zhang. Retired. Disabled. “I think a better question is “how can we not be ready?” After all these years of being in a wheelchair, because I am paralyzed from the waist down, I will be able to visit my hometown Shanghai, after being away for more than 17 years. I can go back for a visit now because there are now ramps for buses, buildings, and major attractions that would not have happened without Olympics coming to China. My husband and son carried me up and down the stairs all these years and now I have mobility. I never thought it would be a possibility. Compared to another city like London, Beijing has had to work harder to get everything ready. But I can see all the changes that normally could have taken five to ten years or more to materialize are now right in front of me. I am grateful that in this stage of my life, the quality of life has been improved. Our community has had our windows changed, buildings painted, and we have more greenery in the garden area.”
6. Jenny Xu Beijinger for 3 years from “Yes, I have made myself ready. I imagine there will be so many visitors from all over the world, making their first trip to China. I want to make room for foreigners. I will avoid popular places so the guests would have room and enjoy the good food and places we have in Beijing. I want guests to enjoy China and the experience of a lifetime. As a PT, I like the improvement of the city of cutting pollution with odd and even driving days and the focus on fitness in the city planning a park every 5 km; I can see it and proud of Beijing for carrying out the goals. Go Beijing!”
7． Ellen Kuang – age 21 Born in Beijing. Starbucks Barista at the Ocean Paradise Store, Chaoyang District “I guess I can say that Beijing is in the process of being ready, in that the plans have been made and people are working hard to finish the work before all the guests arrive. I can say I am ready. Starbucks is an internationally recognizable company. Foreigners come to the store all the time already, and I serve them as an employee, and a volunteer. I think everyone in Beijing is an Olympic volunteer.”
8. Tina Tian Beijinger for three
years from “Overall, I think Beijing and I are both ready. The Olympic signs are up and we have made a lot of preparations with our services. Even though I personally will not be able to see much of the Olympics and the festivities because I will be busy working, I am happy and very proud that the Chinese people will be able to show our country to the world.”
9. Fran Liu Beijinger for 4
years from “Beijing may be ready for the Olympics, but I am not. No other reason than that I am trying to work hard for my company and still trying to keep up with my studies at Wall Street English. But it will be exciting and fun when the games start with so many international guests will be in Beijing. If anyone needs help, they can ask me. I speak English!”
10. Zhu Jun Beijinger for seven
years from “I can’t really comment on Beijing’s readiness or even mine. In this line of work, the hours are long and we don’t have much time off to see what is happening around the city. But I can say that over the years, especially recently, I feel safer with brighter streets and better paved roads. I see more police and guards on the streets and I feel protected. So that is good. But I am sad that a lot of my friends have to return to their hometown during the Olympics because of residency issues.”
11. Sam Yang Beijinger for 12
years from “Honestly, I want to be ready but I don’t feel ready yet. It’s feeling both the anticipation and the nervousness about the upcoming international celebration, like birthing a child. I just want to know if there is anything more we can do. This is such an important event for China and for the world because what we do here, other countries are affected too. I think it worked well that we didn’t get the bid for the 2000 games. The delay and waiting actually gave China more time to develop and present the best Olympics, ever. I think this gives us a chance to let the world understand China better.”
12.
Beijinger for two
years from South Pasadena, “Por su puesto! Of course, Beijing is ready and so am I! While Beijing has been building up new high rises and improving the signage and streets, I have been preparing more people to use English during the Olympics and beyond. As a teacher and resident, I am pleased to see more signs with proper grammar. All my students are excited about the Games and I see the added confidence they have in using their English to help any and all the guests coming to Beijing. I consider that to be a clear sign of readiness.”
13. Rick Wang Beijinger for nine years from Harbin, Newly appointed Manager of Fanghua Jewellery, Flagship store in Tianya Mart. “Of course I am ready! I am ready to serve all the customers who will come shopping at our beautiful new store. We have prepared a lot of new products and we even have top grade Chinese tea and live Chinese music to entertain the shoppers! But in all seriousness, I have to say that China has been ready to host the Olympics for over 5,000 years. Really, we needed this chance to prove to ourselves, and the world that we are a stronger country and we have so much more to offer, and China, like my store, we are open to the world. Welcome!”
14. Tony Wuding – age 26 Born in Beijing. Head Butler of Westin Chaoyang Hotel. “I am so excited about the Games. I think Beijing is very ready, and I think I am very ready too. We have all worked hard in opening our new hotel, and we had many hours of international-level training for the Olympics. As a head butler, I have opportunities to see and service many important people. Since Westin is an American company, I look forward to serving many famous Americans coming to the Games--maybe even President Bush and his family.”
15. Mr. Que – 40 something Beijinger all his life. Driver for Xin Yue Lien He Taxi Company - #190462 “I don’t care what others say: Beijing is ready for the Games. Just look at all the changes with the roads. When we first began to pursue the bid to host the event, the Third Ring Road was just starting construction; the Fourth Ring Road was just an idea, and don’t even mention the Fifth and Sixth. I’ve been driven to preparation, you can say. I know all the buildings, yes, even the new ones. And the company gave us English lessons. I have been using it everyday. I still remember the mass citywide celebration when we heard the good news on July 13, 2001. Everyone was so overjoyed. I even let some people ride in my taxi for free. A lady reached over and almost kissed me when I told her the ride was no charge.”
16. Liu Zili Beijinger for three
years from “I am proud to say that we are ready. The reason I say that is from my time in Beijing. The company is helping to improve our service and communication levels and I feel I have the skills and the training to help anyone that may need my help. Something that people don’t know is that we may look like doormen, but we can also support the public security bureau in times of need. People should feel quite safe when in Beijing, and even during the Olympics.”
17. Hunter Song Beijinger for nine
years from Taiyuan, “Why do you think we opened a new café here? Of course we are ready. Ready with good food and drinks for the friends who will come to Beijing and who might stay in Beijing for a long time. I was working at a bar in Sanlitun seven years ago when the party erupted after the announcement. We all hoped that it would be Beijing. At that time, I made a commitment to learn English and to move up in my career. I am proud of Beijing, and I am proud of myself for our achievements over these years. I just hope I can catch some of the Games on TV.” 18. Silvia Zhu Beijinger for 20 years, moved from Fuzhou when she was 6. Nurse on sabbatical. “I applied to be a volunteer but I was not selected. I was sad, but I still wanted to do something so I decided to volunteer in the way I can, by learning English full time. I took a break from my job as a nurse in a small hospital so I can learn how to help foreigners on the street and when they come for medical care. Am I ready? I am. But I can always learn more English and practice more. Is Beijing ready? Yes, because we only have a few more weeks to go. But maybe like me, the organizing committee still want to do more and do them better.”
19. Samantha Wu – age 25 Born in Beijing. Customer Service Reception Supervisor, New Oriental Elite English Training, Yuanda Center “Working so close to the Bird’s Nest, I can’t say that I feel we are totally ready. There is so much more work to do before the big day. In fact, all the construction and roadwork these last couple of years has detracted from the elation we first felt when we first won the bid to host the Games. But I want us to be ready, and what can I do except to give support however I can. I should be excited, as I do like all the new subway lines and the modern buses. I don’t have to change buses to get to work now. So maybe all this preparation is not just for the Olympics, but for the improvement of Beijing for many years to come.”
20. Joy Yu Beijinger all her life. Star Driver of Shou Qi Taxi Company, License # 京L7807 “Absolutely, no doubt, yes, I am ready, and my city is so ready to welcome the world to the Olympics in Beijing. Regular training on customer service, manners, road conditions, city ordinances, safety, and getting measured for new uniforms, and updating our cars—these are all the ways we have made sure we can be prepared for just about anything for our passengers. Taxi drivers in Beijing probably can be considered the city ambassadors, since we all have to be native Beijingers, and we must know a lot about history, tourism, and the names of places in Chinese and English, and shortcuts and traffic conditions. I’ve personally spent great amount to time to learn English so I can give better service to my passengers. It’s my job and my joy to ensure each passenger enjoys Beijing to its fullest.”
21. Kelly Jin – age 18 Born in Beijing. Graduate of Ravenwood High School in Australia. Entering freshman at Brown University this fall. “I didn’t really get into all this Olympic fever and preparation initially. Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy with school and too young to understand. But after the Wenchuan earthquake, I felt like I had a personal awakening to how the Olympics is truly not just about sports and the games. When something big and important happens in one part of the world, everyone is touched in some way. I was so moved to see all the ways people responded to the disaster and gave of themselves aside from money. I see the Olympics is a way for people around the world to engage and to connect through sports and working together. More than ever, I believe the people of Beijing and China, which includes me, are emotionally ready to host the games.” 22. Vanessa Xiong Beijinger for five years from “I can’t say that Beijing is ready because I look out our office windows and I see the traffic jam, the grey air, and the on-going construction. However, I must in the same breath add that the government acknowledges the problems and are taking steps to resolve the situations. I don’t drive but I think the odd-even drive days will help traffic and the air quality. Aside from that, I don’t have much to add because we are always dealing with foreigners in the company so I am used to people visiting Beijing. So you could say that makes me ready.”
23. Jay Ming – age 25 Born in Beijing. Works at a waiter at Aria Restaurant in China World Hotel “I am ready; the hotel is ready; Beijing is ready. We are all ready to host and serve the friends who will come from all over the world. I feel having the Olympic Games in our city has given me so many good chances to meet people through my work. I work many hours and am very tired some times, but I am young and this is the time to learn and build my future. Today we went on a company outing so I relaxed and got some rest.”
24. Guillaume Moumouni Beijinger on and off for ten years from Benin. PhD candidate in the School of International Studies, Peking University. Focus, Sino–Africa relations. “Ready or not, the Games will go on. It does not matter how many more days until the Olympics. Even if the Olympics will start today or tomorrow, I think Beijing can present itself well. This is what I know of China and of Beijing: there is a perseverance and resiliency in the Chinese people and I am confident it will be a good show for the world, come August 8 and thereafter. I am ready to see that happen.”
25. Matthew Fleming Beijinger for three years from Ottawa, Canada. English trainer and Beijing Toastmaster member and officer “I feel like I'm ready for the Olympics. Actually I cannot wait since it’s been eight years of waiting for me, as Beijing edged out Toronto for the Games. I'm eagerly awaiting the Opening Ceremony. I remember watching the closing ceremony of the last Olympics in Athens when the world got a glimpse of Chinese culture and since then I wanted to be part of it. I can’t believe the amount of things that have changed to make the Games and the experience for foreigners great. I'm most impressed by the people who are trying to improve their "manners" and cease with things like spitting, queue jumping, and smoking in taxis to make foreigners feel more comfortable. I cannot imagine people in Canada changing our manners or taking culture classes to help make foreign guests feel more at home. I think this is only in China and I applaud the effort. So do I think Beijing and China are ready for the Games? Yes, I do.”
26. Carena Long Beijinger for six years, from Inner Mongolia. Part-time Private Mandarin Teacher; English Teacher for New Oriental Elite English Training, Yuanda Center. “Whether we are ready or not, Beijing has been changing a lot since I first moved here to attend college. I can say it has improved a lot in its structures and the services and also to prepare for the Games. But I also saw the price the citizens had to pay as part of the process, such as moving out of familiar neighbourhoods for new developments, tolerate dust and noise from construction, and the re-routing of traffic because of temporary road closures for whatever reason. I know all of this is part of Olympic preparations and a bigger picture, what every growing economy must endure. For a better future for us Beijingers, and for the rest of the country, I am ready for that. I am also ready to welcome the many, many foreign friends who will visit Beijing.”
27. Mindy Fan Beijinger for four years from “Yes. Beijing is ready and it has shown that we can achieve the standards of a world-class city. I am proud to be Chinese and proud to be living in Beijing to help host the Games. I believe the Olympics has helped to improve many things in our country and raised the standards of life in many ways. I see that we must continuously be preparing and be ready for the next level. The world is watching us. I travel the world quite a bit for my job, and I see that people are curious about China and the Chinese people. I see our country in the foreign media and I often wonder why it’s consistently negative. I do hope that through the Olympics, when people make the effort to come to China and to understand us, the world can see China in a different light.”
28. Rick Wang Born in Beijing,
but ancestral home is in “I wanted to apply to be a volunteer, but I missed the deadline. I then wanted to apply to be part of the torch relay, but I felt I was under-qualified. Now with only a few weeks before the Games, I still want to do something for the Olympics. I am not sure what I can really do beyond being the best supporter and the most enthusiastic Beijinger I can. I support the initiatives to lessen congestion and to clean the air. I will be biking to work. And I will help support our management’s plan to keep the gym open 24 hours during the month of August. I can do that. And that is what I am doing to prepare for and to help others enjoy the Games.” 29．Joyce Chao Beijinger for more than four
years from Los Angeles, “I was actually nervous when I walked up to the Bank of China counter in Tower 2 of the China World Trade Center today. In my mind, picking up my Olympic tickets means the years and months of anticipation are culminating and the big day is REALLY coming! With countdown clocks, charts and handwritten boards, dotted throughout the city, and in newspapers and TV monitors of public transportation, including the ad board in my apartment elevator, no one can really miss the fast approaching date to the opening of the 29th Olympiad.
Asking Beijing dwellers of their thoughts of Olympic and individual readiness was personally challenging and enjoyable. I talked to many people to extrapolate the 29 responses, symbolic of the 29th Games. Respondents had to have lived in Beijing for more than two years, be willing to have their photos taken, and agree to give their full name. As with many man on the street surveys, I was rejected by many people. A number of older residents were enthusiastic but didn’t want to share their names nor have their photos taken. Newcomers didn’t have as rich and varied of experiences as those who’ve lived through the gradual and drastic transformations of Beijing, such as the CCTV Tower, the Yantai Centre and China World Trade Center Tower 3 that have re-drawn Beijing’s skyline. Much of the service industry people simply didn’t have time to chitchat or the desire to share what might be on their minds, and probably don’t even get out and see much of the city.
Twenty-nine Beijingers’ opinions can’t possibly scientifically and statistically represent 18 million residents of the city, but from the conversations I had, the feedback was earnest and reflected a consistent emotional theme among the residents of Beijing. It’s a national pride to host a world event like the Olympics. For Beijingers, locals and expats, there is a desire to make sure we are a good host and that guests will all enjoy themselves and have a good time. For the world to see China and experience the people and the country for themselves will make the Beijing Olympics a success.
Life in Beijing was already developing before the bid for the Olympics, but things have accelerated since winning the bid. When the Olympic flag is passed to London at the close of the 29th Games, life in Beijing will continue as it has been for hundreds and thousands of years. However, because of the precious opportunity to be an Olympic host city, Beijing will never be the same again, and Beijing is ready to be better than ever before. I am ready for that, and I am going to be there at the Opening Ceremony!”
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