China responds to Spielberg : Olympics and Darfur


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The response from China over director Spielberg’s decision to drop out of his role as an adviser came on Thursday. “Holding up banners and shouting slogans will not solve the problem. What we need are concrete actions.” Said the Chinese foreign Ministry’s spokesman.

The response from China over director Spielberg’s decision to drop out of his role as an adviser came on Thursday. “Holding up banners and shouting slogans will not solve the problem. What we need are concrete actions.” Said the spokes person for the Chinese foreign Ministry.

Spielberg’s decision

In protest against China’s indifference towards the Darfour conflict and its relations with Sudan, Steven Spielberg announced his withdrawal as an artistic adviser for the Beijing 2008 Olympic games on Wednesday. The US film director, who had been chosen as an artistic director for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the olympics, said in a press release that he finds his conscience will not allow him to continue business as usual. “At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all i can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur”

He said that the Sudanese government was responsible for the continued crimes, “but the international community, particularly China, should be doing more.

China answers

Thursday, China gave its response in a news conference. Acting as the Chinese government’s mouthpiece, Forgeign ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao said his government expresses
regret over Mr. Spielberg’s decision.

Liu also emphasised the fact that Chinese companies in Sudan play an important role making donations to help with reconstrution and develompment. “China is also concerned about the humanitarian situation there and has played an active role in pushing forward the peace process”

“All preparation work for the Beijing Olympics is proceeding smoothly. The Chinese people are willing to work with Artists from around the wrld with wisdom and talent and the Olympic games will be a success” … “whoever uses this Humanitarian issue to criticise China and put pressure on China gains something of a halo” “ the West has seized on China’s tremendous emphasis on the Olympic Games to criticise China”

Chinese Media

The Chinese media retaliated expressing the surprise and “disgust” the ordinary Chinese felt at such an exploitation of the Olympic games. It also expresses the people’s views that Darfur issue is thousands of miles away.

It is estimated that over 200,000 people have lost their lives and about 2.5 million have been displaced in the Darfur conflict.

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