The 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.13

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 12; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-2022-winter-olympics-opening_21.html

Cauldron Lighting.

It fell to Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen to jointly light the Olympic Cauldron.

Generally considered to be the peak of every Opening Ceremony. The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron is traditionally a spectacular affair.

In the 2020 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan. Naomi Osaka stood at the foot of a pyramid representing Mount Fuji. 

The mountain opened to reveal a staircase resembling flows of lava. As the pearl-like orb at the top rotated and opened like a blossoming flower.

By Olympic standards that was actually considered a low-key cauldron lighting. In keeping with the theme of environmental conservation of the Hydrogen fuelled Olympic Cauldron.

The cauldron lighting at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Also held in Beijing, China. Was much more ostentatious.

Then the task fell to the final Torch Bearer, Li Ning. A gymnast who is China's most decorated Olympian.

Having won six medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, US. The first games in which China was able to compete as the People's Republic of China.

Upon retiring from sport Li Ning established his own sportswear company, Li-Ning Company Limited. A company which now sees him worth around US$1bn. Yet only the 407th wealthiest person in China.

Still holding the Olympic Torch Li Ning was hoisted on wires to the roof of the arena. Where he ran a lap of the rim of the stadium roof, at a perilous 90 angle.

He then used the torch to light a fuse embedded into the rim of the stadium roof. The fuse burned to the base of the cauldron structure. Then burned its way up, around the scroll shape before finally igniting the cauldron at the top.

In the earlier section which I entitled; "A Quantum of Celebration." We were introduced into the large but simple metal frame structure. In the shape of a Snowflake, made up of smaller Snowflakes. Each bearing the name of a competing nation.

This Snowflake structure had reappeared at the end of the section which immediately preceded the Torch Relay. The section I entitled; "Those Damned Doves" ended with children surrounding the Snowflake structure forming the shape of a love heart.

The Torch Relay ended with Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen entering that group of children. To stand behind the Snowflake structure.

Given the theatrics of the 2008 cauldron lighting we were all excited to see what would happen next. 

Perhaps Dinigeer Yilaujiang, Zhao Jiawen and the entire Snowflake structure would be lifted on wires towards the heavens. As if being sent into orbit or to the source of the Yellow River (Huang he).

Instead they simply mounted the Olympic Torch within the Snowflake structure. Then stepped back, as the Snowflake structure was lifted on wires to around midway in the air between the arena floor and the arena roof.

The Olympic Torch was the Olympic Cauldron. The most simple, basic Olympic Cauldron you could imagine.

This stripped back simplicity was really the main motif of the Opening Ceremony.

Rather than dealing with a wide variety of complex global topics. It really only gave you a quick introduction to China's history and culture. 

Before repeatedly reminding you that China is currently the only nation able to do Quantum Cryptography/Encryption. With its Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) satellite.

While also repeatedly mocking the US/UK for their decision to pass up the opportunity to at least try and catch up with China. Through their disastrous attempts to hijack my relationship with Miley Cyrus.

The way that it was executed was also very simple. Most of the Opening Ceremony was done in the form of Light Projection, Laser Projection or with the giant LED screen hidden beneath the arena floor.

This allowed for extremely intelligent and in depth discussion about the sub-atomic physics of light. Around which Quantum Cryptography is based. 

Along with the vital role in global trade played by Semi-Conductors. The Rare Earth Minerals needed to produce them.

However it had none of the ostentatious grandeur of the 2008 Olympic Opening ceremony. With its 2,008 drummers in traditional Chinese costumes. Amid as cast of almost 10,000 performers.

Take for example the fireworks in the shape of branches of a Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) Pine Tree. Which ended the section I entitled; "Opening Speeches."

This raised a range of topics including China's ancient Animist beliefs - "The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors." Nazi Germany's appropriation of the Swastika symbol. China's burgeoning domestic environmental movement.

All of which took me some 1,200 words and most of the day. Not to explain fully. More to just, really, make you aware of topics to read up on yourself.

However visually, as part of the experience. Those fireworks lasted for two, possibly three seconds.

The director of the Opening Ceremony, Zhang Yimou, has said that the decision to use the Olympic Torch as the Olympic Cauldron. Was to symbolise environmental sustainability and set the standard for a carbon neutral games and global future.

That is certainly a valid opinion. Probably the most valid opinion. As the entire thing was his idea.

However representing the more general motif of the Opening Ceremony, the lack of ostentatious grandeur. The most simple Olympic Cauldron imaginable also went to something much deeper within Chinese society.

As I'm sure we all know by now. Having not only been mentioned multiple times during this Opening Ceremony but also throughout the incredibly recent 2020 Summer games. China experienced a civil war between 1927 and 1949.

This Chinese Civil War (1927-1949) lasted for so long. That the entire Second World War was really only something that happened in the middle of it.

The war came to an end in 1949 when the Chinese Communist Party, largely led by Chairman Mao Zedong, emerged victorious. Establishing the People's Republic of China.

As has also been discussed extensively here, alongside in Japan. The US did not recognise China as China until 1972. 

When then US President Nixon visited Mao Zedong in Beijing. This recognition opened China up to the World. Really defining the World as we know it today.

Obviously President Nixon's foot touching the tarmac at Beijing Airport didn't instantly change the World in a moment. It merely symbolically marked the start of a period of transition. Both in the US' attitude towards China and changes within Chinese society itself.

When China was first established as a Communist state. It followed traditional Marxist-Leninist Communism. That is Communist theory developed by Karl Marx which had first been put into practice in Russia by Vladimir Lenin.

Communism isn't really an economic theory or model. So much as a political belief that power lies in the hands of the workers. Capitalism is a system which exploits the workers. So the workers must unite to overthrow Capitalism.

Karl Marx drew up his political theory in 19th Century Germany, during the Industrial Revolution. So by; "Workers" he meant people who worked in factories and heavy industries. 

He didn't really use the term; "Workers." Instead preferring the term; "Proletariat" from the Latin for; "Producing Offspring." By which he meant people who earn a wage in return for the work they do in someone else's factory.

The thing is that this never really applied to China.

As was explained in the section which I entitled; "Dandelion." 19th Century China was not dominated by the Industrial Revolution. 

Instead it was dominated by the decline of Imperial China. With much of the territory of the Qing Dynasty being nothing more than colonies or; "Cantons" of foreign Colonial powers.

So one of Mao Zedong's first policies was to bring the Industrial Revolution to China. A rapid, 5 year, shift away from a farming based society to an industrialised one. Known as; "The Great Leap Forward." Introduced in 1958.

The sudden removal of large numbers of workers from farms to factories. Along with new Georgian argrian policies which simply didn't work and a series of natural disasters. Meant The Great Leap Forward was a catastrophic failure.

By 1962 the five year plan of The Great Leap Forward had been abandoned. Amid the; "Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961)." In which around 55 million people starved to death. Something like 10% of China's total population.

Embattled by the failure of The Great Leap Forward. In 1966 Mao Zedong launched his own interpretation of Communism. Officially known as; "Mao Zedong Thought by the Chinese Communist Party" but as; "Maoism" outside of China.

Maoism held that unlike in Marxism power is not held by the workers, the Proletariat. Which it viewed as a bourgeois urban elite. As they actually were in a largely non-industrialised China.

Instead Maoism believed that power is held by the Peasants. The people who toil on farms, exploited by their Feudal lords.

Particularly Marxist-Leninist Communism has the concept of; "The Revolutionary Vanguard." An elite group within the population. Who through their superior understanding and wisdom must lead the masses in revolution.

This is an attitude you still very much see in western Progressive politicians. Along with the US media. Particularly Social Media.

Maoist Communism however introduced the concept of the; "Mass Line." Essentially that there is no such thing as the self-appointed elite of the Revolutionary Vanguard. Instead it is the masses who must move together towards revolution.

This all conveniently allowed Mao Zedong to lead his supporters against the bourgeois, urban proletarian vanguard. Who were trying to depose him in the wake of the failure of The Great Leap Forward.

This plunged China into 10 years of an almost intra-Communist Party civil war. Known as the; "Cultural Revolution" this saw Mao's faction and those opposed slaughter each other in both large numbers and imaginative ways.

Maoism really fetishised the lifestyle of a peasant farmer. While rejecting all forms of industrialisation. Including the industrialisation of farming. As seen in Europe during the Second Agricultural Revolution.

So the lives of ordinary Chinese people certainly didn't improve during the Cultural Revolution. Arguably they got much worse.

In was towards the last years of the Cultural Revolution that Mao Zedong greeted US President Nixon in 1972. It ended with Mao Zedong's death in 1976.

After two years of an internal Communist Party struggle. Deng Xiaoping replaced Mao Zedong as China's de facto leader in 1978.  

Deng Xiaoping also produced his own interpretation of Communism. "Deng Xiaoping's Thought by the Chinese Communist Party."

In doing this he borrowed the idea of; "Scientific Socialism" from the French Anarchist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. Famous for the phrase; "All Property Is Theft." Even if the rejoinder; "All Possession Is Freedom" is often forgotten.

Scientific Socialism calls for a society led by those who are experts in their field. Not people who draw their power from their ability to dumb the population down to the point they support them.

A government which draws its power from reason. Rather than the sort of Personality Cult you still very often see surround western Progressive politicians. 

A; "Technocratic Government." As it is more commonly referred to these days.

In adopting this idea Deng Xiaoping was able to end the factional infighting of the Cultural Revolution. The battles between the cults of the Proletarian Vanguard and the Peasant Mass Line.

He also launched the; "Beijing Spring (1978-1979)." In which ordinary people were not only allowed to, but also encouraged. To speak out about the suffering they had experienced during the Cultural Revolution and criticise the Communist Party officials responsible.

The name was chosen as a deliberate reference to the; "Prague Spring." Further underlining the rift between China and Soviet Russia caused by the latter's 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. 

At around 18:06 on 30/4/22 (UK date) annoyingly I will have to finish this on Monday.

Edited at around 17:30 on 2/5/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

Deng Xiaoping also re-embraced one of the main ideas behind The Great Leap Forward. The; "Primary Stage of Socialism."

Essentially China had not yet gone through the industrialisation and the economic development that goes with it. 

Meaning it had not reached the point where Karl Marx had drawn up his political theory. So was not yet able to unite the workers in revolution.

Instead China must first go through industrialisation and economic development. In order to arrive at the point on which Karl Marx had based his theory.

Perhaps most importantly. Deng Xiaoping revolutionised the way in which China thought about how it would go through that industrialisation and economic development.

Marxist-Leninist Communism believes that markets are inherently Capitalist. Capitalism's sole purpose is to exploit the workers.

So the almost infinite number of, often irrational, individual decisions which make up markets. Must be replaced by a single, centrally planned economy.

A system to serve each person in accordance to their needs. As defined by that small, self-appointed elite of the Revolutionary Vanguard.

Deng Xiaoping felt that markets are not inherently Capitalist. So had some role to play in helping China advance beyond the Primary Stage of Socialism.

As he rather quotably put it;

"It doesn't matter if a cat is yellow, white or black. If it catches mice, then it is a good cat."

When he invited US President Nixon to Beijing. Mao Zedong probably envisioned a future in which a single Chinese State Owned Enterprise (SOE) would be able to sell goods to private US companies.

Deng Xiaoping created a system whereby not only were multiple Chinese SOE's able to compete with each other. To sell goods to private US companies. Certain Chinese people would be permitted to set up their own private companies.

This was certainly the case for Li Ning. Whose Olympic journey from champion to US dollar billionaire was really the story of Deng Xiaoping's China.

This introduction of market principles to China is officially known as; "Socialism With Chinese Characteristics." Unofficially it was summed up by the slogan; "Some people can get rich first."

Deng Xiaoping's reforms were incredibly successful. In the space of a decade China had developed economically to the point that a large, new middle-class had emerged.

In 1989 this new Chinese middle-class organised a popular movement demanding greater political freedoms. This so-called; "1989 Democracy Movement" organised protests in over 400 cities across China. Most notably in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

There is still much debate as to Deng Xiaoping's role in the crushing of the 1989 Democracy Movement. However it certainly brought an end to his leadership of China. He retired in November 1989.

Although it was never officially stated, let alone published as a; "Thought." The crushing of the 1989 Democracy Movement ushered in a new social contract between the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese people.

Essentially China's growing economic development and wealth would be the compensation. For the Chinese people no longer demanding greater and political freedoms.

The model of; "Totalitarian Capitalism." 

As we've seen throughout the Opening Ceremony. China is now led by Xi Jinping.

In 2017 Xi Jinping was able to publish his own interpretation of Communism. "Xi Jinping's Thought by the Chinese Communist Party."

In doing so Xi Jinping became only the third Chinese leader to have his interpretation of Communism added to China's constitution. Alongside Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Having embraced the somewhat Capitalist notion that some can get rich first. China has also found itself embracing the Capitalist problem of; "Wealth Inequality."

Many parts of China still experiences extreme poverty. Of the type that people in More Economically Developed Countries probably can't even conceive of.

The Chinese government still gets very excited. Every time it is able to move villagers out of mud huts and into actual, proper houses. It gets even more excited when it is able to connect those houses to water and power supply grids.

Something which stands in stark contrast. To the glittering skyscrapers of cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Along with US dollar billionaires like Li Ning and the 406 Chinese people who are even richer than him.

Xi Jinping's interpretation of Communism is largely focused on closing that wealth gap. Returning Chinese Communism to its Marxist-Leninist roots. The ideals of Mao Zedong before The Great Leap Forward and the adoption of Maoism.

If the Deng Xiaoping era can be summed up by; "Some people can get rich first." Xi Jinping's era could almost be summed up by; "Some people are very rich. Now let's help everyone else."

Although it is worth pointing out that Xi Jinping talks in terms of this next part of China's journey taking as many as 15 generations. Suggesting he's thinking in terms of gradual wealth redistribution rather than some Great Leap Backwards.

In its application Xi Jinping's interpretation of Communism has focused a lot on cracking down on ostentatious displays of wealth.

The Athlete's Parade section introduced us to the; "Clean Plate Campaign." Which was launched in 2013 but really intensified after Xi Jinping's thoughts were published in 2017.

The Clean Plate Campaign is particularly focused on people who use big restaurant meals as a way to flaunt their wealth and status. A way to remind them that there are still many Chinese who do not share in that wealth. 

While also warning them not to be tempted to obtain that wealth through embezzlement or tax evasion. The idea of wealth redistribution through taxation hardly being a Revolutionary Communist idea.

A number of wealthy, high-profile Chinese people have also taken to disappearing from the public eye recently.

Most notably Jack Ma. The founder of Alibaba, China's equivalent of Amazon and the Ant Group, China's equivalent of PayPal.

In October 2020, as he was about to be declared China's richest man. Jack Ma gave a speech that was very critical of China's attempts to regulate online banking services. Such as his Ant Group.

Jack Ma was not seen in public again until late January 2021.

It was then announced that China had imposed large fines against a dozen Chinese Tech giants. Including Alibaba and Ant Group along with the similarly sized Tencent and Baidu.

Some in the west have decided this is because the Chinese Communist Party views the size of these private companies as a threat to its authority.

However if you look at things like the Evergrande real estate company. There also seems to be a high degree of concern about the instability caused by the rapid, unsustainable growth of such companies.

Another case which people outside of China may be familiar with is the actress Fan Bingbing. Who has appeared in big Hollywood movies like; "Iron Man 3" (2013) and; "X-Men: Days Of Future Past" (2014).

In May 2018 Chinese TV released details of one of Fan Bingbing's movie contracts. Showing she had committed tax evasion. With there being one salary being submitted to the tax authorities and the much bigger salary she actually received.

Fan Bingbing was then not seen in public between July and October 2018. When she apologised and announced she would be paying some US$127million in back taxes.

It seems that both Jack Ma and Fan Bingbing had experienced a version of laojiao. Re-Education Through Labour.

More recently China has been cracking down on online video games. Which increasingly rely on online payment systems. Such as Jack Ma's Ant Group.

Personally I found it entertaining that in 2021 China was really focused on Social Media celebrities. Which struck me as another example of China taking pity on the US/UK.

Pointing out that what they were trying and failing to do with myself, Miley Cyrus and Instagram. Is just really, really dumb.

Firework Finish.

It has become a tradition, a cliche almost. That these ceremonies always end in a big firework display.

As the inventors of fireworks. China did not break with that tradition.

Their firework display featured the Olympic Rings. Along with hints of the branches of a Yellow Mountains Pine. 

In reference to the firework display with ended the Opening Speeches section. The section in which Xi Jinping appeared to officially open the games.

It also contains hints of the; "Fenghuang." The mythical Chinese bird which uses the Sun to travel between dimensions.

We were first introduced to the Fenghuang at the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Held in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (RoK/South). 

Specifically in the section I entitled; "Cowardly Cheese." A section the US referenced heavily itself. During the alleged inauguration of the Biden regime in January 2021.

The Fenghuang as some similarity to the Russian mythological; "Firebird." Used as a metaphor for the pursuit of the unattainable. Particularly in the tale of; "The Firebird and the Grey Wolf."

We were introduced to the Firebird during the 2014 Winter games. Held in Sochi, Russia. Which were attacked by the former Biden regime alongside Ukrainian Nazi Grey Wolves.

The entire firework display had to motif of messages being transmitted from Earth to the heavens, in the form of light. A reminder that China is still the only nation to have a QUESS satellite.

It was the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics which first introduced us to the; "Child-Like Ciphers."

Within the arena the few performers who had taken part in the ceremony stood and watched. Waving at the Olympic Cauldron above them.

 

17:15 on 2/5/22 (UK date).

The 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.12

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 11; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-2022-winter-olympics-opening.html

In December 1979 the Soviet Union (USSR/CCCP) invaded another of Xinjiang's neighbours. Afghanistan.

Meaning that China needed very little encouragement. In joining the boycott of the 1980 Summer games. Held in Moscow, Soviet Russia.

US/UK-led NATO responded by organising an international band of Islamists into Guerrilla force. The Mujahedeen. Including Uyghur Islamists from Xinjiang.

This effort was known as; "Operation: Cyclone." It was largely driven by US Democrat Senator and drug addict Charlie Wilson. 

In part it was intended to limit the expansion of the Soviet Union. It was also an attempt to inflict on the Soviet Union the sort of defeat the US had experienced in Vietnam.

You really thought the US would have known better. With their defeat in Vietnam largely due to the success of Ho Chi Minh. Who the US had trained to lead a Guerrilla force against Imperial Japan in the Second World War.

Between 1987 and 1989 the Soviet Union gradually withdrew from Afghanistan. Something which was significantly less humiliating than US/UK-led NATO's own 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Afghan government established by the Soviet Union remained in power until 1992. Several years after the last Soviet troops left.

As I'm sure we all know. The Afghan government established by US/UK-led NATO collapsed in August 2021. A month before the last NATO troops were scheduled to leave.

US/UK-led NATO have been extremely vocal. About their plans to attack Ukraine during these 2022 games.

Plans that terrible are rarely driven by a single good idea. However initially the NATO plan seems to have been to conduct attacks against the Donbas Republics. In order to provoke a limited Russian incursion.

This would give NATO an excuse to impose its pre-prepared sanctions against Russia. 

While allowing Ukraine to seize the Donbas Republics and the now Russian province of Crimea. In a completely illegal, under international law, repeat of the 2018 offensives.

Russia rapidly thwarted that plan. Turning its theatrical training mission on its borders and in Belarus into a widespread, defensive invasion of Ukraine.

Rather than acknowledging their defeat. NATO have seemed to rationalise their ongoing attack against Ukraine by hoping to turn it into a repeat of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Before they rush to thank NATO. I think Ukrainians would be well advised to remember. That the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan lasted for a decade. While NATO's invasion of Afghanistan lasted for two decades.

Although the Soviet Union left Afghanistan in 1989 NATO did not. Continuing to support the Mujahedeen in the Afghan Civil War (1989-1992). Despite the Soviet Union itself being dissolved in 1991.

NATO's support for the Mujahedeen continued long after the Afghan Civil War (1989-1992). 

NATO backed Yugoslavian members of the Mujahedeen in the Yugoslavian Civil War/Balkan Wars (1991-1995). The so-called; "Bosnian Mujahedeen." 

Part of NATO's efforts to establish six bitesized little cantons from the single nation of Yugoslavia.

NATO also used the Mujahedeen in the efforts to create a seventh bitesized canton in Europe. Attempting to steal Serbia's southern Kosovo Province. Under the guise of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Which I think explains Joss Whedon's interest in Xinjiang. 

The region seems to be one of the main inspirations for the TV show; "Firefly." Which I now know was a contemporary of; "Buffy The Vampire Slayer."

At around 18:15 on 21/4/22 (UK date) I'll see if I can pick this up tomorrow.

Edited at around 16:45 on 25/4/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

The Mujahedeen were also used by NATO in their wars against Russia. The First Chechen War (1994-1996) and the Second Chechen War (1999-2000).

Following their victory in the Afghan Civil War (1989-1992). Most of the Afghan members of the Mujahedeen went onto form the Taliban. Afghanistan's government.

While many foreign members of the Mujahedeen went onto form terror groups. Dedicated to spreading Islam globally through violent Jihad. "Mujahedeen" broadly translates as; "Soldiers of Jihad."

Initially NATO were very supportive of this. The ideology encouraged members of the Mujahedeen to travel to fight in NATO's wars in Yugoslavia, Serbia and Russia.

Probably the most famous terror group to emerge from the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan was Al Qaeda. 

As I'm sure we all know by now. On September 11th 2001 (11/9/01) Al Qaeda carried out five coordinated terror attacks against the US, in the US.

Although one of these attacks failed, Flight UA93. The four attacks which were successful killed at least 2,977 people. Making it the largest terror attack ever committed.

In response US/UK-led NATO invaded Afghanistan. While two years later the US/UK & Georgia invaded Iraq.

You would think 9/11 would finally be enough for NATO to realise their mistake.

Apparently not though. Despite fighting the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan. NATO continued to support the Mujahedeen in its war against Russia. Now the Chechen Insurgency (2000-2009).

It actually took until around 2006. Five years after the NATO invasion of Afghanistan. Three years after the invasion of Iraq.

For NATO to start to wind down its support for the Mujahedeen's Chechen Insurgency. During which time many atrocities had been committed against Russian civilians.

Although it might sound a strange thing to say. Al Qaeda were never really intended to be a terrorist group. So much as a support structure for other terrorist groups. Their name literally means; "The Base."

One of the first core terror groups that Al Qaeda was established to support was the Turkestan Islamist Party (TiP). A group made up of Uyghur members of the Mujahedeen.

The TiP are dedicated to re-establishing the East Turkestan Republic within Xinjiang. As a strict Taliban style Islamic state. Despite the fact that these days Muslim Uyghurs don't even make up half of Xinjiang's population.

Even before the end of the Afghan Civil War (1989-1992) the TiP had started using violence in Xinjiang.

Their first recognised attack was The April 1990 Baren Township Conflict. Although the TiP continue to dispute the facts this began when their members crossed into the Xinjiang from Afghanistan.

They took over a Mosque in Baren Township and called for the locals to rebel against the Chinese. To help start the rebellion they hijacked a police bus and beheaded seven Chinese police officers.

This triggered several days of violent rioting. In which at least 15 civilians were killed.

Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's the TiP continued to carry out periodic attacks against China. 

Such as The February 1997 Urumqi Bus Bombings. Three coordinated bomb attacks were carried out against buses in Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital. In which 9 civilians were killed, including 3 children.

Also in February 1997 the TiP led a rebellion in the Xinjiang city of Ghulja. As with the Baren Township Conflict this so-called Ghulja Incident led to several days of violent rioting in which at least 9 civilians were killed.

Following the Ghulja Incident many members of the TiP returned to Afghanistan. Only to end up being captured by NATO forces with 22 of them being transferred to the US' Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

As is reflected in the Olympic Torch China hosted the 2008 Summer games. As now in their capital, Beijing.

So I don't think it should come as a surprise to anyone. 

That from late 2007 onwards, as if by magic. The TiP suddenly became a lot better resourced, larger and more dangerous. Intensifying their attacks on China.

The first recognised attack of this new wave took place on March 18th (18/3/08). With a bomb attack on a bus in Urumqi.

On March 23rd (23/3/08) and March 24th (24/3/08) the TiP tried to lead rebellions in the towns of Lop, Hotan and the wider Karakax County. Unlike in Baren Township in 1990 and Ghulja in 1997 they were unsuccessful.

On August 4th (4/8/08) two days before the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Members of the TiP attacked a police station near Kashgar with bombs and knives. Killing 16 police officers and wounding 16 more.

On August 10th (10/8/08), the fourth day of the 2008 Summer Olympics. 10 members of the TiP carried out marauding bomb and gun attacks in the town of Kuqa. Fortunately they only succeeded in killing 2 before being killed themselves.

On the sixth day of the 2008 Summer Olympics, August 12th (12/8/08). Members of the TiP carried out a knife attack in Yamanya Town. Killing 3.

Two days after the Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics, August 28th (28/8/08). Multiple members of the TiP carried out a knife attack in Peyzawat County. 

They killed two police officers and seriously wounded two others. All of whom were Uyghur Muslims.

The suddenly much better resourced and more dangerous TiP continued their attacks throughout 2009 and 2010.

In July 2009 there were riots in Urumqi. Following a brawl in a factory in Shaoguan in which two Uyghurs were killed.

In August 2009 the TiP took to carrying out syringe attacks across Urumqi. In which people were stabbed with hypodermic needles. Creating fears of drugging and infections, with things like HIV.

This created something of a mass hysteria. Making it hard to tell how many people were actually attacked. How many had simply been convinced by their own paranoia that they'd been attacked.

That mass hysteria quickly boiled over into protest and then riots. During several days of rioting at least five people were killed.

On August 19th 2010 (19/8/10) the TiP detonated a bomb hidden in a motor-tricycle in the city of Aksu. This 2010 Aksu Bombing killed 7, mainly police officers.

In December 2010 the people of Tunisia overthrew their dictator. In January 2011 the people of neighbouring Egypt followed suit. Also overthrowing their dictator.

Turkey viewed this so-called; "Arab Spring" as an opportunity. To use its brand of Pan-Turkic Islamic extremism to re-establish the Ottoman Empire.

Starting by using foreign Islamist fighters to overthrow the government of Tunisia's other neighbour, Libya. In the hope of taking control of Libya's very large deposits of high quality Oil and Natural Gas.

Then moving down into the Western Sahel Belt. First through Mali then onto Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Nigeria. Which also has very large deposits of Oil and Natural Gas.

This was all happening alongside the longstanding instability in the Eastern Sahel Belt, centred around Somalia. 

Those important trade routes. Giving western powers access to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) very large deposits of vital Rare Earth Minerals.

In many ways Xinjiang's Uyghurs are more Turkic than the Turkish. So they have always been particularly susceptible to manipulation by Turkey. The Kumul Rebellion (1931-1934) for example.

The TiP are an Original Generation, really founding member of Al Qaeda. So they did not hesitate in joining Al Qaeda in Syria to fight alongside the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

In north-west Syria Al Qaeda and the TiP have been able to establish a large territory, almost a nation state. 

There they operate under the formal protection of the Turkish military. Making the area something of a modern Ottoman Protectorate.

Being able to operate freely in almost their own nation. Doing things like collecting taxes from the local population along with financial support from Turkey, even NATO.

This has made the TiP even better resourced, larger and much more dangerous. Allowing them to intensify their attacks against China.

At around 17:10 on 25/4/22 (UK date) I'll try and get this finished tomorrow. 

Edited at around 17:50 on 26/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;

I think many western readers will remember this last decade or so. As one marked by many appalling, Islamist terror attacks.

Although they may not be as aware. That during this time China also experienced as many, if not more appalling, Islamist terror attacks.

The first recognised attack of this intensification of Uyghur violence was the 2011 Hotan Attack. 

On July 18th 2011 (11/7/11) members of the TiP overran a police station in Hotan armed with bombs and knives. Fortunately they were only able to kill two before they were killed.

Twelve days later there were the 2011 Kashgar Attacks.

On July 30th (30/7/11) two members of the TiP hijacked a truck in Kashgar. They drove the stolen truck into a crowded pedestrian area. Leapt out and started stabbing people at random. Six people were killed.

The following day, July 31st (31/7/11) the TiP bombed a restaurant in Kashgar. Then proceeded to stab patrons as they attempted to escape. Killing nine.

February 28th 2012 (28/2/12) brought the 2012 Yechang Attack or Happiness Road attack. 

Eight members of the TiP carried out a marauding knife attack against the predominately Han Chinese Happiness Road in Yechang. A town on China's border with Pakistan. They killed 16.

In the run-up to the 2012 Summer games, on June 29th 2012 (29/6/12). Six members of the TiP attempted to hijack Tianjin Airlines Flight 7554. Carrying 101 people between Hotan and Urumqi. 

Fortunately, as with Flight UA93, they were overpowered by other passengers. Allowing the plane to land safely without loss of life.

On April 24th 2013 (24/4/13) there was the 2013 Bachu Attack. 

Locals reported men with knives behaving suspiciously at a house in Bachu. When local police went to investigate the men revealed themselves to be members of the TiP and proceeded to attack the police. 

Trapping the police into a building and setting it on fire. 15 police officers were killed.

On October 28th 2013 (28/10/13) the TiP even attacked Beijing itself. The 2013 Tiananmen Square Attack.

Three members of the TiP armed drove an SUV packed with gas cylinders and explosives into crowds of tourists in Tiananmen Square. Fortunately their SUV detonated on impact, before they were able to launch a marauding knife attack.

Specifically they attacked the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Pacification) itself. As we learned during the Olympic Rings section. Along with the Athletes Parade section. This stands at the opposite end of Tiananmen Square to the Gate of China.

On March 1st 2014 (1/3/14) eight members of the TiP armed with knives attacked commuters at Kunming Railway Station. This 2014 Kunming Attack killed 31 people.

The tactics of the 2013 Tiananmen Square attack were repeated on May 22nd 2014 (22/5/14). In the May 2014 Urumqi Attack.

There five members of the TiP split themselves across two SUV's. They drove through a packed street market running over pedestrians and throwing hand grenades into the crowd. 

They then drove into each other to cause a huge explosion. The attack killed 39 people.  

The May 2014 Urumqi Attack came less than a month after the April 2014 Urumqi Attack. In which two TiP suicide bombers attacked the Urumqi South Railway Station on April 30th (30/4/14). Fortunately they only succeeded in killing one.

On July 28th (28/7/14) a marauding TiP knife attack killed 37 civilians in Xinjiang's Shache County. On September 21st (21/9/14) a series of bomb attacks killed 10 in near-by Luntai County.

At around 17:55 on 26/4/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 16:35 on 28/4/22 (UK date) to tidy all of the above and copy & paste;

The Turkestan Islamist Party's (TiP) attacks have also extended beyond China.

On April 18th 2014 (18/4/14) members of the TiP tried to illegally cross from China into Vietnam. When they were stopped by Vietnamese border guards they attacked them. Stealing their guns and killing two.

In 2015 Thailand deported some 100 Uyghurs back to China. 

On August 17th 2015 (17/8/15) the Grey Wolves, the paramilitary wing of Pan-Turkic National Movement Party (MHP).  A party of government in NATO member Turkey. Decided to punish Thailand by carrying out a terrorist attack against it.

A bomb was placed at the Erawan Buddhist shrine in the busy Ratchaprasong Intersection shopping district of the Thai capital Bangkok. It exploded killing 20 and wounding 125. The victims were predominately Thai and Chinese.

The Turkish Grey Wolves followed this up with a grenade attack in Bangkok on August 18th (18/8/15). Fortunately the device exploded without causing injuries or death.

On August 30th 2016 (30/8/16) a member of the TiP drove a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (S-VBIED) at the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. 

Fortunately he didn't make it through the Embassy's gates. Succeeding only wounding three Kyrgyzstani guards.

In August 2014 The UN passed Resolution 2170. Issued under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter this obligated all nations to do everything within their power to combat ISIL, Al Qaeda and the TiP.

Unlike certain other western, NATO nations China actually upheld international law. Cracking down on the TiP within China, particularly Xinjiang.

Although they have perhaps too often left it to Russia alone. To veto various hare-brained western UN resolutions. China has played a quiet but sizeable role in protecting the World from ISIL, Al Qaeda and the TiP.

It has even been rumoured that China deployed Special Operations Forces (SOF's) to Syria. Which would be the first overseas combat deployment of the Chinese military since the Korean War (1950-1953).

Although if true. Then I suspect this would have been a much smaller deployment. Focused on eliminating a short list of specific people.

With its actions domestically and in Syria. China has been able to put substantial pressure on Pan-Turkic Islamist terror groups.

So in response Turkey invented The Myth of the Uyghur Genocide. In an effort to relieve some of the pressure on their Islamist terror groups, particularly the TiP.

China is a Totalitarian state. It really has no concept of human rights.

I wonder if I've properly taken the time. To emphasise how appalling I find many of the things China does to be.

Perhaps it's not a very Progressive thing to say. But I think the problems of the crushing of the individual for the collective to be self-evident.

However once you understand what you are comparing it to. China's response to the TiP's terrorism is hardly unusual nor particularly special to any ethnic group.

The main element of Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth is that China uses Concentration Camps. Where Uyghurs are forced into Slave Labour.

Within China this is known as; "Re-Education Through Labour (laodong jiaoyang/laojiao)." It has been policy throughout all of China, applied to all of its ethnic groups since 1957.

More commonly known as; "Penal Labour" this is hardly a uniquely Chinese practice. When China introduced it in 1957 it was widespread and popular.

Penal Labour continues to be widespread in the US. Where it is enshrined in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.

It is also debatable whether China's laojiao system even constitutes Penal Labour. Which strictly speaking is defined as work which serves no other purpose than to punish the inmate.

For example in the British Military everyone is forced to march everywhere. In British Military prisons, where inmates can only be sentenced to Penal Labour, everyone is forced to march at double speed. 

A rule which serves no other purpose than to make life slightly more difficult for the prisoner.

The work done by prisoners under China's laojiao system is productive work. They grow food and an assemble products which are then sold.

Also to be considered Penal Labour work needs to be unpaid. Inmates in the laojiao system are paid. They're not paid a lot but then neither are workers in Chinese factories.

The main problem I have with China's laojiao system is that it is Administrative Detention. Inmates are not sentenced to it by an independent Court. Instead they are sentenced to it by the police or local government officials.

That is not to say that they do not have a right to appeal though. They can challenge detention through "Administrative Review (xinqzhen fuyi)." Although that appeal is often heard by the same police and local government officials who sentenced them in the first place.

I do have to wonder how much difference it would make. If people detained under the laojiao system were able to go through the Courts.

China's Courts and Judiciary are not independent. They are made up of members of the Chinese Communist Party. Indivisible from the government and state.

Another sizeable element of Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth. Is the claim that Uyghur women are subjected to forced sterilisation.

As was discussed during the; "Fun With Flags II" section. That is China's One Child Policy. Introduced nationally in 1980.

If a woman from any of China's ethnic groups violates the policy by having a second child. Then, by law, she is forced to undergo sterilisation.

As was also discussed during the Fun With Flags II section. The One Child Policy was never strictly enforced across the country. Different regions were given a lot of autonomy in how they enforced it.

Xinjiang's Uyghur population has been one of the main beneficiaries of exemptions to the One Child Policy.  Allowing China's Uyghur population to grow from around 8 million in 2000 to around 12 million in 2020. 

Which brings me on to really the most poisonous element of Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth. That it is a Genocide.

Genocide is defined as the attempt to exterminate part or all of a national, religious or ethnic group.

As Turkey must give thanks for each and every day. People are very rarely convicted for Genocide. So there is not a lot of case law to draw from.

However applying general legal principles the allegation would need evidence of a guilty intent (mens rea). That China intends to target Uyghurs or Muslims specifically.

Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth certainly fails that test. There is nothing that China is doing to its Uyghur population that it isn't doing to its general population. 

Personally I'm of the opinion that Genocide should only require evidence of mens rea to be prosecuted. It is such an appalling crime that it should be stopped before it is allowed to start.

However it is the consensus that an allegation of Genocide would require evidence of a guilty act (actus rea). That China is actually killing Uyghurs on such a scale as to threaten their survival as an ethnic group.

China enthusiastically uses the death penalty. Exactly how many prisoners China executes each year is a closely guarded secret. 

However it is such a large number that China has developed dedicated vans to carry out executions. In order to keep the cost of transporting prisoners to execution sites down. 

Something like 65% of all organ transplants in China each year. Involve organs harvested from executed prisoners. 

So if China was attempting to exterminate the Uyghurs. Then it certainly wouldn't have any problem executing them in very large numbers.

However there is nothing to indicate this is happening. It's not even been alleged in the most wild of conspiracy theories.

So Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth also clearly fails the actus rea test.

Meaning that anyone who has allowed such foolishness to ever escape their mouths should immediately apologise.

Not as it is an insult to China. As it is an insult to all those groups who have actually experienced Genocide.

By minimising the term. You are making Genocide more acceptable and therefore more likely to happen in future.

Which, you suspect. Is exactly what Turkey wants.

Alongside using it as an excuse for their; "Diplomatic Boycott." To help them downplay the Olympics and avoid the much expected mockery. 

Some western nations have actually taken material steps in support of Turkey's Uyghur Genocide Myth. Such as imposing sanctions on China.

This brings us on to the question which has dominated for much of the previous decade;

How western governments along with international bodies, such as the UN and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Have allowed themselves to be infiltrated, at the highest levels, by foreign extremist groups?

 

To be continued in Part 13.

17:10 on 28/4/22 (UK date).

The 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.11

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 10; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-2022-winter-olympics-opening_26.html

The sequence ended with the Child-Like Ciphers, carrying their Internet antenna balloons/drones. Forming a white circle at the base of the QUESS column.

A reference to the QUESS sequence from the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The way it was replicated in the Closing Ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

This circle then rearranged itself into the form of a love heart. An internationally recognised symbol of love. Due to the global spread of Aristotle and Plato's notion of Heartstrings.

Olympic Torch Relay.

The section of the Opening Ceremony which fulfilled the piece of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Protocol. 

That each Opening Ceremony must contain a section featuring white Doves. In reference to the Olympic Truce and the IOC's view of itself as an organisation of peace and tolerance.

Was immediately followed by a section which fulfilled another piece of IOC Protocol. One which tells you more about the IOC's true values.

The Olympic Torch Relay was invented by the German Nazi Party. Specifically it's Ministry of Propaganda ahead of the 1936 Summer games. Held in Berlin, Germany.

As with so many other aspects of Nazism. The IOC decided they liked it so much they were going to keep it.

I'm sure we all know. The Olympic Flame is lit by the sun in Olympia, Greece. Then transported to the host country. Where it is passed between a succession of Olympic Torches in a rely around the host country.

An effort to attract crowds to build interest and excitement. Before one Olympic Torch is used to light the Olympic Cauldron. Marking the start of the games.

The Pandemic has made the Torch Relay particularly difficult. Making the gathering together of excited, tightly packed crowds very unappealing.

In their hosting of the 2020 Summer games Japan did do a full Torch Relay. However they tried doing this publicity stunt almost in secret. Without any gathered crowds.

China responded to the Pandemic challenge by doing a much smaller Torch Relay. 

The Olympic Flame was lit in Greece on October 18th 2021 (18/10/21) as usual. It then arrived in Beijing, China on October 20th 2021 (20/10/21).

Then nothing really happened. China conducted a virtual Torch Relay. With a computerized Olympic Flame being transported around China online.

The Torch Relay then resumed on February 2nd 2022 (2/2/22). With it being paraded through Beijing in front of carefully selected, small crowds.

On February 3rd (3/2/22) the Torch Relay toured games venues in the city of Zhangjiakou. Again in front of small, carefully selected crowds.

On February 4th (4/4/22), the day of the Opening Ceremony. The Torch Relay toured games venues in the city of Yanging.

Then games venues in the Beijing. Culminating in the Beijing National Stadium. All in front of carefully selected, small crowds.

Despite only lasting for two days, visiting only Beijing municipality and Hebei Province. The Torch Relay included 1,000 Torch Bearers. 

It also gave us an opportunity to take a look at The Design of the Olympic Torch.

The 2022 Winter Olympic Torch was modelled on the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. Reflecting Beijing's status as the only city to host both a Summer and Winter games.

Incorporated into the Beijing National Stadium structure itself. The 2008 Olympic Cauldron was intended to resemble a scroll unfolding. 

A reference to not only China's invention of paper but also its pictographic language which is written from top-to-bottom. So elegant is China's pictographic language that it is often displayed decoratively on hanging scrolls.

The 2008 Olympic Cauldron was also designed to represent a Bronze Age Chinese cauldron. It was adorned with 56 clouds representing The 56 Ethnic Groups Officially Recognised by the People's Republic of China.

Named; "Flying" the 2022 Olympic Torch invoked the unfolding scroll of the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. With two ribbons of Red and Silver metal. Referencing the way that white paper is encased in, often, red silk in a scroll.

The Red is said to represent Fire while the Silver is said to represent Ice. Their combined movement expressing the hope that the dynamism of the Olympics will bring light and warmth to the winter.

The 2002 Olympic Torch is also said to be inspired by a budding plant, sprouting up towards the light. 

This budding plant, particularly the Lotus Flower. Is often used across Asian Animist belief systems as a metaphor for the journey towards enlightenment. Particularly the Buddhist journey towards enlightenment.

Here the designers were trying to compare that Animist journey towards enlightenment. With these game's pursuit of the values of brightness, peace and excellence. Along with Olympic values.

As with the 2008 Olympic Cauldron. The 2022 Olympic Torch also included 56 clouds. Representing the 56 Ethnic Groups Officially Recognised by the People's Republic of China.

The Olympic Torch was then carried into the stadium itself by;

Zhao Weichang: A Chinese Speed-Skater he competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Held in Lake Placid, US. Where he was also the Chinese Flag-Bearer in the Parade of Nations.

The 1980 Winter games were the first games in which the People's Republic of China were officially recognised by the IOC. A result of US President Nixon's recognition of the People's Republic of China in 1972.

This meant that it was the first games in which Taiwan were forced to adopt the name Chinese Taipei. Prompting them to boycott. The only boycott of a Winter Olympics there has ever been.

The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. So days before the 1980 Winter games US Secretary of State Cyrus Vance addressed the IOC. Demanding a boycott of the 1980 Summer games. To be held in Moscow, in the Soviet Union.

Although the US/UK might hope it would confuse Asian readers. Cyrus Vance is no relation to Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus is Miley's family name. Wheras it is Mr Vance's given name.

The US did go on to lead a 65 nation boycott of the 1980 Summer games. Which included a boycott by China. 

Further reflecting the division between the Soviet Union and China. Which began with the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Making US President Nixon's recognition of China and the end of the US' Vietnam War possible.

Despite China boycotting the 1980 Summer games it was also boycotted by Taiwan. Not in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But in continued protest at having to compete as Chinese Taipei.

In retaliation the Soviet Union led a 15 nation boycott of the 1984 Summer games. Held in Los Angeles, US.

Separetely the 1984 Summer games were also boycotted by Albania, Iran and Libya. With Albania and Iran managing to boycott both the 1980 and 1984 Summer games.

Li Yan: A Chinese Speed-Skater. She competed at the 1988 Winter games held in Calgary, Canada and the 1992 Winter games held in Albertville, France. Winning Silver in 1992.

Li Yan went on to coach the Slovakian Speed-Skating team. Leading them to qualify for the 2002 Winter games. Held in Salt Lake City, US.

Following the 2002 Winter games Li Yan went on to coach the US Men's Speed-Skating team. Helping Apolo Anton Ohno win Gold at the 2006 Winter games. Held in Turin, Italy.

In 2006 Li Yan became coach of the Chinese Speed-Skating team. A post she holds to this day. Helping them to medals at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Winter games.

At around 17:40 on 14/4/22 (UK date) and a terrible place to leave it I'll try to pick this up after dinner.

Edited at around 19:35 on 14/4/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and Copy & paste;

Yang Yang (A): A Chinese Speed-Skater she has won a variety of Olympic medals in a career stretching from the 1998 Winter games to the 2006 Winter games.

In Nagano, Japan in 1998. She won Silver in the 3000m relay.

A feat she repeated at the 2002 games. Held in Salt Lake City, US. Alongside winning Golds in the 500m and 1000m.

In Turin, Italy in 2006. She won Bronze in the 1000m.

As such she is the most decorated Chinese Winter Olympian.

There were actually two Speed-Skaters named Yang Yang in the Chinese team at the same time. When something like this happens it is traditional in China that the older person is known as; "Large" while the younger is known as; "Small."

As in; "Large Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (L)." "Small Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (S)."

The older of the two. This Yang Yang objected to being known as; "Large Yang Yang." Instead opting to be known by her birth month of August; "August Yang Yang" or; "Yang Yang (A)."

Su Bingtian: He is a Chinese Sprinter. The first Asian man to break the 10 second barrier in the 100m. A feat he achieved at the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

Su went onto win the Bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. As part of China's Mens 4x100m team.

Zhou Yang: She is another Chinese Speed-Skater. Who won a pair of Golds at the 2010 Winter games held in Vancouver, Canada. In the 1500m and 3000m relay.

Zhou also won Gold in the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia.

Yang Yang (A) retired following the 2006 games. While Zhou Yang was competing at these games.

Making her the most decorated Chinese Winter Olympian still competing. 

Zhou Yang is separated from Yang Yang (A) by the also now retired Wang Meng. Also a Speed-Skater she won 3 Golds at the 2010 Winter games. Adding to her Gold, Silver and Bronze from the 2006 Winter games.

The Olympic Torch was then passed to a gender-balanced, equal couple. Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen.

Dinigeer Yilaujiang is a Chinese Cross-Country Skier. Following the Opening Ceremony she was set to make her Olympic debut at these games.

Zhao Jiawen was also set to make his debut at these games. Becoming the first Chinese athlete to compete in the Nordic Combined event. A combination of Ski-Jumping and Cross-Country Skiing.

It is not known if Zhao and Dinigeer were inspired to go off and make adorable Chinese children together.

What is interesting about the choice of Torch Bearers is that they were all born in different decades. They emerged in chronological order.

So Zhao Weichang was born in the 1950's. Li Yan in the 1960's. Yang Yang (A) in the 1970's. Su Bingtian in the 1980's. While Zhou Yang was born in the 1990's.

Both Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen were born in the 2000's.

At around 19:50 on 14/4/22 (UK date) I'll try and get this finished over the weekend. 

Edited at around 16:55 on 18/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;

In fell to Dinigeer Yilaujiang and Zhao Jiawen to jointly light the Olympic Cauldron.

The decision to give Dinigeer Yilaujiang such an important role, arguably the most important role. Was interesting for a couple of reasons.

Firstly Dinigeer Yilaujiang is from Altay Prefecture.

The 2020 Summer games looked at things which are common amongst all people throughout the World. 

Both things which have started in one place and then spread. Along with things that have spontaneously appeared in different places, independently of each other.

Skiing is one of those things. Which have spontaneously appeared in different places, independently of each other.

"Ski" actually comes from the Norse (Norwegian/Swedish) word; "Skio" meaning; "Cleft Wood." Betraying its origins in Scandinavia.

However there is also evidence of Skiing emerging in both Russia and China's Altay Prefecture at around the same time.

In all three of those areas Skiing was invented as a way to travel across snow. Something which was purely functional rather than recreational. It didn't become a sport until around the 18th Century.

Also Dinigeer Yilaujiang is a member of the Uyghur ethnic group. Altay Prefecture is located in the very north of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. 

As was discussed during the earlier "Welcoming the Dignitaries" section. Certainly since the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia. The US/UK have become something of a global laughing stock.

At the 2018 Winter games held in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (RoK/South). The Olympic Cauldron, that ever present symbol throughout the games, was intended to resemble a; "War Machine" from the H.G Wells novel; "The War of the Worlds."

An open mockery of the US Democrat Party's attempt to steal the 2016 US Election. Stealing the; "Foreign Interference" playbook used South Korea's Liberty Korea (Saenuri) to steal the 2012 South Korean Election.

The US Democrats simply swapped Russia for North Korea as the source of the Foreign Interference. 

Attempting to build on an anti-Russian myth the US Democrats had started with their attack on Ukraine. During the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia.

Prior to the US Democrats claims of Foreign Interference. Orson Welles 1938 production of The War of the Worlds was considered the greatest media hoax ever perpetrated against the American public.

At the 2020 Summer games held in Tokyo, Japan. One of the main themes was An Intervention For Britain.

Providing the UK with something of a Safe Space. To help it face up to the fact that in 2006 it just, completely withdrew from reality. 

Then explore its reasons for completely withdrawing from reality. To allow it to return to reality.

The sort of things friends and family would do for an alcoholic or drug addict. To help them face up to and solve their problems before their problems kill them.

Both South Korea and Japan are formal, declared allies of the US/UK. Whereas China is a major rival of both the US/UK.

So given the humiliation they'd faced at the hands of their friends and allies. The US/UK were understandably concerned about what a major rival had in store for them.

So the US/UK decided to try and spare their blushes and downplay the 2022 Winter games. By simply refusing to attend in a; "Diplomatic Boycott."

The official reason the US/UK gave for this Diplomatic Boycott. Was some vague complaint about China's treatment of the Uyghurs, particularly in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Or simply Xinjiang for short.

I think that if a lot of other nations had faced this level of controversy ahead of their hosting of a games. Then they would have shied away from the issue that is causing them such embarrassment.

That is particularly true of the US/UK. Who are really only using the Uyghur issue as a way to hide from their own embarrassment.

Instead China chose to put the Uyhgur issue front and centre of its Opening Ceremony. Making it one of the main talking points of the games.

Located in the north-west of the country. Xinjiang Uyhgur Autonomous Region is actually China's largest province. 

It spans some 1.6 million kmsq (620,00 milesq) making it roughly the same size as the nation state of Iran. Which itself is about the same size of the US State of Alaska.

Due to its size Xinjiang actually borders eight nations; Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. 

Within China it borders Qinghai and Gansu Provinces. Along with the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Region.

So vast is Xinjiang that it is actually made up of two distinct regions. The Dzungarian Basin to the north and the Tarim Basin to the south. They are divided by the Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains).

Despite its vast size the rugged terrain made up of deserts and snowy mountains. Mean that only around 10% of Xinjiang is actually fit for human habitation.

So while there has always been a small indigenous population. Xinjiang has really always been shaped by migration. 

The earlier "Olympic Rings" section introduced us to the Yellow River (Huang he). 

How this is considered China's "Mother River." Its basin being the origin of Chinese civilisation providing people with water and nourishment.

It also explained how ancient Chinese people believed that the Yellow River flowed from the Heavens. An extension of the Milky Way galaxy.

We now know that the Yellow River originates in the Bayan Har Mountains. On the border between Qinghai Province and the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Region.

However it would be easy for people who thought that the Yellow River flowed from the Heavens. To also think that it made its way to Earth through Xinjiang's Heavenly Mountains (Tian Shan).

It was this migration back to the source of the Yellow River. Which eventually brought East Asian or Chinese people, particularly the Han ethnic group, to Xinjiang.

When they arrived in Xinjiang the Han Chinese would have encountered migrants from India. Who brought Buddhism with them. 

Buddhism having originated in Nepal, then part of India. The First Buddha being Siddhartha Gautama.

The Han Chinese would also have encountered The Saka. Migrants from what is now considered Iran. "Saka" being a Persian word meaning; "One who wanders." 

In the now rare instances where I am able to use Social Media. I do so under the name; "Sovereignaka" or; "Saka" for short.

In choosing this identity I was not aware of the Saka. In fact I was not even aware of the Saka during these Winter games.

Although it does seem a very appropriate identity to have almost chosen me. 

As was discussed at the 2020 Summer games, as part of the Intervention For Britain. I come from an Irish family. One which has a certain affinity for horses.

In Britain the phrase; "Irish with an affinity for horses" does sound like a polite euphemism for; "Gypsy" or; "Traveller." As in one who wanders.

I now know the Saka also had an affinity for horses. Being the first people to use them militarily. Inventing the Cavalry. The skills of which continue to be showcased in the Summer Olympic event of Modern Pentathlon.

Allowing us to discuss again what an absolute mess the IOC made of the 2020 Summer games. Particularly in the Modern Pentathlon. Robbing Britain of its much needed intervention.

When they first arrived in Xinjiang the Saka practiced the religion of Zoroastrianism. However through meeting with migrants from India many of them converted to Buddhism, eventually exporting it back to Iran.

In the "Harmonised Chequered" section. The 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremony introduced us to Geometric Progressions. 

Particularly how Exponential Growth is explained in a famous Persian story of a peasant who teaches a King how to play Chess. In return for payment in Wheat/Rice laid out on the squares of the chessboard.

This Rice and Chessboard story was first written down by Ibrahim Khallikan. A Persian Buddhist.

At around 17:15 on 18/4/22 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 18:40 on 19/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;

Upon their arrival in Xinjiang the Han Chinese would also have encountered The Xiongnu. 

Another group of nomadic tribes. Who wandered all the way from Siberia in northern Russia, through Mongolia and to Xinjiang.

Rather like the European Celts the Xiongnu weren't really an individual tribe. As much as a group of tribes united by a common language; Turkic. 

From this they became known as the Turkic ethnic group.

Currently the most populous Turkic nation is modern Turkey. Its inhabitants are not European at all. Having migrated from central Asia and central Russia.

Throughout 2021, now into 2022 there has been a lot of discussion about The Silk Road. The dominant global trade route for a period of roughly 2,000 years.

How the arrival of the Portuguese Black Ships in Japan marked the beginning of the end for the Silk Road. Opening up much faster maritime trade routes between Asia, Africa and Europe.

China's current efforts to resurrect the Silk Road. Through its One Belt, One Road (Belt and Road) Initiative. A truly global network of trade routes. Including road, rail, maritime and air links.

It is really the Xinjiang region which connected China and therefore Asia to the west via the Silk Road. Xinjiang translates as; "New Frontier."

Due to its importance to global trade. Many Empires have battled for control of Xinjiang.

As we learned during the Opening Countdown Video sequence. In its modern form China emerged from the Warring States (Zhango Shindai) period when it was united by the Qin Dynasty. 

The Qin Dynasty was replaced by the Han Dynasty. It was the Han Dynasty which first established Chinese control over Xinjiang. In, roughly, the 2nd Century B.C.

During the 2nd Century A.D China went through another turbulent period. Known as the Six Dynasties Period when there was conflict over who would succeed the Han Dynasty.

During this period Chinese control of Xinjiang was lost. Although it was quickly re-established. The Jin Dynasty which emerged from the Six Dynasties Period had little interest in the New Frontier.

By the end of the 7th Century A.D Tibet had taken control of the southern part of Xinjiang, the Tarim Basin. 

While the north, the Dzungarian Basin, had fallen back under Xiongnu control. By then known as The Uyghur Khaganate.

In the 10th Century A.D the Tarim Basin was wrested from Tibetan control by The Kara-Khanid Khaganate. 

Another Turkic nation/empire. Although one that was centred to the west. What is now Iran's eastern Khorasan Province.

The Kara-Khanid Khaganate was Muslim. 

So under their control much of the population of the Tarim Basin converted to Islam. While the population in the Dzungarian Basin, under the Uyghur Khaganate remained Buddhist.

In the 12th Century A.D Xinjiang, both the Tarim Basin and the Dzungarian Basin, fell under the control of The Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan. 

The Mongol Empire is famous as the largest land empire in history. So I am not going to discuss it in detail here.

However Mongol control of Xinjiang ended around the 14th Century A.D. It then reverted to the Muslim Tarim Basin to the south and the Buddhist Dzungaraian Basin in the north.

During the period of Mongol control the inhabitants of the Tarim Basin managed to forget their own history. Convincing themselves that they had always been Muslim. Rather than being Buddhists who had converted to Islam.

So they started blaming the Buddhist inhabitants of the Dzungarian Basin for all these Buddhist shrines in the Tarim Basin. Claiming they were sneaking into the Tarim Basin to build them in secret. As part of an Infidel plot to expel Muslims.

In the 17th Century A.D the Muslim inhabitants of the Tarim Basin turned to China to protect them from this Dzungarian conspiracy against them. Turning the area into a Chinese Protectorate.

By around 1760 A.D China has not only protected the Tarim Basin from the Buddhists of the Dzungarian Basin. They had also conquered the Dzungarian Basin. Uniting Xinjiang as a Chinese Protectorate.

As a united Chinese Protectorate Islam was able to spread throughout Xinjiang. From the Tarim Basin into the Dzungarian Basin.

Between 1862 and 1877 China experienced The Dungan Revolt. In which Chinese Muslims rebelled against the Qing Dynasty across several areas. Shaanxi, Gansu and Nigxia Provinces. Then, finally Xinjiang.

The Dungan Revolt was absolutely brutal. It began with an attempted Muslim genocide of non-Muslims and amid reprisals and counter-reprisals went on to kill some 20 million people.

Such was the level of slaughter that Shaanxi Province lost something like 45% of its entire population. While Xinjiang lost around 73% of its total population and Gansu Province lost around 75% of its total population.

When China finally succeeded in ending the Dungan Revolt it took complete control of Xinjiang. Changing it from being a Protectorate to a full part of China. It was then that it was given the name Xinjiang.

As we learned during the earlier "Dandelion" section. The Qing Dynasty was China's last Dynasty. With Imperial China being replaced by the Republic of China following the 1911 Revolution (Xinahi Revolution).

Between the 12th Century A.D and the 20th Century A.D the most important thing for members of the Turkic ethnic group was The Ottoman Empire. 

Having migrated along the Silk Road from central Russia and central Asia. The Turkic ethnic group had established themselves in modern day Turkey. 

From there they established an Empire. Which, at its peak stretched across eastern Europe and the Middle-East, North Africa region.

Fans of the war in Syria will know. That the Ottoman Empire's expansion across the Middle-East and North Africa was due to its defeat of the Egyptian, Mamluk Empire. 

Starting with the 1516 Battle of Dabiq Meadow. An area just to the north of the modern Syrian city of Aleppo.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seem so proud of the Ottoman Empire. That they decided to name their propaganda magazine; "Dabiq." In honour of the Ottoman Empire's victory.

The beginning of the end of the Ottoman Empire came in 1643. When it tried and failed to conquer Vienna, the capital of modern day Austria.

This is something that gunman still seemed to be upset about. When he attacked those Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in March 2019.

At around 19:00 on 19/4/22 (UK date) while this is a terrible place to stop. I'll have to pick it up tomorrow. 

Edited around 17:00 on 20/4/22 (UK date) to copy & paste;

At The Battle of Vienna the Ottoman Empire was defeated by a coalition of western European powers.

Primarily The Holy Roman Empire led by the Habsburg Monarchy, essentially modern day Germany. Along with The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth obviously included modern day Poland and Lithuania. 

However it also stretched from the Baltic Sea, modern nations like Latvia and Estonia. Down into the western Balkans, modern day nations such as Serbia.

Everything to the north-west of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the Holy Roman Empire. While everything to its south-west was the Ottoman Empire.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth also controlled much of modern day Ukraine.

In 1686 the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth reached an agreement with The Russian Empire. 

The Treaty of Perpetual Peace. This gave the Russian Empire control over the city of Kiev. Along with most Ukrainian territory on the east bank of the Dnieper.

The area in the very south-east of Ukraine, around the Azov Sea and Crimea. What these days is known as the Donbas. 

That was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean Khanate, an Ottoman Protectorate.

The Treaty of Perpetual Peace allowed the Russia Empire to join the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In a coalition against the Ottoman Empire.

Between 1686 and 1700 the Russian Empire fought a war against the Ottoman Empire. The Russo-Turkish War. 

The objective was to put the Crimean Khanate under the control of the Russian Empire. Expelling the Ottoman Empire from the Donbas/Sea of Azov area.

When the Russian Empire was finally successful in this task. Large numbers of members of the Turkic ethnic group, known as; "Tartars" left Ukraine and Crimea. Having migrated there as part of the Ottoman Empire.

Of course US/UK-led NATO have been extremely vocal about their plans to attack Ukraine during these games. 

Their intention seeming to be to seize what are now the independent Donbas Republics and the Russian province of Crimea. The establishment of which was an embarrassing outcome of their 2014 attack on Ukraine.

By the late 19th Century A.D the Ottoman Empire was on its last legs. In an effort to prop itself up and maintain global influence. It invented the ideology of; "Pan-Turkism."

An attempt to unite all branches of the Turkic ethnic group under Turkish control. Pan-Turkism is more of a wildly contradictory racist mythology than an ideology.

As with Nazism it believes that the Turkic ethnicity is the superior master. Curiously a blond haired, blue eyed master race. Pan-Turkism also believes that almost everyone is Turkic. 

With exceptions for Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians. Driving the Ottoman Empire's Genocides of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians Pan-Turkism really dislikes those ethnic groups.

Despite having no scientific or historical basis. Pan-Turkism continues to be promoted by modern Turkey where it is taught in schools. The Pan-Turkist National Movement Party (MHP) is, really, the party of government in Turkey.

The MHP have a paramilitary wing called the Grey Wolves. Who were used in NATO's attack on Russia. The Second Chechen War (1999-2000).

NATO backed Nazis and Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, particularly the Azov battalion also use the name Grey Wolves.

Prior to the former US Biden regime's attack on Ukraine. During the 2014 Winter games held in Sochi, Russia. 

There seemed to be no connection between the Turkish Grey Wolves and the Ukrainian Grey Wolves. However since then they seem to have become very closely aligned.

In 1931 modern Turkey, under the control of The Young Turks, used this Pan-Turkist mythology to lead Xinjiang's Turkic Uyghurs in revolt against China.

In this Kumul Rebellion the Uyghurs and their Turkish masters were backed by the British Empire and Imperial Japan.

In November 1933 the Kumul Rebellion resulted in a section of Xinjiang's Tarim Basin, centred around the city of Kashgar. To declare itself to be an independent nation. The East Turkestan Republic.

What is now referred to as the First East Turkestan Republic also declared itself to be an Islamic Republic. The first Islamic Republic. Beating Pakistan by some 23 years.

The First East Turkestan Republic was short-lived. The area came back under the control of the Republic of China in February 1934. When the Kumul Rebellion ended.

As we learned during the earlier "Dandelion" section. In 1937 Imperial Japan invaded China marking the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Which eventually grew into the Second World War.

In response to Imperial Japan's invasion of China. Soviet Russia invaded Xinjiang.

This all happened against the backdrop of the Chinese Civil War. 

Fought between the essentially Fascist Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). United by ideology Soviet Russia aided the Chinese Communist Party.

So as the Second World War was drawing to a close in 1944. Soviet Russia scaled back its occupation of Xinjiang. 

Establishing The Second East Turkestan Republic. Part of the Union of Soviet Socialist States (USSR/CCCP).

The Second East Turkestan Republic lasted much longer than the First East Turkestan Republic. 

A full five years until the Chinese Communist Party won the Chinese Civil War. Establishing the People's Republic of China in 1949.

In circumstances which continue to be disputed. The People's Republic of China entered into negotiations. Which had the potential to leave the Second East Turkestan Republic as an independent nation.

However whilst travelling to those negotiations. The Second East Turkestan Republic's delegation were killed in a plane crash. A Soviet Russian plane crash.

As a result the Second East Turkestan Republic was dissolved. With Xinjiang becoming a part of the People's Republic of China in December 1949.

Despite its support during the Chinese Civil War the Chinese Communist Party, now the government of the People's Republic of China, were suspicious of Soviet Russia. Perhaps understandably so.

Of Xinjiang's eight neighbouring nations. Five of them were part of the Union of Soviet Socialist States (USSR/CCCP). Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia itself.

Prior to being absorbed into the People's Republic of China. Xinjiang, as the Second East Turkestan Republic had been part of the USSR.

So China heavily militarised Xinjiang in order to protect itself from invasion from the USSR/CCCP. 

This substantially altered the ethnic make-up of Xinjiang with a massive influx of Han Chinese immigrants. Both in the form of troops, their families and workers in supporting industries.

To the residents of Xinjiang this must have felt like an invasion. A threat to its own identity. 

To quell these concerns. In 1955 China declared Xinjiang to be an autonomous region rather than a province. 

In particular deference to the Turkic Muslim population they specifically named it; The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

At around 17:20 on 20/4/22 (UK date) I'll have to do the final tidy up after dinner. 

Edited at around 15:15 on 21/4/22 (UK date) to tidy all of the above.

To be continued in Part 12.

15:55 on 21/4/22 (UK date).