The 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.4

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 3; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-2022-winter-olympics-opening_16.html

Welcoming The Dignitaries.

It is International Olympic Committee (IOC) Protocol. That each Opening Ceremony contains a section welcoming the dignitaries in attendance.

The previous; "Dandelion" section featured a Butterfly. In reference to that famous line from Alexander Pope's "Epistle To Dr Arbuthnot," "Who breaks a Butterfly upon a wheel?"  

A work referenced by Chinese Tennis player Peng Shuai. In her Social Media post of November 2nd 2021 (2/11/21). 

Demanding that former Chinese Vice-President Zhang Gaoli be held to account. For sexually assaulting her.

The Epistle To Dr Arbuthnot warns of the dangers of trying to hold the powerful to account. The Butterflies who dare to try risk having their bones broken on a wheel of torture.

So this seemed a highly appropriate moment. To look up at all those powerful figures in attendance.

As is IOC Protocol. The IOC itself was represented by its President Thomas Bach.

As is also IOC Protocol. The hosts, China, were represented by their Head of State. President Xi Jinping.

The most striking thing about this section however. Was that there were also other people there!

At the recent, delayed 2020 Summer games. Pandemic restrictions limited the dignitaries in attendance. 

To just those needed to uphold IOC Protocol. The Presidents of the IOC and the host nation.

Here there were so many dignitaries in attendance. It was the absentees who were of most note.

The US, the UK, Canada and Australia had attempted to lead a diplomatic boycott of the games. Ultimately being joined by only Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark and Belgium.

Particularly since the 2014 Winter games, held in Sochi, Russia. The US and the UK. Have become a global laughing stock.

As have, to a lesser extent, anyone allied with them. Such as members of the UK Commonwealth Realm, like Canada and Australia.

At the 2018 Winter games. Held in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (RoK/South). 

That ever present symbol - the Olympic/Para-Olympic Cauldron. Was modelled on a; "War Machine" from the H.G Wells novel; "War of the Worlds."

In open mockery of the US Democrat Party's attempt to rig the 2016 US Presidential Election. Using the; "Russian Interference" conspiracy theory.

Something they had stolen directly from the South Korean "Liberty Korea" (Saenuri) Party. In it's much more successful efforts to rig the 2012 South Korean Presidential Election.

Prior to Robert Mueller and his "Russian Interference" conspiracy theory. Orson Welles' 1938 production of War of the Worlds. Was considered the most elaborate hoax ever perpetrated against the American people.

The US became so sensitive about this. They moved to distract their public from the 2018 games. 

Carrying out the mass-shooting at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. In the very Korea appropriate Parkland area of Florida.

At the 2020 Summer games. Held in Tokyo, Japan. The main, recurring theme was; An Intervention For Britain.

Providing the UK with an opportunity to face up to the fact. That in 2006 it just, completely withdrew from reality.

Then allow it something of a; "Safe Space." To help it explore the reasons why it just, completely withdrew from reality. In the hope of helping it to resolve its issues and begin participating in reality again.

Rather like how friends would give an Alcoholic or Drug Addict help to try to face up to their problems. Before their problems kill them.

Both South Korea and Japan are formal, declared allies of both the US and the UK.

Whereas as the US and the UK have both declared China to be a rival or, even, enemy.

So, given the humiliation they'd faced at the hands of their allies. The US and the UK were, understandably, concerned. At what a rival would have in store for them.

So the US and the UK attempted to spare their blushes. By simply refusing to attend the 2022 Winter games. 

Citing some vague concerns about Human Rights in the Chinese Province of Xinjiang. As reason for their; "Diplomatic Boycott."

You will notice though. That neither the US, the UK Commonwealth Realm nor the four nations they got to join them. Are not at all concerned about Human Rights for the Chinese population as a whole.

Merely the Human Rights of the Uighur Turkestan Islamic Party (TiP). An original generation Al Qaeda group, formed in China's immediate neighbour Afghanistan.

The Uighur TiP is a globally recognised terrorist organisation. Which has been merrily committing an actual, real Genocide in Syria. Since 2011.

Even before announcing their 'Diplomatic Boycott.' The US and the UK Commonwealth Realm were proudly boasting of their plans to renew their attacks against Ukraine. Attacks they began during the 2014 Winter games. 

Fun With Flags I.

It is IOC Protocol. That each Opening Ceremony contains a section.

A section in which the National Flag of the host nation is raised. The National Anthem of the host nation is played.

Traditionally this involves the National Flag being paraded into the arena by six flag-bearers. Typically these flag-bearers have some significance to them.

For example. At the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. Held in London, UK. The then Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon was used as a flag-bearer.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. The flag-bearers were made up of essential workers who had helped during the Pandemic. Not just medical staff but also supermarket workers and refuse collectors.

Here China did something very different. Using so many flag-bearers it would be impossible to credit them all.

Initially the National Flag of China was carried into the arena by twelve children. It was then passed to a huge line of flag-bearers. Who passed the National Flag hand-to-hand.

This mass of flag-bearers was said to have been made up of people from all walks of life. 

Along with people who had been awarded special, honorary titles and medals. In recognition of their service to the Chinese Communist Party.

The majority of the flag-bearers though were made up of; The 56 Ethnic Groups Recognised by the People's Republic of China. All wearing their traditional cultural dress.

Another way to showcase China's geographic vastness and cultural diversity.

As was mentioned in the previous; "Dandelion" section. The Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics introduced us to the era of European Colonialism. 

It's ideological basis. Laid during the Enlightment Era. Its arrival in Asia. Aboard the Portuguese Black Ships.

One of the ideological cornerstones of European Colonial was laid by Bernard Mandeville. In his rambling 400 page 1714 poem; "The Fable of the Bees."

This argued that the Protestant Christian greed of the individual was good for all of society. (Wrongly) likening it to the way that the individual vices of Honey Bees held their hives together.

As a "Totalitarian Socialist" or; "Communist" country. China could not disagree with Bernard Mandeville more.

Instead they believe that society is held together by the sacrifice of the individual. Its wants, needs, even identity. For the good of the collective.

Something they have neatly demonstrated here.

Normally I would name and credit each flag-bearer individually. However that is impossible to do here. With each individual identity being crushed by the collective.

The use of the 56 Recognised Groups. Also serves as a talking point about the difficulties of maintaining this Totalitarian system.

Rather than celebrating China's vast cultural diversity. The Chinese Communist Party has frequently tried to crush it. 

Viewing such expressions of individualism as a threat to the collective and, therefore, the Chinese Communist Party.

So it is very contentious within China. Which ethnic groups are officially recognised by the People's Republic of China. 

There are at least a further 24 claimed Ethnic Groups. Which are not Recognised by the People's Republic of China.

Within that context. The inclusion of the 56 Ethnic Groups. Could well be viewed as a domestic Chinese protest. Against their Totalitarian Socialist or Communist system.

As well as a warning to nations across the World. Who seem to have become enamoured with the Progressive dream of Totalitarian Capitalism.

Arguably the political system which is really at work in modern China. 

The result of crushing of the 1989 Democracy Movement. Which arose in the wake of then US President Nixon's 1972 visit to China.

At around 18:20 on 23/2/22 (UK date) I'll try and pick this up tomorrow.

Edited at around 18:10 on 25/2/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

As the Chinese National Flag progressed its way across the arena. Attempting to crush every individual identity in its path.

South Korean viewers were able to indentify one individual. A woman wearing a; "Hanbok" a traditional Korean dress. 

Which prompted something of a Social Media backlash in South Korea. Accusing China of that most heinous of thought-crimes; "Cultural Appropriation."

The woman was part of the Balhae Chinese ethnic group. An ethnically Korean group of Chinese people who are Officially Recognised by the People's Republic of China.

As we were introduced to through the Traditional Chinese Calendar. In the Opening Video Countdown. 

During China's Warring States Period. The modern Chinese Provinces of Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Jilin and Heilong were all part of Korea.

As we learned during the 2018 Winter games. During this time Korea was actually made up of three separate Kingdoms. The; "Three Kingdoms of Korea (Samhan) Period." (18 B.C to 660 A.D)

Under the Tang Dynasty, China's fifth Imperial Dynasty. China helped unite the Three Kingdoms of Korea into a single nation. Marking the start of the Balhae Period. (698 to 926).

Balhae was then conquered by the Liao Dynasty. China's seventh Imperial Dynasty. The Korean Peninsula was then considered part of China until the rise of the Ming Dynasty. China's tenth Imperial Dynasty. (926 to 1392).

The conflict which gave rise to the Ming Dynasty allowed the Korean Peninsula to free itself from China. Establishing Joseon Korea. The 500 year period that is still considered Korea' golden age.

It was during the Joseon Period that Korea introduced its written language; "Hangul." Massively increasing literacy amongst its population. 

Prior to that the tiny minority of Koreans who could read and write. Did so in Chinese. 

Koreans continue to use some Chinese symbols alongside Hangul. Known as; "Hanja." Which can be confusing as Chinese is a pictographic language. While Hangul isn't.

Then there is; "Kimchi." A type of fermented or pickled cabbage.

Asking who invented kimchi. Is the Asian equivalent of asking a Middle-Eastern person; "Who invented hummus?"

So China and Korea do have this long, over-lapping, shared history and culture. Of which the Balhae Chinese ethnic group is the living embodiment.

Despite the likes of John Oliver and other believers in Robert Mueller's "Russian Interference" conspiracy theory. Continuing to deny their existence.

That is highly unfortunate. As this shared history is a very important part of relations between China and both North and South Korea. 

The sort of thing that a US President would need to know about. If they were trying to enlist Chinese and South Korean assistance in addressing North Korea's weapons program.

As we learned during the Dandelion section. China's final Imperial Dynasty was the Qing Dynasty. 

Its downfall was hastened by the loss of the Korean Peninsula to Imperial Japan. Triggering the Yiheguan or; "Boxer" Rebellion.

At the time the Korean Peninsula was a Chinese Tributary State. Almost a Colony of China. Koreans described this relationship as; "Sadaejuyi." 

This literally translates as; "Following the great." However it can be considered a derogatory term. Implying that China is great. While Korea isn't so great.

North Korea is built around the principle of; "Juche." Self-Reliance or Independence. Particularly from China. 

So the claims of the former US Biden regime in its Pivot Towards the Pacific. That China and North Korea are great friends. Isn't going to be believed by anyone in the region.

The respective sensitivities around things like Hanbok, Kimchi and Hanja. Can also be a useful barometer for the state of relations between China and South Korea. 

The backlash the Opening Ceremony provoked. Would suggest that certain, nationalist, elements in South Korea. Are feeling, somewhat, intimidated by a rising China.

At around 18:25 on 25/2/22 (UK date) I will pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 18:00 on 26/2/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

The Chinese National Flag was heralded on its way. By a lone young boy. Playing the trumpet.

As was discussed during the Closing Ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics. As a child my maternal grandmother insisted that I learn to play the trumpet.

A trumpet given to her by Bill Brunskill. A pretty famous and accomplished British Jazz trumpeter.

So that is absolutely, definitely me you can hear. On the hidden track of the 1998 album; "Americana" by The Offspring. One of the many musical prophecies which heralded my impending arrival.

The song being performed was; "My Motherland and I (Wode Zuguo)." A very famous patriotic 1956 song. From the birth of the People's Republic of China.

It's about how beautiful and mighty China is. With its more than a hundred rivers, a detail that will come in useful later. How beautiful Chinese woman are. How big, strong and brave Chinese men are.

My Motherland and I was originally written as; "A Big River." It is just about how beautiful China is. 

However it was only released as the main theme music for the similarly patriotic movie of the same year; "Battle On Shangganling Mountain."

A real battle from the Korean War. Fought in November and December 1952. Known to the Chinese as the; "Battle of Shangganling" and the US-led UN forces as the; "Battle of Triangle Hill."

With overwhelming artillery and air superiority the US-led forces attempted to capture Shangganling Mountain from the Chinese. However the Chinese held their ground. Despite seeing almost 5,000 of their number killed.

In that context, the context everyone in China understands it in. My Motherland and I is about how glorious it is to die for China and the Chinese Communist Party. 

The ultimate destruction of the individual for the good of the collective. Rather like a Honey Bee choosing to commit suicide to protect its hive.

Although the song and the movie. Are about how glorious it is for the individual to sacrifice themselves for China. 

The dying was actually being done in Korea. Touching on the issues surrounding the historically flexible border between China and the Korean Peninsula.

Such a thundering example of Communist Propaganda allows for a discussion about Propaganda more generally. Its invention, development and application. 

Propaganda, particularly Nazi propaganda. Was a major theme at the 2014 Winter games. Held in Sochi, Russia. 

Which introduced us to the 1943 Nazi German movie; "Munchhausen." Produced by Josef Goebbels Munchhausen is really recognised as the first example of entertainment as propaganda.

Prior to Munchhausen propaganda was divided into two types; "Black Propaganda" which involved saying bad things about your enemies. Along with; "White Propaganda" which involved saying good things about yourself.

Josef Goebbels was really the first to realise. That people are much more likely to support you if you entertain them. Rather than subjecting them to a long lecture about why you should support them.

It was during the 2014 Winter games that the US launched its attack on Sochi's Black Sea neighbour, Ukraine. Just as the US have launched an attack on Ukraine during these 2022 Winter games.

The US also did the exact same thing during the 2008 Summer games. Which were also held in Beijing, China.

In scenes which are almost identical. To the ones we are currently watching play out in Ukraine.

The US dangled the promise of NATO membership. To encourage then Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to attack two self-declared republics on Georgia's borders. Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia were established in response to Georgia's desire to ethnically cleanse itself. Entirely eliminating its ethnically Russian population.

As a result they were protected by Russian military peacekeepers. As Russia is obligated to do under International Law. 

So when Georgia attacked Abkhazia and South Ossetia they also attacked the Russian peacekeepers. Plunging Georgia into a war with Russia. A war that Georgia almost immediately lost.

As this issue is so relevant now. Almost predictably so. I should make clear;

The establishment of a nation state within the borders of another nation state is entirely lawful. Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. As adopted as part of the UN Charter.

This is particularly true when it is done by a minority ethnic group being oppressed by the existing nation state.

The ceremonies of the 2020 Summer games looked extensively at the era of European Colonialism. 

The Montevideo Convention and the UN Charter are the key legal mechanisms which brought European Colonialism to an end. Allowing nations to be declared within the existing territory of another country.

What is entirely against International Law. Is for the existing nation state to threaten or use military force. To eliminate the new nation. Particularly when it is done in pursuit of Crimes Against Humanity. Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing.

There is a 2011 US/Georgian movie about the 2008 war. Its title is a telling lesson in US/NATO propaganda.

It is called; "5 Days of War." It is about a war that lasted for 8 days.

The only way they could make the US and Georgia sound like the heroes of the story. Is by pretending that the several days of Georgian aggression and ethnic cleansing which started the war. Simply didn't happen.

Mikheil Saakashvili wasn't done there. In 2010 he attempted to rig the election by faking a Russian invasion of Georgia.

Using stock-footage Georgian news channels all broadcast live reports of Russian troops pouring into Georgia. Something which was simply not happening.

However the Georgian people believed it. Reservists mobilised and Georgian military units started firing on each other. Eventually I think something like three people were killed.

So if you are watching all this news coverage from Ukraine on TV. Particularly if you're in either of the Georgia's.

There's no gurantee any of it's actually happening.

Something which seems worth remembering.

If you still can't believe. That US Democrats would entirely fake claims of mere "Russian Interference." In order to try and rig the 2016 US Presidential Election.

It was a sign of Ukraine's further descent into madness. When Mikheil Saakashvili, somehow, became to Governor of Ukraine's Odessa Province in 2015.

It was a sign of Ukraine's slow improvement. When they expelled Mikheil Saakashvili from the country in 2017. Following a bizarre rooftop chase.

Mikheil Saakashvili is currently in prison in Georgia. Where he is undertaking a strange hunger-strike. Which seems to limit him only to food he likes.

According to the Wikipedia page. Battle On Shangganling Mountain can be compared to the 1959 US Korean War movie; "Pork Chop Hill." 

Pork Chop Hill tells the story of the real Battle of Pork Chop Hill. Which has got to be amongst the most famous examples of military futility.

The otherwise unnamed Pork Chop Hill was of absolutely no value to anyone. 

However the battle occurred against the backdrop of negotiations over the Korean Armistice Agreement. Which brought about the current ceasefire.

One side would send their troops to fight their way to the top of this pointless hill. Only for the other side to send their troops to fight their way to the top of this pointless hill.

All to act as a metaphor within the negotiations. To prove how committed both sides were to victory. By showing how many of their own troops they were prepared to have killed and wounded for absolutely no reason.

Unlike the Chinese troops in Battle On Shangganling Mountain. The US troops in Pork Chop are much less motivated and heroic.

I seem to remember comparing the cowardly Private Franklin character. To former US President Obama's distinct lack of desire to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Private Franklin was played by Woody Strode. Who was a Decathlete before becoming an actor.

Woody Strode never made it to an Olympic games. However his nude portrait did feature in an exhibition at the 1936 Summer games. Held in Berlin, Germany.

By comparing a Chinese movie with a US movie. You can also start a discussion about growing Chinese influence in the US movie industry.

For example. I don't think many people realise the 2017 movie "Baywatch" is actually a Chinese movie rather than a US movie. 

The only real clue is the use of Indian actress Priyanka Chopra as the villain. A pretty jokey reference, in a pretty jokey movie. To China's rivalry with its neighbour India.

In 2016 Black Lives Matter got themselves all outraged. Over Matt Damon taking the lead role in the China-set movie; "The Great Wall." 

Claiming it was an example of White Supremacy and the Oscars being so White. When the role could have gone to a Chinese actor.

What they didn't realise is that The Great Wall is a Chinese movie. 

So it was the Chinese who insisted that the lead role be taken by a White American. The big box-office star who would get their movie released internationally.

At around 18:25 on 26/2/22 (UK date) I'll pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 18:25 on 27/2/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

Eventually the Chinese National Flag arrived at the Protocol Stage. Where it was handed to a Flag-Detail made up of members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (CPLA).

At the 2020 Summer ceremonies the Japanese hosts made a point of having strictly gender-balanced military Flag-Details. With an equal number of male and female members. 

At the Para-Olympics they even let a woman command the Flag-Detail. With mixed results.

A sign of how far Japanese Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) has advanced. Since they first allowed women to join their ranks in 1977. Expanding into all roles, including combat, in 1992.

This was part of one of the big, recurring themes of those games. Improving rights for women, particularly within Japanese society.

So it was interesting to see that this Chinese military Flag-Detail was all male. As equality between the sexes is a core Socialist value. 

At the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics one of the flag-bearers was Valentina Tereshokova. Who became the first woman in space. After Soviet Russia sent her on a solo mission in 1963.

It was a further 20 years. Along with another Soviet Russia woman in space, Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982. Before the US decided that delicated little girls and their periods could be allowed into space. Sending Sally Ride in 1983.

So woman have always served in the Chinese military, including in combat roles. Going back to the start of the Chinese Civil War in 1927. The Chinese PLA wasn't, technically, formed until 1947.

However while equality between the sexes is a core Socialist value. It is not a core Chinese value.

Something which is reflected in the Chinese PLA. Where women only make up about 5% of the ranks and tend to be limited to non-combat, administrative roles.

Through the 2018 Winter games, the 2020 Summer games and now these 2022 Winter games. The Olympics and Para-Olympics have spent the best part of a decade in Asia.

This has allowed us to learn a lot about things which are common throughout Asia. Particularly the various strands of Traditional Asian Animist beliefs.

Central to all these beliefs is a concept that is similar to that central to Judaism. That God is the Universe and that the Universe is God. So everything in the Universe is interconnected and is also God.

Although I think it is important to stress. That none of the Asian Animist belief system have a single God. Let alone a God in a sense that any followers of any Abrahamic religion would recognise.

A hugely influential figure across all of these Asian Animist belief systems is Confucius. A Chinese Philosopher, Poet and Politician. 

Confucius lived between 551 B.C and 479 B.C. During an era of Chinese history known as the; "Spring And Autumn (Chun-Qui-Shidai) Period." Which immediately preceded the Warring States Period.

Confucius teachings; "Confucianism" were expanded on by his many students. Going on to influence and be influenced by this range of Asian Animist beliefs. 

During the ceremonies of the 2020 Summer Olympics we were introduced to the Japanese belief of Shinto. 

Particularly the Obon or; "Ghost Festival." A celebration that is easiest explained as the Buddhist concept of; "Naraka."

The belief that no-one ever really dies. They simply transfer from the dimension of the living to the dimension of the dead, Naraka. The must then journey through that dimension to return to the dimension of the living.

Obon is the few days a year where the dead are allowed to return to the dimension of the living. Albeit not in corporeal form for, essentially, a couple of days holiday.

In order to aid their loved ones journey through Naraka. Those still in this dimension honour them by sending them gifts. Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army has got to be one of the most spectacular examples of such gifts.

Confucianism is much less concerned with this mystical journey between dimensions. Being more firmly rooted in this dimension and the actions of humans within it. So Confucianism is sometimes described as; "Humanist" in nature. 

There has been a lot of debate over whether it can even be considered a religion. Particularly between Chinese people and Christian Missionaries during the Yiheguan or "Boxer" Rebellion.

However Confucianism shares this concept of: "Filial Piety" or; "Ancestor Veneration." That you respect and honour your elders. Both in life and after their death.

In China's pictographic language filial piety is represented by the symbol; "Xiao." Itself made up two symbols; "Lao" meaning; "Old" and; "Zi" meaning; "Son."

In the Xiao symbol Lao rests on top of Zi. The old literally being carried by the son.

Making it quite clear that China views the male ancestral line to be the only ancestral line. A Patriachal belief.

Confucius himself is recorded to have written precisely one thing about women;

"Women [...] are very hard to deal with. If you are friendly with them, they get out of hand and if your keep you distance, they resent it."

That along with the fact Confucius didn't feel the need to mention women again amid his many, many writings. Certainly suggests that Confucius didn't think much of women.

Although it is known by many different names. Common throughout Asian Animist beliefs, including Confucianism, is the concept of balance between opposing forces. Probably most well known as the Taoist; "Yin-Yang."

That everything in the Universe is made up of opposing, complimentary forces. Which need to be kept in balance. 

The Chinese believe that the human soul itself is made up of these two opposing, complimentary forces; "Po" and; "Hun."

One example of these opposing, complimentary forces is Male and Female.

So Confucius' students went on to develop a set of guidelines to keep the Female force in its proper place. The; "Three Obediences and Four Virtues."

Probably written during the Warring States Period. These guidelines appear in both the; "Rites of Zhou" and the; "Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial." 

Along with the; "Book of Rites" those two books make up the; "Three Rites." The central teachings of Confucianism.

The Three Feminine Obediences are to obey and follow the wisdom (instruction) of;

1. Her father as a maiden daughter.

2. Her husband as a chaste wife.

3. Her sons or husband's family as a widow.

In short she is to obey her father until she is sold to a husband. A husband she must obey and give sons. 

In the event of her husband's death. She is to obey her sons. The eldest being considered the most senior.

The Four Feminine Virtues are;

1. Feminine Virtues in Ethics in matrimony.

2. Feminine Virtues in Speech in matrimony.

3. Feminine Virtues in Visage (appearance) in matrimony.

4. Feminine Virtues in (domestic) work. Motherhood and child-rearing essentially.

The Four Feminine Virtues go on to detail a lot of specific instructions. However they really enforce the idea that women are merely there to obey and serve men.

As with other Confucian teachings. These attitudes have spread throughout Asia. Influencing various Asian Animist beliefs.

It is one of the main reasons why Japan is so far behind its peers in the Group of Seven (G7) nations. On the issue of rights for women within society.

Despite its Socialist values. China is significantly behind both Japan and South Korea on the issue of rights for women.

One of the recurring themes of this Opening Ceremony was the contrast between Ancient and Modern.

It is the victory of ancient traditional views on women. Over the modern Socialist value of equality between the sexes. 

Which is seen as the main cause of Peng Shuai's treatment. At the hands of Zang Gaoli.

Along with the treatment of many, many, many other Chinese women. At the hands of many, many, many other Chinese men. 

Whom us westerners never get to hear about. Even if we could be bothered to listen.

So the sexual abuse Peng Shuai suffered is hugely embarrassing for China.

It is something modern, Socialist China thinks it deserves to be embarrassed about.

Something which must definitely disappear.

Either by being solved. Or being hidden away forever. 

At around 19:00 on 27/2/22 (UK date) I'll have to finish this part tomorrow. 

Edited at around 17:15 on 2/3/22 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

China's poor record on rights for women. Despite equality between the sexes being a core Socialist value. Is, perhaps, another example of the problems of maintaining a Totalitarian system.

It does seem as though the Chinese Communist Party, being completely indivisible from the Chinese State. Has spent the last 75 years demanding that woman must be treated equally to men.

Only for the Chinese people to completely ignore them.

That feeds into a wider debate about the differing approaches of Totalitarian Socialism (Communism) and Libertarian Socialism (Anarchism).

As China is a perfect example of. The Totalitarian system takes a very top-down approach. With the central government deciding what is best for its people. Then trying to impose that decision on the people. 

Through propaganda and mass rallies. Along with more sinister "ideological education." Both for children at school and for misbehaving adults at; "Re-education Camps." Which seem to look a lot like prisons.

The Libertarian system is focused much more on a bottom-up approach. Not having the government decide what is best for the people. But on getting the people to realise, individually what is best for them. 

Then having that change spread throughout society. The Green Blade Rising.

Totalitarian Socialism however is very afraid of any expression of individualism. Viewing it as a threat to the collective and, therefore, the Communist Party.

So rather like its ethnic diversity. The Chinese Communist Party often tries to suppress that type libertarian, grass-roots activism. Even when it is trying to promote core Socialist values.

I think Peng Shuai's original Social Media post was removed by censors in the space of about 20 minutes. Making it a very high profile example of something which has been a debate within China for several years now.

In the wake of the downfall of disgraced US movie producer Harvey Weinstein in 2017. Woman across the World began sharing their experiences of sexual abuse under the hashtag #MeToo.

This was also true in China. However there the Social Media companies voluntarily, rather than on orders from the government. Began removing any post with the hashtag.

In response to the hashtag being removed. Chinese women began sharing their experiences alongside the emojis for a bunny and a bowl of rice. A reference to; "Rice Bunny." Which in Mandarin is pronounced; "Mi-Tu."

The Chinese Communist Party's fears over the #MeToo campaign are not helped by the fact it originated in the US. 

The US has this long history of either hijacking or inventing (astroturfing) such grass-roots campaigns. In order to destabilise China.

Traditionally "Religious Freedom" is a favourite cause for such campaigns. 

With the sudden outrage of Muslims in Xinjing being just the most recent example. The similar campaign for Buddhist rights in Tibet has been running for as long as really anyone can remember.

As we learned during the 2018 Winter games. The US very aggressively promoted Christianity in South Korea. To counter the aggressive atheism of Chinese Communism.

Through groups like the Unification Church, the; "Moonies." The US were so aggressive in this that they caused a fundamental shift in South Korean society. 

Away from South Korea's traditional Asian Animist belief of Taoism. Despite the Taoist Yin-Yang symbol being at the centre of the South Korean flag.

In retaliation the Communist Second World nations. Particularly Soviet Russia had a long history of hijacking or astroturfing grass-roots campaigns based around Socialist values. In order to destabilise First World nations.

Despite US Democrats current hysteria about; "Russian Interference." Most of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's and the Women's Liberation movement of the 1970's were driven by Soviet Russia.

The starting gun of the US Civil Rights movement was really fired by Lee Harvey Oswald. Through the head of Democrat US President John F. Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald certainly had significant links to Soviet Russia.

So the inclusion of Peng Shuai. As such a central part of China's hosting of these games. Seems to show a growing understanding within China.

That perhaps they should be more willing to allow women to share their experiences of sexual abuse. Both online and in the real world.

Provided those women don't make the mistake of affiliating themselves with the US campaign. Or mentioning figures as senior within the Chinese Communist Party as Zhang Gaoli.

It is, after all. Furthering a core Socialist value.

The differing approaches to Libertarianism and Totalitarianism. Not only apply to Libertarian Socialism and Totalitarian Socialism.

They can also be applied to Libertarian Capitalism and Totalitarian Capitalism. Arguably the system that is really at work in modern China.

It can also apply to any attempt to affect change with society.

One that I've been particularly involved in over the years. Is the expansion of rights for gay people within society. 

Particularly in the west that seems to have morphed into the current fashion for Transgender rights. 

An issue that the slower nations thought was relevant to the Olympic/Para-Olympic movement. At the 2020 Summer games.

Perhaps one of the cruellest pranks the Communist Second World ever played on the Capitalist First World. Was the ideology of; "Liberalism." 

As we learned during the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics. In the; "Corona Of Serfdom" section. 

Liberalism emerged as a response to the 1970's collapse of the Keynesian Consensus. Which had long been predicted by the Austria School.

At the time the Cold War was being fought as a battle of ideologies. Between the Libertarian First World and the Totalitarian Second World.

So the Second World plotted to undercut the First World's position. By tricking it into adopting a Totalitarian ideology. Which they ironically named; "Liberalism."

Western gay-rights activists have particularly fallen into the trap of Liberalism. 

Attempting to seize positions of power. Such as in government, the judiciary, the education system and the media, both old and new.

Then trying to use those positions of power to impose their values on people. From the top-down. 

Forgetting that universal truth. That there is no government, court or law that can force someone to be your friend.

This is a particular problem in the current fashion for Transgender rights. Particularly within the Olympic/Para-Olympic movement.

As Soviet Russia demonstrated with their space program. As China demonstrated with their People's Liberation Army. There really only a handful of areas where a person's gender actually matters.

However elite sport is one of those areas where it actually matters.

So it seems strange for Transgender rights activists to choose that as their battle ground. A hill on which they will certainly die.

As you would expect in nation. Where the sacrifice of the individual is considered essential for the good of the collective. A patriotic duty, indivisible from the good of the Party.

A Totalitarian system. Which uses mass rallies to impose the collective good of the Party onto the population.

The National Anthem of China; "The March of the Volunteers" was sung en mass. By all of the specially selected volunteers gathered in the stadium.

It is possible some Japanese viewers could have found this offensive. As the full title is; "The March of the Anti-Manchukuo, Counter-Japanese Volunteers."

I though get the impression the Chinese hosts were being slightly ironic.

The original version was written in the spring of 1934. The lyrics were changed in 1981. To explicitly reference the 1935 "Long March" (Changzheng).

The Long March was a key campaign of the Chinese Civil War. It was Mao Zedong's leadership in that campaign which saw him rise to prominence.

Allowing him to become Chairman Mao, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party in 1943. Then President of China from 1949 until his death in 1976.

The Long March was a retreat. Chinese Communist forces were nearly encircled by Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang) forces. In the Province of Kiangsi, now known as Jiangxi.

However the Chinese Communist forces were able to avoid total defeat. By mounting a 370 day, 9,000km (5,600) mile retreat. In a counter-circle around their encirclement.

So every performance of the Chinese National Anthem since 1981. Particularly this one.

Does sound a bit like a celebration of the retreat of Chairman Mao. Along with his very Totalitarian, Maoist interpretation of Communism.

It was in 1972 that US President Nixon visited China. Fundamentally changing the relationship between the two nations.

To be continued in Part 5.

17:55 on 2/3/22 (UK date).