Beijing's Olympic Moment

摘要

They aren't kings, presidents or potentates. But when the 18 members of the International Olympic Committee's inspection team arrive in Beijing this week, China will treat them as if they hold the fate of the nation in their hands. From the airport, chauffeured limousines will take the guests to the Chinese capital on a road lined with trees, flowerpots and pads of artificial grass. Everywhere the IOC inspectors look, they will see a new, brightly painted Beijing in shiny high-rises, smiling citizens and effusive welcome banners. And if they've visited before, they may even notice what's missing. There will be no smoke belching from factories, no street beggars and—you can be certain—no protesters setting themselves on fire in Tiananmen Square.