The 2008 Beijing Olympics: Ancient Philosophies and Modern Impact

Introduction

In the Summer of 2008, the world turned its eyes on Beijing. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the world’s most populous country would be hosting. This was China’s opportunity to showcase its modernization, economic strength, and rich culture. Through a brilliant display of artistry, organization, and ambition, China was able to cement itself as a global superpower while also projecting a carefully curated image of its national identity. At the heart of this display were two philosophies that have guided China throughout its long history, Confucianism and Taoism. However, in these Olympic Games, it’s unlikely that these guiding principles were followed genuinely and wholeheartedly, but rather, there was a mix of proper utilization and appropriation of these philosophies in the Chinese government’s strategy to host the Olympics.

Confucianism and Taoism are two ancient Chinese philosophies that originated over 2,000 years ago and have shaped Chinese culture, society, and politics throughout its history. Confucianism is an ethical and political philosophy, emphasizing principles such as harmony (he), humaneness and benevolence (ren), ritual (li), virtue (de), and inaction (wuwei). It aims to build an orderly society through leadership by virtue, interpersonal respect, and structured relationships. Taoism is a philosophy that emphasizes harmony with the Dao, or the Way, which is the natural order of the universe. Such concepts as balance, harmony with nature, and inaction, which it shares with Confucianism, define the essence of Taoism. Together, these philosophies have guided Chinese ruling parties for centuries, and they have evolved with time, shaped by scholars, emperors, and governments throughout Chinese history. 

In the context of the Olympics, the influence of these philosophies could be seen prominently in the opening ceremony, the publicity and messaging surrounding the Olympics, and in the overall soft power strategy that the Chinese government, by way of controlling the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and the media, took to boost their image. However, there was also a fair amount of controversy where clear contradictions could be seen between the principles projected by the Chinese government and the actual actions they took. In this website, I will look at specific cases of the aforementioned aspects of the Olympics, analyze the utilization of the philosophies they follow, and examine the Chinese government's goal with that aspect and its outcomes. I will also provide my own reflections on whether these aspects truly reflect Confucian and Taoism teachings, or if they are just a cheap appropriation.