The Chinese people have expressed their bafflement and
disappointment these days over Hollywood director Steven
Spielberg's quit from 2008 Beijing Olympics, but they still admire
the Oscar winner's artistic achievements.
Spielberg and Chinese
director Zhang Yimou (File photo)
"Mr Spielberg knows nothing about China's endeavor to solve the
Darfur issue...He is unqualified to blame the
Chinese government," according to a commentary published on
Saturday's Guangming Daily, one of China's leading
newspaper.
The world-renowned American movie director announced to quit the
coming Olympics on Wednesday, citing concerns over the humanitarian
crisis in Darfur, which he linked to the Chinese government.
Many Chinese said they were shocked by Spielberg's announcement
and deemed it "unacceptable" when the news first came out. The
criticism is continuing.
"The person is completely live in his Sci-Fi world and can not
distinguish dream from reality," said a commentary on Saturday's
China Youth Daily.
On China's major websites, such as Sina.com, Sohu.com, and
Xinhuanet.com, the news was followed by thousands of comments.
Internet users wrote in their blogs to express their
discontentment.
They criticized Spielberg as a person who failed to keep his
word and slashed the action of linking politics with the sports
event
Jiang Bojing, from northern Hebei province, said in an online
forum that Spielberg was used as a tool by some people in the West
who want to take advantage of Beijing Olympics to attack China.
"Mr. Spielberg should not use Olympics as an opportunity to make
indiscreet political remarks on China," Jiang said.
"We regret Spielberg's withdrawal, but there's no need to be
angry," Zhuang Huayi, a citizen from Shamen said, "if we see it
from the other aspect, his snub reflects the high expectation of
the world on China."
A netizen nicknamed "It's Nothing" said he could not understand
and was disappointed by the decision Spielberg had made, however,
he still appreciated Spielberg's films.
The Chinese people are very familiar with Spielberg's movies,
ranging from Close Encounters of the Third Kind,
E.T., A.I. to Jurassic Park, Save
Private Ryan and Schindler's List. Many of his
blockbusters have produced very desirable box office results on the
Chiense market.
Xinghe, a writer, said that Spielberg have inspired a lot of
Chinese youngster who love Science Fiction. "He has great talent.
We are regretful over his decision, but we can still enjoy his
movies,"he said.
Xu Jinglei, a renowned actress and director, said that she loves
Spielberg 's films very much as he creates a style that combines
arts and commerce together.
Spielberg was appointed artistic consultant by the Beijing
Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics in April, 2006 and got
involved with the opening and closing ceremonies of the event
together with Chinese film director Zhang Yimou and Ric Rirch,
Australian director who made the highly successful ceremonies at
the Sydney Games in 2000.
Liu Jianchao, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday
said "regretful" over Spielberg 's decision to quit.
"It is understandable if some people do not understand the
Chinese government's policy on Darfur," he said, "But we can't
accept that some people want to use this as an opportunity to link
Darfur to China's Africa and Sudan policies, and even to the
Beijing Olympic Games."
(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)
