Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Chinas intelligence services are gearing up for next years Beijing Olympics, gathering information on foreigners, human rights groups and activists, who might mount protests. The government aims to avoid any public protest next August when the worlds gaze will be turned on China, during which time any form of protest would have great media consequences, resulting in serious embarrassment for the Country, the International Olympic Committee and the sponsors.
Maximum alert for terrorism and in fear of Islamic extremist attacks. But Beijing has also taken against activist groups, such as the Tibetans angered by the Chinese invasion of their country, farmers who have been subjected to the forced removal of their lands, members of Falun Gong (a group persecuted in China for their spiritual beliefs), even the unemployed.
Beijing’s concern has increased in recent months when numerous foreign activist groups began a public campaign for the protection of worker’s rights, above all those involved in preparations for the games. Big western companies involved in producing gadgets for the games have been denounced for exploiting and underpaying children, forced to love in the factories.
The list includes evangelical Christian’s eager to end Chinas religious restrictions, activists wanting Beijing to use its oil-buying leverage with Sudan to end the strife in Darfur and environmental campaigners angry about global warming. The fear of public protest during the games is high. Protests which may, in turn, spark off a chain reaction among internal dissatisfied groups.
But negative press is also unnerving the International Olympic Committee and corporate sponsors. Scott Kronick, president of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in China, who is working on the issue, has among other clients Adidas, the official sponsor of the Games.