Beijing Olympic Games: U-M experts can discuss

EXPERTS ADVISORY University of Michigan experts are available to talk about issues related to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and China. Mary Gallagher is the Amy and Alan Lowenstein Professor of Democracy, Democratization, and Human Rights and director of the International Institute. "If the 2008 Olympics were China's coming out party, these 2022 Olympics are meant to solidify China's stature as a leading global power. The image and narrative presented will be a strong China, a China in control, a China that is confident in its own institutions and governance,” she said. "The backdrop of the pandemic still raging in many parts of the world will be used to reinforce this message. Parts of China that have breakouts will be put on lockdown severely so that this message is not disrupted by China's own difficulties in managing the pandemic.” "I think these Olympics will have less of an impact on Chinese nationalism. These games are more closed off due to the pandemic and many citizens may feel that their own mobility and even ability to enjoy a New Year's holiday has been adversely affected by the government's focus on a zero-COVID Olympics.