Blogging Beijing

The 2008 Summer Olympics will punctuate three decades of development and test China's global legitimacy. They've already transformed the way millions of people think and live. Seattleite and Fulbright researcher Daniel Beekman brings you Beijing.

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February 5, 2008 2:44 PM

The People's wall

Posted by Daniel Beekman

One minute you're dodging bikes and pedicabs on Beijing's Zhongguancun Nandajie - a broad, windswept, chaotic street.

The next...you're pacing down a lonely art gallery tucked close to the pavement.

I don't know who all took paint to the wall south of Renmin (People's) University of China, but their collective work evokes an enthusiasm I've come to associate with Beijing.

What is modern, urban China?

It is government-sanctioned grafitti. It's an unkempt teenager scrawling Beijing's banal slogan for 2008..."One World, One Dream." It's Maoism meets Hollywood meets Mencius meets Hollis Queens.

The Olympics are cool here, despite 'The Man's' endorsement.

Newslinks:

"China battles 'coldest winter in 100 years'"

"Europe should put a brake on Beijing's excesses"

"Embassy walking tour shows Beijing's retro side"

"HK reporter freed from China jail: HK officials"

"Beijing steps up security on subways"

"Koreas agree on joint cheering squads for Beijing Olympics, still no agreement on team"

Check out the wall below - click 'view on SlideShare' for full-screen slideshow (please allow time for feature to load):