百年夢想，奧運盛事——即將在北京開鑼。全中國沉醉在舉辦奧運的光榮和成就之中。奧運對於中國的意義，是體育競技為國爭光？是和平友誼？是公正無私的進取精神？是國力強盛的大檢閱……不錯。但是，第二十九屆奧林匹克（夏季）運動會在北京舉行，對於現代中國更為重要的意義，是顯示中國從十九世紀中葉開始的向西方開放即「西化」的浪潮達到一個新的頂點。
奧運以至當代國際體育，都是西方文化和生活方式的一部份。從公元前八世紀古代奧運到十九世紀現代奧運復興，延續了兩千多年。中國遲至一九三二年才成為一名參與者。而奧運的競賽項目，以本屆北京奧運之二十八個大項來看，沒有一項是來自中國的競技傳統（有日本的柔道、韓國的跆拳道，中國的武術卻不被接受）。差距根源於中國長期的封建制度與儒家倫理，嚴重壓抑人性的自由發展，沒有全民健體的國家概念。一個進入二十世紀還是男人蓄辮子、女人裹小腳的民族，被世人指為「東亞病夫」，並不是偏見。
清朝末期的洋務運動，「中學為體，西學為用」，也談不上人的全面發展。共產黨執政近六十年，發展體育仍然是「中體西用」的延續。近三十年門戶開放，走向世界，奪標揚威，有目共睹，但體育競賽和經濟開放的實用主義一樣，仍然帶著為政治服務的鮮明印記。對內奉行體育的功利主義，錦標掛帥，而非奧運精神的「重在參與」，以極權手段培養運動選手；對外打壓台灣參與國際比賽的平等權利。直到這次奧運，不擇手段，趾高氣揚，不可一世。
中共當局無法理解，為甚麼全球有如此之大的反北京奧運聲浪？他們總是要歸咎於藏獨、疆獨之類的「反華勢力」，殊不知在這些表面現象之下，潛含著深刻的文化衝突。那就是中共借用西方崇高的奧運盛會來宣揚狹隘的民族主義，維護一黨專政，承諾的新聞自由和尊重人權不兌現，如德國當年一樣騙取西方的信任，根本違背了奧運的遊戲規則。眾人羞於為伍而力圖杯葛。
現在，這樣多政要名流來捧場，如柏林奧運德國成績遙遙領先那樣，中國也必將金牌滿盤，北京奧運無疑成為中共最大的面子工程。但是，中國全面的西化、現代化進程仍將是不可抗拒的潮流（看看他們請了多少外國教練，主建築都請外國人設計，連保安也要借助外力）。鄧小平欽定的「中體西用」路線，利用西方的資金、技術和市場經濟，維持專制體制，嚴禁多黨制、三權分立——遲早要被突破。我們祈望這種突破不是暴力的，而是和平的，甚至是由執政黨加以主導的。如果北京奧運能使更多人認同中國完全的西化是一條必經的自由之路，是一條能使中國人成為一個從身體到心靈都更加健康美好的民族，那麼，我們也祝願北京奧運平安成功。
The Olympic Games and the Westernization of China
By Jin Zhong
The Beijing Olympic Games – a one-hundred-year dream of China – are about to commence. The entire nation is indulging in the glory of holding the Games. What is the meaning of the Olympic Games to China? A fight for the country’s honor in sport? Friendship and peace? Righteous and selfless aggressiveness? Or a moment to show off China’s national strength? The answer is yes to all. Yet, the greatest significance to modern China of the 29th Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing is to display the westernization of China, which has opened its door to the western world since the mid-19th century.
The Olympic Games and contemporary international sport are part of the western culture and lifestyle. More than two thousand years passed between the birth of the ancient Olympics in the 8th century B.C. and the modern Olympics that was revived in the 19th century. China did not become a participant until 1932. When it comes to Olympics sports, none of the 28 major events comprising the Beijing Games is a traditional Chinese sport. There is judo from Japan and taekwondo from Korea, but Chinese martial arts are not included. This is probably due to the chronic feudalism and Confucian morality of China, which have severely suppressed the freedom and development of humanity, resulting in the lack of a national concept of physical education. It should not be seen as prejudice to call Chinese people the “sick men of East Asia,” when Chinese men were still braiding their hair and women binding their feet in the twentieth century.
The Westernization Movement in the late Qing was all about “Chinese learning for substance, Western learning for practical application,” with nothing about the all-round development of the people. With the Communist Party ruling for nearly six decades, the development of sports is still just a continuation of the movement. China has adopted an open-door policy in the past 30 years to strengthen its connection with the world, and this has been an undeniable success. However, with its strong and clear political implications, China’s sports development is no different from the pragmatism of its open economic policy. China’s pursuit of sports is not about the spirit of the Olympic Games – “participation” – but victory and glory. China trains up its athletes through totalitarian approaches, and in the international arena suppresses Taiwan from joining international sports events. Now that the Beijing Olympics have arrived, China as host still does its utmost to achieve its will, exposing its arrogance and insolence.
The CPC authorities will never understand the reason for the strong wave of anti-Beijing Olympics protests all around the world. Blame is always put on “anti-China” elements such as advocates of Tibetan and Xinjiang independence. In fact, a profound cultural conflict lies beneath these protests. China leverages the noble Olympic Games as a tool to promote its narrow-minded nationalism and to reinforce the dictatorship of its party. What it promised, such as press freedom and respect for human rights, will ultimately not be realized, just as the Germans betrayed the trust of Western countries during the Nazi era. It is this violation of the spirit of the Games that has led a wave of people to rise up against China and call for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
Many politicians and celebrities will go to Beijing for the Games. It is very likely that China will enjoy a tremendous victory, just as the Germans did with the Berlin Olympics. There is no doubt but that the Games have become the best possible promotional platform for the CPC. Still, the complete westernization and modernization of China is an irresistible trend (as demonstrated by the number of foreign athletic coaches, the major venues designed by foreign designers, and even the employment of foreign security guards). In line with the westernization process designed by Deng Xiaoping, China makes use of western capital, technology and market economy to maintain its political system; the multi-party system and balance of powers remain prohibited. All of this, sooner or later, will be demolished, but we hope the process will be achieved through peace rather than in violence, or even be led by the ruling party. Westernization is the only way for China to be free and to nurture both the physical and metal health of its people. If the Beijing Olympics is able to promote wider acknowledgment of the complete westernization of China, we are more than happy to wish the Beijing Olympic Games every success.
Translated by Isabella Lam
