New Zealand newspaper questions cost of opening ceremony
Most articles I have read on the opening ceremony have been very positive. A New Zealand newspaper questioned the cost of it all.
The Chinese won’t say but it cost somewhere between US$100m and $300m, according to unconfirmed reports, to stage that vast extravaganza. While the drummers and the human calligraphy and the fireworks and the “burning footprints” were magnificent, it was difficult not to quail at the expense.
$300m bucks? We can only struggle to think of the good that might be achieved with that. China’s own poor, for example. Those who have not yet benefited from China’s massive economic revolution are, by some accounts, doing it hard and $300m would go a long way with a great number.
I think for China the Olympic games are more than just money.
It seems almost everybody in China watched that show. Let’s say 65% of the total population or 850 million people. They loved it and they woke up this morning feeling happy and proud. Even at the outside number $300 million, which seems like a huge over estimate, we would be looking at around $0.35 per happy Chinese citizen. Seems like a bargain to me.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
