China in the headlines – 30 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

THE LAST HERO OF TIANANMEN
The New Republic – In the second half of 2003, Jiang Yanyong sat down to write a letter about what he had seen during the Tiananmen Square uprising and share it with the party's new leaders …

THE NEST GENERATION
Guardian – As the crowds converge through the heat of a sickly dusk, their expectation turns into a collective gasp - a moment of awe - as a red glow appears from within the stadium known universally as the 'Bird's Nest' …

CHINA, BIAS, MISUNDERSTANDING
My heart’s in Accra Blog – In putting together the Global Voices summit, the program sometimes ends up changing to reflect recent events. We added a panel a few weeks ago focused on the Chinese blogosphere and issues of bias, misunderstanding and miscommunication …

RICE EMPHASISES FRIENDSHIP DURING CHINA VISIT
Guardian – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, under pressure to raise human rights and Tibet with Chinese officials, emphasised friendship over friction during a visit to China on Sunday …

HOW MUCH ARE BEIJING'S OLYMPIC SECURITY MEASURES COSTING CHINA?
Shanghaiist Blog – With less than six weeks before the Games, the Chinese visa situation Shanghaiist reported on earlier this month is not getting any better …

REPORTING THE OLYMPICS? BETTER HOPE THAT MODERATE OFFICIALS PREVAIL IN CHINESE RIFT POLICY
New York Times Blog – Some foreign journalists in Beijing say that at least part of China’s government is aware of the concerns that all is not right with the media preparations for the Olympic Games due to start on Aug. 8 …

OLYMPICS HAVEN'T HELPED ENVIRONMENT
Radio Free Asia – This summer’s Olympics Games are unlikely to bring China the environmental benefits that supporters expected when Beijing won its bid for the event seven years ago, experts say …

IS FIAT TOO CLEVER?
Blogging For China – The story of Fiat apologizing to China for its Richard Gere and Tibet themed ad for a new car was first reported on June 20. At that time, I quickly dismissed it as nothing but another blunder by the marketing department …

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH'S GUIDE FOR REPORTERS GOING TO BEIJING
New York Times Blog – Human Rights Watch today released its guidebook for the estimated 25,000 reporters traveling to China to cover the Olympics …

TIBET-CHINA TALKS TO RESUME IN EARLY JULY: STATE MEDIA
AFP – Chinese authorities will resume talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama in early July following a request from the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, state press said Sunday …