China writes rules for everyone

There seems to be rules for everything and everyone in China these days. There are rules for journalists covering the Games, for spectators, for athletes, for foreign visitors, for Beijing residents; there are even new postal rules.

As the Games creep ever closer, control seems to be utmost in the minds of Chinese authorities.

Foreign visitors are banned from bringing into the country, among other things, printed materials critical of China, from holding rallies or demonstrations in China, and from taking religious or political banners or slogans to Olympic sites.

For Olympic spectators the rules include a list of restricted items, like posters, leaflets, banners and the flags of countries and regions not taking part in the Games, long-handle umbrellas, unauthorised walkie-talkies and radios.

Aviation security and customs

And China it seems is making sure all avenues are covered; that no one has the chance to flout the rules.

Last week, International Delivery company TNT issued a notice saying China is applying increasingly strict controls on aviation security and customs clearance because of the Olympics, and the country has imposed new measures.

These include the inspection of all boxes containing flags and banners; audio/video material; maps, educational and printed material; souvenirs and toys; and fake branded fashions, shoes and hats.

Freedom under threat

Okay, sure they are on the look out for fake and counterfeit goods or perhaps they are worried about misuse of the Olympics logo – fine, that's understandable. But inspecting all boxes containing flags and banners?

After the problems that have plagued the Olympic torch relay, I'm sure Chinese authorities don't want a Free Tibet flag or a banner depicting the Olympic rings as a set of handcuffs waving around the Bird's Nest or the Water Cube or probably anywhere in Beijing.

It seems to be just another sure sign that – regardless of the claims that authorities make – freedom of expression and freedom of speech remain under threat in China.