Minority ethnic groups used in Games' opening were fake

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Fake fireworks, fake singers and now fake ethnic minorities. Beijing Olympics organisers have admitted that children from China's dominant Han population were used in the opening ceremony last week, not youngsters from all 56 ethnic groups as previously claimed.

The news brings the issue of China's treatment of the minority ethnic groups within its borders back into sharp relief, following accusations that Beijing has sought to drown out dissenting voices from different ethnic groups during the Games.

The Han ethnic group accounts for more than 90 per cent of China's 1.3 billion people and is the dominant cultural group.

The 56 children who carried out the Chinese flag in a moment intended to showcase national harmony were all Han Chinese, but organisers played down the significance of using Han children to represent China's ethnic diversity.

"It is typical for Chinese performers to wear different apparel from different ethnic groups," said Wang Wei, spokesman for the organisers.

"There is nothing special about it. They will wear different apparel to signify people are friendly and happy together."

Organisers often use Han Chinese instead of the genuine ethnic groups in national displays to avoid any spontaneous outbursts of independence.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontp...282.html?via=mr

[JULIAFERNO 0]

Hmmm...China IS the counterfeit capital of the world

[Jenn! 918]

How could we not tell they were frauds!?!?!?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

How could we not tell they were frauds!?!?!?

You know those people all look alike

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmmm...China IS the counterfeit capital of the world

We rely on these counterfeit on a daily basis.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well it is China - they are a totalitarian dictatorship after all...

[JULIAFERNO 0]

Hmmm...China IS the counterfeit capital of the world

We rely on these counterfeit on a daily basis.

Do we? From my understanding, counterfeit items are illegal in the States, and any importer faces heavy fines or even jail time if caught.

[Sinergy 3]

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I hope something bad didn't happen to the real kids. This is China after all.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I hope something bad didn't happen to the real kids. This is China after all.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Another reason why the IOC made a big mistake in awarding the games to China. Should never have done it IMO.

There's a story today about the large number of "permission requests" to protest (the government has allowed political protests in limited areas) are still to be approved by the Chinese police. Again - no surprise.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Another reason why the IOC made a big mistake in awarding the games to China. Should never have done it IMO.

I agree completely.

But then again, they once allowed Nazi Germany and the Evil Empire to host the games, so it's not the IOC hasn't capitulated to terror and evil before.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Another reason why the IOC made a big mistake in awarding the games to China. Should never have done it IMO.

I agree completely.

But then again, they once allowed Nazi Germany and the Evil Empire to host the games, so it's not the IOC hasn't capitulated to terror and evil before.

True - but you'd think they'd learn their lesson.

Munich still has a lot of the old stadiums from the '37 olympics.

[*JG* 2]

Hmmm...China IS the counterfeit capital of the world

Ha......tea out of the nose on this one.

[Dan J 277]

Hmmm...China IS the counterfeit capital of the world

So next we will hear that all the medals are fake...