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Chinese angered by Spielberg's decision

By M&C People Feb 20, 2008, 17:52 GMT

Bowing to pressure that included vocal actress Mia Farrow pointing out the Darfur-China connection calling for a boycott, Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's decision to quit the Beijing Olympics project is now getting heat in China.

Steven Spielberg said on 12 February 2008 he was abandoning his artistic role in the Beijing Olympics, accusing China of not doing enough to press its ally Sudan to end devastating violence in Darfur. 'I have decided to formally announce the end of my involvement as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games,' Spielberg said in a statement. EPA/SEAN MASTERSONThe New York Post reports that China's state-controlled media and the Chinese public are critical of Spielberg. LINKLast week, Spielberg withdrew as an artistic adviser to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Games, accusing China of not doing enough to press for peace in the troubled Sudanese region.Officially, the Chinese government has only expressed "regret" over Spielberg's decision. The Post reports that Chinese newspaper commentaries and state-monitored Internet forums have become forums for "scorn and bewilderment" that China's Olympics have come under international criticism from Spielberg and others.The People's Daily, the Communist Party's official newspaper, blasted Spielberg for his decision. "A certain Western director was very naive and made an unreasonable move toward the issue of the Beijing Olympics. This is perhaps because of his unique Hollywood characteristics," it said.Over the weekend, the Guangming Daily, also published by the Communist Party, ran an editorial saying Spielberg "broke his promise to make his contribution to the Beijing Olympics and betrayed the Olympic spirit."He "is not qualified to blame China because he knows nothing about the great efforts the Chinese government has made on Darfur," it said.The Post reports that the China Youth Daily was "equally scathing.""This renowned film director is famous for his science fiction. But now it seems he lives in a world of science fiction and he can't distinguish a dream from reality," it said.

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SP4: Hey!Feb 20th, 2008 - 19:13:54

How about making Mia Farrow the UN peace emissary?

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Charles LFeb 20th, 2008 - 22:47:10

Mia Farrow is out of her mind.

After so many years of inaction and indifference by the West, we suddenly want to blame Darfur on China? There are plenty of blame to go around, starting with our support of the SPLA and John Garang 10 years ago.

China is simply a scapegoat.

At any rate the original Darfur mess we started has since been replaced with inter-tribal conflict and herdsmen fighting for territory. Beijing has little influence over that.

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