Marcus P. Chu - Chinas Quest for Sporting Mega-Events: The Politics of International Bids

The holding of sporting mega-events is viewed by the Chinese authorities as a prominent way to push forward the Reform and Opening Up, arouse patriotism among the public, and display national resurgence in the world. Chinese cities have thus keenly pursued the Olympics, the Asian Games and the Universiade since the 1980s. Theoretically, the President, the Premier and the central government should provide all-out support, so boosting Chinese cities odds of success. Yet the reality shows that their attitude toward the bids varies from case to case. Through reviewing the 20 bidding cases, this book aims to demystify the reasons behind this phenomenon.

The findings provide an in-depth account of (1) how domestic and international political factors determine the state leaders blessing and silence as well as the central governments backing, indifference and opposition, and (2) how the bids for the sporting mega-events are used to serve the broader political goals of the Chinese authorities at home and abroad. Additionally, they shed light on the political strategies to boost the Chinese cities chances of success, and the political reasons for their wins, losses and discontinuation, in the bidding contests. In summary, this book vividly elucidates the inseparable nature of politics and sport in China.

Marcus P. Chu is assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

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Chinas Quest for Sporting Mega-Events

The Politics of International Bids

Marcus P. Chu

For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/Routledge-Contemporary-China-Series/book-series/SE0768

The Politics of International Bids

Marcus P. Chu

First published 2021

by Routledge

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2021 Marcus P. Chu

The right of Marcus P. Chu to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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ISBN: 978-0-367-20667-3 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-0-429-26281-4 (ebk)

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I am grateful to Brian Bridges, Annie Chan, Chan Che-po, Gerald Chan, Chen Hon-fai, Francis Cheung, Ted Fung, Lawrence Ho, Joanne Lai, Alan Lee, Peter Leung, Li Pang- kwong, Simon Li, Vic Li, Liu Junli, Lao Liu, Lu Zhouxiang, Zita Lui, Vivian Lun, Ma Yuhuai, Eric Man, Mai Sasahara, Shalendra Sharma, Eric Wong, Jack Wong, Natalie Wong, Wong Yiu-chung, Max Wu, Xiang Xi, Xu Xiaohong, Eilo Yu and Raymond Yuen for their advice, encouragement and help. I am equally indebted to Simon Bates and Tan ShengBin in Routledge Contemporary China Series for their professional suggestions about my proposal and manuscript, as well as Louise Lubke Cuss for her careful proofreading and editing service. My special thanks go to Lingnan University direct grant (no. DR19B6), which supported the research of . Lastly, I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude to my parents. This book could not have been completed without their care and love.

While its people suffered in the ruthless political struggles of the Cultural Revolution, China on October 25, 1971 successfully expelled Taiwan, becoming a full member of the United Nations. Within the next 12 months, President Mao Zedong met US President Richard Nixon in Zhongnanhai. The UK, Japan and West Germany all established diplomatic relations with Beijing. In this context, a number of international sporting organizations encouraged China to join them. The most populous country on the planet was thus successively recognized by the Asian Games Association, which later was renamed as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in 1973, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in 1975, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1979. Since then, Chinese athletes have been entitled to take part in the Asian Games, the Universiade, the Olympics, and other activities overseen by these three powerful athletic bodies.