The emergence of China as an economic superpower

"Spielberg said last week that his conscience would no longer allow him to work on the Olympics as an artistic consultant while Sudan's China-backed government carried out genocide in its western Darfur province." Steven Spielberg has risked it all this time around in angering 1.3 billion people by pulling out on The Project in the 10th hour (if not 11th hour). His sudden and unexpected move stirred a lot of criticism in the Chinese media, (secretly) among government officials, who spent over a week just to prepare a short statement for the press, and netizens. However, because his science-fiction movies are so treasured within China, his work was spared.

What some people said about Spielberg:

"This person is completely living in his sci-fi world and cannot distinguish dream from reality."

"Mr Spielberg knows nothing about China's endeavour to solve the Darfur issue. He is unqualified to blame the Chinese government."

"The US slaughters civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. Director Spielberg, don't you feel ashamed being an American?"

"You don't criticise your own country, then how can you criticise China?"

"Spielberg’s behavior is immature, and unwise. He linked himself to a power (U.S), and did something against Olympic spirits. Ridiculous it is. Please, Mr. Spielberg, don’t be so hotheaded to act as a tool of some interest group."

"Fine, just drop out, nothing big."

"Does he really think America attacked Iraq to liberate Iraqis? For oil only! Only allowing itself to play the game but keeping all others out is typical of hegemonism."

Perhaps companies who have interest in China can't pull out without notice, but Hollywood can. With an import quota of only 30 international movies a year (a quota that includes other Asian countries), it seems as though Spielberg and other Hollywood liberals have nothing to lose and much to gain.