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 Political  Significance  of  the  Beijing  Olympics

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Lee Dongmin
(dongmin.sean.lee@gmail.com)
Associate Professor,
Dankook University

English Abstract

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which has attracted international attention since early February officially ended. The Olympics, which should be a cosmopolitan venue for reconciliation and celebration, have been harshly criticized due to various political interpretations and responses. However, some positive reviews have been made that the Olympics provided a meeting place and support when international exchanges have shrunk due to COVID-19. Through the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese government hoped to achieve two major goals. At home, it sought to stabilize domestic politics by emphasizing the revival and encouraging the unity of the Chinese people. Abroad, it sought to expand China's strategic space and strengthen its external solidarity by emphasizing its image of "the revival of a prosperous, strong, and great China." U.S.-China relations are expected to be tense even more after the Beijing Winter Olympics. South Korea should continue to strengthen its cooperation with the international community and contribute to the maintenance and development of stability and prosperity in the region. Furthermore, it should strengthen its economic, technological, and military capabilities and build self-strengthening capabilities to cope with instability factors beyond the Korean Peninsula.