Chinese Olympic Security at its Best
Posted by StormWarning on 09 Aug 2008 at 10:24 am | Tagged as: China, Current Affairs, International Issues
Despite all of the “security” and worries over terror threats at the Beijing Olympics, relatives of the US Men’s Volleyball coach were attacked by a knife wielding Chinese man who fatally stabbed the husband and wounded the wife and Chinese guide at a tourist site in downtown Beijing.
The attacker then jumped to his death from the second story of the Drum Tower, an ancient structure in the heart of Beijing which was used to tell time in the Imperial era.
The dramatic killing cast a shadow over the first full day of Olympic competition. The attack occurred despite an overwhelming security presence in the city, and marred the Chinese government’s efforts to showcase the country as open and welcoming to foreigners.
The victims are Todd and Barbara Bachman, the parents of former U.S. women’s volleyball player Elisabeth “Wiz” Bachman, according to a member of the team’s delegation who asked not to be identified because no official statements were being given. The Bachmans are from Minnesota. Wiz Bachman, a member of the 2004 Olympic team, is married to Hugh McCutcheon, the coach of the men’s team.
The attacker’s National ID card (China has them) identified the attacker as Tang Yongming, a 47-year-old man from the eastern city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.
Although Beijing is a city of 17 million, its streets are generally safe and few residents fear walking alone even in the middle of the night.
It is illegal for private Chinese citizens to own guns.
Still, there are regular reports of violent incidents throughout the country by people who lash out in frustration over government corruption or injustice. For example, a man who was angry over a rough police interrogation in Shanghai recently walked into the station and stabbed and killed six police officers and wounded four others.
Attacks against tourists are rare, but the U.S. embassy has warned they are on the rise.
Just random violence? Or is it an example of things to come? The Chinese government can hardly afford to have street violence mar their Olympics.
Bachman, Beijing Olympics
