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    RAISING CHAMPIONS

    Written by: Jalal Hussain
    Posted on: September 04, 2013 | | 中文

    Chinese Men's Team Wins Table Tennis Gold at London Olympics 2012

    China performed staggeringly well during the last two Olympic games, topping the table in Beijing in 2008 while they secured second position in the London 2012 games. Such an exceptional performance makes one wonder what factors contribute towards their consistent success in the games?  From a layman’s perspective, one might think that population is a major factor in China’s success. However, this would be a fallacy considering the next populous country, India, is always near the bottom of the medals table while China is hovering at the top.

    Chinese Team at Opening Ceremony of London Olympics

    In a research study examining why countries win medals, authors Anirudh Krishna of Duke University and Eric Haglund of the Congressional Hunger Centre attribute the gross domestic product (GDP) of a country as a significant factor. However, this still does not explain why countries such as Cuba, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Uzbekistan have won many more medals than countries like India, even though they have a far smaller population and a much lower GDP growth. Krishna and Haglund advocate the concept of an effectively participating population arguing that not everyone in a country has equal access to competitive sports – or for that matter, to arenas including the political and economic ones. Many are not effective participants on account of ignorance or disinterest, disability or deterrence.

    Lei Sheng

    The same view is also supported by Amartya Sen (2002) who explicitly states that:  “The ability to participate depends on a variety of enabling social conditions.” He identifies these conditions to include factors such as illiteracy, lack of schooling, undernourishment and the presence of social barriers that prevent individuals from fair economic participation. So then, it can then be established that China is indeed providing constructive social conditions, removing barriers to entry and hence making it possible for its athletes to shine through.

    The very fact that a country such as China is able to perform exceptionally due to its relatively equal distribution of opportunities is a hallmark of a Communist state. In such a state, resources are evenly divided; unlike India there is not a massive income disparity gap that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.  In China, children who are not academically inclined and have strong athletic potential have access to schools and academies dedicated to sports, which they attend to train in their chosen field in a systematic manner. They become full-time athletes at a very young age. The Chinese government heavily funds and subsidizes its identified pool of athletes.

    Lin Qingfen Wins old Medal at London Olympics 2012

    The focus on Olympic glory started in 2002, when the Communist Party began Project 119, a program that uses remarkable state resources and tough training to groom potential gold medalists in Olympic sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, and track and field, to name a few.  Project 119 has led to the making of exceptional athletes, some prime examples being Ye Shiwen, who set the world record in the women’s 400 meter swimming individual medley; Lei Sheng, men’s fencing gold medalist; and Lin Qingfeng, men’s weightlifting gold medalist. Project 119 is thus harnessing individual potential and creating world class athletes in their chosen sport.

    Over the years, this effective sports system has handpicked talented children as young as six years old, and sent them to rigorous training programs. Ye Shiwen’s story is no different. She took up swimming after her kindergarten teacher noticed her height, large hands and feet and declared her build was ideal for swimming. Shiwen has credited her success to the quality of the training she has received since childhood, but says her weeks of hard work at Wood's academy in Queensland, with a renowned Australian coach, Denis Cotterell, were "really harsh, but ... really helpful". Furthermore, China’s dedication to their star athletes can be gauged from the fact that Liu Xiang, whose 2004 Olympic gold medal was the first in men's track and field event for China, is watched over by a seven-man team of coaches, doctors, drivers and golfers.

    Ye Shiwen

    It is this strategy that sets China apart from other participating countries: its ability and resolve to heavily invest in potential talent, and provide them with superior training to ensure that they become the best. The Chinese approach to sports is different from how we understand it. The Chinese pick up a game, then inculcate it into their system and culture, and set themselves the task of excelling in it with utmost determination and dedication. The spirited culture of China ensures an extremely competitive environment in every field, and hence it is no surprise that Chinese athletes go that extra mile to be world-beaters. China as an emerging super power believes that the Olympics is an event where they can prove to the world, and focus its attention on the fact, that there has been a paradigm shift, and that China is  now a global leader in the new world order.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021