In an article written by Lennart Sacredeus , member of the Riksdag,  and three others that appeared in SVD on June 15, it is alleged that China uses the Beijing Olympic Games for propaganda purposes and that the human rights situation in China has worsened since it won the bid of hosting the Olympic Games. I find such allegation completely unfounded.

        The decision to host the Olympic Games by China is a monumental one. It demonstrates China's embrace of the Olympic principle of mutual understanding, friendship, unity and fair competition, and it shows China's commitment to fully integrate itself into the international community and become a responsible member of it. The hosting of the largest global event in the most populous nation in the world means so much to all of us, not least the Chinese and Swedes:  It will energize  people of various countries in a common pursuit to build a better world through friendly competition in sports arena.

       Anyone who has been to China will easily see that the improvement of human rights is a very dynamic process in the country. China is becoming increasingly open, and the extensive human rights its people enjoy today are unprecedented in China's history, a fact recognized by many unbiased foreign observers. The hosting of the Olympic Games will no doubt boost further progress in social and economic development and human rights in China. Any attack on China's hosting of the Olympic Games can only prove futile.  

Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy

June 19, 2008