China, the Asian Games and Asian politics (1974–2006)

The Asian Games reflected Asian politics and the relationships between Asian countries. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the Chinese sport in the Asian context. The Asian Games is the largest sports event in Asia. It is held every four years for the purpose of developing intercultural knowledge and friendship within Asia. The Asian Games, from its birth in 1948 was closely linked with policies in post-colonial and anti-imperial Asia. This was demonstrated in the 4th Asian Games in Jakarta in 1962 which this work has discussed previously in the contribution headed ‘Sport, Militarism and Diplomacy: Training Bodies for China (1960–1966)’. We now will discuss China’s participation in the Games and its relationship with Asian countries and the political implications. After the Second World War, Asia experienced an awakening. The collapse of colonialism generated an upsurge of freedom, friendship and fraternity among Asian people. Many prominent Asian leaders who had, for decades, waged a determined struggle against colonial powers began to establish a ‘New Order’ of Asia. G.D. Sondhi, an Indian, saw it as an opportunity to propose his idea of an ‘All Asian Games’ to unite the newly independent Asian countries through sports meetings. In March 1947 when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, held the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi, Sondhi’s idea impressed the representatives of various countries at the conference. Sondhi then discussed the idea with some Asian delegations at the London Olympics in 1948 and he received a positive response from various countries, including the Republic of China. The Asian Games Federation (AGF) was established in February 1949 by 11 Asian countries. It decided to follow the Olympic pattern and hold the games every four years in Asia. The motto ‘Ever Onward’ symbolised progress in Asia and the emblem, a full rising sun with 11 rings, symbolised the 11 founding countries. It was believed that the Asian Games were an opportunity for ‘renewing contact’ among oriental countries