Shanghaiist: France crossed off as a destination in itineraries offered by Beijing travel agencies

Feds

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:26:30 +0800

@ Pirx, How long have you been in China? Do you speak Chinese? The masses do not always obey and agree. People who travel will be grumbling over this. Plus those who have enough cash to travel abroad, tour group or not, are not exactly 'the masses.' They have cash, businesses and influence. Look for the ban to be short-term. Perhaps you were just a little annoyed that ppmartin had not included you in his assessment of 'valid comments'. Kudos to him.

sonyactivision

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:53:44 +0800

Wow. France is a pretty influential party to the IOC. Would this have happened a few years ago? All this stagecraft is just wearisome.

Pirx

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:22:40 +0800

@ppmartin This applies to group tours. The masses have been brought on to the party line already, so they are very likely to agree and obey. Individual travelers can - and probably will - go to France as they please. This displays nicely, how commercial enterprises in China must make business decisions according to the convenience of the Communist Party. The economy must serve the Communist Party. This applies to all Chinese companies, also the ones listed on the stock exchange. Do you want to invest here? Think again. Oh, and of course there will be the convenient explanation, that the tours have not been canceled for political reasons, but because of lack of bookings, as all Chinese will be staying home to watch the Olympic Games.

ppmartin

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:10:35 +0800

In addition to the valid comments already made by Fuzi and Sirlogic, I would add that there is also a very distasteful angle to this story from a Chinese point of view as well. Indeed, it must be rather irritating for Chinese citizens to still be treated like infants by some official trying to impose on them a (supposedly politically correct) choice of holliday destination.

sirlogic

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:50:54 +0800

whoa... this seems relatively out of the blue... why didn't they do this right after the torch relay incident several months ago? 2 jetliners from France delivered a bunch of aid and tents to the earthquake victims just yesterday. This thing doesn't seem very well coordinated.

Pirx

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:39:42 +0800

Hooray! What a relief! Finally one country that is safe to travel to, free from the company of Chinese tourists. Can we have the same for the rest of Europe, please?

Fuzi

Sat, 31 May 2008 22:45:33 +0800

It is disconcerting to see China sinking into that "freedom fries" mentality that plagued the USA. These actions accomplish nothing except enmity. There is no tangible progress made by taking such infantile actions.