Katie Couric's  Notebook for August  9th talks about China's one year countdown until the Beijing Olympic games and makes reference to a few points that are rarely spoken out loud amongs those in business circles on the ground in China.

A year from now the olympics will be happening in Beijing the place we used to call red China has embraced capitalism with a vengeance and it's going all out. A record 40 billion is being spent on stadiums and transportation.

Beijing believe in -- its chronic pollution by keeping a third of its cars off the streets and shutting down some factories. But -- the country ready to have the eyes of the world focused on it. China has been criticized for supporting the murderous regime in Sudan and the committee to protect journalists just issued a report on China's suppression of the press.

One of the world's most secretive regimes is also a leading jailer of journalists. With at least 29 now in prison most on vague charges of being anti state. Journalists from around the world covering the games next year have been promised complete freedom. But maybe China should begin by applying that to its own citizens first. That's a page from my notebook I'm Katie Couric's CBS news ...

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Beijing China Katie Couric Olympics