Although the IOC claims otherwise, China's much criticised human rights record is a cause for concern in the build-up to the Games.
China is the largest arms supplier to Sudan, a country embroiled in a four-year conflict with rebels in Darfur.
The country has also been criticised for its continued support of the military junta in Burma, where pro-democracy demonstrations were crushed in 2007.
China's occupation of Tibet, as well as persecution of members of the banned Falun Gong sect, have been the source of numerous global protests.
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