China has a lot to learn about transparency
The nomination of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be the Republican vice-presidential running mate to John McCain in the US, contrasts sharply with the controversy over allegations about some of the Chinese Olympic women's gymnasts being under age ('Even after gold, the age question still lingers', August 14). It highlights the difference between the two societies and their political systems.
Almost as soon as the news broke about Mrs Palin's selection, journalists descended on Alaska to examine her past.
The official presentation by the McCain camp was that she was a reformer who loathed government subsidies, oversaw the Alaska National Guards and had expertise in foreign policy because of Alaska's proximity to Russia.
After some independent investigation by journalists, it became clear that Mrs Palin had lobbied for a federal subsidy, was not responsible for decision-making regarding the national guard and that she did not get a passport until 1997, so she could travel outside the US for the first time to visit Alaska National Guard troops in Kuwait.
Compare that with the controversy at the Olympics. When they were questioned about the ages of the women gymnasts, China's officials simply presented various government documents such as passports and birth certificates as proof of the gymnasts' age.
Discrepancies over their ages in information previously provided were brushed off as being mistakes made by local officials.
