| To take the pragmatic stand, one could say that there is so much irritation any one person/group/nation will endure before communication breaks down. Therefore, it's important to choose your irritants carefully - otherwise known as "choosing your battles wisely." Could nations and their leaders make a point by not attending the ceremony? Sure. How likely will China then be to talk with them about the actual meat of the issue (human rights) when the irritant was directed at something superfluous (the ceremony)? As far as I can tell, boycotting would only build up ill will and make China more resistant to discussion later.
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Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
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