口语 kou's word

China 2/5--2/8 or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Harmonization

2009-02-13T16:11:00.010+08:00

Thursday, the 5th
Today, the nation of McDonald's statistically savvy secretary of treasury confirmed the existence of a "financial crisis" chimera. To wound the very real, shadowy beast, Mckey D's announced a unilateral stimulus plan for China, which includes the establishment of 175 new branches, creating more than 10,000 jobs. According to the The New York Times' Bettina Wassener, a Mickey D rep said the move is "in line with the [Chinese] government's direction to stimulate domestic demand" and "help build a stronger economy." The super-sized stimulus package also includes a near 33% price reduction on mainland meals. No news on whether the nation of McDonald's plans a similar bailout for the U.S.

In less earth-shattering news today, some scientists have suggested that maybe last year's Sichuan earthquake (see recent photos here) was man-made, caused by a seismic shift beneath the weighty water of the Zipingpu Dam's Reservoir. (Last year, China spent almost 200 billion USD on natural disaster relief.)

Meanwhile, China's worst drought in half a century suddenly became news today. The AFP noted that "the increased alert level was made official at the same time as the central government sent out specialists to all eight major drought-hit regions..." A CCTV9 report said the government ordered "all-out efforts."

None of the news above, however, was nearly as titillating as the Chinese netizens' satirical mooning of the governments' recent porn crackdown or the Shanghai man in court "for performing a 'sexorcism' on his girlfriend's mother."

Friday, the 6th
Nothing important happened today unless you count the sparks of what will likely be another fiery, polarizing debate of "truthiness" between shaky western journalists and indubious Chinese netizens. The Mutant Palm blogger translated what appears to be, so far, the first response (in Chinese here) to the "Western media's linking of natural and man-made disasters." (Note to the western media: stop making links.)

Saturday, the 7th
More jellylike reporting from the western media today as the AP reported that China's official data obscures the reality of just how deep its sunk because of the financial tsunami.

Chinese media today commented on two instances of corruption--1.) public anger over hefty bailouts and 2.) femme fatale Lu Jiali, rumored ex-mistress of seven Shanghai swine.

Also today, Animals Asia rescued injured moon bears from their bile-bootlegging captors.

Sunday, the 8th
How to combat drought? Call the in the troops, of course. Following Premier Wen Jiabao's order for "all-out efforts" against the drought, Chinese weather officials relieved drought-stricken areas today by dispatching planes from Guangzhou armed with "rainmaking tools including cloud-seeding rockets."

Meanwhile, Reuters published a powder keg of a story today about "John Rabe," a film based on an expatriate Nazi who saved the lives of around 200, 000 Chinese in Nanjing during the Japanese invasion of 1937. "The Rape of Nanking" is historical flash point for Chinese nationalism because conservative Japanese continue to deny that the holocaust ever happened.

Grow with Guangzhou's Seedy KFCs？

2008-10-20T18:49:00.002+08:00

"The best choice for you to mature and develop" reads this advertisement outside a Kentucky Fried Chicken adjacent the Gangding (岗顶) subway exit. The rest of the poster is about where and when applicants can come in for interviews.

I wonder how employees "mature" and "develop" under KFC. Just last year, the Guangdong labor bureau investigated KFC, of YUM Brands Inc. which also owns Pizza Hut and Dongfang Jibai (which incidentally means vulva in Singlish--careful with that one), for paying part-time workers--mostly students--less than minimum wage. Other past scandals include: using the cancer-causing red dye Sudan Red IV and using the toxic vegetable Sweet Leaf Bush. And while unions have since been established, I couldn't find any articles about pay-raises at KFC (although I did find an article about pay-raises at McDonald's, which was also accused of short-changing employees). I did write to KFC and if I get a response I'll update this post.

KFC itself, with its Chinese characteristics, continues to be the most profitable and ubiquitous fast-food chain in China. Until it improves its record, however, I say don't eat KFC. 别吃鸡吧。

Guangzhou's Censored Announcement About Unfettered Journalism

2008-10-18T22:18:00.012+08:00

"... Beijing will allow journalists..."

That was all I heard before the Pearl News update was preempted by a propaganda clip about thwarting thievery. In Guangzhou, censorship of controversial issues broadcast by Hong Kong news stations is commonplace. Sometimes an entire story is preempted by propaganda, sometimes only a sentence. Either way, like tonight's interruption, the censorship switch is often pulled part way through the first sentence, delayed just long enough to reveal what the controversial topic is. Tonight's topic was--ironically--Beijing's promise to loosen reporting restrictions for foreign journalists in China.

On October 17th, Chinese authorities kept their pledge to extend the temporary journalistic freedoms allowed during Beijing Olympics. Tini Tran, in this AP article, writes that foreign reporters are no longer "required to get government permission to travel within the country or to interview Chinese citizens." In the Wall Street Journal, Mei Fong writes, "critics note the liberalized rules don't apply to Chinese journalists who aren't allowed to work as journalists for foreign media organizations and whose work is liable to control by the state." Okay, so domestic media control remains unchanged. But why censor a report about loosened restrictions for foreigners?

China is opening up. Yet while you can flip a switch to censor, you can't (and perhaps shouldn't) flip a switch to open up completely overnight. It might be a controlled opening up, but an opening up nonetheless. As Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Liu Jianchao said, "[this is] a big step for China."

Perhaps that's why I took particular pleasure in typing "China journalism freedom" as bookmark tags on my delicious.com account.

Guangzhou's Lomostar: Just Shoot

2008-09-15T23:41:00.013+08:00

Lomostar is located on the third floor of the Lingnan Culture and Art Building, the big red one across from Martyr's Park on Zhongshansanlu. If I remember right it's subway Exit B2. (Photo by kou.)
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"You're like a kid in a candy store," I said to my friend, Michael Christopher Brown, a professional photographer (or "editorialist"; see his Web site), who was visiting Guangzhou after covering the Beijing Olympics for ESPN Magazine. I had taken him to Lomostar, a camera shop specializing in hard-to-find cameras like Lomos, Holgas (see this Wired photo contest), Polaroids--even Pearl Rivers (?).

"You can't find these in the States," Brown said, stacking a few must-haves on a table. The shop, however, is not just for professionals. As any member of the Lomographic Society will tell you, novices make some of the best photographers. The whole idea behind Lomo, is that one shouldn't be preocuppied with the technical aspects of photography. Hence the society's motto: "Don't Think, Just Shoot." Brown said that to relax sometimes, he leaves his state-of-the-art equipment at home, and takes a walk with his Holga.

That said, the cameras at Lomostar are almost so simple they're complicated. Not to worry, the owner is affable, patient, and passionate about his products, some of which--the T-shirts, bags, stickers, etc.--he's designed himself. See Lomostar's Web site for more information.

Letters on China by Obama and McCain

2008-09-15T22:49:00.005+08:00

Barack Obama and John McCain both sent letters on how they would approach U.S.-Sino relations to the American Chamber of Commerce in China . Simon Elegant, of Time's China Blog, has published both letters.

Guangzhou Metro Cinches up Security

2008-09-15T21:50:00.010+08:00

Guangzhou metro riders queue at the Kecun security check. (Photos by kou.)
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After the mid-July bus bombing in Kunming, Yunnan, the Guangzhou Metro Corporation and the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau established package and large baggage scanning (a la airports around the world) at four of the five busiest subway stations in Guangzhou--the East Station, the Railway Station, Kecun, and Gongyuanqian. (Why not Tiyuxilu--the Teem Plaza station?)

According to this Life of Guangzhou article, the purpose was to "ensure public safety during the Beijing Olympics," but those stations are still operational and random checks at other stations are being conducted by the "100 member professional secure team [sic]." With the 2010 Asian Games in the offing, I suppose it's only a matter of time before we're undoing our belts and removing our shoes.

Guangzhou "Embraces" Bicycle Lanes?

2008-09-13T16:23:00.010+08:00

With few bicycle lanes, Guangzhou's bicyclists compete with automobiles. (Photo by kou.)
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It's been almost a year since the publication of this China Daily article, "City embraces bicycle-friendly planning (sic)." Writer Zhan Lisheng notes there are "1 million cars and about 800,000 bicycles in this city of 12 million" so city authorities plan to "reopen or set up bicycle lanes." Off hand, I don't recall any bicycle lanes. Maybe near China Plaza (中华广场Zhonghuaguangchang)? Does anyone else know of any roads with bicycle lanes in Guangzhou?

For some Chinese bicycle nostalgia, click here.

Tom and Jerry Will Duke It Out in Dongguan

2008-09-12T22:48:00.014+08:00

Below is an excerpt from a Time's China blog post entitled "A Rat Tale From Guangdong." The first part is about the size of "a Mr. Li's" pet rat. The part below is about Mr. Li's Don King sized aspirations.

[...] So what should you do if you have a giant rodent in your house? Create a public spectacle, of course. Mr. Li told the paper he is now letting cat owners challenge the “king rat” during the Oct. 1 national holiday. There will be two fights a day, each including five three-minute rounds. The animal that wins three out of five will be the champion. Cat owners are required to sign an agreement with Mr. Li, exempting both parties from any responsibility if “the rat is injured or the cat is killed during the fight.” Mr. Li told the paper that the challenge is an opportunity to “rewrite a history where rats are only eaten by cats.” Mr. Li bought a cat to test his beast’s fighting prowess. When he placed the two in a cage together, “the cat crouched at a corner and trembled all over, while my rat made menacing noises and leapt at it,” he said. The cat raced away as soon as Mr. Li opened the cage. Its whereabouts remains unknown. Apart from the impressive weight and strength Mr. Li also mentioned some features of the “rat” that are different from the ordinary ones. It’s about 14 inches long and its toes are connected by thick web. Mr. Li now is hoping an expert can identify the rodent’s species. But you don’t need an expert. A quick online image search would solve the mystery. Mr. Li’s rat is a nutria. As to the identity of the rat who would stage animal fights for entertainment, you don’t need to be an expert for that one either.

Guangzhou's Bogus Libations

2008-09-12T22:21:00.014+08:00

This is the "cheap" Sanshui (Water Mountain) beer mentioned in the Danwei post below. Sanshui i s owned by Tsingtao which perhaps makes the deception below more potable. (Photo by kou.)
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An excerpt from a Danwei post:

Front Page of the Day

Fake beer, fake money, and fake milk powder

Posted by Eric Mu, September 11, 2008 4:48 PM

Dongguan Times
September 11, 2008
Police in Humen, Guangdong Province busted a fake beer producer yesterday, reports today's Dongguan Times. The article said that the producer replaced the labels and caps of cheap Shanshui-brand beer with those of the more expensive Tsingtao beer, creating three thousand fake Tsingtao beer bottles in a single day. The big photo on the front page shows the water tank which was used to remove the labels. [...]

I've only got empirical evidence for the following and I'm unwilling to name names or unveil venues (How unjournalistic of me) so regard the following as fiction. I've many friends in the bar business in Guangzhou and they all say the same thing about their alcohol distributors: "They ask us if we want the real version or the fake version." This is especially common with foreign liquors (Chivas Regal, Jack Daniels, JW Red Label, and Absolute--see this BBC article or this Guardian article), Chinese baijiu (Maotai--see this Opposite End of China post), and Chinese beer (Zhujiangchunsheng and Tsingtao--see above). Here's how it works: the savvy bar owner offers a particular bottle--and it seems to be only bottles--at an unusually low price. For example, a bottle 珠江纯生Zhujiangchunsheng (Pearl River Draft) sells for 20 RMB, which seems like a good deal. And it is, for the 老板laoban (owner), who profits another kuai or more on each sale. A real Zhujiang Draft costs around two RMB (wholesale), whereas a fake is around half of that. Hence, the cheap price. It works similarly with liquor, but here there's an additional variable. Bar owners also say that some distributors offer to buy back empty bottles of alcohol so that they can be sold to fake distillers for "refilling." (Of course, fake labels are used sometimes as well, like this photo posted by a Japanese whiskey aficionado.) Generally, counterfeits are low-end (i.e. cheap), "familiar brands" (which probably explains mixing them with wulong and green tea, not to mention you can't shelve the bottle for next time). Yet sometimes high-end products are just as spurious; the aforemtioned Guardian article above sites fakes of Hennessy, Remy Martin, and Martell. The fake alcohol is alchohol but the beer is usually a cheap brand loaded with formaldehyde and the liquor is often a substitute that's been distilled for merely weeks. Intense hangovers are common but death is rare-- more common in the consumption of domestic baijiu (see this Epochtimes' article). So what can you do, purchase from well-known chain store? Not according to this People's Daily article on Carrefour's "lesson." Frankly, there's not much you can do. You can be cool to the bartender and/or owner (common sense, right?), he or she might serve you one of the bona fide bottles. You can drink draft beers, which are probably genuine, as are obscure liquors. Or you can switch to bubble tea (珍珠奶茶Zhenjiunaicha). After all, swing sets are fun, right? And the counterfeit tapioca trade isn't flourishing. Or if all else fails, just remember that all of the above is fiction.

Guangzhou's Best Burger Joint Reopens

2008-09-12T20:10:00.007+08:00

"Take off, eh." Strange Brew has reopened after closing for the summer (supposedly because of the Beijing Olympics--Aiya! "The best laid plans..."). It's located in the quiet neighboorhood of 五羊新城Wuyangxincheng on 明月一路Mingyueyilu, a block west of the Ramada Inn. This Canadian-owned bar serves arguably--although everyone I know agrees--the best burgers in Guangzhou. Flavors range from the familiar North American-style Bacon Mushroom Melt to the East Asian-inspired Wasabi Mayo. They're made with 100% Aussie beef; prices range from 40 to 50 RMB. Strange Brew also boasts a couple of the better beer taps in Guangzhou, pouring drafts of Hoegaarden and Paulaner, not to mention ubiquitous Tiger. Originally designed (somewhat uncomfortably) to be a chill-out bar (formerly "Lucid Lounge") the new Hockey-cum-Canadian decor is more befitting of its owners and its regulars. It's usually low-key, but packed when the owners (a couple of whom also own Hooley's) promote a party. No mice in the beer here. Bob and Doug McKenzie would dig it.

Here's someone else's review with the bar's contact information.

(I just wish I had a photo. I'll take one the next time I'm there, but if you've got one, post it in the comments below.)

Mooncakes and Mare's Milk

2008-09-10T18:07:00.017+08:00

(Photo [and bite] by kou.)
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Whether you're in Guangzhou, Kashgard, or Harbin, Monday is the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 zhongqiujie) or Moon Festival--a nationwide Chinese holiday. And while it's been celebrated for 3000 years, it didn't become an official vacation day until this year, when the Chinese government restructured days-off to alleviate the congestion caused by hordes of holidayers trying to visit relatives during the same time. In the former system, Chinese had three state-mandated holidays: the Chinese New Year, the first week of May, and the first week of October. It worked something like this: imagine all the citizens of Europe have the same two weeks off each year. Let's say the last two weeks of December. Imagine the entire population of France is flying to the Vatican while all the Italians have boarded trains to Germany. In the meantime the Spainards are sailing to France, and the Greeks have gathered for skiing in the Swiss Alps. And the Germans... well, you get the idea. The new system spreads those days off throughout the year--like this Monday. You should have the day off. If you don't, your boss is either breaking Chinese law or paying you triple "your normal pay rate," according to danwei. So while you're munching on mooncakes and watching reruns of "The Journey West," it might enhance your appreciation of the upcoming three day weekend to know one of the legends behind the Mid-Autumn Festival. Here's the bloodiest.

Legend has it--and many believe this one to be true--that the Mongols distaste for mooncakes led to their demise. Toward the end of the Mongol-ruled Yuan Dynasty, pestilence and disease devasted the population and the peasantry was beginning to resist the Yuan regime. Enter Zhu Yuanzhang. After a plague killed his parents, and years of begging as a Buddhist monk, Zhu joined the Red Turban Army. He rose through its ranks, becoming its undisputed leader, conquering much of Yuan-ruled China. The Mongols, however, maintained their stronghold of Nanjing. Zhu had to find a way to unite Nanjing's citizens, who were not allowed to assemble, without alerting the Mongols. According to legend, Zhu's advisor, Liu Bowen, suggested Zhu synchronize his attack on Nanjing with the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Liu received permission to honor the Mongols by distributing mooncakes as symbolic blessings for the longevity of the Yuan Dynasty. The tradition is to gift the mooncakes before the festival and eat them on the night of the brightest moon. The Mongols, of course, didn't eat local food so thousands of mooncakes were distributed to Han Chinese only. Inside each mooncake was a slip of paper that read: "八月十五殺韃子" ("Kill the Mongol Rulers on the 15th day of the Eighth moon"). (Some say these were the first fortune cookies.) On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhu's rebels--with the help of Nanjing's citizens--successfully slayed the tyrannical Mongol rulers and established the Ming Dynasty. That was 653 years ago this Monday.

There are also legends of the Moon Lady and the Jade Rabbit (see link), but those are probably better enjoyed after imbibing barrels of baijiu or better yet--kumis. How do the Cantonese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival? Many attend the Lantern Festival at Culture Park (文化公园wenhuagongyuan; see map). I think it's this Sunday, the 14th, at least historically the festival's been held on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I'll post more details if I find them. Please comment below if you have any insight.

(Send a mooncake greeting card online.)

Guangzhou Showered with Acid Rain

2008-09-09T22:44:00.006+08:00

(Photo by kou)
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Since January, 53% percent of Guangzhou's downpours have qualified as acid rain, according to this article in the China Daily. Chenguangrong, deputy director of the provincial environmental bureau, blamed the exacerbation of acid rain on an increase in nitrogen oxide emission. "Guandong has not yet begun denitration work, because many of the old power plants have not yet mapped out such plans," he said. I'm sure the old power plants will begin mapping out plans for denitration soon. In the meantime, Cantonese, han-emigrants, and gweilos alike will continue saving their scalps with 7-11 umbrellas, Yangcheng newspapers, three-mao plastic bags, etc.

Cantocore Exhibition Opens in Guangzhou

2008-09-08T00:15:00.005+08:00

I missed the opening of Cantocore's contemporary art show, but much of the exhibition can still be seen at the Ping Pong Space. The following passage is from Cantocore's Web site:

This first part of the Cantocore exhibition, Import, begins with an opening on Friday, September 5 from 8 PM at the brand new Ping Pong Space in Guangzhou, China. The show continues until Tuesday, September 16 with gallery hours of 2:00 PM until 10:00 PM daily. The second part of the show, Export, opens Sunday, September 21 at 8 PM until 10 PM when a special video screening developed by San Francisco’s Mission 17 titled “Stardusted” will be presented at the Ping Pong Bar from 10 PM until 11PM. The second half, Export, continues daily until Saturday, October 4 with daily hours from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

For details about the show, see link.

Uyghur Lost in Translation at Guangzhou Police Stataion

2008-09-07T22:38:00.012+08:00

As I was queuing to renew my "Temporary Residence Permit" in a Guangzhou 派出所paichusuo (police station) last week, I noted the following conversation between an emigrant from Xinjiang and the Guangzhou police:

"First write down the names," said the trainee, at least I think he was a trainee as he wasn't uniformed like the other officers and he was rearranging chairs and straightening up the desk of the officer on duty.

The Uyghur left the station and returned ten minutes later with a piece of paper with some writing on it.

"You must write Chinese," the trainee said, pointing at the piece of paper. The Uyghur tried to answer, but his words were unintelligible. "You must write Zhongwen (Chinese). Understand?" The trainee repeated, smiling, not at the Xinjiang emigrant, but at the awkwardness of the situation. "You must write Chinese characters." The Uyghur said Zhongwen and pointed at the piece of paper.

"Where are you from? From where? Where are you from?"

"Xinjiang," the Uyghur muttered.

The trainee smiled again and said, "What is the Chinese name. You must write Chinese, like on a 身份证shenfenzheng (ID card). Do you have your ID?" The Uyghur shook his head.

It was then that the officer on duty looked up at the Uyghur and said, "You don't have your ID card?" Legally Chinese must carry their IDs on them at all times. (In fact, even foreigners are required to carry their passports; copies are insufficient). The officer stood up, picked up his tea thermos, and walked across the room.

"You must write Chinese," said the trainee. "This isn't Chinese."

The officer returned, his thermos steaming, and said, "Ni shi shenme ren?" which is a slightly impolite way of asking who someone is, a phrasing more typical of the army than the police--a phrase that requires all of your information, not just your name.
"What? Your older brother? You must write his name down in Chinese. On a Xinjiang ID there are two lines for names. The second line is Chinese. And below that is the ID number. You must write those down." The Uyghur looked down at the paper and stood there confused. Other people came with questions and the officer began answering theirs. When I left a few minutes later, the Uyghur was still standing there.

Guangzhou After-hours Nightclub Reopens

2008-09-07T13:20:00.007+08:00

(Photos by kou)
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Noxxi, the best after-hours club in Guangzhou, reopened yesterday. (And by after-hours, I mean it's open till around 9:00a.m.) It's unclear whether the reopening is temporary. See Noxxi's Web site for contact information.

Economist Ranks Guangzhou Number Two

2008-09-06T02:28:00.004+08:00

Guangzhou is ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit as the second best place to do business in China. Despite its having "the best infrastructure," Guangzhou was narrowly edged out by Shanghai for the number one spot. Beijing was third, and Shenzhen was sixth. See link to the Economist for details.

Friedman's Editorial Fileted in China (Again)

2008-09-05T16:46:00.012+08:00

I know. I know. This is supposed to be a blog full of serious insights but I couldn't
resist some "editing" fun.

An earlier Mei-Zhong Guanxi post comments on Thomas Friedman's previous editorial, noting that the title went from "A Biblical Seven Years" to "The New York Times: Compared to China, America is a Third World Country." Today, it seems that--for the second time in two weeks--the Net Nanny's revisory cursor has highlighted and deleted. This Mei-Zhong Guanxi post points out the difference between Thomas Friedman's New York Times' editorial and the version published in China. Mei-Zhong Guangxi's post includes the original piece from the New York Times with the text "struck through," revealing the revised piece as it was published in China. I found some of the revisions particularly poignant after my praiseful post below, "Friedman Winks at Green Guangzhou." Here's an example of revised Friedman from Mei-Zhong Guanxi:

So my postcard from Guangzhou would read like this: “Dear Mom and Dad, this place is so much more interesting than it looks from abroad. I met wind and solar companies eager from Western investment and Chinese college students who were organizing a boycott of an Indonesian paper company for despoiling their forest. An ‘Institute of Civil Society’ has quietly opened at the local Sun Yat-sen University. The Communist Party is trying to break the old without breaking its hold. It’s quite a drama. Can’t wait to come back next summer and see how they’re doing…

I wonder what the New York Times' editors think about the revision of its articles. Editing is common when articles are re-published, but this is clearly revision. Translation rules dictate that while the words may change, the meaning shouldn't. Moreover, what does Thomas Friedman think about it? Seeing as the world's flat and Friedman reads my blog every day, perhaps he'll comment in one of his two weekly New York Times' columns.

(Note that Black and White Cat's post, "How the New York Times Should've Reported the Olympics," inspired Mei-Zhong Guanxi.)

Tetris with Chinese Characteristics

2008-09-01T22:22:00.010+08:00

Here's a link to Statetris. It's a geographical gaming site modeled after Tetris, only provinces are substituted for blocks. (The site also has links to other countries.)

Biden Time in Cold War Xinjiang

2008-09-01T20:39:00.006+08:00

The Opposite End of China composed a post entitled "Joe Biden, Xinjiang, and the CIA." The entry examines Senator--and vice-presidental nominee--Joseph Biden's role in "the existence of joint Sino-US intelligence monitoring stations in Xinjiang" and includes text from a 1981 New York Times article.

15 Minutes of Chinese Law Fame

2008-09-01T13:35:00.010+08:00

15minutes4u is user-friendly, although some questions on Chinese law take
more than 15 minutes to answer.

A recent post on Lost Laowai highlights 15minutes4u, a Web site offering free advice for expatriates on the Chinese judiciary system. (Note that it's free, but users must register their email addresses.) The founders of 15minutes4u "estimate through practice and experience" that 85% of "China's law or its legal environment" can be answered in "15 minutes of a legal professional's time." I did a quick search of the site's "Recent Questions" and found a total of 103 questions, only nine of them unanswered. Here are examples of question titles: "How to get in touch with wealthy Chinese people?" "Can I import used cars to China?" "Where can i find a flat?" "how to establish a company in USA?" And my personal favorite: "living in China, i am an australian." Many of the questions, however, required more than the suggested 15 minutes to answer. Finally, as any admirable attorney would advise, read the fine print. I enjoyed this line from their disclaimer: "...the information and responses provided on 15minutes4u.com are NOT intended to be legal advice or intended to substitute for professional legal opinions or advice..." If you try it, I'd appreciate a comment about your experience below.

Also, a great source for advice on Chinese business law is the China Law Blog.

Friedman Winks at Green Guangzhou

2008-08-31T19:42:00.011+08:00

(Photo of Haizhu Square subway construction by kou.)
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"Dichotomy runs through a lot of what is going on here in Guangdong Province," said Thomas Friedman in his "Postcard from South China." Friedman, New York Times' columnist and author of such works as The Lexus and the Olive Tree and The World is Flat, describes the "emergence of Chinese clean-tech companies" and their Goliath task of powering and sustaining South China's development. He writes that officials, like Party Secretary Wang Yang, say China "has to move from 'made in China' to 'designed in China' to 'imagined in China.'" Friedman ends his postcard with this positive paragraph about Guangzhou:

So my postcard from Guangzhou would read like this: “Dear Mom and Dad, this place is so much more interesting than it looks from abroad. I met wind and solar companies eager for Western investment and Chinese college students who were organizing a boycott of an Indonesian paper company for despoiling their forest. An ‘Institute of Civil Society’ has quietly opened at the local Sun Yat-sen University. The Communist Party is trying to break the old mold without breaking its hold. It’s quite a drama. Can’t wait to come back next summer and see how they’re doing ...”

Jaywalking Gweilos Beware

2008-08-25T01:30:00.009+08:00

Jaywalkers are required to watch instructional videos or they
can pay a fine. Tents, like this one on 中山三路Zhongshansanlu, have been set up
at major intersections in Guangzhou. (Photo by kou)
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Guangzhou's whistle-happy pedestrian traffic patrol's power-trip just got a little bit trippier. According to two articles in the China Daily ("Walking Human Traffic Lights in Guangzhou" and "City Gets Tough on Foreign Jay-Walkers"), foreigners in Guangzhou are being "closely watched" (especially on 小北路xiaobeilu) and if caught jaywalking, they must either pay a 20-50 RMB fine or watch a video on traffic safety. Moreover, according to a post on Imagethief, police will report foreign violators to their employers. Last week, to promote local understanding of traffic laws, 100 volunteers wearing T-shirts with a red 停ting (stop) signs, helped pedestrians cross streets "at 20 major crossroads." Yet anyone who's crossed a busy intersection in Guangzhou knows that even when the crosswalk sign flashes green, pedestrians don't have the right of way. Drivers dangerously speed through crosswalks, and pedestrians must look both ways, even when crossing a one way street.

What's next, fines for people who walk the wrong way down a one way street?

Obama's Brother, Where Art Thou?

2008-08-20T01:02:00.007+08:00

Pirated CDs are ubiquitous in Guangzhou, but one of the best places to buy the latest Hollywood flicks or TV series is on the second floor of Computer City (电脑城dian nao cheng--the market above the McDonald's on on the corner of 体育东路tiyudonglu and 天河路tianhelu). When I reached the top step, a woman kitty corner from the staircase jumped off her stool and yelled "DVD?" I nodded. She quickly led me into a room full of boxes down the hall. I didn't see any DVDs in the room right away so I hesitated. She said "hurry" and pushed me, as if she was boarding a subway train at 6:00p.m. After I spoke some Chinese, the man squatting on his hams said, "奥运奥运aoyun aoyun" (Olympics Olympics). He said the 城管chengguan (city management) were especially vigilant because of the Olmypics. He said he had to keep everything hidden and that if I were Chinese, he wouldn't have let me in. He was loquacious, talking about everything from the corruption of Taiwan's former president Chen Shuibian to the brilliance of Michael Phelps to the economies of China and the U.S. This led to a list of his dislikes about U.S. president George Bush. He then asked me what I thought of Barak Obama. I said that I liked him and that either he or McCain would be better than Bush. He sat up straight, smiled and asked, "Did you know that Obama's brother is living in Shenzhen and that he's married to a Chinese woman?" Now that I hadn't heard (and he was shocked I hadn't). When I got home, I researched it online and it's true, but not exactly like he said. According to Michael Sheridan's (sensationally titled) article, "Barack Obama's brother pushes Chinese imports on US," it's Obama's half-brother. He runs an "internet -based" company and has a "long-term Chinese girlfriend," not a Chinese wife. Read more here.

It's Gotta to Be the Shoes

2008-08-19T23:57:00.011+08:00

OSPOP's Web site in China. (Photo of screen by kou)

From the Guangzhou Opera House to the Guangzhou Twin Towers to the Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing Tower, Chinese construction workers are not only redefining Guangzhou's skyline, but they're also doing it in fine fashion. Their shoes are so stylish that they're being sold online by American entrepreneur Ben Walters. In the New York Times' Magazine column, Consumed, Rob Walker describes how Walters' company, OSPOP, sells the rubber-soled shoes for 75 USD in the U.S., whereas they're only 2 USD in China. Walters defends the price disparity, saying it's "an unavoidable consequence of the quality improvements and giving the Tianlong factory workers overtime pay and vacation time." As far as I know, "overtime pay" and "vacation time" are both mandated by Chinese law. (Note that part of the revenue is reportedly donated to students in Wen County.) I thought I'd check out the company's Web site, ospop.com, to compare OSPOP's version to the common construction worker version--to see what the additional 73 bucks were for. When I clicked the link from Walker's article, however, all I got was this lousy message: "Sorry this site is not available in your country access code." (And that's not the Great Firewall.) If it's all legitimate, why block the site from those of us living in China?

Indian Speakeasy

2008-08-18T19:02:00.009+08:00

The Chinese characters, 靓女 liangnu, mean "pretty girl." (Photo by kou)

I was in the wet market on 龙口东路 (Longkoudong Road) and just about to pay when the veggie vendor's mobile rang. "1.5 kilos of green onions... 10 kilos of potatoes... 8.5 kilos of tomatoes..." I tapped my foot.

"You'll deliver all that?" I asked.
"Yes," she said. "It's for the Indian restaurant in Regal Court."
"There's a restaurant in Regal Court?"
"Yeah. It's been there a long time," she said.
"I don't think there's an Indian restaurant in Regal Court."
"It's not a restaurant. Well, it is. It's an apartment. They deliver."
"Can I have the number?"
"Uh, yeah. I'll write it down for you," she said, head down, nervously eyeing passersby.

That's how I discovered the Sunlight Coffee Shop, an Indian speakeasy in Regal Court. Not only does the restaurant exist, but it's been open for over eight years. The woman who answered the phone spoke Mandarin and English. She said the limited seating in the restaurant is usually occupied by 顾客guke (regulars). Most orders are take out and they deliver "anywhere," even as far 江门Jiangmen. (If you're outside of Guangzhou proper then you pay taxi fee--ask for a 发票fapiao [receipt].) I asked her if I could have a menu with my order. She conceded, but gave me the one they use for the Canton Fair, with inflated prices. Most of the year, prices range from 30 to 50 RMB for main courses , 12 to 20 RMB for side dishes, and lassis are around 25 RMB. The menu's extensive, as though it could've been on the menu of any Indian restaurant in Guangzhou. In fact, it very well might be. The food came with a receipt from Jewel of India.

Numbers on the back of the Jewel of India receipt:
Guangzhou 38465779
Dongguan: 0769-22484240
Zhuhai: 0756-3321770
Foshan: 0757-85318888 Ext. 8130