30th of April 2011
The Lion Awakes
Daily News, Culture & Current Affairs about China
Graeme has been using ChinesePod since 2007
"I highly recommend ChinesePod, I haven't found any Online teaching programmes that come close."
People's Daily
'Human rights overriding sovereignty' only a mask of hegemony
Some Western countries recently have been claiming the "human rights overriding sovereignty" in high-sounding.
However, it is only a public mask for some western clowns to hide their true faces of hegemonism and a public excuse for them to pursue their own national interests and carry out their values behind.
Apparently, they are holding the moral flag for safeguarding the human rights of all people on this planet, but for doing that, they violate other countries' sovereignties optionally, interfere with their internal affairs, overthrow governments in other countries, attack with military forces and even operate "Decapitation Action" to other countries' leaders.
Covering the mask, they act like "preachers of human rights," and issue the so-called Country Reports on Human Rights to criticize the "terrible" situations of human rights in more than 190 countries, excluding themselves.
Using the excuse, they disrespect other countries' laws when on the talk of human rights, and turn the mutual dialogue into single pressing.
Kaixin OpEd – Kaixin has oft likened America to a male teenager.
Full of hormones, aggression and the implacable certainly that in all things it is RIGHT …
Once again, the teenager has jumped into its souped-up V8 Chevy and roared into town scattering people, chickens, dogs and assorted goldfish while loudly proclaiming its views on everything.
“If I’m right, then you can’t be”, seems to be this teenager’s mantra.
Oh well, the 21st century will be interesting indeed.
Economist: China should be vigilant of ‘middle income trap’
As the Chinese people’s incomes continue to grow, China should keep vigilant and not fall into the “middle income trap” which has affected some Latin American countries for 37 years, renowned economist Cheng Siwei said on April 28.
Cheng said only by avoiding the “middle income trap” can China march towards the rank of high-income countries smoothly.
The “middle income trap” means when a country enters the middle-income stage, and its social and economic development stops leaving the country unable to become a high-income country due to problems such as unfair distribution of income and excessive disparity in income.
Fed's QE2 announcement eases liquidity concerns
The United States Federal Reserve's announcement that it will end its second round of quantitative easing, known as QE2, on schedule in June has eased concerns over further growth of excess liquidity in the global economy, analysts said on Thursday.
However, they warned that the move is unlikely to alleviate China's high inflationary pressure in the short term.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
China's yuan trades at 6.49 per dollar, on Fed ambiguity
China's currency, the yuan or RMB, strengthened beyond 6.5 yuan per U.S. dollar, as the latter is weakened on the global monetary market because of the ballooning American national debts.
The U.S. Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy conference's ambiguity on whether to launch "quantitative easing III" in July by printing more dollars to buy U.S. Treasury bonds, has send the greenback on a continuous run in value against other major currencies.
Correspondingly, the People's Bank of China, the central bank, decided to set the medium dollar-yuan rate at 6.4990 per dollar on Friday, the highest level since 1993. The yuan also gained in value against the Hong Kong dollar and the Japanese yen.
China's currency has been on a gaining streak this week as market analysts gauged the Federal Reserve policy meeting that signaled the U.S. central bank probably would maintain its unprecedented practice of gushing huge liquidity to "stimulate" an anemic economic recovery.
The Fed's decision to hold the benchmark interests rates at near-zero for an unspecified time has put the dollar in a weak position.
See Kaixin's - YUAN REVALUATION & INTERNATIONALISATION
Opinion
China should follow own course in political reform
The ideas behind China's rapid rise, which are very different from the mainstream political views of the Western countries, can enlighten us in the process of making innovations in democracy. The underlying concept of the success of China's reform and opening up is "Seeking the Truth from Facts" and its core content is to not to believe in any dogma, but determine tangible merits through inspecting fact.
As a "civilization-type state," China has completely different cultural traditions from Western countries. This is the starting point for us to promote political reform. The most important features of the Western tradition are a series of customs, habits and institutions based on individualism, whereas Chinese customs, habits and institutions are more based on families and the relationship derived from families.
Possible, India resumes nuclear test?
By Li Hongmei
In the international nuclear talks drama worked out by the U.S., it seems that only North Korea, who exits the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and Iran, who is suspected to be violating the Treaty, are respectively cast in the roles of the No.1 and No.2 negative characters. But the fact is that behind the scene there exists a super antagonist in the US-produced nuclear soap opera, and it is India.
India has so far refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a document signed in 1970 restricting the number of nuclear superpowers to five countries only – China, the USA, the USSR, Great Britain, and France.
India was not listed among those states: the nation conducted a first nuclear test in 1974. The reason why India refused to sign the NPT is that it disagreed with the fact that only five large countries of the world use the NPT to monopolize the right for possessing nuclear arms.
India has long been desperately trying to step over the threshold of nuclear, and gain the international recognition of being a nuclear power. In the conditioning of India, equipped with nuclear weapons, it would boost confidence in dealing with its rivaling neighbor, Pakistan, and pluck up courage to counteract China whom it has long taken as "a slumbering threat" at its bedside.
India has never dropped its dream to overtake China, growing up to be a leading regional, and global power, now that it has self-measured to be the world's No.3 military power.
China calls for top-notched peace research institutes
By Li Hongmei
If war and peace is a duel eternal theme throughout the human history, the recent years has witnessed war-dominant international scenario. Hence, it is highly advisable for China to build up the globally notable "peace research institutes" or "peace and development research institutes," which will act as the most authoritative think tank assisting the government in its domestic and foreign policies decision by offering information, documents and wisdom.
As a matter of fact, U.S. and European countries have moved far ahead of China in this regard. The independent "peace institutes" have actually turned out to be the indispensable think tank for Heads of States when they hammer out foreign policies. Just to name a few.
America stalls in domestic politics
By Li Hong
The Pew Research Center's recent global opinion polls say Chinese are more satisfied with the direction of their country than people in the United States. The results seem baffling as average American families enjoy far higher livelihood and far more rights – as always boasted by American politicians and press.
The mystery is perhaps shrouded in our perceptions of what we are taught to believe ...
One succinct reason that Chinese are more satisfied with their lots than Americans is because China is rising fast, while the U.S. is stalling, if not stagnating ...
It is so hard for Americans to understand that there is an alternative to "rugged individualism", that it is possible for individuals collectively in an entire country to place People first.
Caution on changing family policy
By Li Hong
The mounting calls by some scholars and demographers to relax China's iconic family planning policy is good-willed, fearing a depletion of labor pool would shortcut the economic boom and intensify the country's aging. But, any revision of a highly successful basic state policy warrants caution.
It is particularly intriguing that more and more foreign demographers join some Chinese research fellows in insisting Beijing abandon the one-child policy in all Chinese cities, and allow every couple to have two children. These experts contend China's low birthrate, once an economic advantage, is now destined to clip the country's rise.
We cannot fathom how many newborns will arrive if the policy sluice is lifted. However, considering China now has an urban population of 630 million, twice the total population of the United States, we are really unsure of our cities' ability to accommodate an ever larger populace.
The one-child policy, planned and promulgated in late 1970s, is an integral part of Mr. Deng Xiaoping's reform package.
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China Tibet Online
China Daily
Sun Yat-sen portrait displayed in Beijing
A huge Sun Yat-sen portrait is displayed on Tian'anmen Square ahead of the three-day May Day holiday in Beijing.
See Kaixin's - Chinese Republic under Dr Sun Yat-Sen - Video Documentary
FEATURE - Census: Population hits 1.37b
BEIJING - As China's population hits 1.37 billion people, challenges, including an ageing society and labor crunches, may prompt the authorities to fine-tune the 30-year-old family planning policy.
The population increased slightly by 73.9 million people in the past decade, due largely to the policy limiting most urban couples to just one child, according to preliminary results from the sixth national census released on Thursday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Indonesia wins loans and deals
JAKARTA, Indonesia - China on Friday offered multibillion-dollar loans and $10 billion worth of business contracts to Indonesia, further strengthening trade and investment ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Visiting Premier Wen Jiabao announced these at a press conference after hour-long talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The offers include a $1 billion preferential buyer's credit - the largest that Beijing has ever given a foreign country, as well as $8 billion worth of financing contracts for investors in Indonesia's much-needed infrastructure projects and major industries.
HK's first yuan-denominated stock falls on debut
HONG KONG - Shares of Hong Kong's first Renminbi-denominated initial public offering Hui Xian real estate investment trust opened 7.8 percent lower than its offering price of 5.24 yuan (81 cents) on its first trading day in Hong Kong Friday.
Higher incomes lead to surging home prices
Rising household incomes in China are contributing to the surge in housing prices, in addition to loose credit policies and the practice of local governments' fund raising through selling land, People's Daily reported Friday, quoting scholars.
Higher incomes gave residents stronger investment power, and real estate investments are a traditional choice among relatively well-off residents. But speculation resulted in prices exceed the value of the property, Professors Zeng Kangling and Lv Huirong of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics wrote in the comment published in the newspaper.
See Kaixin's - CHINA REAL ESTATE
News Analysis: Big changes sweep rural China
ZHUCHENG, China - The fertile fields of this corner of eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight. Yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country.
People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. Protests by some 2,000 truckers in Shanghai over high fuel prices briefly turned violent last week.
The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanisation. Youngsters decamp as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their ageing parents to till the soil.
With the rural labour pool shrinking, wages are rising.
A farmer sits with his twin grandsons in the middle of a field where he is planting crops on the outskirts of the city of Zhuhanzhen in Shandong Province
Kaixin OpEd – The focus of the next 5-year plan is rural China.
Rural China has been an indirect benefit of government policies for some time.
One central aim of the Communist Party is stability.
This is supported by the Chinese people. They had enough instability in the last century and want some peace and quiet.
Xiaosui argues strongly that stability in China can only be delivered by a strong central government in control. She argues that a multi-party democracy would only lead to instability and a weak China. Which is why most Chinese see the call by America and the ‘west’ for multi-party democracy as a way of de-stabilizing and weakening China.
Remember, Xiaosui and her family coped it in the neck during the Cultural Revolution, so she owes the communist party no favours.
Dissidents, particularly overseas ones, are dismissed as simpletons who are generally only after a PR, a Nobel Prize (and the $mill bucks) or self-promotion.
So the rise and rise of rural China is a happening thing and will help to define China for the first 50 years of the 21st century.
It is not driven by a quivering government in Beijing. It is driven by a pro-active policy to spread more evenly the wealth that China is creating.
Xi'an to welcome crowd for huge plant exposition
XI'AN - More than 12 million tourists are expected to go this year to the International Horticultural Exposition, which began in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on Thursday.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exposition in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dancers from Burundi perform at the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exposition in Xi'an
Witness of Tibet Photography Contest and Exhibit
2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, and the magazine China's Tibet and Federation of Literary and Art Circles of Tibet Autonomous Region are jointly holding a "Witness of Tibet, 1950-2010" photography contest. In addition to prizes, all winning works will be exhibited in Beijing and Lhasa in May 2011.
See Kaixin's - CHINA & TIBET & Jambhala (Photographer)
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XinHua News
"12th Five-Year" Plan indicates China's future road: ambassador
OTTAWA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Canada Zhang Junsai said Thursday that China's 12th Five Year Plan tells people about the orientation of China's future development, and encouraged his guests to take a closer look at the plan.
In an event held by the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Canada-China Friendship Society of Ottawa (CCFS-Ottawa), Zhang said the three goals of the plan are to improve Chinese people's livelihood, uplift China's overall national strength and upgrade China's outlook.
He said that China need to create much more social wealth as the growth needs more balance, coordination and sustainability.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
Chinese vice premier calls for careful development programming for 2011-2015 period
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has called for careful programming and faithful implementation of the country's development blueprint between 2011 and 2015.
Li made the remarks on Friday at a meeting concerning the country's key programs during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011 to 2015).
According to Li, 18 key programs will be drafted in five areas: structural adjustments, technological innovation, environmental protection, people's livelihoods and deepening reforms and opening-up.
China Focus: China's yuan exceeds symbolic 6.50 ratio against USD for first time
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Renminbi (RMB), China's official currency, went up 61 basis points on Friday to a new ratio of 6.4990 yuan per U.S. dollar, breaking the symbolic 6.50 ratio for the first time after being preceded by historic highs in the previous two days.
Quickening depreciation of the U.S. dollar is the key reason behind the yuan's accelerated appreciation, said financial expert Tan Yaling.
Analysts believe the new exchange rate will help fight imported inflation. China's Consumer Price Index (CPI) hit a 32-month high of 5.4 percent in March, despite the country's efforts to put a bridle on inflation.
China's inflation control measures have so far included bank reserve requirement ratio (RRR) hikes, interest rate hikes and open market operations.
China, Indonesia pledge to enhance bilateral strategic partnership
AKARTA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China and Indonesia have vowed to further strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership, according to a joint communique released here Friday.
China expresses willingness to boost cooperation with southern Sudan, promises further aid
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday expressed its willingness to develop friendly exchanges and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with southern Sudan.
"China is ready to promote its friendly exchanges with southern Sudan on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," said Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in a meeting with David Deng Athorbei, envoy of the president of the southern Sudan government, in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.
China will continue to provide aid for the construction and development of southern Sudan, Xi noted.
China to reduce number of capital crimes, upgrade smoking ban, food safety
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A number of notable changes to China's laws, addressing issues such as the death penalty, a new smoking ban and food safety will go into effect next Sunday.
The following is a summary of the most significant changes to China's laws.
Ancient Chinese capital opens modern gardening expo with a taste for history
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) - Xi'an, the provincial capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, opened a major international horticultural expo on Thursday as it seeks to promote its history as one of China's ancient capitals.
This marks the third time for a Chinese mainland city to host a horticultural event of this scale. Over the past 12 years, two similar expos have been held in the cities of Kunming and Shenyang.
Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition
FM press conference on April 26
CCTV
Xi'an World Horticultural Expo opens
Things are blooming in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. It's playing host to the 2011 World Horticultural Expo.
A ceremony has been held to mark the start of the six-month event.
The theme is the co-existence between nature and mankind. The Expo boasts more than a hundred exhibition sectors.
"Meet in Beijing" arts festival kicks off
"Meet in Beijing", the largest and most reputable spring time art festival in China, was kicked off in Beijing on Wednesday. An exceptional show featuring both Peking and western opera opened the 11th year of the event at the Poly Theater.
What kind of chemistry do you get when a 200-year-old Chinese stage art meets western opera, which was born in the early 16th century? The opening ceremony of "Meet in Beijing" provides a very harmonious answer.
Studio discussion: Significance of Premier Wen's Asia visit 
For more analysis of Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Malaysia and Indonesia, we are joined by our current affairs commentator, Professor Tao Wenzhao. Thank you very much for being with us, professor.
Q1,What's the significance of Premier Wen's visit to the two countries?
Q2,How do you think the premier's visit will affect the situation in the entire region of East Asia?
Expert's analysis on the result of 6th national census
Background: China's State Information Office has release the results of the country's sixth national census. Ma Jiantang, Director of the Bureau of Statistics, who is also the deputy director of the census team, fielded questions from reporters. Full story >>
Topic 1: Will aging population affect China's economy?
Q: Mr. Wang, do you think that with the rapidly aging population, China may soon be unable to sustain the fast economic growth it has experienced over the past three decades?
Studio discussion: Will family planning policy end?
Now, we are joined by Mr. Wang Feng, an expert on China's demographic and social change, from the Brookings-Tsinghua Center in Beijing.
Q1: Do you think the significantly slower rate of population growth will lead policymakers to consider putting an end to the family planning policy?
Studio discussion: Reason behind urban population increase 
Background: China's urban population had risen to 665.57 million, accounting for 49.68 percent of the country's total population by Nov. 1 2010, official figures released Thursday indicated. Full story >>
Q：Mr. Wang, what's the reason behind the dramatic increase in the urban population over the past decade?
Tele interview: Reasons behind power shortage
Background: A new round of power shortages are affecting Eastern China's Zhejiang Province. Some factories have been forced to halt production on certain days of the week. Full story >> 
For more on the issue, we are now joined on the phone by Professor Lin Boqiang, from the China Power Economy Research Center at Xiamen University.
Q1: Hello, Professor Lin. Can you tell us why this year's power shortage is starting earlier than usual?
Q2: What do you think can be done to tackle the growing challenges of power shortages?
China makes unprecedented efforts to improve IPR awareness 
As the international community marks World Intellectual Property Day, China continues to improve its IPR protection efforts. As CCTV reporter Guan Xin reports, the country is aiming to further strengthen IPR protection laws, in an effort to promote better innovation capacity.
Millions of pirated DVDs, books, and other publications have been destroyed in cities around China, to mark World Intellectual Property Day. Thousands of people signed up to show their support for innovation, and just say no to piracy.
China is making unprecedented efforts to improve IPR awareness, and enforcing concrete actions to crack down on infringement.
China urges dialogue in Syria
China has voiced its hope for parties in Syria to resolve their differences through political dialogue, so that stability and order can return to the country. China's permanent representative to the United Nations Li Baodong made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
China’s newest attack jet: J-15 - SLIDESHOW
Experts: China can manage inflation
China's top economic planner has invited economists to give their thoughts on the current economic situation. Many attendees believe China can keep this year's inflationary rate at around the targeted 4 percent.
On the seminar held by the Academy of Microeconomy Research under the National Development and Reform Commission, economists say the government's efforts in curbing unreasonable demand, tightening liquidity and ensuring product supply has shown some effect. The surging prices have been controlled, and they predict this year's target can be achieved.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
Trade organization to hold labor forum as part of 2011 Labor Day celebration
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions will hold a major international forum, as part of this year's annual Labor Day celebration. More than 100 groups, including the International Labor Organization, plan on sending representatives to the event. Xu Zhaoqun reports.
The two-day forum which will begin on Wednesday will focus on the themes of transforming economic growth modes, and improving labor quality while providing decent work and social security.
Li Shouzhen, ACFTU Spokesman, said, "Transforming growth modes is an issue facing the entire world, and this is particularly urgent in China. Improving labor quality is one of the most important parts of this transformation."
As China enters the international market, more and more laborers are being sent abroad, to participate in overseas projects.
Oxford comes to Tsinghua - VIDEO
Professor Andrew Hamilton, vice-chancellor of England's University of Oxford, accepted an honorary doctorate from Tsinghua University in Beijing on April 22. The award ceremony was a part of the university's centenary celebrations. Hamilton delivered a lecture after the ceremony and answered questions from the students and reporters.
100 years of Tsinghua University
As China's leading institution of learning and research, Tsinghua is one of the dream universities for Chinese and overseas students. With the motto "Self-Discipline and Social Commitment", Tsinghua University has committed itself to academic excellence, the well-being of Chinese society and global development. Fintan Monaghan tells us the history of the grand old university and what Tsinghua has achieved over the last century.
A century of glory and glamour.
Established in 1911 on the former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty in north-west Beijing, Tsinghua University was known as "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College".
Originally funded by the Boxer Rebellion Indemnity Scholarship Program, it began life as a preparatory school for students who were to be sent to study in the United States by the Qing government.
The university section was founded in 1925 and the name "National Tsinghua University" was adopted three years later.
Studio inerview: Chinese universities' effort in promoting creativity
For more on the Tsinghua university's anniversary, we're now joined in the studio by our Current Affairs Commentator, Professor Teng Jimeng from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Q1: A university has three core functions -- generating new knowledge, educating students and contributing to society. And they all involve "creativity". China has put creativity as at the heart of the nation's future. Chinese universities, including Tsinghua, are making great efforts to promote creativity in science and technology. What more can we do in this field?
Q2: Tsinghua is rated as a top Chinese university. But joining the global elite is still a challenge for Tsinghua. And the whole country is eager to see one of its own universities deliver a Nobel Prize winner. Actually many presidents of the world's top universities, like Harvard and Oxford, say it's only a matter of time for Tsinghua to have its own Nobel Prize winners. How do you think our universities can achieve this?
China to crack down on "water armies"
Turning to the subject of online fraud, China's leading PR departments and agencies have gathered to discuss ways to crack down on "water armies" ... a term referring to people hired to promote products, under the guise of being genuine customers.
During Monday's discussions, officials in attendance called on public relations agencies to practice self-discipline, and ban the use of "water armies." They also want network providers to step up efforts to weed out false information.
Over the last two weeks, authorities have ordered four departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to launch a series of campaigns aimed at restricting such deceptive behavior.
Measures taken to assist farmers
Many vegetable growers in China have been affected by fluctuating prices recently. The matter has caught the governments' attention and measures are being introduced to assist the farmers.
0.66 yuan per kilogram.
Cabbage is being sold at that price at a supermarket in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province.
Li Zhengjie, Supermarket Employee, said, "The selling price is the same as the price we purchased them from the vegetable farmers. It's our way to help them."
The move is one of the local government's initiatives to help farmers get through the recent price dive.
Studio interview: Importance of China's foreign aid
For more discussion of China's White Paper on its foreign aid, we're joined by our current affairs commentator, Professor Xie Tao, from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Thank you very much for being with us, professor.
Q1, Since 2004, the amount of China's foreign aid grew nearly 30 percent each year. How important is China's growing aid to low-income developing countries?
Q2, What does the white paper tell you about China's foreign aid policy?
Thank you. That's Professor Xie Tao from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Green cars become mainstream at NY Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is ready to open on Friday. Smaller, greener cars have become the mainstream for the 9-day event. Eco-cars are no longer just for exhibition of future trends, but have become most companies' major product lines. The story comes courtesy of Reuters.
It's springtime and the New York Auto Show has come to town.
Key trends: size does matter. The latest autos are smaller but smarter says Angus Mac Kenzie, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend.
Angus Mackenzie, Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend, said, "The cars are shrinking slightly but they're getting more space efficient, but definitely fuel efficiency is key. The globalization of the auto industry really has come to the U.S. and also that 40 miles per gallon is the new zero to 60 among automakers."
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
Video: SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW KICKS OFF
Live cross: future of green cars in the Chinese market
And for more on the Shanghai Auto Show, we're joined on the phone by our reporter Zhang Bo.
Q1: So, what are the day's highlights?
Q2: Some energy-saving and 'green' cars been shown during the event and what about the future of green cars in the Chinese market?
See Kaixin's - China & Tibet
Global Times
The UK taught the world how to produce in the 19th century, the US showed the world how to consume in the 20th century, and China needs to demonstrate how to develop in a sustainable way in the 21st century.
Labor strikes do not herald revolution
Some truck drivers in Shanghai went on strike last week to express their discontent over rising costs. The Shanghai municipal government responded by cutting the fees over the weekend and quickly defused the tension. Trucks laden with cargo containers are operating as usual once again at China's busiest port.
This is a typical event with clear labor interests at play. It can be assumed that similar incidents will continue to occur.
Due to the broadening of China's market economy, interests will be further differentiated, and it will become tougher to avoid clashes among various interest groups. Such conflicts will essentially become a normal part of China's social make-up.
Some Western media outlets have paid close attention to the Shanghai strike, and linked it to the "Jasmine Revolution." Over the past months, more than a few Westerners have politicized any mass event in China, and interpreted it as a fuse to spark a "revolution." Nevertheless, such comparisons have consistently proved to be invalid.
Kaixin OpEd – Kaixin heartily agrees.
Kaixin has observed the ‘western’ media try to push, shove and prod the so-labelled ‘Jasmine’ revolution onto China.
It clearly demonstrates both the agenda of the ‘western’ media and the limited understanding of the journalists and editors.
'Wealth drain' reveals sense of insecurity
Attracted by the exciting opportunities, increasing numbers of foreigners are flooding into China annually. Yet at the same time, more and more Chinese millionaires have managed or are considering to emigrate overseas.
The so-called wealth drain is receiving mixed reactions among the public. Some regard it as good for the Chinese economy in the long run. Others are indifferent. Many Web users have expressed strong resentment.
...
Chinese people, either rich or poor, should have confidence in their coutry's future development: No social turmoil, let alone revolutions, will take place. All kinds of social problems will be solved within the framework of the rule of law, which plays a paramount role in punishing lawbreakers as well as protecting the assets that people have legally created.
Judge scandal dampens image of justice
The latest scandal about bent judges indicates that the country urgently needs to clean up its law enforcement departments.
Nine judges in the city of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province could not withstand the lure of bribes offered by a "lawsuit broker” and gave in, said a Xinhua News Agency report that grabbed print and Web headlines Monday.
In collusion with the broker, these judges sought profits in the disguise of legal procedures from investigations and trials to executions, all while expertly covering their tracks. Though the broker took the lion’s share of the loot, the deeds of the corrupt judges have influenced their profession’s reputation as a whole.
Crisis looms as population growth slows
China's family-planning policy has been effective in curbing its population growth, but problems such as an aging population and gender ratio imbalance are reaching an alarming stage, threatening the development of the world's No. 2 economy.
According to census data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Thursday, the country's population reached 1.37 billion in 2010, including 1.3397 billion on the mainland.
Gaps remain in China-US human rights talks
Seemingly perennially opposed on human rights, China and the US met for a dialogue on the issue on Wednesday, in the first face-to-face exchange to occur since a round of finger-pointing earlier this month.
However, the long-standing chasm remained as Beijing opted to try and reduce misunderstandings while Washington stuck to its demands for immediate reform, analysts said, turning the debate into a mere posturing session, showing off different ideologies, values and national interests.
China's foreign aid comes with 'no strings attached'
While China's booming economy has allowed it to become a major provider of aid to other countries, analysts warned that Beijing needs to adjust its foreign aid policy to fit the fast-changing world.
"China does not attach any political strings to its aid. Our foreign aid programs are based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and mutual development," Fu said. "Many developing countries lack hospitals and roads. Our aid is concentrated on sectors where they need it most."
According to the white paper, by the end of 2009, China had provided 256.29 billion yuan ($39.27 billion) in aid to foreign countries, including 106.2 billion yuan in grants, 76.54 billion yuan in interest-free loans and 73.55 billion yuan in concession loans.
The aid went to 161 countries and more than 30 international and regional organizations. Since 2004, the country's budgeted foreign aid has increased at an annual rate of 29.4 percent.
China 'No. 1 economy by 2016': report
International organizations appear to be competing as to which one can conjure up the most impressive scenario of China's rising economic clout, but the boldest version to date allegedly belongs to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which predicts Beijing will take a mere five years to become the world's largest economy.
As bets continue on how soon China will take the crown, some economists poured cold water on such projections, calling them flattery that mask the true gap between the Chinese and US economies.
China's economic output will overtake that of the US in 2016 and amount to $19 trillion in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, a recent IMF report said, according to the Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao newspaper.
The projection, reportedly mentioned quietly on the IMF's website in recent days, could not be found by the Global Times online.
The IMF representative office in China did not confirm the report, while the institution's headquarters in the US could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Praying for trouble
On Easter Sunday, April 24, around 30 members of the Shouwang Church held a prayer service at a square outside the Carrefour Supermarket in Haidian district. But as expected, the police showed up and quickly removed them, the church founder and pastor, Jin Tianming, told AFP.
It was the third time in a row that Shouwang, the largest unregistered house church in Beijing, staged an outdoor service in the area. On April 10, police detained about 170 church members who reportedly tried to hold an outdoor service at the same location. A week later, about 50 were detained for trying to congregate there again, and most people were released within 24 hours, AFP reported.
Some of the participants knew the decision to pray in public could have consequences.
The New York Times 25/4/2011
China Detains Church Members at Easter Services
BEIJING — The authorities stepped up a three-week campaign against an underground Christian church on Sunday, detaining hundreds of congregants in their homes and taking at least 36 others into custody after they tried to hold Easter services in a public square, church members and officials said.
Kaixin Oped – Jeez, lots of buttons being pressed here.
Easter time and Christians being martyred by those heathen Chinese.
Kaixin made two observations in recent OpEds:
The first was that it was possible to hold a protest gathering in China.
The second, that both the ‘west’ and China had a way to go before they understood each other.
The caveat to the first is that Beijing will not tolerate what it considers to be a challenge to its power.
The reason for this is that Beijing considers that a threat to its power is a threat to stability in China. Most Chinese support this stance and are content to let such things a democracy evolve at its own pace. Kaixin has often opined that the people’s voice is being heard more and more in China and that ‘democracy’ in China will come from the people and be of China, not the ‘west’. Democracy cannot be stamped on a country; it must evolve and be of the country for it to be strong. This takes time and sacrifice. It has its advances and its setbacks. However, logically, democracy must come because it is the will of the people.
At this time in history, after 300 years of being kicked about by colonialist GB and Europe, after the turbulence of the first half of the 20th century, after being raped by Japan (Kaixin wonders if America ever considered this when it took Japan under its wing, bit ironic really given America’s Christian heritage), after the upheavals of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese people just want stability and peace & quiet. Hence, America running around and yapping at its ankles is bloody irritating. Particularly since this annoying little terrier could morph into a savage Rottweiler at any time.
Hence, the Falun Gong being banned. The Falun Gong started off as a non-threatening gathering of people doing ‘tie-chee’ exercises in the park. Then the bloke who kicked it all off got an Emperor Complex and started to make a nuisance of himself and his, by now, substantial movement. So Beijing cracked down. The ‘west’ of course picked him up, dusted him off and took him around in a circus wagon to show how evil the Chinese were.
The second observation is well illustrated by how Beijing has handled this issue.
The reason it is cracking down is that it does not want a repeat of the Falun Gong. This evangelical group are getting too visible and too vocal. If you consider how China was treated by the Church during the colonial era, you can understand Beijing’s suspicion. Christianity is not banned, large congregations of people are. It is Christianity that has to show it is benign, give its history in China, not Beijing that has to pander to this ‘western’ religion.
‘The church, Shouwang, or Lighthouse, an evangelical Protestant congregation that was evicted from its rented quarters this month, has been at loggerheads with the government since announcing plans to gather outdoors rather than disband or return to worshiping in private homes. The authorities have repeatedly stymied Shouwang’s efforts to lease or buy space for its 1,000-member congregation, one of the largest and most prominent so-called house churches in the capital.’
Evangelical Christians have a habit of stepping on toes given their absolute belief in their mission.
However, Beijing showed little understanding of the ‘west’ when it cracked down on this congregation at Easter.
Not that the Shouwang did not plan this. They would have known Beijing’s response to their gathering, and how the ‘western’ media would pick it up.
For Beijing to respond as planned at Easter was asking for trouble.
The ‘west’ does not understand Chinese New Year, Beijing obviously does not understand Easter.
In Kaixin’s opinion, Beijing should have let the Shouwang have their service. Photos should have been taken, the ‘western’ press invited and this service held up as an example of Beijing’s tolerance to all religions.
After all, that is how the ‘west’ does it.
The dispersal of the congregation could have been done quietly at a later date.
Before the cries of outrage, consider that the Christianity is not banned; the people are free to believe what they will and are free to worship. However, they are not free to do it in large gatherings.
So, Kaixin puts it to you, what is the problem with small gatherings in homes. It is still worship, but it does not have any political overtones. Kaixin thinks God would approve.
“Render unto Ceasar …”
Top officials mark centennial of elite university
China's Tsinghua University, one of the country's premiere institutions of higher learning, celebrated its centennial anniversary on Sunday.
President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, top political advisor Jia Qinglin, Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang joined over 8,000 guests at the celebration at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Hu extended congratulations and greetings to Tsinghua's students, faculty and alumni during his speech during the celebration. Hu called on the youth to be ambitious and diligent and to make unremitting efforts to build a brilliant future for the nation.
He said the country's building of socialist modernization is providing Chinese youth with great opportunities to explore and display their talent.
Wage hike plans must be realistic
Yang Zhiming, vice minister of human resources and social security, said on Monday that China should strive to raise wages by 15 percent annually and to double its national average wage within five years. Such an increase would be welcome, but whether it can be achieved is doubtful. As shown by a Global Times poll on Tuesday, 93 percent of participants indicated that they had "no confidence" in this plan.
We hope Vice Minister Yang will provide further explanations. Any information about great benefits to society should not be left vague or incomplete.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
Authorities tight-lipped over Confucius statue removal
Speculation has been rife over the reasons for the overnight disappearance of a 9.5-meter-high bronze statue of Confucius located in front of the National Museum of China near Tiananmen Square Wednesday.
A Global Times reporter found only a deep pit surrounded by construction screens Thursday where the statue had stood.
"It was still there Thursday evening when I got off duty," a security guard at the museum told the Global Times Thursday on condition of anonymity. "But it was gone this morning." Another guard said the same thing, but neither was able to say why the 17-ton bronze sculpture had been removed or to where.
The statue was erected in front of the north gate of the National Museum of China on January 10.
"The statue was designed as a monument to display the characteristics of traditional Chinese culture," its designer Wu Weishan told the Beijing Daily in January.
Wu also claimed his work "blends in well with" the Russian style square, according to the newspaper.
The museum head Lü Zhangshen told the Yangcheng Evening News on March 9 that the statue had nothing to do with politics, but was intended to be a cultural icon.
"The great museums in Western countries usually have statues in front of their entrances," Lü said, adding that the Chinese museum should have one too.
Kaixin OpEd – Kaixin is vastly disappointed.
Kaixin believed that the statue represented a connection with all the philosophies that guided China, not just Confucianism.
Mao had tried to wipe Confucius from history.
So it seemed apt that the two would eye each other off over the square.
Kaixin also believed that China in general and the youth in particular needed a guiding philosophy, other than capitalism (greed is good), to guide them.
If the statue has been removed with the sanction of the government, then it tells clearly that in the governments opinion Confucius has nothing to contribute to modern China.
The reason Mao wanted to wipe Confucius from history was that it represented the old China.
Yet Kaixin believes that Confucius can be applied to modern China and used as the basis for a guiding philosophy that fosters respect for elders, respect for family (both small and large), respect for wisdom and respect for learning.
In Kaixin’s understanding, Confucianism had become rigid and constraining in old China and those elements had to be addressed, a little like the to and fro of great religions in the ‘west’.
Kaixin awaits with interest further developments.
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Dialogue
A 30 Minute Current Affairs Programme on CCTV - 9 (In English) where current issues are discussed by experts from China and Internationally:
Carter's ice-breaking trip to DPRK
Sino-Australian ties back on track
Government role in inflation control
Tsinghua's centennial anniversary
BRICS' challenges in having bigger say
Indonesia's regional role: Interview with Marty Natalegawa, Indonesian Foreign Minister
Nuclear debate continues with nuclear crisis
International News Sources
The Wall Street Journal
China’s One-Child Plan Scrutinized - VIDEO
China's latest census data show the nation's population is aging rapidly. This means a shrinking labor force which could stutter the nation's economic growth. Is it time to revise China's one-child plan?
Kaixin OpEd – Much to Kaixin’s surprise, this is a well-reasoned discussion of the issue as it relates to the latest census in China.
Too often the issue is mired down in emotional arguments that do not consider the whole picture and show very little to no understanding. The issue makes great Mills & Boon fiction, but it is a serious issue that addressed a very real problem in China, overpopulation.
Mao had encouraged large families and to his credit had improved the health conditions in China. These two measures combined led to burgeoning population growth.
The solution went again millennia of tradition in China. It may come as a surprise to many in the ‘west’, but the Chinese people in general understood the problem and they accepted the solution. However you do not wipe a tradition where the male child is a necessary part of maintining the family lineage in an edict.
Also, as Kaixin has often pointed out, there is a vast difference between rural China and urban China.
Many in Rural China, particularly in isolated very poor areas, never really accepted or understood the policy. It is from these areas that the horror stories come from (mostly).
In the poor areas of rural China having a female child was a burden on the family, so a bucket of water was placed beside the birthing bed. Depending on the circumstances of the family, if the baby was a boy it was given a bath, if it was a girl it was drowned.
That is not a result of the one-child policy that is from millennia of tradition. It is not a feature of modern rural China and it certainly is not a feature of Modern China. It comes out of grinding poverty and the need to survive.
That aspect of rural China is changing rapidly and it is hoped that soon the imperative to take such measures will diss-appear forever.
A looming problem associated with the one-child policy is an aging population without enough young people to support them. This is an issue for the ‘west’ as well as China.
China has the advantage in that it is accruing wealth at an unprecedented rate.
It is moving its economy from one based on unskilled labour to one based on technology. Therefore it will not need such a large unskilled workforce.
China also has a surplus of graduates.
As Rural China benefits from the next 5-year plan, it will need to retain its young people and they will not be available a source of low priced labour.
That is where the change to technology and a large pool of graduates will ensure the transition of the economy.
China cannot suddenly change from the one-child policy to a policy of populate or perish. China is probably on the limits of its environment to cope with the population. Therefore it needs to maintain or even reduce slightly the population.
Beijing has known all this for some time and has been taking steps to ensure the balance between economic growth, social improvements and the environment is maintained.
You may not agree with the politics of how, but it has been effective to date and supported by the majority of the Chinese people who live in China. Ignore any noises from Hong Kong; they still think they are British.
The media in the 'west' like to find a Chinese face and suggest that any comments made by that 'face' represents the voice of the average Chinese people. It does not, it represents the voice of that person only, or a very small group. To understand the full message, you have to know that person's background. Hence, the comment on Hong Kong Chinese. And you really have to peer into the entrails of any Chinese living overseas. They definitely do not speak for the average Chinese.
It would like the Chinese media finding a diss-satisfied American 'face' living in China who completely opposed the politics, economics and social norms of America and suggesting that any comments made by that 'face' represents the views of middle America.
China’s Race with the Gender Gap
China has rolled out new population figures, unearthing—among a host of fresh data—some revealing information on the gender gap.
The good news: China’s gender gap is shrinking. The bad news: It may not be shrinking fast enough.
China's One-Child Plan Faces New Fire
Census Shows Slowing Growth as Population Ages, Giving Critics Ammunition
BEIJING—China's latest census shows the nation's population is aging rapidly and its growth rate has declined sharply, raising new questions about the government's unwillingness to abandon its controversial one-child policy despite warnings of a looming demographic crunch.
When the Chinese government launched the world's biggest demographic experiment in 1980, it said it would take about 30 years to tame the nation's explosive population growth once encouraged by Chairman Mao Zedong.
A Positive Take on China’s Food Safety Scandals
Is China’s latest series of confidence-shattering food scandals an indictment of Beijing’s ability to keep consumers safe, or a sign that health authorities are doing their job?
Kaixin OpEd – This is an issue that is discussed by everyone we speak to in China. They fully support the government initiative to crack down on these practices.
They are a hangover from Old China and a product of rapid economic transformation.
China is now rich enough to deal with these problems.
Bad Tiding in Election for China-Taiwan Ties?
While it would be folly to project a winner at this point in the race, security analyst say one likely outcome of the election, regardless of who wins, is a cool down in China-Taiwan ties.
Kaixin OpEd - …. and we wouldn’t want America’s little aircraft carrier just off the coast of China to sail into the sunset of a united China, now, would we???
Capital Buffers Shrink at China Banks
BEIJING—China's largest banks posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings, but the size of their buffer against a potential spike in bad loans was revised downward after the regulator pushed them to account more conservatively for loans they made during a two-year lending binge.
Don’t Cry, Three Gorges 三峡别哭 - VIDEO
Since the first Three Gorges generator started operations in 2003 the water level in the reservoir has been rising, and with it China’s ability to increase its hydroelectric capacity. From the banks up stream thousands of tons of garbage are constantly carried down by water into the reservoir. Such a huge amount of waste threatens to jam the miter gate of the dam, possibly damaging the propellers and huls of passing boats, and it is a blight on the scenery and the water quality of the area. These serious challenges, though expected by environmentalists for years, have not been met with sufficient countermeasures from the government.
In Don’t Cry, Three Gorges (2010) director Chen Fu documented the work and life of Liu Gujun, captain of Wanzhou River Cleaning Unit. In
2003, Liu Gujun stopped his fishing and transportation business, used his own savings and ships and started a river cleaning team, organizing fellow fishermen to collect floating garbage that covered some 10 miles of waters in the Yangtze River near Chongqing. What came out of a courageous attempt to save the mother river has turned into a perpetual defensive battle.
Today the river cleaning unit has been taken over by the local government, and Liu keeps working with his fellow fishermen to keep the reservoir clean for a very minimal wage. The local garbage treatment facility has yet to be substantially expanded to keep up with the tons of garbage the unit keeps collecting everyday.
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
The New York Times
Chinese Currency Rises Above Key Level
HONG KONG — The Chinese currency hit a milestone Friday by rising beyond a level closely watched by analysts — the strongest since Beijing began allowing the currency, the renminbi, to rise in 2005 and a sign that the authorities might be using the appreciation as a weapon against inflation.
The dollar fell below 6.50 renminbi to about 6.491. That marks a 5 percent gain for the renminbi since last June, when it traded around 6.827.
See Kaixin's - YUAN REVALUATION & INTERNATIONALISATION
China’s Exports Perch on Uncertain Truck System
By DAVID BARBOZA
SHANGHAI — For years, China’s export juggernaut has been fed by highly efficient factories, low-cost labor and a fleet of container ships capable of transporting huge volumes of toys, textiles, electronics and other goods to every corner of the world.
But there is a surprisingly weak link in the Made in China chain.
Asia Times Online
Total joins gamblers at Russian roulette
By Robert M Cutler
France's Total is joining Western rivals in raising its investment in Russia's vast energy reserves, despite the country's still challenging political environment. China alone seems to recognize Russia's less-than-meticulous respect for agreements.
CHINA AND THE STATUS QUO
Biding time for an orderly rise
By Francesco Sisci
This is the conclusion of a three-part report.
Part 1: China banks on giving peace a chance
Part 2: The China 'threat' as a blessing
Keeping the present geopolitical status quo going is an imperative for China since American-led globalization allows it to concentrate on building economic might with the thought that political clout will follow. But Beijing is in no hurry to take over America's costly military or political responsibilities, and, besides, history tells the leadership to play the long game.
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See Over for the 30th of April 2011
CULTURAL CHINA
Articles of interest from the week's news
Insights into China's Society & Cutlure
CCTV9 - Rediscovering the Yangtze River
Thousands of Beijing residents got into the green spirit last Friday to celebrate the 42nd World Earth Day
During an event organized by Roots and Shoots, artists from China and the United States tried to convey the idea "no waste material is useless" by creating works made out of used paper and plastic.
A wedding gown made of paper, an old tablecloth and a plastic net used to protect packaged fruit was just one of the works on show outside the Capital Library.
"All waste can be turned into art if we make the best of their characteristics," said Cao Zuolan, who made the dress.
As the chief editor of a fashion magazine, Cao likes to design fashionable and environmentally friendly clothes in her spare time, but this was her first attempt at a wedding gown.
A wedding gown made of paper, an old tablecloth and plastic net on show at an Earth Day event on April 23 in front of the Capital Library.
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
1st Beijing international film festival kicked off Saturday
The first Beijing International Film Festival kicked off on Saturday night, April 23, with a star-studded red carpet walk and a grand opening ceremony at the National Center for the Performing Arts.
Among the celebration were heavyweights from Chinese film industry like actor Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi, the festival's image ambassadors, and directors John Woo, Peter Chan as well as big names from key international film festivals like Marco Muller from Italy, Cameron Bailey from Toronto and Lee Yong Kwan from Busan.
Renowned director Darren Aronofsky from Oscar-winning film "Black Swan" and Rob Minkoff, helmer of "Lion King" and "The Forbidden Kingdom" also showed up for the spectacular gathering.
This event marks another world shaking event in Beijing after it successfully hosted the Olympic Games in 2008, and a big stride the modern metropolis has made to have the same influence in the world's cinema culture alongside sports.
As the culture center of China, the capital city produced the very first Chinese film "The Battle of Dingjunshan" in 1905 and takes up 50% in the country's film output, said Guo Jinlong, mayor of Beijing at the ceremony.
Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi, image ambassadors for the 1st Beijing International Film Festival walk the red carpet at the festival's opening ceremony in Beijing's the National Center for the Performing Arts Saturday night, April 23, 2011.
See Kaixin's - Chinese Movies
CCTV Beijing International Film Festival kicks off at NCPA - VIDEO
One of the most anticipated events in China's film industry this year and the first ever Film Festival in the capital, "Beijing International Film Festival" kicked off at the National Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday. Many renown directors, actors and actresses walked the red carpet.
Organized by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Beijing Municipal Government, the festival saw Top Chinese film stars and renowned directors such as Fan Bingbing and Feng Xiaogang strut their stuff in front of the Beijing and international media.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony also saw many international representatives of the movie industry attend including John Woo, Lion King Director Rob Mintoff, actors Edmond Wong and Director Bak-Ming. International movie stars Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi were featured as the "Image Ambassadors" of the event, who have contributed much of their efforts on promoting not only the film festival, but also the city of Beijing.
Ethnic Minority Languages Film Festival kicks off
As part of the ongoing Beijing International Film Festival, "China's Ethnic Minority Languages Film Festival" is an event that screens films produced by China's ethnic minority groups. This is the first time that a film festival has dedicated an independent event to ethnic films in the country.
Opened in Jackie Chan Cinema on Monday, the panorama features 30 films from 12 ethnic minority groups, all shot in their native languages with Chinese and English subtitles. All the familiar elements representing the minorities such as the Kazakh yurts, yaks on Tibetan Plateau and Mongolian's Horsehead Zither will show up in the panorama.
Jade necklace worth 200 mln Yuan
A staff member shows a jade necklace worth 200 million Yuan (some 30 million U.S. dollars) in a jewelry shop in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, April 24, 2011. It took eight years to finish the 199.8 gramme jade necklace.
Serve the goddess who drinks - VIDEO
You spin a prayer wheel. You bring a pot of butter. You prepare a white Hada. And you buy a bottle of wine.
Bringing all the necessary offerings, China Daily's multimedia reporter Feng Xin takes you to Drashilhakang Monastery, in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet autonomous region, to serve one goddess who drinks.
See Kaixin's -CHINA & TIBET
Chinese tea culture - VIDEO
Q1: Good evening, Zhang Shuo. Can you tell us more about Chinese tea culture?
A1: Yes, tea is the national beverage of China. Chinese are believed to have enjoyed tea drinking for more than four thousand years, the longest in the world. In Traditional Chinese culture, tea drinkers were always considered to be elite and are highly respected by society. Drinking tea also demonstrate personal morality, education, principle and social status. This is why serving tea gradually became an essential part of Chinese social life. In modern China, even the simplest dwelling has a tea set and a water heater for making a hot cup of tea. These implements are symbols of welcome to visitors and neighbors. Traditionally, a visitor to a Chinese home is expected to sit down and drink hot tea while talking.
In Chinese culture, it is also a sign of respect to serve someone tea. A younger person can show respect and thanks to an older person by offering them a cup of tea. This is especially common during big events, like birthdays and during spring festival.
And I want to show you another special occasion where tea is served. It is this, traditional Chinese weddings. In a traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. This is a way of expressing gratitude to their elders for raising them up.
Also, in modern China, tea is an important social tool. People go to tea houses, not for the drink, but for a place to meet with people. So the next time, if someone ask you out for a cup of tea, it is actually an implicit way to invite you to a gathering.
Over the course of 4 thousand years, tea has also had a major influence on the development of Chinese culture. Tea is a mainstay in Chinese literature, arts, philosophy and also religion. Tea is connected closely with Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Going back to the Tang Dynasty 15 hundred years ago, drinking tea is seen as an essential part of personal cultivation.
Also starting from the Tang Dynasty is the tea ceremony. From there, the art form spread to neighboring countries including Japan and Korea. Unlike the world-renowned Japanese tea ceremony, the Chinese one emphasizes the tea rather than the ceremony, like the taste of the tea and the difference between various cups.
Considering all those aspects, I believe China has done a very good job in the past 4 thousand years to preserve tea culture. However, during my investigation of the tea market, I found that China is not doing so well in translating this rich culture into a world leading business. Let's take a look.
See Kaixin's:
The story of the Pu'er Tea 普洱茶 the famous red tea of China
Chinese green tea -Tie Guan Yin’s story 铁观音
Magic Tibetan Tea - Po Cha 'Tibetan Butter Tea'
“Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” - VIDEO
With drumbeats thundering and lions dancing, the Beijing Xicheng District Shichahai Maiden Voyage Ceremony was kicked off on the lakeside of Shichahai on April 20, 2011.
Sixteen sculling boats, built according to the renowned Chinese painting “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival”, sailed on the lake. The captain of the ship sang traditional sailing songs, taking the guests to enjoy the beauty of Shichahai, an oasis in the heart of Beijing.
The event was designed to recreate the busy scene of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from ancient times, as well as to attract more tourists by showcasing the charm of Shichahai at the beginning and the end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
The ceremony will become an annual event on the date of Grain Rain, the 6th solar term each year.
The joy of school for Tibetan pupils
Tibetan primary school students write sentences and words on a blackboard on April 18, 2011, in Kangding, Sichuan province. The school with a history of more than 60 years has evolved into a model school in local rural areas for its free and boarding education system.
CCTV Ancient Tibetan temples get makeover VIDEO
Let's head to southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, where ancient Buddhist temples dating back several centuries are receiving a facelift.
A professional team is hard at work to ensure an authentic restoration at Sera Monastery near the regional capital Lhasa.
The Sera Monastery plays a major role in Tibetan Buddhism and culture.
But 600 years of exposure to the plateau's harsh weather has taken its toll on the temple just north of Lhasa.
See Kaixin's - CHINA & TIBET
Tsinghua in her students' eyes - VIDEO
If you love a place, you dread any moment of it slipping away. So you take pictures.
That's the way a group of Tsinghua students have chosen to record the most treasured years of their lives – the time they spent on the Tsinghua University campus.
After sharing these photos on the Internet for some years, they decided to make an album of their best works as a present for the university's centenary.
Chinese state councilor visits Harvard University
BOSTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong says she expects Harvard University to continue playing an active role in promoting exchanges of education, science and technology, and culture between China and the United States.
Havard has shared a long-standing friendship with China and has established fruitful cooperation with several higher education institutions in China in recent years, Liu said at a welcome reception hosted by the world-renowned university on Wednesday.
China mulls legislation on domestic violence: women' s federation
CHANGCHUN, April 14 (Xinhua) - Drafting China's first independent law on domestic violence has already been put on the country's top legislature's agenda, an official with the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) said.
This would be the country's first independent and comprehensive law on domestic violence, as currently only a few clauses in several other laws, such as the Marriage Law, have addressed some aspects of the offence.
Chinese Women's Research Network (WSIC)
All0China Women's Federation (ACWF)
Women in China
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