Table Of Content

Y Chronicling Destinations the culture divided by A of currency Date Line D Pages 12-13 Pages 20-21 Bringing bahok to Beijing O Bahok, a Bengali word for “carrier,” is what they call their multi-arts dicipline – an answer to the meaning of “home” in T the context of globalization. Three dancers from the National Ballet of China will perform with fi ve dancers from the British Akram Khan Company in the form’s world premiere January 25 at the Tianqiao Theatre. Page 8 G N I J I E B PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY JANUARY 11, 2008 – JANUARY 17, 2008 NO. 345 CN11-0120 HTTP://BJTODAY.YNET.COM CHIEF EDITOR: JIAN RONG NEWS EDITOR: YU SHANSHAN DESIGNER: ZHAO YAN ‘Ring’ in the New Year Page 15 Back from Overseas Courses in a GOOD LUCK UK, but still observers on hutong, at Pre-Games wanted in US bag ban The Hutong sports special The ‘Good Luck Beijing’ series Page 11 Page 4 Page 5 Page 10 Under the auspices of the Information Offi ce of Beijing Municipal Government Run by Beijing Youth Daily President: Zhang Yanping Editor in Chief: Zhang Yabin Executive Deputy Editor in Chief: He Pingping Director: Jian Rong Price: 2 yuan per issue 26 yuan for 3 months Address: No.23, Building A, Baijiazhuang Dongli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China Zip Code: 100026 Telephone/Fax: (010) 65902525 E-mail: [email protected] Hotline for subscription: (010) 67756666 (Chinese) , (010) 65902626 (English) Overseas Code Number: D1545 Overseas Distribution Agent: China International Book Trading Corporation January 11 2008 2 Agricultural products for Mice found on US fl ight tested s negative Olympics guaranteed safe w By Han Manman The eight mice found on a United Airlines (UA) fl ight e from Washington to Beijing Monday were not carriers of N By Huang Daohen food supply,” Cao said. from China, though he did not establish a quality system for agri- dangerous infections, a spokes- The government will pay spe- “[The crew] will ensure that rule out the possibility of import- cultural produce to meet interna- man for the General Adminis- cial attention to food safety during products in food markets are suf- ing some products. tional standards. tration of Quality Supervision, the upcoming Olympic Games fi cient in quantity, high in qual- The minister said the food Responding to a recent New Inspection and Quarantine this August and will ensure food ity, rich in variety and safe to eat,” safety drive will target ordinary York Times article on China’s (AQSIQ) announced yesterday. is of the highest quality, a senior he said. Chinese citizens rather than ath- fi sh farming industry entitled AQSIA said the eight were offi cial said Tuesday. A special monitoring center letes. “The Olympics will be a “Fishing in toxic waters,” Cao common house mice, and the Speaking at a press conference for food safety will also be set way to highlight the need to declared the report sensational group included four males and organized by the State Council up in Beijing. The center, accord- ensure the sustained improve- and misleading. four females. The mice tested Information Offi ce, Gao Hong- ing to the ministry’s earlier press ment of the quality and safety “It is a question of common negative for parasites, chla- bin, the agriculture vice minister, release, will be in a centralized of agricultural products in the sense. Do you believe fi sh can live mydia, plague and typhus. said the ministry has worked with command of food safety work whole nation,” he said. in toxic water?” Gao asked. The UA reported to the Olympic organizers to ensure food during the Games, issuing warn- Serious gaps in standards There are many safeguards in quarantine department of safety during the Games. ings for food risks and dealing remain between food in China place for aquatic products, and at Beijing Capital International “During the Olympics, there with food-related emergencies. and in developed countries, and least 98 percent of China’s aquatic Airport (BCIA) on Sunday will be a special crew in charge of Cao said the food will come it will take three to fi ve years to exports meet standards, he said. afternoon after landing that they found live mice on the Artists invited Medal bearer selection fl ight UA897. Che Zhijun, vice director to paint the general of BCIA’s inspection Olympics almost complete and quarantine department, said an emergency team was immediately dispatched to the By He Jianwei aircraft. All entry to the plane Artists from Olympic host was shut down pending fur- cities and 80 countries and ther examination. The team regions may create artistic pieces placed rat poison and mouse to submit to the Olympic Fine traps at every corner of the Arts (OFA) 2008 exhibition, craft, including in the cockpit. which began accepting pieces Che said that eight mice Thursday morning in the were found and some hidden Supreme Ancestral Temple of the in pillows. The mice were sent Forbidden City. to the lab for tests. The team Works may be submitted also investigated where the mice before May 31 in one of fi ve came from. categories: traditional Chinese Experts said mice can spread paintings, oil paintings, prints, as many as 35 fatal viruses, and sculptures and digital art. Sub- there is a risk of fatal accidents missions opened after the cer- if they chew through the plane’s emony, and all pieces will be wiring and circuits. They also judged by teams formed by said it is rare to fi nd so many domestic and international mice on an aircraft. authorities and experts. Brief news From June 23 to Septem- ber 17, a visual landscape proj- Photo by James Wei Confi scated ect called “Urban Art Corridor” By Li Fenghua medals and fl owers to winning dard list which includes the body, The government confi scated will exhibit the artistic works The selection of 380 women athletes during the award cere- which will provide the basics. about 149 million pornographic, within the urban traffic net- from more than 10 universities mony of the Olympic Games, the The selection is now underway pirated and unauthorized pub- work including the advertising to present the Olympic medals is spokesman said. Their training for the volunteers in 10 more uni- lications in 2007. boxes at bus stops and on walls almost complete, a spokesman classes will begin between March versities. 380 girls will be selected These included 3.72 million in hutongs. for the Beijing Organizing Com- and April. from them. The girls will carry pornographic publications, 3.2 “I hope this event can be mittee for the Olympic Games According to BOCOG, the stan- medals and fl owers to the win- million unlicensed newspapers more innovated, more featured (BOCOG) said. dard of the medal awarding girls ning athletes in the medal award- and magazines, 3.36 million n to promote the participation of The women will present has been worked out, and the stan- ing ceremony. smuggled discs and 136 million a Y domestic and international art- pirated publications, a spokesman o Raunchy fi lm gets the ban hammer a ists in the Olympic movement for the National Offi ce for Clean- h Z but also promote the mutual ing Up Pornography and Fighting er: progress of Chinese modern By Han Manman Berlin Festival, and engaging in ing actor and actress’s fl irting could Illegal Publications said. gn sport and culture undertaking,” The government has stepped “improper promotion.” evoke unhealthy sexual images in 80,000 win Olympic cov- si He Zhenliang, chairman of up its efforts to combat online The fi lm company will be the minds of viewers.” eted roles De International Olympic Commit- “pornographic” productions with a barred from producing new He said the students are one- Organizers have chosen 80 n tee Commission for Culture and new series of regulations for online movies for the next two years, third of China’s netizens. Youth percent of the 100,000 volun- ma Olympic Education, said. audio and video content which take and the producer Fang Li will be are not qualifi ed to independently teers needed for this year’s Olym- n During the Beijing Olympic effect at the end of the month. banned from any involvement in judge if content is pornographic, pics and Paralympics from the Ma Games, large-scale art exhibi- The move comes shortly after fi lm for the same time. unhealthy or may otherwise infl u- biggest candidate pool in Games n tions, art and Olympics forums its banning of Lost in Beijing for What is ‘pornographic’? ence them negatively, he said. history, Liu Jian, head of the vol- Editor: Ha woaGbfai lrmloa acbetdsei vcowiotrniigelclas ln,ub idezbee o.dht heal dnh doa mfat eesr e artinhedes spfiB ealamxrnut ifancelii spntcaiogvtnia ottln.hen eitn fi a alnmnd i nutnearnppatrioovneadl stthiuvepe Helygr ouvdviaesentireognrn Wmm cieeeninnqettu i efndr a of twreoosolmd rn k Cto hiCste “T SspVuAob RrtjnheFoacT--t IpNnuefboSwlriAsm hRraeeFtdgiTo “u nRal eaIngntduid oluatnhstitseor ynM s( MfionrIiI sO)t rnhyla invoeef uOpBtoinrcegt seida Gjenoirain uzdmigenbep glsa re,Cr satoamimilde m nTstui ytaettses tetdh eaoeymf B .Oe liyjsimnegt- Y To motivate domestic and A spokesman for the State graphic.” It uses a clear defi nition Audio and Video Services,” the Eleven subway and light A international college students’ Administration of Radio, Film and in determining which videos are terms of which will take effect rail lines will be under con- D participation in the OFA, the Television (SARFT) said Thursday “obscene” and must be banned starting January 31. struction this year in Beijing, Organizing Committee of OFA that Lost in Beijing broke regu- from the domestic Internet. Under new regulations, all and two will be completed O 2008 set up fi ve awards for new lations by using “unhealthy and Huang said his job is to super- online audio and video service before the Olympic Games T young artists. inappropriate promotional mate- vise and monitor online audio providers will be required to in August, offi cials from the The International Olympic rials” in its marketing. and video production, and when apply for an “Online Audio-Visual municipal Development and G Committee held the fi rst Olympic SARFT suspended the fi lm’s pornographic and violent mate- Broadcasting License.” Reform Commission said. sports and art contest in Sydney screening license and is set to rial is found, he reports it to a Unlicensed companies are not These projects will add 270 N in 2000 to promote the develop- punish its producers. The pro- higher authority. allowed to provide audio and kilometers to the municipal rail I ment of sports culture. During the ducers were accused by SARFT He said sexual scenes or scenes video upload services for individ- system’s track length, nearly J 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, of distributing deleted scenes on with exposed genitalia cannot be uals, and licensed companies may doubling its current size. I E 56 countries and regions submit- the Internet, entering an unap- broadcast. He said some produc- not allow individuals to upload (By Han Manman) B ted 100 pieces. proved version of the fi lm in the tions walk a fi ne line when “the lead- news content. January 11 2008 3 First smoke-free Chinese restr opens s By Li Fenghua Each dining table has a small smokers with an in-fl ow of con- guo said he can accept the non-smokers. A Meizhou Dongpo branch at bulletin noting that smoking is for- cerned, pregnant women. restaurant’s non-smoking act, “We will conver more w Liulitun will be the city’s fi rst bidden, and there are posters with Wang Ying, a diner at the and that it doesn’t require that branches to be smoke free if the Chinese restaurant to prohibit the message tacked to the walls. restaurant, said she was pleased much control for a smoker to Liulitun location proves success- e smoking – a prohibition already When the customers enter the with the decision. refrain from lighting up during ful,” Guo said. enacted by most of the city’s restaurant, attendants immedi- “I feel violated when I dine his meal. It is unfair to non- According to the China Center N Western restaurants. ately inform them it is smoke in a smoking restaurant since I smokers for smoking to be for Disease Control, 90 percent Guo Xiaodong, the chain’s free. Most customers fi nish their am forced to take in the cigarette allowed in restaurants, he said. of the city’s Western restaurants general manager, said that change cigarette outside before entering, smoke. I hope more and more The volume of business prohibit smoking. was made in preparation for the and only a few leave outright at non-smoking restaurants appear dropped 10 to 20 percent during The mid-sized restaurant is Olympic Games, whose organiz- the news, Guo said. in Beijing; I think it is an interna- the first two months, but it located near Beijing Hospital of ers have called for creation of a He said he expects the restau- tional trend,” she said. has made up the slack with an Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cha- smoke-free environment. rant to make up for its loss of Diner and smoker Li Jian- inflow of pregnant women and oyang District. Hukou limits prompt girl’s suicide Father of dead shooter By Li Fenghua The Xicheng district high school As of press time, a hospital at the center of social contro- demands The hukou system has drawn senior attempted to kill herself spokesman said she is out of danger. versy for several months. In the considerable criticism the last few using a home-made toxic capsule You’s father said she was education arena, Beijing hukou compensation years, but another damning blow containing sodium nitrate she took born out of wedlock and her can grant students admission to was struck last Friday when hukou from the school lab. mother abandoned them several high-ranked colleges with lower limitations sparked a 17-year-old Last Friday, the day exams years ago. Since then, he repeat- test scores. By Gan Tian girl’s suicide attempt. opened to online registration, edly attempted to register the Wan Xin, Xicheng Police Sta- Chen Zejun, 17, a You Dandan, the girl, was she swallowed the capsule. When girl with Beijing hukou, but has tion’s chief of information, said the member of Shanghai’s skeet denied registration for the college her classmates discovered her failed since he cannot produce Beijing Bureau of Public Security shooting reserve team was entrance exams because she lacked attempt, she was immediately her mother’s signature. is discussing You’s case and will shot and killed by a team- Beijing hukou. sent to the hospital. The hukou system has been decide on its course of action soon. mate during a training accident on the afternoon of Shaolin temple to December 3, last year. Chen Zejun’s father spend 300 million Chen Yong demanded a 10-million-yuan com- on new site pensation from the Shanghai Shooting and By Han Manman Archery Sport Center Shaolin Temple, considered (SASC) last Saturday. the birthplace of Chinese martial A few days after his arts, plans to spend 300 million son’s death, the Shanghai yuan on a new temple which will SASC offered a compensa- house the nation’s biggest Bud- tion of 680,000 yuan. Chen dhist college. Yong said the accident was The new temple will be on caused by careless man- the site of the Donglin Temple agement of the center, and in Xingyang County, Zhengzhou, rejected the compensation Henan Province, which was a arrangement. temple for royal families during Chen Yong asked for Ming Dynasty (1368-1683) and a “reasonable explanation” which predates the Shaolin from the center and then Temple by 200 years. discuss compensation Construction is expected to be issues. Chen Zejun’s body completed within 10 years. has not been buried yet, Shi Yongxin, CEO of the and the disagreement with Shaolin Temple company and the center continues. honorary abbot of Donglin “What we want is our Temple, said he hoped the plan The “nail house” in Guangzhou was demolished. Photo provided by Yangcheng Evening News child instead of money! will boost research opportunities I’m demanding this only in and exchange programs for Bud- Judge orders ‘nail house’ order to give them a warn- dhist studies in China. ing!” Chen Yong said to The new temple will offer The Mirror. n courses in literature, philosophy, According to shooting Ge logic, English and computing, as hammered down regulations, the muzzle of g well as traditional studies such the gun is forbidden to be n aicsi ncea,l liSghria pYhayn raunod, Csuhpineersveis more do-f pevoeinnt iend tarat ianninogth.er person, er: Ya the Shaolin Temple, said. By Annie Wei However, in Guangzhou belongs to the whole village. n Most of the teachers will A four-story brick building Province, one village decided to The court ruled that ding- NatTiohnea l SSApSoCrt s oAf dmCihniinsa- sig be monks and courses will be in a vast Guangzhou, Guang- sue its dingzihu residents for neg- zihu residents be compensated tration has already begun to De taught in three Buddhist schools dong Province, construction atively affecting the community. according to a payment plan investigate the case. This is g tsoatmuildooeurensd ts r fefogrroi ommn ataihnneld aT nitdbh eostst ueA dufetrnootnms-, sTPirutoee psdewratayys, Lbaseawts epdafo srso endd elatmhsteo ylientaieorwn. mcaeserTe fhdoa rt dt whoewh ivnci,hl l asagtniecd kd sit nhugapzt g ihewtusa whs ahtmehne- avlaiplsplta rygoeeva’ser d.v obtye r9s8 in p Meracye natn do fJ tuhlye tktrhialelie nfid irn sgta tciincmi dtehe aen ntca oalultyhn lterdtyue. rwinags Wei Yin sTohuatihlaenadst a-Ansdi aB urcmouan.tries like movRee dsiedsepnittes vwashto c ornesftursuecdt iotno ava lcoactael wcoituhritn o trhdreeree dda ryess.idents to the Gcausaen agsz hthoeu fim rsetd aiap hpelircaaltdioend teamChmeant esZ iwjuenr e atnrdai nihnigs or: Besides preparatory classes beginning around their homes Li Yingkai, Li Yingguang, of the property law passed by at the Shanghai SASC in dit were a nationwide phenomena Li Zhemin and Lu Yansheng, the legislature last March. E and bachelor programs, the col- Minhang District, Shang- in 2007. These remaining four dingzihu residents, The dingzihu phenomenon Y lege will also offer a postgraduate hai. During a break, one of open exclusively to monks. homes were termed dingzihu, decided to appeal the verdict was fi rst recognized when his teammates loaded what A or “nail house,” because the because the court did not images of a Chongqing com- The academy will be open to he thought was a blank and D occupants were viewed as trou- offer any compensation for munity prompted debate over anyone in the world eager to pursue began joking with Chen, blemakers. the demolition. the new Property Law, which O Buddhist spirit and studies. police said. In April, a Chongqing However, their appeal was was aimed to guarantee private Shi ruled out the possibility The gun discharged and T Municipality dingzihu commu- struck down by the Guang- property rights. of the temple making an initial the bullet struck Chen in nity and a real estate devel- zhou Middle People’s Court last Images of lone homes in public offering on the Hong Kong the lower abdomen, police G oper came to an agreement and week when the judge said the empty construction sites were Stock Exchange this week. said. The Sport Center sent solved their disagreement out- dingzihu affects the interests plastered on newspapers all N In previous reports, he said for doctors immediately, a business-oriented promotion side court. Dingzihu in other of the village and other villag- over the country and were but Chen died two hours I provinces reportedly followed ers’ legitimate rights. The land among top topics debated on J of the Shaolin Temple and its later in hospital from the the same trend. on which the dingzihu is built Chinese Internet chat rooms. I renowned martial arts would help fatal wound. E raise its reputation worldwide. B January 11 2008 4 ‘Trapped’ s u Yuan Hongwei c businessman secretly returns o F Left without notice Yuan is now back in his home- town of Liuyang, Hunan Prov- ince. However, his return was secretive. He left without notify- ing the London court. Even his daughter, who had just arrived in London to take care of him, did not hear the news until his father called her after safely back in China. How did Yuan get into China without being stopped by British customs inspectors? Yuan told the Changsha Evening News that he did not break his bail conditions or disobey the court as his lawyer found very important evidence to support his leaving the country. He claimed the British police spelled his name incorrectly on the warrant. Yuan said the proper spelling of his name is “Yuan Hong Wei,” but in the warrant it reads, “Yaun Hong Wei.” “Although British police con- The US headquarters of ABRO Industries Photos provided by Liu Jiqing By Han Manman fiscated one of my passports, I Chinese businessman Yuan Hongwei, who was had another,” Yuan said, adding involved in a US extradition case and trapped in custody lished an open letter through arrested.” ABRO’s lawyer Liu that he was thankful for the spell- in the UK since last September, secretly returned to Rednet, Hunan Province’s big- Jiqing said Yuan was arrested ing error as it kept him off the China last Sunday, four days before the London court’s gest website. In the letter, Yuan in London due to an arrest war- British customs office’s blacklist. third hearing, which would have determined if Yuan wrote that he was lured into the rant issued two years ago by the An official surnamed Gao could be extradited to the US or not. US company’s trap and “tricked” US State of Louisiana. from Yuan’s company, Hunan If so, he would be the fi rst Chinese national sus- into traveling to London where Baranay said Yuan commit- Magic Power Industrial, based pected of an intellectual property offense to be extra- he became the object of a US ted a crime in the US by in Liuyang, said the company dited to face charges in a US court. His return has made extradition request. “I was like importing illegal goods into the planned to hold a news confer- the case take a dramatic turn. a child who lost his mother. I country. He did this with full ence detailing Yuan’s case yester- After learning of Yuan’s exit, Peter Baranay, the pres- despaired to the point of a near knowledge of the illegality of his day, but canceled without giving ident of ABRO Industries Inc granted an exclusive inter- breakdown,” Yuan wrote. actions. Two impartial courts a reason. view to Beijing Today yesterday. This is the fi rst time Yuan wrote that the UK and in the US issued criminal arrest Open letter the company has commented on the issue publicly. the US have very tight extradition warrants for his arrest. After he came back, Yuan pub- cooperation, but he did not trust “If he believed himself the fairness of the British courts unfairly accused, he should have doc and hoped they would understand waived his right to object to Girls say molested by his going absent without leave. extradition and made his case ABRO says Yuan in the US. Instead, he delayed is a coward and manipulated the extradi- “Yuan has illegally tion process in the UK until he By Gan Tian Xiao Xue (pseudonym), who was pitals suggested the girls be taken absconded from the UK in clear had a chance to flee back to n A Children’s Hospital doctor sleeping next to my bed. Don’t tell for professional forensic medical violation of the bail conditions China like a thief in the night. Ya Gu Chengsuo, 42, has been her. She is so young.” Only then examinations. set by the court,” Peter Baranay, We will continue the legal bat- o arrested for the alleged molesta- did Xue’s mother realize that her Unsolved issues the president of ABRO Indus- tles,” Baranay said. ha tion of two girls, one six years old daughter was also molested by Yu’s mother said there were tries, said. The background er: Z Nanidg ahntomthaerr e12 f, oorn tThuees dgaiyr.ls the Ldio, cXtoure.’s mother, said to The pofr oCbhlielmdrse nin’s Hthoes pmitaanl.a gement comImt ise ntht e ocnom tphaen yi’sss fiu res.t p“uBboltihc extrTahdei tiorneq uise stb asfoerd oYnu ana’ns gn At the beginning of this Beijing Times, “My child said her “Where were all the the US and English governments arrest warrant of product esi month, 12-year-old Xiao Yu bed pal told her that the doctor nurses and staff on the night requested that ABRO not com- counterfeiting issued two years D (pseudonym) went to Children’s was applying medicine to her shift?,” she asked. She said ment publicly about this issue ago by Louisiana. n Hospital to be treated for pneu- genitals.” Li went to ask Xue’s she would first care of her during the extradition process as Yuan is the owner of the ma monia. On Sunday afternoon, doctor, knowing that the he had illness, and then prepare to they believe in the rule of law and Chinese chemical firm, Hunan an Yu sent an SMS to her mother, not prescribed any such medi- sue the hospital. did not wish uninformed media Magic Power Industrial Com- M surnamed Zhou, and said “There cine for her. She told The Mirror’s speculation to taint the proceed- pany, based in Liuyang. He was n was an uncle fondling me Psychological trauma reporter, “Actually my child ings,” Baranay said. accused of violating US trade- a H between my legs in the middle The two girls were now receiv- told me in the afternoon that However, Yuan’s surprise mark laws by producing and or: of the night.” Zhou told The ing psychological treatment. there was a person who fon- exit forced ABRO to comment. selling chemical products under dit Beijing Times that Yu felt pain Zhou mentioned that, after dled her hip at night, but I paid Baranay said Yuan misused the name of a US company. E in her genitals, and when she she got Yu’s SMS, she immedi- no heed. I thought this couldn’t the system whenever it suited US fi rm, ABRO industries, Y opened her eyes, she discovered ately thought of calling the police, happen in a hospital.” him and violated it whenever said it lost millions of dollars from A it Gu was molesting her. but Yu said, “Please don’t tell Xue’s mother said she it asked him to be accountable. the sale of these counterfeit prod- D When Gu noticed that the others. I’m so ashamed.” Zhou could not sleep after the acci- “He has refused to compete ucts around the world. girl was awake he went away. said Yu now has trouble facing dent happened. fairly in the world market and However, Hunan Magic O However, not long after, Yu felt people and often looks down at “I was on nightshift then. to behave honestly in the legal Power claimed it had a legiti- T discomfort again and found the the ground. She even sent her It was hot and Xue was lying community,” Baranay said. mate license to make products physician repeating the act. He mother an SMS saying that she in bed. After she woke up and When Yuan said he was under the ABRO label. G did it three times last Satur- was not willing to go to school. found she wasn’t wearing her trapped in to going to London, Last September, Yuan went to day. On Sunday evening, after Xue and Yu were taken to trousers, I said no problem and Baranay completely disagreed. the UK to resolve the trademark N lenghty consideration, Yu told Beijing Maternity Hospital and walked away,” Gu said. “He was in no way ‘trapped’ dispute between the two compa- I her mother. Xiehe Hospital for medical exam- “I like children. Otherwise I into coming to London. He nies. However, he was arrested by J In the SMS, Yu wrote, “He inations. It was found that Yu’s wouldn’t have chosen to work at himself suggested a meeting in the British police on his arrival at I E did the same thing to the girl, genitals were infl amed. The hos- Children’s Hospital,” he said. London, and I was there waiting London’s Heathrow airport and B to meet with him when he was held in custody. January 11 2008 5 Nationwide pollution Gov tackles online lottery survey next month corruption k (gig.com) – The Ministry o of Finance, Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Admin- o istration of Sports have issued (AFP) – The government will launch tant step toward an environmentally-friendly a joint circular halting the l next month its fi rst nationwide survey to society,” it quoted Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan online sale of lottery tickets. t identify pollution sources, Xinhua reported as saying at the meeting. over the weekend. The country’s booming growth has rav- The notice requires all com- u panies currently involved in the The survey, to be completed in the fi rst aged its environment, with about 70 percent half of 2008, will assess sources of indus- of waterways polluted and urban air quality sale of lottery tickets online to O cease immediately, with penal- trial, agricultural and residential pollution, among the worst in the world. ties for those who fail to abide Xinhua news agency quoted Zhou Shengx- The Asian giant is second only to the US by the new rule. ian, director of the State Environmental Pro- in greenhouse gas emissions blamed for cli- The country has called a tection Administration, as saying. mate change. halt on online lottery sales in The results will be revealed in the fi rst Zhou said the census results “will not response to growing reports of half of 2009, Zhou told a meeting of the State be linked to any punishment or evalua- corruption, with many online Council last Friday, Xinhua reported. tion of the performance of local admin- lottery vendors being accused The data “will be an important basis for istrations,” calling on offi cials to provide of receiving payments from environmental protection” and “an impor- “true, credible” data. customers, but failing to pur- Comment chase the tickets. The move is a fi rst step in The State Council decided to launch the 1.8 million. bringing the rampant Chinese fi rst ever national wide pollution census in Polluting industries that emit heavy online lottery market under response to complaints from experts about a metals, hazardous waste and radioactive control, and not an attempt lack of reliable statistics on the sources and waste will be monitored most closely. Other to enforce a permanent online extent of pollution and the number of reme- industries, including papermaking, petro- sale ban. diation facilities, Zhu Jianping, deputy direc- chemicals, iron and steel, are also targets of Average tor of the First Nationwide Pollution-Source the review. Census Work Offi ce, said. Agriculture, aquaculture, plant raising lifespan is In preparation for the campaign, the cen- and animal husbandry will also be targeted. getting longer tral government allocated 737 million yuan, The Beijing government is conducting and the survey will cover 333 cities and 2,895 its own survey in response to the nation- counties, Zhu said. wide one. (AFP) – The life expec- “Such pollution-source censuses will be The city’s survey will investigate 82,000 tancy of the country’s 1.3 bil- conducted every 10 years,” he added. sources of industrial, agricultural and res- lion people is on the rise, Zhu said industrial pollution sources will idential pollution and pollution treatment thanks partly to increased be a focus of the survey. There are 1.5 mil- facilities across the city, according to the pol- spending on health care, lion pollution sources in industrial produc- lution sources department. Xinhua reported Monday. tion, but he estimates the actual number at (Agencies) The average life expec- tancy rose from 71 years in Gov to ban free plastic 2000 to 73 in 2005, Xinhua news agency reported, citing shopping bags a report issued by the Minis- try of Health. Other health indicators have also shown marked (Reuters) – Shoppers in China will have waste and environmental pollution,” the improvement in recent years, to pay for plastic bags at supermarkets and statement read. including the infant mortality other retail stores as part of a nationwide “The super thin bags, those thinner than rate, which fell from 25.5 per crackdown on the environmentally damag- 0.025 millimeters, have especially become a 1,000 babies in 2003 to 15.3 ing items. main source of plastic pollution as they are last year, the report said. The production, sale and use of plastic easy to break and thus disposed of carelessly.” The maternal mortality shopping bags thinner than 0.025 millime- The new rules will take effect starting rate fell from 51.3 per 100,000 n ters will be banned completely, the State June 1, the cabinet said. Shoppers may either e births in 2003 to 36.6 last G Council posted on its website late Tuesday. pay for other bags or reuse old ones. year, it reported. g “Plastic shopping bags, due to reasons Producers and retailers failing to comply n such as excessive use and ineffi cient recycling, will be prosecuted under the product quality Fluorescent Ya have caused serious energy and resources law, it said. green Pig er: n Voice g Year over si e By Huang Daohen other country, with as many as 3 billion D This may be a fi rst, but the country has plastic bags consumed daily, a State Council (Reuters) – A fl uorescent n green pig gave birth to two pig- a fi nally taken the lead on a major environmen- spokesman said. N tal initiative and drawn world wide attention. Each year, 37 million barrels of crude oil lets which share their moth- g er’s transgenic characteristic n Australia to end plastic bags are used to produce plastic. The ban will help a after she mated with an ordi- h Australia has followed China in announc- alleviate the country’s oil shortage. Z ing it plans to end plastic bag use in super- – Daily Mail, UK nary pig, Xinhua reported. n The mother sow is one of e markets, with its new environment minister Some environmental activists questioned h the three fl uorescent green pigs o saying yesterday that he wants a phase-out to China’s move. Rather than impose new regula- a successfully bred by a research D start by the end of 2008. tions, it might make more sense to push stores team in December 2006 after g “We would like to see the phase out to fi nd ways to encourage shoppers to stop using n injecting fl uorescent green pro- a implemented by 2008 ... that is absolutely plastic bags in exchange for small rewards. u teins into pig embryos. H critical,” Garrett said on Sky News. – Times, UK The mouths, feet and s: – Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia Individual comment tongues of the two piglets glow or Ban inspires other cities It looks like China is now going down the green under ultraviolet light, dit After the government announced its same road the US did some years ago. E nation-wide plastic bag ban, City of Toronto We are fi nally starting to learn from those Too early for which indicates the technology Y to breed transgenic pigs via cell offi cials agreed it was time to provide a dis- mistakes. Let’s hope the Chinese are smart A nuclear transfer is mature, Liu incentive to use bags in their city as well. enough to learn from ours! Winter Games Zhonghua, a professor at North- D Mayor David Miller said the city is not – MJ, Iowa, US east Agricultural University in considering an outright ban, but a small tax While, whether it will sort out the prob- O Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, could be launched. lems or not, this is a good fi rst step. Well- The International Ice and Snow Festival was quoted as saying. T Premier Dalton McGuinty says a similar done, China! opens today in Qipanshan in Shengyang, Lia- This technology promises ban won’t be imposed in Canada, but he does – Cindy, London, UK oning Province. to breed excellent transgenic G say the country’s move is a reminder to the I don’t know if we can completely ban The Olympic-themed event, using over pigs and even raise special N west to re-think its plastic dependency. plastic bags, but it would help if people would 500,000 cubic meters of snow, is composed of pigs to provide organs for – Toronto Star, Canada stop putting only one or two items in a plas- large ice sculptures, like the Athens Pantheon human transplant operations JI Bag ban to save 37 million barrels tic bag and if they would stop double bagging and the traditional Chinese dragon. in the future, Liu was quoted I of oil unless necessary. Xinhua Photo as saying. E China uses more plastic bags than any - Helen Goldfarb, Toronto, Canada B January 11 2008 6 Foreign investment in Cushioning the developed s real estate probed country s slowdown e By Huang Daohen Resilience in developing econo- n The State Administration for in early 2006. This included the apartments for personal use. This apart, the government is mies, such as China, will cushion Industry and Commerce has move of raising the ratio of reg- Foreign capital in real estate also concerned about lower hous- the current slowdown in the US, i decided to step up measures which istered capital in property devel- enterprises in China reached US ing affordability. In November, the according to the World Bank’s s prevent the infl ux of foreign capital opers’ overall investment and $53.9 billion in the fi rst eleven government urged local authorities Global Economic Prospects 2008 u into the real estate market. restrictions on residential prop- months last year. This was 72 to reserve at least 70 percent of (GEP 2008) released Wednesday. According to a report by the erty purchases by foreign institu- percent higher than a year ago. the land designated for residential The phenomenon is driven in B Shanghai Security News, tions and individuals. China’s real estate climate index construction for low-rent units or no small part by the East Asia and Monday, the administration is According to current policy, rose 2.67 points to 106.59 in smaller, cheaper homes. the Pacifi c Region, which grew by collecting information on foreign- only foreign institutions estab- November from the previous year. It is believed that the gov- 10 percent last year. Growth for owned properties. lishing branches or representative This was despite a tighter monetary ernment may soon come out the region should ease to 9.7 per- China took a major stride to offi ces in China and individuals policy followed by the central bank with further policies for the real cent this year and to 9.6 percent regulate its real estate market and working or studying in China for to curb credit growth and invest- estate sector. by 2009, the GEP 2008 predicts. stave off speculative investment more than one year can purchase ment in fi xed assets. (Agencies) The expansion was powered by China’s more than 11 percent Spam King gain, with other countries in the region growing at about 6 per- wanted for cent, the report’s authors say. More broadly, real GDP growth for all developing coun- manipulating tries is expected to ease to 7 percent this year, while high-income stock prices countries are predicted to grow by a modest 2 percent, the World By Huang Daohen Bank said. Alan Ralsky, 52, one of the China Unicom world’s most prolifi c spammers, was named in a 41-count indictment unveils song unsealed last Thursday in Detroit, Michigan, US, which alledges he download and others defrauded people by manipulating Chinese stock prices. service Authorities did not disclose the details of the Chinese stocks. Morgan Stanley By Huang Daohen According to the indictment, China Unicom has begun to released last Thursday by US provide complete song download Attorney Stephen Murphy, Ralsky service for mobile phone users, and ten other defendants sent to offl oad CICC the fi rst such service in China. millions of e-mail messages to The move has been hailed by computers around the world to some industry sources as the start infl ate Chinese penny stocks, of business in the 3G era. which they then sold. The Morgan Stanley sign, as seen at their world headquarters in New York, US. Morgan Stanley’s But the Beijing News quoted The defendants used a variety of dumping of its stake in CIC has drawn worldwide concern over sovereign wealth funds. an industry insider as saying such illegal tactics to evade spam-block- Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images service will not be able to see ing devices and trick recipients into rapid development until opera- opening and acting on their adver- US fi nancial services fi rm but with a limited role in the Commission (CSRC) on Decem- tors solve the music copyright tisements, Murphy said. Morgan Stanley plans to sell its investment bank. The sources ber 28, the maximum stake for- issues and boost network speeds. The eleven defendants may face entire stake in China Interna- said the US fi rm might sell its eign investors can hold in a local China Unicom is China’s mail fraud and wire fraud charges, tional Capital Corp (CICC), the entire stake in CICC and invest in securities fi rm will remain at second largest mobile operator n which could carry a sentence of nation’s fi rst investment bank, another local brokerage. around 33 percent, despite lower after China Mobile, which is also Ge 20 years in prison and a fi ne of sources close to the two compa- Earlier in December, local barriers in other areas. testing this new service. g US $250,000, the Associated Press nies said on Monday. media reported that the global The CSRC’s new rules issued New ANZ an (AP) reported. The unnamed sources confi nancial services fi rm was plan- on December 28 also require 1.2 er: Y ley, R4a6l,s kay ’Ws seosnt -Binlo-loamw fiS eclodt tT Borwand-- fib armseedd Ta ar eKpourntg b yP Haoo ntgh aKto nthge- ninin Sgh atnog hbuaiy- baa s3e4d Cpheirncae nFto rsttuankee blaisllti oyne ayru faonr ain s enceut rcitaipesit afi lr min itfh iet CEO arrives gn ship, Michigan, resident, and Judy US investment bank plans to Securities for 4 billion yuan. wants to set up a subsidiary. in capital esi Devenow, 55, a Lansing, Michigan, sell its stake in CICC and is in The reports said Morgan Stan- Morgan Stanley is expected to D resident, were arraigned last Thurs- talks with private equity fi rms ley had signed an agreement with become one of the fi rst foreign By Han Manman n day on the charges. A third defen- to fi nd a buyer. China Fortune Securities to set up fi rms to invest in a local securities During an offi cial visit to Na dant, Hon Wai John Hui, 49, a The two fi rms have agreed that a joint venture investment bank fi rm in 2008, after the government China, Mike Smith, the newly- g resident of both Vancouver and the buyer of the stake cannot be an and that Morgan Stanley might be resumed approvals of foreign joint appointed CEO of the Australia an Hong Kong, was arrested at John investment bank, the report said. interested in a controlling stake. ventures based on the China-US and New Zealand (ANZ) Banking Zh F Kennedy International Airport in Morgan Stanley currently But under new rules issued by Strategic Economic Dialogue. Group, said yesterday that China n New York. holds a 34 percent stake in CICC, the China Securities Regulatory (Agencies) is forecast to account for around e h The seven other named Offi cial response 75 percent of Asia’s retail bank- o a defendants remain at large, ing by 2012. g D including Ralsky, who AP unprecedented infl uence over other Sovereign wealth funds would “We are the only Australian bank n reported was attending a friend’s countries’ commercial assets. benefi t international markets by with a meaningful presence in main- a u wedding in Europe. The developed world should increasing liquidity and by land China and we want to build on ors: H TowRnaslhskipy,, Maic hiWgaens,t reBsildoeonmt,fi healds neiogtn dwisecarilmthi nfautned sa gfarionmst sdoevveerl-- mmaokrein egf fig cloiebnatl, r Weseoiu sracied a. llocation thatT fohuisn disa tiSomn,i”t Shm’si tshe scaoidn.d visit dit been the target of anti-spam efforts oping countries or subject them Wei suggests that the foreign since he was appointed CEO of E for years. to “fi nancial protectionism”, Wei exchange regulator is determined ANZ last October. During this Y He reportedly earned US $3 Benhua, deputy head of China’s to play a wider role in China’s visit, he will meet with high A million in summer 2005 alone, State Administration of Foreign push to boost returns from its level officials from the coun- D according to data obtained by fed- Wei Benhua Exchange, said. nearly US $1.5 trillion in forex try’s banking regulators, as well eral agents, who seized computers, IC Photo Wei characterized such worries reserves, despite formation of the as senior management from key O hard disks and fi nancial records in By Huang Daohen as baseless in a writing in China independent CIC. corporate clients. T a raid that year. China’s recent attempts to gen- Business News on Monday. Sovereign funds should main- Smith will travel to Tianjin However, Ralsky, who at the erate better returns from its huge “The China Investment Corp tain a high level of information to meet with key local govern- G time admitted to having 150 million foreign exchange reserves draws drew the attention of interna- disclosure, and strengthen trans- ment officials and the senior e-mail addresses, was not arrested. worldwide concern. Critics claimed tional society as soon as it was parency, Wei said, adding that management from the Bank of N Though the “spam king” may be that the rise of sovereign wealth established, with certain coun- risk of market instability would Tianjin. ANZ owns a 20 percent I dethroned, experts say the fl ow of funds such as the US $200 billion tries intentionally disseminating limit disclosure by new funds. stake in the Bank of Tianjin, as J unwanted e-mail will continue, and China Investment Corp (CIC) may the view of Chinese investment as (Financial Times contrib- well as an almost 20 percent EI a true crackdown on spam requires give their opaque state masters a threat,” he wrote. uted to this story) stake in the Shanghai Rural public awareness. Commercial Bank. B January 11 2008 7 Film shoot e paralyzes city t a b e D By Huang Daohen the congested traffi c, according their vehicles. A film crew shooting a to the local Southern Metropo- The staged fi re was not extin- firefighting sequence during lis Daily newspaper. guished until noon. the morning rush hour on The narrow sidewalks were In addition to the traffi c Monday in downtown Guang- made even narrower by barri- jam, the movie production also zhou, Guangdong Province, cades, working staff and the fake drew jeers from nearby resi- caused a mammoth four- fi remen and police actors, the dents. They claimed it affected hour traffic jam and triggered report said. daily life. strong controversy among “The fi re effects spread Besides, the vivid sound the local public. everywhere and some of the of the fire alarm caused The fi lm, “Firemen,” stars pedestrians had to bypass the psychological shock to some the TV actor Wang Baoqiang. road by way of the vehicle lane,” elderly people. The scene that particular day Li Xiang, a passenger, said. This is the third time the fi lm played out the fi remen’s heroic Some scared people even crew has disturbed the peace rescue of trapped offi ce staff and dialed 119, only to be told by since the shooting was launched took place at about 8am at the the operator that it was just a last December. Wang Weihua, Jinye Plaza, located on the city’s fi lm shooting. the fi lm’s producer, apologized main road. The “fi refi ghting” led to in a letter on Tuesday to the Smoke and fi re billowed out serious traffi c congestion that public who were affected by of the plaza and eight fi re engines day and the traffi c was backed the annoying movie project, and were sent to the main road at the up for 7 kilometers. Many promised that similar incidents scene, leaving only one lane for offi ce workers were stuck in would not happen again. Comment Bad location a fire alarm? I really can not tell now what is I understand the “firefighting” scene was real or not. necessary for the film, but why must the crew – Zhang Limin, local resident choose the busiest central part of the city during Getting offi cial approval Monday’s rush hour? Did the film crew get approval from the – Zheng Shuai, local resident local authority? Such a large-scale event should Disturbing the peace get approval and consent from the municipal From a legal point of view, this is an offence government, urban management office, traffic of the public order because the act disturbed the police and other departments. daily work and lifestyle of the majority of the – Zhu Ping, commentator community’s people, and caused some damage. Inconsideration What is worse, if the act violates the rele- The film crew was totally inconsiderate. vant provisions of the criminal law resulting They should have handed out some kind of in some serious damage to the public order, it notice of the act to the nearby residents in could constitute a crime. advance. For the traffic jam, they should have The make-believe “fi re” – Wang Silu, lawyer turned to local authorities for help. The whole caused a four-hour traffi c Crying wolf situation could have been avoided. jam in Guangzhou on Should we dial 119 again next time we hear – Simon007, netizen n Monday, triggering contro- a Y versy among the public. o a Photos provided by Beijing Youth Daily h Z Transformer substation breeds controversy er: n g si e D By Jackie Zhang distance between the substation and made in the 1980s. According to n Comment a The construction of a 220 kilo- residential building was only nine the current standards of the World N volt high voltage transformer sub- meters. “We’ll suffer from harmful Health Organization, the exami- g station, covering 6,800 square electromagnetic radiation.” nation results are worse than the Expert advice is needed tion standards, I think, it shows an meters, on the west side of the At the meeting Monday after- standards set back then. A resi- I think there are other that there are risks. Another Zh Wangjing area of Chaoyang dis- noon, representatives from the dent who has a doctor’s degree locations for the substation. potential danger is the explosion n e trict, recently drew public concern Beijing Electric Power Corporation in the electromagnetic and micro Experts should carry out factor. There were similar explo- h over its potential to affect the envi- (BEPC), the Beijing Municipal wave fi eld said that the substa- professional examinations on sion cases in Russia and Guang- ao new locations. What we need zhou, Guangdong. The Shanghai D ronmMeonntd aanyd a pfteeorpnloeo’sn h, eaa lmthe.eting C(BoMmCmUisPs)i,o nt heo f OUffir bcea n ofP laLnenttienrgs tcihoanr gweo, uilnds aullsaoto cra udsies cchoarrognea adnisd- to do is not only express our government stopped the con- ng was held between government offi - and Calls of Chaoyang District low frequency noise, which could opinions, but offer sugges- struction of a substation next to ua tions and solutions as well. a kindergarten. Related govern- H creiaalcsh a annd aregsriedeemnetsn.t .T Mheoys td iodf nthoet (POroLtCecCtDio)n aBnudre athue o fE Cnhvairooynanmge Dntisa-l all hAatr mbb tsh.we hanugmjianng .bcnod, yr.esidents – Sarraephr, eas reenstiadteivnet msideenrt tdheep iasrsutme.ents should recon- ors: residents said that the substation trict (EPBC), attended. are posting various posts on Kindergarten question – academic discussion dit should be removed from the area. “The planning examination, harmful infl uences brought about E Another key point with the Make it safe for children Construction of the transformer and approval were legal,” Zhang, by substation radiation naming Y substation dispute is whether or and elders substation has stopped. According from the BMCUP, said. “There experts they can ask for help. The A not the fi eld was originally being There are lots of children and to residents, the substation’s loca- was never any problem with the residents committee is calling for groomed for a new kindergar- elders living in the area. Older D tion was going to be used to build substation’s planning.” The staff people’s signatures and donations ten. We saw from the blueprints people like to go out for a walk or a kindergarten school. About half a from the BEPC said the substation to stop the construction of the sub- that a kindergarten school was talk with friends and children usu- O month ago, some residents found had passed environmental impact station. Some residents also posted planned. When did the real estate ally play games outside. If the sub- T the fi eld was under construction to examinations. The possible radia- an article providing offi cials sev- developer change the layout? station is constructed, we cannot build a transformer substation. tion was far below the country’s eral alternative choices in lieu of They should have notifi ed us and imagine what might happen to G “There was no advanced notice standards and it wouldn’t infl u- building the substation. ask for our consent. these individuals. Children and N nor did we see any environmental ence people’s lives. Wang, vice director of the – xding026 old people are more likely to be impact assessment report,” a res- But residents had a different OLCCD, said construction of the Potential risks infl uenced. It mustn’t be built near I J ident representative said. He also opinion. Several said that the transformer substation would As residents and offi cials have any residential area. I said that, according to the local res- regulations and standards being not be started until an agree- different opinions on the radia- – apple tue E idents’ measurements, the shortest implemented by the EPBC were ment was reached. B January 11 2008 8 Combining ballet and Come together with culture s By Jackie Zhang w contemporary dance Culture is the best means to overcome obstacles between countries and people, and to e open a bridge for communica- n Akram Khan tions, Martin Davison, CEO of the British Council, said Tues- By He Jianwei means. He grew up on a street recalled his unhappiness and hap- thought that Indian dance and day. People in the UK, as well as t Three dancers from the in London that was also home to piness in working with superstars. ballet have clear boundaries. “If other countries, were becom- renowned National Ballet of two Chinese families, an African When he fi rst got together with you simply change the direction ing more and more interested a China (NBC) will perform with family and a Spanish family. Steve Reich, he offered some musi- of your hand, it’s no longer the in China, he said. p fi ve dancers from the British “When I was eight, all the cal suggestions to him. “Reich Indian classic dance,” he said. It was during the forum, Akram Khan Company in the children went to the same screamed for 15 to 20 minutes in However, contemporary dance “Communicating Across Cul- x world premiere of bahok at Bei- schools. If we went to a Chi- his hotel. He told me, ‘I give you has no boundaries. “I want to tures: The Arts Shape World- jing’s Tianqiao Theatre on Jan- nese students’ house, it was like the music. I don’t want you to create new boundaries for each Views,” organized by the British E uary 25. going to China,” Khan said. interfere with my music,’” he said. dancer,” he said. Council that Davison expressed It is the first time that But when he came back to Khan will join Tan Dun, an He asked the dancers to his opinions. Besides Martin an independent dance com- Bangladesh, he found that it Oscar-winning Chinese musician, describe their ideas about home, Davison, several Chinese pany from the UK has col- was not the same in his par- in 2009. When he fi rst met Tan dreams and nightmares. Then, he experts also participated and laborated with the National ent’s house. “We have to main- in Lyons, he was rehearsing. “He created the stories according to shared their thoughts. Ballet of China. tain our individual culture as asked for my suggestions on cos- each dancer’s character. “Danc- As CEO of the council, To share their experience well as having a universal con- tume and light,” he said. ers are not actors, as actors have Davison works in London. He of international dance partner- nection,” he said. Creating boundaries their own techniques. Dancers has watched the British fas- ship, a round table discussion When Khan asked the danc- Previously, Khan learned must show their own individual cination with Chinese culture between Khan, Chinese dance ers what their connection to about Indian classic dance. He character,” he said. grow in recent years. professionals and arts practi- home was, they told him it was He gave the China’s Ter- tioners was held last Friday their mobile phones. “If we use racotta Army Exhibition at afternoon at the NBC. machines to connect to home, Director’s play the British Museum as an The discussion examined who controls whom?” he said. example. “The museum has to the creation and production Mixing it up extend the exhibition time to of bahok, multi-arts-discipline Khan is an acclaimed cho- blesses the Olympics midnight every day, because collaboration and the cutting reographer and male dancer, there are so many people edge culture and arts develop- renowned for his inter-cul- coming to see it. The scale of ment in London and Beijing. tural, inter-disciplinary collab- By He Jianwei the display is the biggest in Peter J Wilson, one of the Where is home orations and for challenging London. But we want to see directors of Sydney Olympic Bahok, a Bengali word conventional ideas of tradi- more. We not only want to Games Opening Ceremony, led meaning “carrier”, includes tional dance forms. know about Chinese art her- Chinese actors in a children’s play nine international dancers The collaboration with the itage in the fi rst Century, we at the China Children’s Art The- from countries including National Ballet of China repre- also want to know what Chi- ater (CCAT) last Thursday. China, South Korea, India, sents a continuation of Khan’s nese artists are doing in the Wilson was invited in 2007 South Africa and Spain. interest in combining different 21st Century,” he said. from the CCAT to direct Twelve After four weeks working dance traditions to create a new Another example given by Zodiacs, a children’s play based with the dancers, Khan came and original dance vocabulary. Davison was the British Council on twelve zodiac animals, which up with the concept of observ- After he saw the NBC’s inviting photographers to take will debut on February 7. ing the meaning of home in the Ballet, “Raise the Red Lantern,” pictures refl ecting the Muslim Harmony between context of globalization. Khan decided to co-operate people’s life in the UK. “These “In the fi rst two weeks, I with the NBC. “The subtleness beings and beasts photographers were not limited tried to collect personal stories and sensibility in their move- Twelve Zodiacs tells the story in what aspects they shot. We from the dancers. I found that ments was something I hadn’t of a child meeting 12 animals and didn’t control them or guide the Chinese dancers missed seen in other ballets,” he said. gaining different qualities from them, so some of their pictures home very much,” he said. In his career, he has had a each. refl ected negative views. This Khan is British-Bengalese. lot of collaborations with people “The child takes on different exhibition caused wide discus- He has always wondered where in different fi elds. During the characteristics such as patience sion. It successfully refl ected his home is and what home round table discussion, he and a sense of humor from the the real lives of these people in animals. All the qualities help every aspect in the UK. It was share the child’s personality when also welcomed in the Mid-East she grows up,” Wilson said. Peter J. Wilson region. Visitors in the region Children are learning all the Photo provided by could see that the exhibition time, so he decided to tell a story the China Children’s Art Theater was not an offi cial propaganda about the relationship between n move. They never realized that a children and animals. “We can bowls, desks, brushes and even Y there were so many Muslim er: Zhao gdchairevne esn a la.ii vdHpe.ou shmiatiarvnme boaenttiiinotguusds leay nt otdo ogaunerti hmceharil,ls”- pmTahopedHe perolr,a”wn yh e theve aecsrsha, in ndoiW.q wuiloessro dntso a whniidlsl aslblh reoilnweg-. gkmrneoonuwtp sstu hipnap tt ohtrhet eeUd BK thr, ientiiosr hrc hdguiodrvc tehhreensy-. gn Chinese elements ments will be presented through Of course, it was also an adven- si visual effects, acting and music. ture for us to hold such an event. e modernized But it really brought many ben- D The directors draw on the an ChiWnah 2e0n yWeairlss oang’os afin rds tw avsis iftaesd- opening ceremonies efi tsO,”v Dera vtishoen spaaisdt. 70 years, m cinated by the Chinese culture. Wilson co-directed the Sydney the British Council had been n a He enjoyed Peking Opera and a Olympic Games Opening Cere- involved in different cultural M n puppet show last week in Beijing. mony in 2000. He believes the events in the world like the a “I have watched Peking Opera opening ceremony is a good Venice Biennale and the H or: pheer sfaoirdm.ances at least fi ve times,” ocuplptuorrteu annitdy htois tdoisryp ltaoy t ah ec owuonrtlrdy.’s Ewdainntb tuor gbhu Ailrdt su Fpe sat ivbailla. t“eWrael dit In the play, he made one of the Wilson believes the most long-term friendly relation- E animal characters “Dragon” like a important part of Beijing’s Open- ship between countries in cul- Y fi gure from the famous opera. “I ing Ceremony is color. “Australia tural fi elds. In the stream of A think both of them look rigorous,” has an indigenous culture and globalization, every country D he said. green and golden brown are typ- will rely on other countries He will also adopt four ical colors. While in China, I more and more. We should O treasures from Chinese culture, noticed the country is full of many establish a trustworthy chan- T including the brush, ink store, ink colors. Maybe red and gold are the nel amongst people all over slab and paper. There will be a dominant shades here,” he said. the world.” G scene of writing a Chinese char- He also thought traditional China will provide more N acter, “Long” (dragon), using the Chinese instruments should be for the whole world, which four treasures. used in the ceremony’s music. in turn, will increase people’s I He believes that bamboo is “The costumes will be one of the knowledge of the country, he J EI Nine dancers from different cultures seek the true meaning of home. aa nctyiepnicta lt imsyems,b oal llo ft hCinhgins a.w “eIrne hofi gcholiugrhstes, othf et hme acsesrievme opneyo palned,”, staakide. s“oImt eis r iwskosr,t”h h iet sfaoird .us to B Photos provided by National Ballet of China made of bamboo, such as the he added. January 11 2008 9 t n e m e s i t r e v d A Y A D O T G N I J I E B January 11 2008 10 Experience Chinese y culture in a nice setting t i n Veggies rocking night! u Photo provided by CVU Rock on with m vegetables! m By Gan Tian o The rock and roll concert dubbed, “Don’t eat our friends and save the bears,” was held C at 13Club Sunday evening. Local famous bands, Tiantang, Buyi, Zhonglifeng and Youzhi Dadou, showed up to promote the newest fad: vegetarianism. Protecting animals Beijing was the third stop on the tour. Sponsored by the Chinese Vegetarian Union (CVU), the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) and the rock band, Youzhi Dadou, the concert was mainly aimed at calling attention to the protection of animals and promoting vegetarianism. “We have been working on this project for a long time. This is the fi rst time we have connected vegetarianism to a specifi c animal,” Zhu Ke, PR manager of AAF, said. Zhu and the foundation noticed that there were cases of bears being raised in cages for their bile in China, which is illegal in most foreign countries. “What we are trying to do right now is to let the public know that it is cruel and make it illegal in China, and we promote it through the idea of vegetarianism,” he said. “There is a connection between vegetarianism and protecting animals. I love animals so I don’t eat them. That’s how I became a vegetarian,” Xie Zheng, lead vocalist of the band, said. A trendy lifestyle Huang Ying, the president of CVU, said there were over a million vegetarians in Beijing and over 10 million in China. “It is hard to give specifi c numbers in China, but the fi gure is growing,” Huang The Hutong has a wonderful roof for people who want to learn Taichi or Yoga. Photo provided by Mark Thirlwall said. In Beijing, there are four groups of vegetarians: patients, environmentalists and By Annie Wei From the outside, it’s just like any ing the party. Prior to eating, every team is animal-rights activists, certain religious prac- Want to learn Chinese cooking or other residence. There is only a stamp- given the chance to “sell” their dish by talk- titioners and classical culture promoters. know more about the Chinese culture? sized “The Hutong” sign at the gate. ing about its history and speciality. “Vegetarians tend to be younger and Need to fi nd people who have the same Stepping inside, the courtyard has “Some teams go wild with what they more modern. Vegetarianism is a popular interests? These are frequent questions been transformed into three comfortable, say about their dishes to earn themselves trend nowadays,” Huang said. posed by newcomers to Beijing. traditional and modern rooms: one for points,” Thirlwall said. Some people have She said vegetarianism does not only A culture exchange workshop named Chinese cooking with work tables includ- joined in the same event four times for a exist in cuisine, but also it is a lifestyle. “The Hutong” is becoming known by more ing woks and tools for 14 people; one great time and good food. There are already clothes made from fi bers n and more expats in town as a place with for Chinese tea ceremonies and the other More activities planned for spring instead of animal skins and environmen- e G a nice ambience to learn about Chinese open format space is fl exible with differ- The workshop started in September tally-friendly hotels. g teas, Chinese cooking and preventative ent things, from lectures on Daoist Arts to last year. Within a short time, there were “We stress the idea more than actually n a Chinese medicine. regional Chinese tofu pairing. many things Thirlwall and Shine needed pushing people to act,” Huang mentioned, Y ner: hasM livaerdk iTnh Bireliwjinalgl ,f o3r0 f,o aunr Ayeuasrtsr awliaasn h welhpo- wooTdheen bfl eosotr ss eacntido na wiso nthdee rrfouol fvtioepw, . w ith to wTohrikr lowna laln dsa iimd ptrhoevye . are not making “sItrt icist elri kdei nai nLgO rHulAesS. ”lifestyle, except it has sig ing design itineraries for educational tour- When asked whether it would be a any money and pulling the place together Almost all the Youzhi Dadou band mem- e ists based on educational themes within good idea to sell drinks on summer nights forced them to deal with many unexpected bers are vegetarians. Xie started the green D ng Chi“nIa w foars ianlbwoauynsd l otooukirnisgt sf.o r an interest- hneorte i,n Ttehrierlswteadll i bna rlkuendn.i n“Wg ae abraer aobrs roelsuttaeuly- inco“nFvoern eiexnamceps loen, ltyh efo uelnedct irnic hituyt ownagss .c ut awdavye onft ueareti fin vge a yneda rits laegtso .y “oFui resnt jiot iys aa shiemapltlheyr Yi ing space in Beijing to run workshops in rant,” he insisted. off today because the old cable just rotted,” life. Simply the best,” he said. ei an environment conductive to informa- “We plan to have yoga and Taichi Thirlwall said. Targeting public welfare W or: tfoiornei egxncehrsa ncgloes aenr dto l etahren Cinhgi,n teos eh eclupl tburrien,g” cinla Msseasr cohn i nth oeu rro obfig. gYeosgt ar ocolamss ewsi tkhi ctkh iocfkf sonsJ adnuuea troy h aonlidd aFyesb arnuadr cyo aldre w neoatt hbeurs. yM soerae- werHe upaenogp lem wenitthio snterdon mg asnocyi avle rgeestparoinasnis- dit Thirlwall said. mats,” he said. outdoors events are expected in March. bilities. Many participate in a lot of vol- E Some of the fi ve-star hotels in town So far, there is a total of 10 teachers Every Sunday, Huadan, a NGO aimed unteer work. Y offer similar courses, but Thirlwall thinks who speak English well. at helping migrant workers, will use the Youzhi Dadou staged the concert for A that the Hutong is no better or worse. The popularity of Chinese cooking place to educate and aid migrant workers, free and will continue the tour at their Nice hutong ambience The Chinese cooking class is quite helping some of them make a transition own expense in order to raise public con- D Thirlwall’s Hutong workshop is popular. Beginners learn how from the into the service industry. cern for the mistreated bears. All of the O between Dongzhimen and Beixinqiao, basics up. If they want to learn more, Thirlwall said that there would be a concert’s logo design work was done by south of the popular food street. Hutong can arrange three or four Chinese permanent exhibition about hutong cul- vegetarian volunteers. T To many people, hutong living is suf- dishes from different regions. ture and history in March. They will Many others gather frequently to help G fering due to lack of proper heating and The most popular event is Hook and not only invite scholars to speak, but the society understand the importance of sewage drainage. Thirlwall and Shine Cook – “hook up with friends and cook up a also offer an opportunity to have newly- environmental protection. N did all the renovations and turned a storm.” It’s a bit like the “Mad Hatters Tea trained migrant workers in paid positions “For many people, vegetarianism is a I shabby place, formerly rented to a dozen Party” from Alice in Wonderland. All guests teach foreigners the history and working combination of fashion and social responsi- J low-income workers, into a nice spot invited are paired with someone they don’t life of Beijing hutongs. bility. Actually we are promoting a spirit – I for people to visit and enjoy. It took know, given a recipe to prepare, and have “What better way to give people more caring for each other,” Huang said. E seven months. to ready the dish for everyone else attend- confi dence than that,” Thirlwall said. B