Beijing Today (January 13, 2006)

10.4 MB·English

by  Beijing Youth Daily Group

TRAVEL visits Japan’s FASHION finds there’s not BOOKS is tempted by Lolita.
ancient capital. just one party in China. Page 11
Page 16 Page 9
FRIDAY JANU Y 13 2006 NO. 241 CN11-0120 HTTP://BJTODAY.YNET.COM
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China’s historical
BBeeiijjiinngg wweellccoommeess
glories ready to
meet the world

NNeeww YYeeaarr’’ss fifi rrsstt ssnnooww
By Chu Meng Dr Kevin Fewster, director of
Australia’s largest museum, the Powerhouse Museum, said
the Powerhouse Museum, yesterday at a ceremony inau-
is excited to be collaborat- gurating the collaboration, “We
ing with the National Museum are delighted to be one of a se-
of China on the fi rst-ever major lect number of major museums
international exhibition about around the world with which the
the Great Wall of China. The ex- National Museum of China has
hibition will see staff from the signed Memorandums of Under-
two museums working side by standing to develop exhibitions
side to research and create the and other shared programs. Dur-
exhibition. ing the preparatory stage, Chi-
This breakthrough move shows nese conservation experts will
that the National Museum now teach Australian staff how to
has the independent capacity to protect the exhibits, before these
hold theme exhibitions showing precious artifacts make their in-
off China’s national treasures ternational journey.”
overseas, and is in a position to Qi Dongfang, of the National
accept exhibition invitations from Museum of China, said, “An ar-
major foreign museums, subject ray of historical treasures and
to approval from the State Coun- artifacts will be on show, drawn
cil and the State Administration primarily from the collections of
of Cultural Heritage. the National Museum of China.
In the past, such highly prof- These will be supplemented with
itable initiatives were heavily objects from the Palace Museum
restricted by the central govern- in Beijing, Gansu Provincial Mu-
ment. This both limited the avail- seum and the Municipal Muse-
able channels for the world to um of Dunhuang. The exhibition
learn more about China’s glori- will include many Grade One na-
ous historical heritage, and also tional treasures and a number
brought fi nancial diffi culties for of artifacts that have never been
the museum. seen outside of China before.”
‘Voice beauty’

on parade in job hunt
tals or private clinics willing to per-
form the operation. What makes
these people willing to take the
risk of going under the scalpel?
Geng Jin, a graduate in Eng-
lish, said, “I applied for a position
at a public relations department
in a foreign-invested company
two months ago. But because of
Doctors advise against unnecessary
my hoarse voice, I didn’t make
surgery. Photo by Han Manman
it past the fi nal interview, even
though I had passed the written
By Han Manman exam and appearance appraisal.
Over four million who gradu- That’s when I made my mind up Snow brings joy
ate from university in 2006 will to have surgery for my voice.” for Beijing girl.
soon be looking for jobs in China’s A Mr Li said, “I worked at Xinhua Photo
fi ercely competitive employment a computer software corporation
market, where every aspect of for three years, but I was always
a candidate’s appearance counts. mocked by my colleagues for my Fujifi lm denies smuggling Type A blood donors urgently needed
Cosmetic surgery, professional feminine voice, so I resigned. I
make-overs and slimming as part hope to have a deep voice before
of a job hunt are already noth- I fi nd my next job.” By Qiu Jiaoning Fujifi lm regard China as their By Han Manman ly coincides with university
ing new in China. Now another Is a person’s voice really an An anonymous letter to Chi- most important market and Beijingers with type A students and migrants, impor-
extreme personal modifi cation is important factor in their employ- na’s Ministry of Commerce that the company is seeking to blood who appear in the tant blood donor groups, go-
being proposed, with vocal cord ment prospects? A Mr Guan, a claims that Fujifi lm has been increase its investment in the Beijing Red Cross Blood ing back home for the Spring
surgery becoming a demand from realtor, said that it is not a re- colluding with its Chinese country. Center’s records as having Festival.
some jobseekers. quirement in his company’s em- agent, Guangxi Juxing Tech- Ms Shi emphasized the un- donated blood had been sent As well as issuing a call for
A growing number of college ployment standards but it may nology Co. Ltd, to smuggle a likely nature of the accusation. telephone text messages by donors, the center has extend-
graduates, especially female be considered in interviews for large quantity of photographic “It is hardly possible and would the center, with an urgent ed working hours at its 13
graduates in Beijing, are seek- the PR department. Toshiba Chi- fi lm to China, according to Chi- make no sense for Fujifi lm to request that they give blood blood donation points. They
ing “voice beauty” surgery in lo- na’s HR manager Yu Junhua said nese media reports. Fujifi lm smuggle fi lm, or indeed to con- again. will now close at 8pm rather
cal hospitals, hoping to win the that voice is not a recruitment denied the smuggling rumor duct any illegal activity in Chi- The emergency appeal was than the usual 6pm. “Every-
favor of job interviewers with a factor for them. yesterday. na,” she added. issued because the center has one who wants to donate is
sweet voice. Doctor Yu said that people Fujifi lm’s denial came in a According to the Chinese me- an acute shortage of type A welcome to go directly to ei-
Doctor Yu Pin, from a special- who put their hopes in vocal statement emailed to Beijing dia reports, agencies including blood. “Our rough estimate is ther our main center or the
ist clinic at the PLA General Hos- cord surgery are completely mis- Today, which said that neither customs have recently been in- that more than 300 donors 13 designated locations. We
pital said, “Many people visit our guided. “As far as I know China the company nor Juxing has vestigating Fujifi lm. The com- are needed, if each person do- will also be opening four hot-
clinic seeking advice on how to al- doesn’t have such operations, and engaged in any illegal activity pany, however, said it has not nates 200 cc,” said Ge Jinglan, lines to answer any question
ter coarse-sounding voices. Some I have never heard of them being in China. been investigated by any gov- spokesperson for the center. potential donors may have,”
of them even ask me to perform performed overseas.” Shi Yonghua, Fujifi lm’s ernment agencies over this al- She added, “Several donors said Ge.
vocal cord surgery to make their “Most patients’ voice problems spokesperson on this matter, leged incident. already came forward yester- Hotline: [phone], 6201
voice like some popular singer.” are due to poor enunciation and said that the company now pro- The latest report from Ne- day, including some foreign- 9468, 8207 9988, 62350170
Doctor Yu said, “Our work here don’t require surgery. What they duces mostly digital products. tease Technology said the anon- ers, after they received the (night)
is to help patients cure diseases need is voice training,” said Doctor In 2005, 70 percent of the com- ymous letter was sent by a message.” Address: 37 Beisanhuan
and damage to their vocal cords. Yu. She added, “For the people with pany’s total revenue came from Chinese photographic equip- According to Ms Ge, the Zhonglu, Haidian District,
If their voice has no problem, no physical problem with their vo- its digital products, with only ment manufacturer who has normal ratio of blood types A, Beijing
we cannot perform this so-called cal cords who come looking for this six percent coming from tradi- ties with Kodak. Three leading B, O and AB held at the Cen-
voice beauty surgery.” so-called voice beauty, we always tional color photographic fi lm, companies, Fujifi lm, Kodak and ter should be 3:3:3:1. Current EXECUTIVE EDITOR: JIAN RONG
However, there are still many try to persuade them to abandon Ms Shi said. Luckyfi lm dominate the Chi- type A stocks are far too low, EDITOR: HOU MINGXIN
people who seek out smaller hospi- this wrong-headed idea.” The statement also said that nese fi lm market. and the problem unfortunate- ART DIRECTOR: DENG NING
Under the auspices of the Information Office 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 of the Editorial Department: Liu Feng 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)
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TRENDS
2
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITORS: HOU MINGXIN ZHAO HONGYI DESIGNER: DENG NING
China has no plan to dump dollar
Two more human
bird fl u deaths
A spokesperson for the People’s mostly US dollar assets, including a and diversify its portfolio to reduce expected the reform of the foreign Two more people have died of the H5N1
Bank of China said yesterday that he large amount of US Treasury bonds. currency risks. exchange system to continue, but in a strain of bird fl u in China, bringing the death
had not heard of any plans to sell US Offi cial fi gures had China’s foreign Proposed methods for diversifi cation gradual manner. toll to fi ve out of a total eight human cases
dollar-denominated assets from the exchange reserves reaching US$769 have included using foreign exchange The Washington Post quoted an reported so far in the country, the Ministry of
country’s foreign exchange reserves. billion at the end of September. Many reserves to buy oil to bolster the coun- unnamed senior economist, who Health said Wednesday.
A State Administration of For- analysts expect these reserves to try’s strategic petroleum reserves. advises China’s economic policymak- The two victims, reported last month, were
eign Exchange (SAFE) statement last reach US$1 trillion in 2006. This In last week’s statement, SAFE ers, as saying yesterday that the a 10-year-old girl in the southern Guangxi
week that China will seek to diver- would see China overtake Japan to listed “widening the scope of foreign country has resolved to shift some of Zhuang Autonomous Region and a 35-year-
sify the central bank’s reserves led become the nation with the largest exchange reserves investment” as part its foreign exchange reserves away old man in eastern Jiangxi Province.
to concerns that China will dump reserve holdings. of its plans for the new year, but it did from the US dollar into other world They died on December 16 and 30 respec-
its massive dollar assets in favor of Concerns emerged that China not give details. currencies. tively after failing to respond to treatment.
other currencies. might move away from the dollar to A research note from Lehman The new policy refl ects China’s fears Of the other six human cases reported
Sun Hui, director of the Bank’s other currencies after the introduc- Brothers Bank, issued the day after that too much of its savings is tied up in since China fi rst confi rmed human infection
news department, said, “This is just tion of the euro in 1999. the SAFE statement, stated that they the dollar, a currency widely expected to on November 16, two people from eastern
market speculation.” SAFE, the foreign exchange regu- do not expect “abrupt changes” in Chi- drop in value as the US trade and fi scal Anhui Province died, two from central Hunan
China now has the world’s second- lator, has long pledged that China will na’s foreign exchange system. defi cits climb, the Post said. Province and northeast Liaoning Province
largest currency reserves holdings, manage its reserves more effectively, The investment bank said it (Xinhua) were cured and one from eastern Fujian Prov-
ince also died.
DD The most recent victim is a six-year-old
boy from Hunan, who fell ill in December and
esigns sought for Olympic medals
is now in hospital. The boy is in critical condi-
tion. (Xinhua)
Brief News
By Wang Xiaoyuan
The Beijing Organizing Pollutants discharged to sea
Committee for the Games Approximately 84 percent of effl uent
of the XXIX Olympiad outlets discharge excessive amounts of pol-
(BOCOG) has launched a lutants into the seas around China in 2005,
global campaign seeking according to the annual report on marine
design proposals for the quality issued by the State Oceanic Admin-
medals to be awarded at istration.
the 2008 Games. Chinese feel safe
The call opened on Jan- A survey of the Chinese public feeling
uary 11 and will end on about public order published by the
March 26. Zhang Ming, National Bureau of Statistics found that
deputy director of the in 2005, 91.1 percent of respondents felt
Culture and Ceremonies “safe” or “basically safe”, up 1 percentage
Department of BOCOG, point on the previous year.
said that the designs Legal aid
should highlight the Chinese lawyers gave legal aid to 433,965
themes of “glory and litigants in 253,665 cases in 2005, up 48
dream” and “faster, higher percent and 33 percent respectively year
and stronger”. on year, according to sources at the Legal
Anyone is welcome to Aid Center under the Ministry of Justice.
participate, regardless of Road home will be busy this spring
nationality, race or reli- With the Spring Festival approaching,
gion. The request forms authorities predict the highway network
for proposals and other will carry a massive 1.855 billion passen-
related documents, includ- gers during the upcoming holiday season,
ing detailed information on up three percent from the same period
design requirements, can last year.
be downloaded from the Hotline helps solve crimes
offi cial BOCOG website The Chinese police’s 110 telephone hot-
– www.beijing2008.com. Samples of the 2004 Athen Olympic Games were displayed at the competition launching. line took more than 120 million calls related
They will also appear in Xinhua Photo to 3.33 million criminal cases and other
selected Beijing print offenses in 2005. This led to the apprehen-
media. The organizing sion of 864,000 suspected criminals. The
committee overseeing the New national emergency guidelines issued fi gures were released by the Ministry of
call will also invite selected Public Security.
art design institutes and Maritime accidents
individuals to contribute Maritime accidents left 371 people dead
their works. By Chu Meng offi ce to take charge of emergency the contamination of drinking water, or missing in China in 2005, and were
Designers are encour- China’s State Council last Sunday response management. The offi ce will bird fl u outbreaks and mining accidents. responsible for 33.2 billion yuan (4 billion
aged to look to medals announced new emergency response collect information on various inci- This highlighted the pressing need to US dollars) of direct economic losses, accord-
from previous Games as guidelines. They require major emergen- dents and co-ordinate response work. increase the capacity of government at ing an annual report issued by the State
well as the emblem and cies or incidents to be reported to the The different responsibilities of var- all levels to protect public safety, deal Oceanic Administration.
mascots of the Beijing State Council within four hours of their ious departments in providing per- with sudden incidents, minimize losses, China slims down military
Games for inspiration. occurrence, and the timely and accurate sonnel, fi nance, material resources, and maintain social stability. By the end of 2005, China had com-
BOCOG requires submit- informing of the general public. transportation, medical care and com- Prior to the announcement of these pleted a slimming down of the ranks of the
ted proposals to include The guidelines lay down methods for munications are also set out. national guidelines each provincial- People’s Liberation Army by 200,000 per-
images of the obverse and preventing and dealing with a variety In addition, in incidents abroad level government made its own emer- sonnel, meaning the total number of troops
reverse of the medal at of scenarios in four major types of emer- involving Chinese citizens and organi- gency plans based on their local is now 2.3 million.
actual size; the medal gency: natural disasters, accidents, and zations, Chinese embassies and the rel- situations. This made it hard for the Illegal medical practitioners’
ribbon; the medal pre- incidents related to public health and evant State Council departments and central government to get a clear licenses revoked
sentation box, and the public order. Incidents are graded in regional governments should organize overview when a public emergency Six hundred and sixty medical practi-
accompanying diploma. four classes of seriousness, in a color- emergency relief work. occurred. There was also no uniform tioners’ licenses had been revoked in the
The medal should be at coded system. Over the past year, there were a procedure for local governments and year to the end of last December, it was
least 60 mm in diameter The State Council will create an series of serious incidents, including departments to follow. revealed at a conference on stamping out
and no less than 3 mm illegal medical practice.
thick. The proposal should Pollution control on the Songhua
be presented as a fl at Railway industry sets new Air France falls for River
design and also in 3-D, and China plans to invest 26.6 billion yuan
include color and mono- (3.3 billion US dollars) to control the pollu-
chrome drawings. targets for 2006 charms of Beijing tion of Songhua River in northwest China
The image of the over coming fi ve years, according to the State
obverse of the medal Environmental Protection Administration.
should use the uniform Health workers punished for illegal
By Jackie Zhang completed. 376 kilometers of By Annie Wei over one million pas-
image determined by the practices
China’s rail network will new track will be laid, and a fur- Air France will be sengers.
International Olympic In 2005 China punished 1,248 health
see more money and efforts ther 1,436 kilometers brought showing a four-minute Wang Qian, director
Committee. This image workers for illegal practices including
invested in 2006 and into use. Multi-line track will video entitled ‘Charmes of the Information Offi ce
features a winged depic- taking commission from the sale of medi-
throughout the period of the be constructed for an existing de Pekin’ about urban of the Beijing Munic-
tion of a standing God- cines and from fees for operations.
Eleventh Five-year Plan. Liu 1,028 kilometers of line and a development in Beijing ipal Government, said
dess of Victory and a Beijing house prices set to rise
Zhijun, Minister of Railways, further 1,214 kilometers will on its fl ights around the that over four million
panorama of Greek Pan- Beijing house prices are predicted to
announced the rail industry’s be brought into use. Also 3,860 world. foreign tourists visit
athinaiko Stadium. The rise by some 20 percent in 2005, said Miao
targets last weekend. kilometers of electric rail will The video paints a Beijing every year, and
wording on the obverse of Yueru, deputy director of the Municipal
This year, the rail industry be built. portrait of the city’s ‘Charmes de Pekin’ will
the medal is XXIX OLYM- Construction Commission.
will work to develop its tech- The Eleventh Five-year Plan historic culture, modern be a great introduction
PIAD BEIJING 2008. Overseas travel
nological level, including local- will see in all 19,800 kilome- vitality and warm- to the city for them.
The image for the As the largest source of outbound tour-
izing locomotive production ters of new track laid, of which hearted residents and The fi lm, the fi rst of
reverse of the medal ism in Asia, China will see 34 million of her
technologies. The rail depart- 9,800 kilometers will be specif- looks at preparations for its kind in Beijing has
should be unique in con- citizens traveling overseas this year, said
ment will import high-speed ically for passenger transport. the 2008 Beijing Olym- used to promote her-
cept and vivid in style, Shao Qiwei, director of the China National
engines capable of more than New passenger railways will pic Games. self, has been showing
and refl ect the features of Tourism Administration.
200 kilometers per hour. At the be built between Beijing and The fi lm, called on all Air China fl ights
the Olympic Games and Integrated circuit market rises to
same time, Chinese engineers Shanghai, Beijing and Guang- ‘Charming Beijing’ in since January 1. More
characteristics of China. top
will develop production tech- zhou, and Beijing and Harbin. English, was produced than 80,000 Air China
“The medals should be China’s integrated circuit market sur-
nologies for engines capable of Trains on these lines will be in collaboration with the fl ights every month will
the physical vehicles to passed the United States and Japan in
pulling a train at over 300 kilo- capable of speeds up to 300 Publicity Department of make the fi lm available
disseminate the Olympic 2005 to rank number one worldwide for the
meters per hour. Designs of kilometers per hour. the CPC Beijing Com- to passengers from all
ideals and the concepts of fi rst time, according to IC Insights, a US-
locomotives capable of speeds Railway links between cities, mittee and the Informa- over the world.
the Beijing Games, and based semiconductor consulting fi rm.
of 200 to 250 kilometers per such as Beijing and Tianjin, tion Offi ce of the Beijing Air France will be the
to showcase China’s arts, 98,738 killed on road last year
hour will be completed later Shanghai and Hangzhou, Municipal Government. fi rst foreign airline to
designs and scientifi c and A total of 98,738 people were killed in
this year. Guangzhou and Shenzhen, will Air France said that broadcast the fi lm. Later
technological develop- 450,254 road accidents in China in 2005,
The government will further also be built, also capable of the fi lm will be played this year, ‘Charming
ment. They should become down 7.8 percent from the previous year,
invest 160 billion yuan in build- carrying high-speed trains. on all Air France fl ights Beijing’ will be broad-
a unique legacy of the China’s Ministry of Public Security said
ing railways. There will be 87 The speed on much of the of more than three- cast by other overseas
Beijing Games,” said Thursday. The number of accident is 13.1
new projects started this year, existing rail network will be hour’s duration for one airlines, including Sin-
Zhang. percent down from the previous year.
with current 38 projects still raised to 200 kilometers per month, which should gapore Airlines, KLM
ongoing and 38 projects to be hour. mean it will be seen by and Macao Airlines. By Feng Nianhua
BUSINESS
3
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: LIU WENLONG DESIGNER: DENG NING
Weekly Review – World Bank of China to launch Weekly Review – Nation
Guidant accepts JJ CNOOC acquires 45%
offer stake in offshore
Hong Kong IPO
Medical-device maker Guidant Nigerian oil
Corp. accepted a sweetened
US$23.2 billion offer from John- Oil giant CNOOC has signed a
son & Johnson, but rival bidder defi nitive agreement with South At-
Boston Scientifi c Corp. said the lantic Petroleum Limited (SAPET-
takeover battle wasn’t over yet. Bank of China, the country’s second- cent from their IPO price. CCB sold Overseas fi nancial players, lured by RO) to acquire a 45 percent stake in
Boston Scientifi c, which has biggest lender, has won approval from 13.5 percent of its share capital at 1.96 an economy growing at over nine percent an offshore drilling license in Nige-
bid US$25 billion for Guidant in the State Council to launch a US$6-$8 times book value. a year, have spent billions of dollars in ria for US$2.268 billion, subject to
what one fund manager described billion Hong Kong IPO in the fi rst half of Despite mountains of bad loans ac- the past year to buy stakes in Chinese adjustments.
as a “bet-the-ranch” deal, said it 2006, sources familiar with the deal said cumulated over years of state-directed lenders. The purchase will be funded from
had no plans to walk away. on Monday. lending, China’s banks have proven ex- In August, Royal Bank of Scotland the internal resources of CNOOC
It was the second time drug- The state-run bank plans to fi le a tremely popular with foreign investors. Group Plc, Merrill Lynch and a founda- Ltd. The transaction is expected to
maker J&J revamped its offer preliminary listing application with the The deal is expected to cost more tion set up by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka- be concluded in the fi rst half of 2006,
in the 13-month takeover fi ght Hong Kong stock exchange as soon as than CCB’s price-to-book ratio at the shing bought a 10 percent stake in BOC and is conditional on, amongst oth-
for Guidant, which has suffered this week, pending fi nal approval from time of its listing, as some in China for US$3.1 billion, or about 1.2 times ers, Nigerian National Petroleum
from product recalls and litiga- the China Securities Regulatory Com- have grumbled that the country’s banks 2004 book value. Corporation (NNPC) and Chinese
tion over the safety of its heart mission, the sources said. are being sold off too cheaply to foreign UBS, the world’s sixth-largest bank by government approval.
devices. The deal is on track to be China’s sec- investors. market value, is investing US$500 mil- Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C act-
Despite backing the new J&J ond-largest IPO, following rival China Number-fi ve mainland lender Bank of lion and the Asian Development Bank is ed as fi nancial advisor to the
bid, Guidant has told Boston Sci- Construction Bank’s US$9.2 billion Oc- Communications, which became the fi rst ploughing in US$75 million in BOC. Company in connection with this
entifi c that it would be open to tober listing, which was the world’s big- overseas-listed Chinese bank when it Singapore state agency Temasek was transaction.
additional talks and a new offer, gest IPO in four years. went public in June, has seen its shares forced to cut its US$3.1 billion investment Tesco to open fi rst
sources familiar with the situa- “BOC is China’s top foreign exchange jump by 55 percent. in BOC by half to fi ve percent in order to
store in Beijing in 2007
tion said. bank, and one of the strongest Chinese State media have reported that Bank win regulatory approval, with China’s Na-
Boston Scientifi c, which banks. If it comes to the market, we are of China was looking to launch a simul- tional Social Security Fund set to take the
By Wang Juan
makes cardiovascular devices interested. Of course, we hope BOC will taneous IPO on overseas and domestic remaining fi ve percent stake. Britain’s largest retailer Tesco
and products used in oncology be offered at a discount to China Con- stock exchanges which would be a fi rst Bank of China, the parent of Hong will open its fi rst store in Beijing in
and urology, formalized its bid on struction Bank,” said Kim Soon Park, a for a Chinese fi rm. Kong-listed BOC Hong Kong, has hired 2007 to establish a foothold in the
Sunday, putting pressure on J&J fund manager at KDB Asia Ltd. One source involved in the deal said Goldman Sachs, UBS and BOC Interna- fast-growing market, according to a
to offer more money. Bank of China plans to offer about 15 on Monday that Bank of China may tional to underwrite the deal. local media report.
Under the new agreement, percent of its enlarged share capital. At eventually list its shares in the domestic Another Chinese state lender, Indus- Tesco Plc, the world’s third larg-
J&J will pay about $68.06 per US$6-8 billion, the fl oat will value Bank market but said the Hong Kong listing trial and Commercial Bank of China, est hypermarket operator, entered
share in cash and stock for of China at US$40-53 billion, compared probably would come fi rst. also plans a multi-billion dollar IPO, al- China in July 2004 by buying a 50
Guidant. That is higher than the with CCB’s current US$84 billion mar- Analysts also expect a reform on rev- though it has not yet chosen investment percent stake in the chain retailer
reduced agreement it struck in ket capitalization. enue tax for the banking sector in 2006 bankers. (US$1=HK$7.8=8.07 yuan) Hymall, a Chinese mainland sub-
November, but still below Bos- CCB shares have jumped 25.5 per- to be another catalyst for the industry. (Agencies) sidiary of the Taiwan-based Ting
ton Scientifi c’s current bid of
Hsin International Group.
$72 a share.
Last October, Hymall selected
Latest Accent model to be made in China
J&J did not comment on why
an area of 20,000 square meters
it was willing to raise its offer for
in east Beijing for its fi rst store in
Guidant just two months after
the capital city, according to Wang
saying the product recalls had
Junshan, Hymall’s public relations
materially damaged the value of
manager.
the company. Park Plaza opens its
– AFP
IBM, Toshiba, Sony fi rst hotel in China
to renew 5-year chip
By Victor Bai
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts
tie-in
announced the soft opening of its
International Business Ma- fi rst hotel in China, the Park Plaza
chines Corp., Sony Corp. and Beijing Wangfujing, a mid-scale,
Toshiba Corp. on Wednesday said full-service hotel for business and
they will renew a 5-year part- leisure travelers to the Chinese
nership that produced the Cell capital.
microprocessor, the heart of So- Park Plaza Beijing will be man-
ny’s PlayStation 3 video gaming aged by Carlson Hotels Asia Pa-
console. cifi c. The hotel was designed by
Terms of the renewal weren’t Karen Wong Design and features
disclosed. The companies plan to 216 rooms.
develop new chip technology for Carlson Hotels Asia Pacifi c in-
a variety of consumer electron- cludes a portfolio of eight hotels in
ics uses such as televisions, au- China across its brands of Regent
dio equipment and video games. International Hotels, Radisson Ho-
The three companies invested tels & Resorts and Park Plaza Ho-
about US$400 million in the fi rst tels & Resorts with plans to open an
phase of the partnership, which additional three hotels in key Chi-
began in 2000 and resulted in nese gateway cities over the next
the Cell, a high-powered chip two years.
that runs video game consoles. The Accent car manufactured by Hyundai was on show at the Brussels International Auto Expo yesterday. Production will begin in Beijing within Copyright victory is
The partnership is seeking other six months. The price estimated at 90,000 yuan. Xinhua Photo sweet for Ferrero
graphics-intensive uses in mag-
netic resonance imaging scanners Focus merges with Target Rocher
in medicine and missile systems
and sonar in the military. By Grace Wei
The renewed partnership will Google vs Baidu: culture wars Italian confectioner Ferrero Ro-
focus on developing next-genera- By Wang Xiaoyuan form of ordinary Focus cher has won a copyright suit against
tion chips featuring 32-nanometer Focus Media Holding, shares. a Chinese competitor it accused of
technology, which is faster than the largest out-of-home au- All of the ordinary Focus By Wang Xiaoyuan Baidu, however, focuses on ripping off its fl agship brand of gold-
the 90-nanometer and 65-nano- diovisual advertising com- shares to be delivered un- The two largest Internet traditional Chinese philosophy, wrapped chocolates.
meter chips used in today’s Cell pany in China, has merged der the agreement will be search engines, Google and Bai- art, sociology and academic A Chinese court has ordered
technology, IBM, Sony and Toshi- with their biggest com- in the form of newly issued du, both activated their new ser- study. The service is linked to Montresor (Zhangjiagang) Food to
ba said in a joint statement. petitor, Target Media, for shares. Yu Feng, Chairman vices this Wednesday. over 100,000 web pages about pay 700,000 yuan (US$87,000) in
– Reuters US$325 million (over 2.62 and Chief Executive Offi cer Google introduced their schol- Chinese classics, from the Qin compensation to Ferrero and to stop
Oil prices climb with billion yuan). of Target, will join Focus’s ar service while Baidu promoted Dynasty to contemporary works. producing the copycat chocolates
Focus Media Holding board as Co-Chairman. their Chinese culture service. Like Google Scholar, irrelevant immediately.
fears over Iran Limited (Nasdaq: FocusCN) “We believe we can cre- Google Scholar is the fi rst links are omitted. The Chinese version of the
Oil prices rose Thursday amid announced that it has ate additional shareholder service product they have re- Although the two companies creamy hazelnut chocolates carry
market jitters over Iran’s nucle- signed a defi nitive share value through cost struc- leased since entering the Chi- both stated that the timing of the slightly different logos but have the
ar development and on traders’ purchase agreement with ture improvements and nese market. It is a free service announcements was just a coin- same appearance and almost iden-
convictions that economic growth Target Media Holdings access to new growth op- offering access to scholastic re- cidence, still it implies that the tical wrapping.
will cause energy consumption Limited and its sharehold- portunities,” said Jiang sources published in English: fi erce competition in the Chi- The Tianjin High Court ruling
to rise. ers, including the second Nanchun, Chairman and academic references, conference nese Internet market has ex- signals a change in fortunes for
The upward pressure came largest shareholder, The Chief Executive Offi cer of news, essays, dissertations, etc. panded into the cultural realm. Ferrero Rocher after the Second
despite a US report showing a Carlyle Group, solidifying Focus. It fi lters out information irrele- Google relies on its huge data- Intermediate Court of Tianjin ruled
surge in inventories of gasoline its position as the market Responding to the move, vant to scholarship. When the us- base while domestic player Baidu last November that Montresor, a
and heating oil. leader in China’s out-of- many advertising busi- ers key in certain words, only the has focused on Chinese culture Sino-Belgium joint venture, could
Light, sweet crude for Feb- home audiovisual advertis- nessmen expressed concern academic content will be shown. to maintain its stake. not be accused of counterfeiting
ruary delivery rose 72 cents to ing market using fl at-panel that Focus may monopolize because “Montresor’s brand of
US$64.66 a barrel by midday displays. the audiovisual advertising China Unicom launches cell phone voice chocolate has a higher reputation
in Europe in electronic trading After the completion of market. Yu Feng argued and has been a famous product
on the New York Mercantile Ex- the merger, Focus Media that their biggest competi- navigation service for a longer period than Ferrero
change. Heating oil jumped over will operate a nationwide tors would be those oversea Rocher.”
2 cents to $1.7480 a gallon, while commercial location adver- advertising magnates. “The By Qiu Jiaoning China Unicom is cooperat- Morgan Stanley’s top
gasoline surged 2 1/2 cents to tising network of over 60,000 second largest out-door ad- China Unicom has launched ing with Motorola, Sanyo, SK,
$1.7579 a gallon. Natural gas displays and more than vertising company JCDe- a voice navigation service for cell ZTE, Daxian and Kyocera, who China banker to join
gained 6 cents to $9.300 per 30,000 commercial locations caux acquired two Hong phones in 114 cities, including are producing more compatible Bain
1,000 cubic feet. in about 75 cities in China, Kong media companies: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou cell phones, said Liu Xiao, proj-
February Brent crude rose 70 which covers about 96 to 98 Media Partners Interna- and Shenzhen, this week. ect manager of the new service. By Victor Bai
cents to $62.87 on the ICE Fu- percent of the market. tional Holdings Inc. (MPI) The monthly charge for the By the end of March, the ser- Morgan Stanley’s China chief ex-
tures exchange in London. Under the terms of the and Medianation. Holdings new service is 18 yuan. China vice will cover about 195 cities ecutive, Jonathan Zhu, will join Bos-
The threat of instability in the defi nitive share purchase Inc. for only US$100 mil- Unicom has stated that it is in China. ton-based private equity fi rm Bain
Middle East raised concerns this agreement signed by the lion (806.8 million yuan). considering reducing the price It currently costs from 5,000 Capital after 11 years with the Wall
week after Iran - a major oil pro- two sides, Focus will ac- And they have already mo- gradually. (US$ 620) to 20,000 yuan (US$ Street giant, bankers familiar with
ducer - said Tuesday it would al- quire 100 percent of the nopolized nearly all the Samsung, LG, and Hisense 2,479.7) to equip an automobile the situation said on Monday.
low work at its nuclear research equity interest in Target advertising in public trans- have released eight new models with an Automobile Navigation Zhu’s departure has spurred
facilities to resume despite warn- for US$94 million (over portation in Shanghai. of cell phones that can provide System. The new service by Chi- speculation that Wei Christianson,
ings from Western countries. 758.3 million yuan) in cash They are the competitor Ji- technical support for the cell na Unicom has a competitive Citigroup’s China chairwoman,
– AP and US$231 million (over ang Nanchun and I is go- phone-based voice navigation edge in both price and conve- would join her former boss John
Edited by Grace Wei 1.86 billion yuan) in the ing to face.” system – ‘Voice Navi’. nience, according to Liu. Mack at Morgan Stanley.
FOCUS
4
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: LIU WENLONG DESIGNER: YANG GEN
Justice at highnoon
sure whether the judgment will be executed.”
On the stroke of noon Wednesday, the judge at
Ector County Court communicated with the judge
in Las Vegas, presiding over Timlin Shaver’s lawsuit
By Jackie Zhang tial resolution to the lawsuit was announced there on and informed him of his judgment. Then, with the
High noon, Pacifi c time. Thursday in a desert town. Monday. Timlin Shaver was ordered to return the boy help of the Judges and Wu Xia’s lawyer, they got in
Wednesday night in Beijing. Roy Shaver, the two- to Wu, and pay US$1,200 a month in child support, touch with Shaver’s lawyer. Shaver has no choice but
year-old son of Wu Xia, is being reunited with his US$1,500 a month in spousal support, and to reim- to return the boy.
mother in Las Vegas, Nevada. burse Wu Xia her US$30,000 legal fees. “The case has not been fi nished yet. The Court
“The boy is thin now with slight injuries on his In fact, while Wu brought the suit against Shaver in has only made a decision on the upbringing of the
body,” said Tian Yuerui, Wu Xia’s mother, “It is obvious Ector County, he also brought a lawsuit against her at child, but there are many other issues like divorce,
that his father does not take good care of him.” Clark County, Las Vegas. “He claimed that he was a resi- and fi nancial affairs. We’ll stay in the US till the law-
For the past six weeks, Wu Xia has been in Odessa, dent of Nevada. However, it was proved he was the resi- suit ends,” said Tian.
Texas, her husband Timlin Shaver’s hometown. Wu dent of Ector County,” said Tian. “Ector County should “We have received help from many kind-hearted
Xia sought the return of her son. “Since we do not be the jurisdiction for all further proceedings.” people in the US,” she added, “During the six weeks,
know the law in the US, we needed the help of a When the Judge at Ector County awarded tempo- my daughter lived with her lawyer’s mother and was
lawyer and a detective,” she said. rary custody to Wu, she was worried whether her hus- taken care of. Before the hearing at the Court, the
Last Tuesday, Wu formally fi led for divorce and band would follow the Court’s decision and give her minister of the town prayed for us. Many people have
Wu Xia for custody of the child in Ector County, Texas. A par- son back. “The law gives me justice. However, I’m not given us support. All this has really saved us.”
Beijing woman sues US husband
over child
Wu Xia, Roy and their detective
By Lou Li
After 55 days of anxiety and exhaustion, Wu Related cases:
Xia, a Chinese woman who went to America to
The custody of Chinese girl He
sue her husband for stealing her baby, fi nally
saw justice done.
Mei ruled in favor of US Couple
Tuesday morning, Beijing time, the court in
Ector County, Midland, Texas, USA, ruled that
On May 12, 2004, a court ruled that the custody
Wu Xia should have guardianship of her child,
of a Chinese girl, He Mei, should go to the Bakes,
and her husband Tim should be allowed to visit
who took care of the new born for a while at the
the child for two hours a week. The whirlwind
request of her parents. The Bakes later sued He
court case has been resolved just seven days
Mei’s birth parents for guardianship of the child.
after the suit was fi led.
The case lasted four years.
However, Wu Xia is far from happy. Her two-
The He couple were unhappy with the ruling
year old son is still in the custody of her hus-
and vowed to appeal. But the judge defended his
band , who was in Las Vegas and hasn’t appeared
ruling, saying the He couple had asked the Bakes
since he eloped with his son from their home in
to take care of their daughter due to fi nancial prob-
Beijing two months ago.
lems. In the interests of He Mei, he awarded cus-
“American law provided me with a just ruling.
tody to the Bakes.
But the executive power of this ruling is still
Chinese mother pledges to win
unknown to me,” she said. She plans to go to Las
Wu Xia and the detective looking for her child. Photos provided by Tian Yuerui
Vegas to enforce the court’s ruling.
Three years ago, when studying in college in demanding Tim and his family return Roy to his and deprived Wu Xia of her maternal rights. back guardianship of her son
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, Wu Xia fell mother. This kind of place [Las Vegas] is fi lled with gam-
A Chinese woman named Xiong Jing lodged a
in love with her husband Tim, an American 10 But police couldn’t fi nd any trace of Roy when bling, sex and violence, and could cause great
legal appeal, pleading for the guardianship of her
years her senior. They married and had a son they searched Tim’s mother’s house. A seven harm to the child’s growth.” In quieter tones,
son Tristram Kelly, whom she had been unable to
named Roy. On November 14 last year, Wu Xia’s hour search turned up nothing. Wu Xia and her the lawyer explained that Wu Xia herself was
see for 960 days.
dream life became a nightmare. “That morning, mother didn’t know what else to do in this dusty, becoming depressed, spending her days staring
Xiong Jing married an American man, Craig
Tim asked Roy to say goodbye to him downstairs. unfamiliar land. at Roy’s photo and sobbing. He was unsure if she
Kelly, in 1999 and gave birth to little Tristram the
Then he escaped the attention of the nanny and “We showed Roy’s picture to the townspeople. could bear the strain – especially as she herself
next May. But before Tristram was born, Xiong
took Roy away. He turned his cell phone off,” A waitress in a diner told me that she had seen was so detached from familiar surroundings.
Jing discovered her husband was an alcoholic and
Wu Xia recalled over a crackling phone line from Roy with an old man. She remembered Roy didn’t But the story of the Chinese mother and daugh-
a womanizer.
across continents. “24 hours later, Tim called me speak English, and just sat quietly.” ter seeking their baby stirred the town. Local
In a quarrel at the end of 2002, Craig Kelly
and said Roy and he were both in America. He Later, Tim’s mother confi rmed to the police churches, citizens and public organizations were
threatened Xiong with a gun. The police took Craig
demanded I give up the right to raise my child that Tim had returned to America and had taken eager to help. American associations specializing
away and sent Tristram to a foster family from the
and threatened to keep Roy in America forever. Roy away from her house. She refused to give in fi nding lost children regularly called to ask how
Children’s Bureau, claiming that Tristram might
I objected, of course. A few days later, Tim left more details. Wu Xia, with no way out, kept the case was going. The Chinese consulate in Hous-
be threatened.
Roy – who doesn’t know English at all – in Amer- on sending toys and candies to Tim’s mother’s ton also offered sympathy.
Xiong Jing secretly took her son away when vis-
ica and came back to China, asking me to sign a house. “A psychotherapist told me that children Wu Xia has asked for a divorce at a court
iting him in summer 2001 and brought him back to
document to give up my maternal rights.” From under fi ve feel psychological hurt being away in Beijing. The court issued notice of the trial
China. Craig Kelly died of cancer in 2002.
across continents, I hear Wu Xia choke back from their mum for more than three days,” said December 20 last year. But the court found their
In January 2003, Xiong Jing was arrested in
tears. Wu Xia, “But now Tim’s family has disappeared. powers fell short of their wishes when hearing
Vancouver Airport for second-level anti-guardian-
Fifteen days later, Wu Xia, together with her I don’t know where my son is. I don’t know the case, since one of those involved is an Ameri-
ship crime. She was released after serving a one-
mother Tian, went to Houston and employed a whether he is OK.” can now living in America.
year term.
local lawyer. On the same afternoon, Wu Xia Wu Xia’s lawyer was disgusted at her hus- But Wu Xia is determined, “I will stick it out
obtained an urgent decree issued by the courts band’s behavior; “He abused his paternal rights until I bring my child home.”
VOICE
5
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: HOU MINGXIN DESIGNER: YANG GEN
Beijingers can learn to love
Slow sales
for fi rst
online
By Chu Meng classroom. Some call it Relation-
In the capital, training in a skill ships 101. The concept has proved
or profession is essential if you wildly popular on campuses in many
drugstore
want to fi nd a good job. Now western countries; I think the theo-
you can enhance your resume ry would be equally useful for young
even further, because the fi rst love Chinese people,” he said.
training class has opened, to teach
By Han Manman
Students unconvinced
youngsters how to express love and
Jewim Pharma, which
build affectionate relationships. Well, that’s the theory. Chinese
runs 35 drug stores in
Du Shengxiang, a 32-year-old university students and young
Beijing, announced Mon-
with a Master’s degree from the white-collar workers have their own
day that it was granted a
School of Psychology at Beijing Uni- opinions on the value of these emo-
license by the Beijing Food
versity is the man who set up this tional skills training class, based on
and Drug Administration
love course, and currently its only their response to the myriad of new
(BFDA) last December 29
teacher. To date he has nine stu- things they experience now they are
to offer drugs for sale on-
dents ready and willing to learn out on their own in the world.
line. This makes Jewim the
useful love skills as a means of Liu Zizhong is a 24-year-old
fi rst legal online drugstore
self-cultivation. Masters student at Beijing Univer-
in the country. But the on-
sity. “I don’t plan to attend this
line drug business remains
Love can be taught sort of class, because for the pres-
far from satisfactory.
“Many perfectly good men and ent at least I am confi dent in my
Jewim’s announcement
women have great diffi cult express- own ability to express my emotions
came hot on the heels of new
ing themselves to the person they properly. I can fi nd someone I love
regulations issued by the
love. Young Chinese university grad- by myself. I’m not saying his theo-
State Food and Drug Ad-
uates going out into the world will ry is wrong. It may work for some
ministration legalizing the
probably fi nd in the fi rst few years people, but I don’t think it’s the
online trade in medicines.
that it is really hard to fi nd love. thing for me.”
Suitably qualifi ed enterpris-
This is especially true of today’s Du Shengxiang replies to com-
es can open online drug
society, where everything is fast- ments like this saying, “I do not teach
sales businesses serving
paced, superfi cial and instant,” says students simple things like how a
pharmaceuticals manufac-
Du with a wistful smile. boy can say hello to a girl when they
turers, wholesalers, medical
“Also, most young people have fi rst meet. Instead, I want to give
institutions and individuals
been bred to accept an indirect way them a deeper and more all-round
within China. The regula-
of expressing their emotions. That’s understanding of love. For example,
tions were effective Decem-
been a part of our national identity what are men and women’s differ-
ber 1 last year.
for thousands of years. It seems peo- ent expectations of love and emotion-
ple never have a problem express- al life? Do women want more out of The regulations stipu-
ing a need for food but will have a marriage than men?” late three kinds of busi-
problem expressing emotions, such Hu Shuang, a young woman in nesses permitted to engage
as love and hate; yes and no; their her senior year of high school says, in Internet trading of phar-
likes and dislikes, even for colors,” “I wonder whether his theories are maceuticals: medicine man-
he said. really practical. You know, meeting ufacturers selling medicine
Du illustrates his point with a someone and sitting down to talk to wholesalers and med-
story from his own past. When he about love are completely different ical institutions; qualifi ed
was in middle school and later at from how you build a truly close enterprises selling to med-
university, he was extremely shy relationship between two lovers. I icine manufacturers and
and seldom talked to girls. know in western countries, some medical institutions; and
His parents even worried that he lovers improve their skills at class- drug stores selling to indi-
might have a mild form of autism. es that teach the art of the pas- vidual consumers.
He is grateful to a professor who sionate kiss. Or they learn skills to Just as other forms of
wrote him a letter, which helped make them feel better in bed.” shopping online are be-
open his heart and establish his coming more and more
self-confi dence. He was able to ask Nonsense popular, many fi nd buying
his parents not to give up on him. Professor Xia Jinluan, a sociolo- their drugs online conve-
As time went on, he became a more gist at Beijing University, was dis- nient and more private.
outgoing person. He eventually ma- missive of the value of this kind of Many consumers are re-
jored in psychology, researching dif- class. “They are sheer nonsense. How placing a trip to the corner
ferent the interpretations of love can love be taught? It’s a scam, no drugstore with a click onto
and affection prevalent in Eastern different from a dating club, which the Internet, where they
and Western cultures. could be found anywhere. People can can fi nd any of a range of
“Over the last 30 years, western fall in love in the fi rst sight, or they over-the-counter medicines
academics have been developing the can fi nd affection grows slowly and and other health products
study of close relationships. Some spontaneously over time. Local love available.
professors have now moved beyond needs honesty from both parties. A Jewim’s online drugstore
theory and are making the discus- bunch of so-called theories and skills offers a ten percent discount
sion more personally related to their will not do. This is a class to teach to shoppers, and delivers
students by teaching relationship youngsters how to cheat others rath- their drugs free of charge
skills that they can use outside the Du teaches his ‘students’ how to love. Photo by Li Yufang er than to teach them how to love.” to addresses inside Beijing’s
fourth ring road within the
hour for orders worth 50
New low-cost hospitals planned yuan or more. Despite this,
business has been slow over
the past two weeks.
A salesperson at Jew-
im’s Chaoyang store said
that many consumers are
By Annie Wei tional health survey, 64 percent lic health care system makes it concerned about the quali-
The Ministry of Health held of people in cities who needed impossible to make all public ty of drugs for sales online
a press conference to announce hospital treatment said they hospitals function as low-cost and have asked about it.
new policies that will see the chose not to be treated because care providers. This is why the One customer at the
building of hospitals open to of the cost. In the countryside, Ministry of Health decided to store said, “I’m interested
all and charging reasonable that fi gure was 75 percent. open new low-cost hospitals to in buying online, but med-
fees for health services and A recent scandal in a Har- rectify the situation. icines aren’t like books or
treatment. bin hospital shocked the public Some say that the current clothes, if I buy fake or out
Mao Qun’an, from the – a patient who stayed in the problems besetting public of date drugs it will direct-
Ministry of Health, announced hospital for 67 days and later health care are the result of ly endanger my health. I
a new plan for China’s hospital died was charged 5.5 million inadequate funding and the would rather go to a drug-
system that will see county yuan for his care. Media ex- lack of systematic reforms, store even if the way costs
or township governments posure led to an investigation meaning public hospitals over- me more time and more
fi nancing the low-cost hospitals which found that many of the charge patients to make up a money.”
suited to their local economy charges were spurious. cash shortfall. Lu Shigang, in charge of
and their citizens’ standard of Mao said the Ministry of In some under-developed ar- Jewim’s online sales, told
living. Health will begin changing the eas, local government has even Beijing Today said, “Since
The new low-cost hospitals way public hospitals are run taken money from hospitals to starting our online busi-
will be expected to operate as and how much they pay doc- fi nance other projects, accord- ness, we’ve only been get-
non-profi t organizations and to tors. Mao said these measures ing to reports that appeared in ting ten or so customers a
guarantee basic health services should prevent public hospi- a Guangzhou newspaper in No- day buying from our online
for migrant workers and low- tals from making unnecessary vember 2005. Such stories mean drugstore.” Lu believes that
income families. use of high-tech medical equip- many doubt the national gov- consumers’ indifference is
Public health-care reforms ment, and stop doctors and ernment’s ability to guarantee mainly due to fears about
in the 1990s made China’s other hospital staff’s incomes that county or township govern- the quality of the drugs
state-owned hospitals respon- from being linked to prescrip- ments will build low-cost hospi- available online. “Our on-
sible for generating their own tion or other charges. tals and run them properly. line products are all from
funds. This led to a social phe- Mao said that provision of Others want a clearer defi - our regular drugstores.
nomenon where sick poor peo- low-cost health care should be nition of what a low-cost hos- Consumers worried about
ple were unable to afford to mandatory for public hospitals. pital is, and better regulations online products can pick
see a doctor. They should not be run for prof- for “their management. their order up from one of
The government’s share in it and should meet the needs Mao said by building our stores to check quality,”
national health spending has of ordinary people and those on low-cost hospitals nationwide, said Lu.
plunged from close to 100 per- low-incomes. low-income families can be He pointed out that on-
cent to just 15 percent today. Some, however, doubt wheth- guaranteed access to medical line drug retailers are re-
Less than ten percent of Chi- er there are adequate govern- care and services. However, is- quired to pass a monthly
na’s rural population and only ment funds to build and run sues such as how to invest inspection by the BFDA, so
half of urban residents have low-cost hospitals. in low-cost hospitals and what the quality of medicines is
medical insurance. Mao explained that the cur- standards they should operate guaranteed.
According to the 2003 na- rent complexity of China’s pub- by remain unresolved. Low-income people need more low-cost hospitals. Photo by Nan Shan
CITY
6
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: YU SHANSHAN DESIGNER: DENG NING
Historic homes avoid destruction
By Wang Xiaoyuan The History and Culture Offi ce of the
The former homes of 308 histori- BPPCC has submitted a report to the
cal fi gures from Chinese history government of Beijing to provide solu-
have been identifi ed in Beijing af- tions to the preservation problems.
ter a fi ve month investigation, and a By the time of going to print, 50 res-
campaign to preserve the buildings is idences will have been listed by BP-
underway. PCC. “People will make more effort to
Beijing People’s Political Consulta- protect a residence if they know these
tive Conference (BPPCC) and Volun- places are of historical interest”, said
teers from Beijing Union University Kuang Guoliang, the Vice Director of
carried out the investigation. the History and Culture Offi ce.
Around 30 percent of the locations “The former residences of historical
identifi ed have been torn down during fi gures are of important cultural value
the city’s reconstruction. The interiors to the city. They are the soul of Beijing.
of most of the preserved buildings have Without the preservation of these res-
been changed completely by the mod- idences, the essence of a people’s
ern residents. Olympics won’t be complete,” said He
Zhuoxin, the director of the offi ce.
Satisfaction was tempered by con- A battle between lions
cern at the dilapidated condition of 30
percent of the residences.
By Wang Xiaoyuan
Jinjiang Assembly Hall, the former
A Jiangsu Province events organizer
residence of Lin Haiyin, one of the pi-
has sued the Trademark Review and
oneers of modern Chinese literature,
Adjudication Board (TRAB) of State Ad-
was preserved during last year’s city
ministration for Industry and Commerce
reconstruction. However, besides the
(SAIC) this week for invalidating its
street number on the door, there was
trademark.
nothing signifying its historical im-
At the end of October, 2005, TRAB
portance. Only the ancient tiles on
invalidated the trademark of the com-
the roof and three old Japanese pago-
pany, named Xiang Shi (Lucky Lion in
da trees growing at the center of the
Chinese), because of similarities with
courtyard indicated the original ap-
the lion mark used by the FA Premier
pearance.
League (FAPL).
Mr. Yang, who still lives in the court-
However, Xiang Shi stated that they
yard, said the roof had been leaking
had registered the lion trademark in the
for many years. “The residence man-
Trademark Offi ce of SAIC in 1999; while
agement from the Community sent staff
FAPL did not register in China until 2000.
to repair the roof for us. However, if
Thus they insisted on their right to use
they did repairs, all the old tiles must
the design of the lion as a trademark.
be changed. To preserve the historical
Staff from SAIC explained that, ac-
value of the courtyard, we have never
cording to the Trademark Law of China,
let them do anything.”
the company who registers their trade-
Photos by Icy Qian mark fi rst enjoys the priority to use the
design of the mark. However, as the lion
trademark used by FAPL has been reg-
Private AIDS diary Beijing Museum volunteer positions
istered in Britain since 1992, and the
mark has been well known to interna-
published tional audiences through sports broad-
By Han Manman to share what I learned with the mu- talented volunteers. Our original plan casts on TV, it was highly possible that
Newly opened Beijing Museum has seum visitors,” a female applicant, Ms. was to recruit 60 volunteers, but now Xiang Shi Company had viewed FAPL’s
By Jackie Zhang had an enthusiastic response to its vol- Li said. we will consider recruiting more”. trademark before 1999.
Diary of an AIDS Girl, published unteer tour guide program, with 308 A scholar returned from America According to Yang, the museum The two lion marks look very similar
this Tuesday in Beijing, is the story people from the 1,344 who applied be- said that she had not heard about the received 2,000 visitors each day dur- in shape and color. Based on the Provi-
of Zhu Liya, a 22-year-old girl from ing selected for interview. concept of museum volunteers before ing the one month trial period. This sions on the Determination and Protec-
Shaanxi Province. The fi nal recruitment list will be pub- she went abroad. After seeing the vol- means the museum has a limited sup- tion of Well-know Marks issued by SAIC
She published her diaries to let lished on the museum website today. unteers in American museums, she has ply of guides. in 2003, Xiang Shi Company had violat-
healthy people know about the world According to Yang, Sunday’s in- a deep appreciation for the work and The volunteers will receive training ed the copyright of FAPL’s trademark.
of an AIDS patient. terview was mainly about manner, now she is eager to become one. before beginning their work. The vol- Guo Tao, the president of Xiang Shi,
In the book, Zhu writes about her communication abilities and historical “The enthusiasm and educational unteers are required to work for the however, did not agree with TRAB’s ver-
experiences since 2002. “I tell about knowledge. English ability is also an background of the applicants is really museum at least once a week, and no dict. He pointed out that the design
how I became infected with AIDS and important consideration, and applicants beyond our expectations. Many of less than 100 hours a year. Yang said of lion they used was different from
my psychological change after I was must be aged between 21 and 76. them are retired elders, college teach- that the volunteers are expected to be- FAPL’s. He said the most obvious dis-
informed about it,” said Zhu Liya. “I retired almost 10 years ago and ers, graduate students and scholars gin work at the end of this month. similarity was that FAPL’s lion is step-
“The life of young people is full of studied Beijing history at college for back from overseas,” said Yang Dan- From this Monday, the museum will ping on a football, while Xiang Shi’s does
novel things and curiosity. I hope that the elder people. This time I applied dan, director of Beijing Museum. “The temporarily close on Mondays until not step on anything. “Besides,” he said,
they can learn about the importance to become a volunteer because I hope museum is so fortunate to have such further notice. “the design of the head of the lion and
of how to protect themselves by read- the shape of the crown is very different.
ing my diaries.” At least, there are two Chinese charac-
“I calculate that I became infected Peacocks starving to death Race to save relics in water ters under our lion.”
with AIDS in 2003,” said Zhu. She was The First Intermediate People’s Court
infected after having unprotected sex diversion project area of Beijing has taken the case and in-
with her foreign boyfriend. In 2004, death. One of the staff members formed FAPL as the third party in the
the boy died in his home country af- said the park realized the care- By Qiu Jiaoning suit. By the time the report is published,
ter he returned for treatment. In April taker was gone last Friday when A total of 12 important cultural relics have the lion trademark used by Xiang Shi
that year, Zhu Liya was informed that they did a routine check. After been found in the 80-kilometer-long Beijing sec- before has been taken off its website and
she had the AIDS virus. contacting Xiao, it was confi rmed tion of the south-to-north water diversion project. other advertising.
“I was upset and depressed and that the caretaker left last Thurs- The city is making every effort to rescue
was not willing to meet and talk with day without reason. these cultural artifacts, according to the Top companies and
anybody. All I thought about was dif- The Fragrance Park said that Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultur-
ferent ways to commit suicide. When I they were concerned about the pea- al Heritage (BMACH). local embassies
felt really bad, I would go to the hospi- cocks, and hoped that the caretaker Kong Fanzhi, vice-director of BMACH,
tal and talk with the doctors because could come back to carry out his job. said that the planned excavation area ex-
toast 2008
only they could understand my dis- At the same time, they had re- ceeds 19,000 square meters. The 12 cultural
ease and were willing to communicate ported the issue to their superiors relics come from a range of Chinese dynas-
with me,” she said. and hoped to get the public’s help. ties, Xia (2070-1600 BC) up to the Qing Dy- By Liu An
However, when a volunteer brought Xiao was facing his own dilem- nasty (1644-1911AD). A silent auction ‘A Toast for 2008’ to
her to Henan Province, Zhu changed ma: he has run out of money for The central route will supply water to help promote the use of English, will be
her attitude. “I saw many AIDS pa- the peacocks as he has spent a lot Beijing by 2007. Because of time constraints, held next Thursday evening.
tients there who were leading a poor of money on bird-fl u prevention. “I excavations will be completed by the end of The auction will be attended by 60
life. I felt that I should do something spent around 3,000 yuan on each June, according to Song Dachuan, director of members of elite society, and was orga-
for them.” peacock when I bought them, now the Beijing Cultural Heritage Institute. nized by Beijing Today and Beijing Youth
In June this year, Zhu agreed to Photo by Bright Huang they are only worth 600 to 700 Excavation started with Nanzheng her- Weekly.
an the interview with Southern People By Annie Wei yuan each,” Xiao said. itage site in Fangshan District. Archeolo- Proceeds from this auction will be donat-
Weekly Magazine and revealed her ex- 160 peacocks in Fragrance Park Meanwhile, the peacock gar- gists have found many important cultural ed to publish English learning handbooks
periences. “Many people could not un- are facing starvation after their care- den’s business is getting worse and relics in 10 brick-chambered tombs from as New Year gifts for Beijing citizens.
derstand me and blamed me because taker disappeared. Last Friday, the worse, Xiao admitted. the Eastern Han Dynasty, three Han Dy- The guests are from over 30 Fortune
I chose a foreigner as my boyfriend caretaker, who used to look after the Fragrance Park admitted that nasty kiln-sites, and six croft tombs from Global 500 companies, local embassies
at that time. Then, the editor of the peacocks, left suddenly. Hundreds of they did not want to extend the the Ming and Qing dynasties. Experts say and fashion brand companies, such as
Tencent website contacted me, hoping peacocks were left without any care contact for keeping the peacock that 200 relics will be restored. UNESCO, HP, Nokia, Intel, Air France,
I would publish my diaries online. In or food for a week. garden any more, mainly because A total of 788 cultural heritage sites will CSC, CNC, and Beijing Mobile.
August, I began to publish some of my A source said that one peacock many visitors complained about be affected by the south-north water diver- They will donate gifts to be auc-
diaries online. More and more people had died of starvation, emphasiz- the peacocks’ frightening screams. sion project. Chinese cultural heritage de- tioned. The gifts are souvenirs that rep-
expressed their concern.” ing that an investigation revealed Xiao denied any possibility of partments and water resources departments resent the culture of their company and
“Now I do not need to lead a secret its death had nothing to do with bringing peacocks away from are joining forces to rescue ancient relics and country.
life. I go to the hospital for regular bird-fl u. Beijing, because “animal transpor- minimize the damage done by the project. The English learning handbook,
check-ups. My friends know about my The peacock garden in Fragrance tation is getting stricter and I did which covers everyday English sentenc-
disease and accept me,” Zhu said. At Hill Park was built in collaboration not have the relevant paper work es, will be published in early 2006. These
present, she has fi nished her univer- with a businessman surnamed Xiao for breeding peacocks in Beijing.” free handbooks will be handed out in de-
sity study and is looking for a place to from Zhejiang Province six years Xiao said what he expected local partment stores and residential areas in
do an internship. “I do not care what ago. According to the agreement be- people would bring food for these 13 districts all over Beijing.
kind of work I do. I will value every tween the park and Xiao, Xiao was poor peacocks, “They are not picky According to Beijing Speaks Foreign
chance people give me.” responsible for their daily care and about their food.” Language Offi ce’s statistics, the num-
The only problem now for Zhu Liya feeding, and the park would provide A reporter went to the Fra- ber of foreign language speakers in
is how to let her parents know about the money and supervises Xiao’s grance Park and encountered a Beijing’s is 4.14 million, or about 29
her disease. “I do not want them to work. The contract was due to end young couple that tried to feed the percent of all residents. It estimates
know about it from media or other this February. peacocks. They said that they drove that the foreign language speaker pop-
people. I will tell them myself when I Park authorities said they over ten kilometers to bring food ulation will rise to 5 million in 2008, or
fi nd the right time,” she said. knew nothing of the peacock’s after hearing the news. Photo by William Wang 35 percent of all residents.
CIRCLES
7
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: DONG NAN DESIGNER: YANG GEN
Bright future ahead
for Beijing snowboarding
International fans rock hard at the 4th Snickers Nanshan Open Photos by William Avedon
By Annie Wei go wild as they destroyed the Nan- to 30, are from the Beijing area be- Steve came to China fi ve or six
Although China has never been shan Mellow Park. cause not that many places can af- years ago to study Chinese. During
known for snowboarding, some This was the second year the ford to provide snowboard facilities. winter break he went to Yabuli, a
snowboarding enthusiasts are try- Nanshan Open invited pros to snow- There are no parks except Wanlong famous skiing spot in North China,
ing to build a scene in Beijing. board with Chinese boarders. The one in Beijing, according to Steve and found that there were only two
Last weekend, over two hun- contest was a ‘jam session’ format, Zdarsky. Steve, 27, from Austria, is snowboards and nobody knew what
dred snowboarding fans and 20 top meaning boarders take as many the CEO of Mellow Construction in snowboarding was.
boarders from China and overseas runs as they can during a 45-min- China and the event organizer. But he believes the development
gathered to put on a great spectacle ute period. The pros judged the lo- Steve said that China’s snow- of snowboarding in Beijing is hap-
at the 4th Snickers Nanshan Open. cals and the locals judged the pros. boarding industry is ready but the pening fast. Two international pros
On Sunday, the ten best competi- It was a good chance to see the boarders and the level of snow- at the Nanshan Open last year also
tors from the previous day boarded best boarding in the country mixed boarding is not, as the sport is still had the same impression: more and
with international pros from all over with mind boggling tricks from for- new in China. Only one of the lo- more snowboarding fans, an im-
the world. The local boarders are eign pros, all this while Refl ector cal boarders wants to go pro, and provement in boarding skills, and
from all over the world, but live in (a local band) fi lled everyone’s ears the rest are all busy working. greater media coverage. “Beijing is
Beijing. They include Alan Wong, with local punk rock. But to Steve and his girlfriend also China’s snowboarding capital,”
who is Chinese but grew up in the The event was organized by Ali Waugh, snowboarding will defi - Steve said.
States, Andrew Wilde from New Zea- Nokia Mellow Park, the fi rst snow- nitely be big in China sooner or lat- Beijing has 13 skiing spots, the
land, and Yin Di, one of the best fe- boarding park in Beijing. The park er. Ali is from Canada and is also average income is higher than
male boarders from China. They and was designed and built by Mellow an ex-national team boarder. Right that of other northern cities, and
the pros, like Jonte Edvardson (Swe- Construction Austria, an organiza- now she’s working for Mellow Con- snowboarding is the new trend for
den), who did the most stylish grabs, tion famous for ‘roxy chicken jam’ structions and editing the fi rst and young people.
Mone Monsberger (Austria) and Jo- and ‘redbull off rails.’ only snowboard magazine in China: “It’s a stylish sport now in
Photo by Lu Jian
nas Emery (France) made the crowd Most top boarders, aged from 17 Speed Snowboard. Beijing,” Steve said.
Do you raise pets?
BJ’s Love & Hate
This week Beijing Today gets two comments on small dogs in Beijing...
I love to hate the Pekinese dogs!
By Xie Xiaolin
Many foreigners in Beijing like to
raise cats, dogs or birds for fun, for love
or out of sympathy. But some do not. So,
By Christopher Parsons dog and fun companion. Its origins not as courageous as lions, unless you used the term ‘scoop,’ because ‘scooping’
why do you have a pet?
Pekinese puppies look like rats when can be dated back to the beginning of count the cowardly lion from the Wiz- is something you had better get used to
Cho Jeen Kyn, Korea
wet, which amuses me, and then they China and beyond. I hate how the lit- ard of Oz! I really do love to hate the if you buy a Pekinese.
I have one big dog and he often fright-
look like angels when blow-dried, which tle emperor dogs seem to know how Pekinese dogs! I love how a Pekinese should only
ens the visitors when he wants to wel-
moves my heart. I love the effect my Pe- much more important they are than I love it when my Pekinese rests on weigh from 8-14 pounds, but mine man-
come them.
kinese ‘Chou Chou’ has on women as I we are. Man, I love to hate the Pekin- my lap on cold nights. This is partly for aged to reach over 20 pounds!
Dominic Findlow, UK
walk him down the lane. (The way to ese dogs! warmth, as a Pekinese dog’s tempera- I fi nd it unfortunate that Pekinese
I often fl y between England, Beijing
a man’s heart is through his stomach, I admire how the Pekinese were ture is between 100.2 – 102.8 degrees have a life expectancy of only 13-15
and the Middle East. I do not have pets
but a way to a woman’s heart, is with also known by the other names: the Fahrenheit. Even so, I hate it that my years. However, I will love it when mine
only because I cannot take them with me.
a cute puppy!) I love that Chou Chou Lion Dog and the Peking Palasthund. dog’s nose is still wet and cold. beats the odds and I must put him in an
Ahihama Tanaka, Japan
has helped me fi nd many a date! But I The name Lion Dog comes from the I loved getting the expensive dog as old dog’s home! Man, I hate to love the
I raise one cat here because my chil-
hate the reason why I had to name him fact that a Pekinese has the face of a a gift, but I hate the free gifts he leaves Pekinese dogs, but I do.
dren love it. It is quiet and lovely.
Chou Chou (stinky, stinky). lion. In fact Lion Dogs were sacred to for me on the carpet in the mornings! Keep Smiling!
Doug Allen, Canada
I love the history of the Pekinese. a Lamaist form of Buddhism in China, Pekinese can cost up to a US$1,000 in (Do you agree or disagree? Contact
I have two birds who sing everyday.
The Pekinese comes from China and of which the lion was a sacred symbol the West, but in Beijing a good bargain- the author Parsons at
And I’m planning to buy a dog from Can-
was bred originally as an obedient lap of Buddha. I dislike how Pekinese are er can ‘scoop’ one up for 500 yuan. I [email protected])
ada, but I wonder if it’ll adapt to the
environment here and understand Chi-
nese neighbors. Anyway, I worry how to
Barking at the moon
al, then they are decorative. This is I mean, what sort of response is apply for a certifi cate to raise the dog
where we get into dangerous territory expected? And how do you know that here.
and the hairs on the back of my head when it barks a ‘response’ it is saying, Riy Ono, Indonesia
begin to rise. “Ah, look. He looks just “Yes, I love my mummy.” Maybe its just I love dogs and I have two in my
dog owners abandon this practice dur- like a little baby.” saying, “Feed me, stupid human,” or own house, but not here in Beijing be-
By Niall O Murchadha ing the warmer months. OK, so people are lonely and per- “You had better open a window, because cause I’m too busy with daily work to
It’s the time of the year where Bei- Without being a canine authority, I sonifying their pets is cathartic, and this is going to be a bad one.” take good care of them. And I miss them
jing’s small dog owners get to dress feel comfortable in asserting that most all that. But seriously, there must be And yet if I were in Sanlitun at four sometimes.
up their little bundles of joy in doggie of these dogs can survive a Beijing a line somewhere. Issuing commands in the morning, having an argument Stephanie Smith, Australia
clothes. Some of you may fi nd this winter without wearing clothes. And if to your pet and it understanding the with a set of traffi c lights, people would I don’t. I dislike small animals.
cute and endearing. I am not of that they can’t, then maybe they shouldn’t tone of your voice is one thing. Ram- say I was mad! John Johnson, UK
persuasion. be here. Look, you don’t see Eskimos bling conversations with your dog is Beijing must be careful not to cross When a homeless cat walked up to
I suppose it is only the blistering with pet lizards, and you don’t see the another. I have listened with growing the Rubicon. In America, people now me, I decided to raise her. She was thin
heat and humidity that spares your av- Bushmen of Africa complaining about alarm to people having conversations bring their dogs to ‘Pet Church’ to be and dirty at the time but she is clean
erage pedestrian this ghastly display the lack of polar bears available for with their dogs, and yet no men in married with other dogs. You have to now and is becoming fat. She is very
during the summer. It probably only hunting. white coats come to drag them away to ask yourself, do you really want that? clever and we often sit together under
took a few cases of heat stroke to make So if the clothes are not function- a better place. It’s not too late to stop the madness. the sun in weekends.
LENS
8
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITORS: LIU WENLONG ZHAO HONGYI DESIGNER: YANG GEN
Preparatory work is labor intensive. Water is important to everything. Machinery is the key to producing high quality coal bricks. High effi ciency
Coal BRICKS: Where do you come from?
By Baruh Kohen
Though many stay toasty thanks to internal heating systems nowadays, there’s still a place for coal in the capital. For
many it’s their main fuel for staying warm and cooking. But how is it processed? Where does it come from? Here one photog-
rapher sneaks into a coal factory (they wouldn’t let me in) to record the process.
A long road to send the coal bricks to every household for just eight jiao a piece
Baruh Kohen is an Israeli journalist and photographer living in Beijing.
Coal brick is made to strict standards. Technicians weigh and measure coal bricks for sale. Ready to go!
This page is looking for freelance photographers. Experience and professionalism are not a must. We want your own perspective and views about Beijing. If you have any work that may interest us,
please contact: [email protected], or call at: 6590 2520.
FASHION
9
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: YU SHANSHAN DESIGNER: DENG NING
The party queen
In Shanghai, there is a ‘room with a
view’ that is always beyond your wild-
est expectations. It is popular among
the party animals and young artists
because it creates illusions to fulfi ll
your fantasies. Holly Zhao is the god-
dess behind these joyful dreams.
Nicknamed ‘Party Queen’ in Elle
China, Zhao is famous for planning
several novel parties in the Room with
a View gallery – for instance, Dudou
(the Chinese word for bra) Party, Tattoo
Party, Army Uniform Party, and Preg-
nancy Party.
“As a party planner, I need to know
what is fashion, instead of what is popu-
lar,” she said. “I need to be simple. The
inspiration for all my parties is that I
like creating, imagining and living lives
that exist in my mind. Don’t you ever
think that you are somebody else, or the
princess of some fairy tale?”
While the gallery will never loose
its artistic atmosphere, a brilliant and
eye-catching theme is necessary to at-
tract the attention of the media and
the common people. So you can only ex-
perience these spectacles at Room with
a View – a dudou not quite covering
the beer belly of a man; a ‘pregnant’
man trying to bend and pick up things
off the ground; body-drawings on your
face, back or legs by both professional
artists and your friends.
Having been a teacher, journalist,
and businesswoman, she knows the
PPPaaarrrtttyyy aaannniiimmmaaalllsss needs of different group of participants
and how to act as go-between to help
these groups communicate. Each per-
son always feels that they have a lead-
ing role.
“Modern people have no interest in
merely eating-drinking-talking parties,”
wwwaaakkkeee uuuppp Make your home a she said. “They want to have a release
and exchange their imaginations with
party house each other. So what I do is fi nd them
a certain theme.” There are no commer-
cials featuring celebrities, prizes, luxury
brands of wine and delicious food, but
people fi nd fun here, so they come.
iiinnn CCChhhiiinnnaaa In order to get people involved, access
is free. Wearing some funny dudou and
accessories handily made by Zhao on the
stage, or a costume you tailored for the
fi rst time from a piece of cloth, you will
fi nd it’s not the matter of being beautiful
or ugly, but of absolute happiness. There-
fore many of her parties have low bud-
gets, but high reputations.
By Shelley Xie Despite the parties held at the crowded Fun and impromptu are two words
When the night comes, a certain group clubs, in the open air, or at homes, theme Zhao uses to describe all her parties.
stirs from its slumber. They love bright out- parties attract the most attention from to- “Every time, we’ll fi nd some new and
fi ts, dazzling make-up, noisy music, being day’s youth. Feel interesting things during the party. I
drunk, and having fun together. They are Pajama Party By Animi Causa (Israeli) believe, what I want – every little spar-
the party animals of China. It is said that the pajama party comes kle of surprise – also make every par-
‘Feel’ makes you really feel
Now many young people in the big from Shanghai, where people like to wear ticipant satisfi ed.”
at home! Aren’t you tired of be-
cities of China, especially in Shanghai, pajamas to go shopping. In a pajama par- You could not tell that this is a wom-
ing seated in one? Now all your
Beijing and Guangzhou, throw themselves ty, everyone must wear pajamas. It can an who has had two divorces. “I like
friends can change the sofa’s
into the different types of parties. Econo- be a house party, where the girls happily love itself, but not a certain man.” Now
shape according to their emo-
mists see the phenomenon as a result of fi ght each other with fl oppy pillows with she cares more about her teenage son
tional state. It’s a grid of 120 soft
the commercial growth of China; sociolo- soft, white down dancing in the air. and daughter. She plans to become a
balls that can be folded and ar-
gists take it as the evidence of the cultur- Or you can go to Bed Bar in Zhang- babysitter if the art gallery closes the
ranged to create multiple sitting
al habits of modern youth; westerners are wang Hutong, Gulou Street, where peo- business. “Nothing could be more inter-
or reclining positions.
thrilled at being members of the Chinese ple lie together in pajamas on a big bed, esting than raising a child!” she said.
party animal brigade and enjoy the happy talking and giving each other warm hugs. Zhao’s secret is that to be a smart
daze, which brings them back to the days Owner Reid Mihalko intends to cure the woman, you must know how to reduce
Loudspeaker
of the big parties in their homelands dur- loneliness of modern people in this friend- your desires, in order to receive more
By Bowers&Wilkins (UK)
ing the 1990s. ly bar. surprises.
A quality hi-fi speaker will
Among the young adults, if you don’t Divorce Party
guarantee the best sounds when
know what ‘hong-pa’ means (a Chinese The divorce party is kind of celebration
you play loud music. The origi-
abbreviation, meaning house party), you of a return to freedom, compared to the
nal B&W Nautilus is the result
are out. If you are still called a party busi- bachelor party marking the end of free-
of fi ve-years of a groundbreak-
nessman, you are out. If you never kill dom before a wedding. Most guests are
ing research and development
your weekend nights with strangers, ac- the host’s friends or someone who has had
program to achieve the perfect
quaintances, and friends around you, a the same experience. Some say it’s good,
loudspeaker.
wild heart, beers, screams, and rock and because it provides channels to start a
Meniscus pint glass
roll, you are totally out. new marriage. But some believe inner sor-
By Richard Wentworth (UK)
Because of its early contact with the row is hidden by outer happiness.
Drinking is the happiest time
outside world and the power of economic Muder Party
for all participants, especially when
attraction, Shanghai seems to be the name It originates from a game. A group of
a group of men sit together. Rich-
Ya Shanghai (meaning the night of Shang- friends, usually up to fi ve, will sit togeth-
ard describes his gulp-notched
hai). Girls in Shanghai become anxious if er performing the roles of judge, killer,
glass as a device to measure plea-
they think they are missing an interest- cop and ordinary people. After saying “the
sure - inspired by that oft-slurred
ing and fashionable party in some corner night is coming, please close your eyes,”
phrase “I’ll be with you as soon as
of the city. people will guess each person’s role from
I fi nish my drink.”
From the big-name fashion parties, the language, and facial expressions. If
such as Loewe, Maxco and Vivianne they guess wrong, they will die. Xclub,
Tam, which frequently take place every next to the drive-in cinema on the eastern
weekend on the Bund, to the weird third ring road, is the only place that of-
parties at every possible location and fers this game in Beijing.
time, the young chic set make the best MYD Party
Buena Sera Lights
use of their leisure time. To fi nd popu- What is MYD? It’s ‘match your drink’.
By Georg Baldele (Austrian)
lar club events in Shanghai, log on to People who go to this party must bring
Fly Candle Fly series is the
shanghaining.com. one of their favorite beverages and wear
right thing to match the atmo-
Beijing is not far behind. Now is not matching clothes. So the girl in the black
sphere of a warm family par-
the time of Sanlitun, but the bar streets dress and black make up is holding coca
ty. Whether hanging above the
along Houhai lake, the rock and roll domi- cola; the man in a yellow suit should take
bar zone in the corner of your
nation in Banana, and the bloom of night- beer. So think about what you should wear Mediterraneo
living room, or letting the yel-
ly theme parties all over the city. if you love pure water. By Emma Silvestris for
low light spread all the room,
The warm atmosphere and the straight- Botox Party Alessi (Italy)
this candle-like decoration is
forward character of Beijingers offers a Popular in the US for the last two or Fruit is a woman’s best
a must for any party.
hot night’s clubbing. Drinking beers, on three years, it is now quickly gaining pop- friend. So get your friends
the dance fl oor listening to world popular ularity in China. It’s a kind of a spa party bring fruit, and you pre-
DJs, you will be on top of the world as the in the house of a doctor. The participants pare the bowl. Inspired by
cocktails fl ow through your blood. Also, it’s will be given botulinum toxin injection to the undersea world, Em-
likely you will see some Mr. and Miss Fa- reduce or remove facial wrinkles, while ma’s fruit bowl is shaped
mous next to you through the bottom of talking, drinking or listening to soft mu- like water grass, grasping
your beer glass. If you don’t want to miss sic. So invite some of your female friends the tasty fruits with you. Be
the latest parties in Beijing, go to the par- to go a botox party in the Kunlun Hotel at careful: small cherries can
Holly Zhao
ty discussion on voguezone.com. the weekend. slip through the gaps.
CULTURE
10
JANUARY 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: YU SHANSHAN DESIGNER: DENG NING
IIss iitt aa rreeaallllyy
Snow Wolf Lake
legend ends
bbeeaauuttiiffuull nneeww wwoorrlldd??
By Yu Shanshan
The fi rst Saturday of 2006 witnessed the end of
Jacky Cheung’s Snow Wolf Lake. This beautiful mu-
sical brought down its curtain after a one-year tour
of China, which simultaneously announced the fi nal
bow of Jacky Cheung in the lead role of Wolf.
As was Cheung’s wish (he was also Wolf’s art di-
rector), this musical may raise its curtain again in
the future with a new cast, however, Chen Shufen,
An artistic Cheung’s agent and the producer, seems reluctant to
see it happen. “Jacky is the soul of the musical. I can-
dialogue between not go on without him.”
Jacky Cheung, 44, is known as the ‘god of singing’
Lin Pey Chwen and in China. He rose to stardom as a pop singer in the
early 1990s. In 1996, when he fi nished his 100th tour
Weng Peijun
concert, Cheung thought about doing something new.
The idea of Snow Wolf Lake occurred to him, so he
By Han Manman went to New York to study musicals. The production
Today’s art is obsessed with a of his own musical in Hong Kong took him another
question. As computer technology six months, and he fi nally took to the stage in Hong
and urbanization threaten to make Kong on March 27 1997. The show was a sensation
our lives intolerably convenient – and ran for 42 performances.
where do we actually fi t in? The When the Cantonese Wolf ended on May 9 1997,
world may look beautiful on the Cheung promised that he would take a Mandarin
surface, but can we actually inhab- version to the Chinese mainland. The dream only be-
it the beautiful new world? came reality in mid 2004. “I am over 40. If I don’t do it
An exhibition named The Beau- now, maybe I won’t have a chance later,” he said.
tiful New World, which selects art- The Wolf howled into Beijing in the Capital
works from Taiwanese artist Lin Stadium on Christmas Eve 2004 and a 2005 tour
Pey Chwen and Hainan’s Weng Pei- of China soon followed.
jun (also known as Weng Fen) will Releasing only two original sound tracks (one in
run January 7 through to February Cantonese and the other in Mandarin), Cheung nev-
28 at Dimensions Art Center in 798 er produced a DVD of the play, rather, he hoped peo-
factory, at Dashanzi. ple would go to the theater to watch it live. They
This is a new exhibition that ad- managed to bring the musical to over 25 cities, in-
dresses contemporary social phe- cluding some smaller cities that never see pop con-
nomena and focuses on two angles: certs. Of course, no theater ever saw an empty seat.
the perspective of the advancement Beijing was the fi rst and last station of this jour-
of urbanization and the problem of Treasure by Lin Pey Chwen ney, signing off 104 nights for Wolf, and a nine-year
alienation from the environment, dream for Cheung and his fans.
and the negative effects of ubiqui- very concerned about the process
tous technology. of urbanization in China. Weng is
an artist who is highly adept at
Lin Pey Chwen: butterfl y series- using the canvas to tell a story.
virtual beauty Bird’s Eye View and Looking at the
This is the fi rst time that Lin Pey Sea present different images of cit-
Chwen has brought her artwork to ies. In Bird’s Eye View, he intro-
Beijing. As a professor of Multime- duces two uniformed schoolgirls,
dia and Animation Arts, a director of with their backs to the audience,
the Digital Arts Lab in the National thus inviting the audience, together
Taiwan University of Arts, Lin has with the schoolgirls, to see the high-
concentrated mainly on digital elec- rise offi ces and apartment build-
tronic media in recent years. In par- ings, many of which are still under
ticular, Lin has always shown deep construction, a familiar scene of
concern about the issue of science Chinese urban change.
and technology copying life, as is “Since my childhood, I have been
shown at the exhibition by her but- enjoying looking down from high
terfl y series. buildings. I believe everyone has
Looking at the Sea by Weng Peijun
The butterfl y series comprises different feelings when standing on Cheung as Lang and Xu as Xue Photo by Brook Wang
four parts: Treasure, Catching, Spec- high and looking down.” Look at the
imens and Virtual Creation. At the we discover that they were all life- – Virtual Creation. Sea also features schoolgirls. Five Snow Wolf Lake is a love legend, without anything
exhibition center, Lin invited us to less creatures created by computer “The beautiful virtual world just schoolgirls sit or stand at a wall and related to the real world. The story centers on the
a pitch-black space covered with technology. exists in this pitch-black room. If I looking at a wilderness of sea. What female character, Xue (meaning Snow), who is loved
butterfl y imagery. “When you are involved in the switched off the power supply, every- do they feel – longing or apathy? by two men, rich Zhi and poor Lang (Lang meaning
The fi rst piece we saw was joy of butterfl y capture, just think thing would disappear. What I want When asked why he always uses Wolf). Lang, meanwhile, is loved both by Xue and her
Treasure, which is made of about a question – what did you ac- to tell you through this exhibition schoolgirls in his work, Weng an- older sister Feng. Ill fortune conspires to keep Xue
shell-shaped light boxes with tually catch?” Lin asked. is that sometimes the beautiful new swered: “I am a teacher and teach and Lang apart, but fi nally they are brought together
screen-printed fl ower patterns. Lin Lin begins with people’s liking world is just an illusion. Don’t stay students from freshman to seniors. forever, with the death of Xue and Lang accompany-
explained that it is named treasure for collecting butterfl ies, but uses in a pitch-black room to create beau- I fi nd girls at this age are longing ing her into the next life.
because of its shell shape, and the computer’s capacity for copy- ty. Just go back to nature!” for beautiful things and full of hope Shouldering his pop singer fame, Cheung faced
the idea was motivated primarily ing to produce lifeless, beautiful for everything when they fi rst enter the question of whether this was a musical or a
by the hope that mankind will butterfl ies, and makes each copied Weng Peijun: Find your own the university, however, their ideas one-man show. There was no doubt many came
treasure Mother Nature. “This is butterfl y take on the appearance understanding through your eyes change within one year, when they to see Cheung – if only from the enthusiastic re-
a work embodying both aesthetics of the specimens. This prompts the Two photographic works Look- are no longer hopeful about their sponse from the audience every time he opened his
and contradictions, as I emphasize audience to consider the profound ing at the Sea and Bird’s Eye View future.” mouth.
that man-made products should anxiety inspired by the question of by Weng Peijun (Weng Fen) have “For me, this feeling that school Fortunately, the production was always lavish -
not appear in the realm of Mother one’s own ultimate position as a also been selected for the exhibi- girls have is like a sense of being and the actual performance was worth its huge pro-
Nature, but humans just laugh at human in a scientifi c and techno- tion. lost or overwhelmed by the speed motion budget. Rather than being for Cheung’s fans,
that,” said Lin. logical civilization. Born in Hainan in 1961 and cur- and scale of the social transfor- it’s a play that has created more. His voice is more
Giving each of us a pair of white “Humans always try to play the rently teaching at Hainan Univer- mations taking place around city than just beautiful – people have noticed its dramatic
gloves, Lin allowed us to catch role of lord of creation. They believe sity, Weng said, “Don’t ask me what dwellers.” power in the musical movie Perhaps Love. That’s a
butterfl ies, of course, just virtual they can use science and technolo- I want to tell the audience through Perhaps, under the high-tech voice you can sleep within.
ones. When we stretched out our gy to replace nature. This is why I the artwork, I never give an an- production and virtual images pro- The musical is connected by more than 30
hands, the virtual butterfl ies sud- created this installation work that swer by myself. Everybody has his vided by computers, and under the traditional songs – no hip-hop, no R&B – just
denly alighted in our hands. How- would enable the audience to im- own understanding and my art- shadow of tall buildings constantly 30 pleasant songs, which together create a roman-
ever, only when we squarely faced itate a creator creating a butter- works only give questions without under construction, the beautiful tic atmosphere. Interspersed are short yet enter-
these exquisitely beautiful butter- fl y,” standing at a computer touch answers.” new world will be all the more dif- taining group dances: ballroom, Latin, or modern
fl ies (as specimens on the wall) did screen, Lin showed us her last work For a long time Weng has been fi cult to pin down. ones. The most amazing one is in the ‘nightmare’
part, when girls dressed in red (Xue’s signature
outfi t) yet with white masks dance madly around
Wolf (Cheung).
What’s more, in some parts, the play creates a feel-
Rock for love membered, because of you and the love’, and Dai ing of time fl ow as if in a movie. When the steam
Qin and the band proved it, with ardor. whistles by as the imagined ship with Xue and Zhi
When their new song Myriad Twinkling Lights gets away, we are left with sadness because we can
was played, the audience was heated up to climax. never go back to their innocent, happy time.
They pogoed and cheered until the fl oor was shak- There are contrasts between the two sets of Xue
By Sabu Zhang ing like a trampoline. The winter chill was further (Tang Can and Xu Huixin) and Feng (Chen Jieyi
Last Friday a special charity show was held melted when their old song Thin Men called for and Chen Songling). Tang, a well-known folk sing-
in New Get Lucky Bar to raise travel expenses even more response. Dai Qin played the tambou- er, gave us a tough Xue, while Xu, a Texas-born Tai-
for needy students from local colleges to return to rine as he sang, with his energy and passion ran wan-based singer, who was Xue in the fi nal show,
their hometowns during the winter holiday. Thin through his voice, while guitarist Guo Zhiyong, is sweeter of fi gure, (and singing and dancing). Sin-
Man, who initiated the event, put on an impres- who is also the lead singer of band Battle-Axe, gapore based Chen Jieyi had been playing Feng in
sive performance entitled Myriad Lights Twinkle, sang along with him. Twenty-two-year-old Jap- the Cantonese version since 1997, and she has giv-
Love is Endless. anese drummer Hayato showed his talent with en the role a classic competence, which put pres-
Known as the ‘kings of live’ and seen as rock stimulating beats. And bass player San’er outlined sure on the new Feng, Hong Kong actress Chen
‘n’ roll trailblazers in China, Thin Man’s passion- every song with his steady rhythms. Songling, who used to be Xue in the Cantonese ver-
ate and heartthrobbing live performances and The fever didn’t subside until the donation cer- sion. You can tell that Chen Songling tried hard to
funk-based music have won them numerous fans. emony was held when the six students chosen make her voice close to Chen Jieyi’s, low and thick,
Their fi rst album Thin Man I, released in 1999, Dai Qin Photo by Sabu Zhang from different colleges showed up on stage. but it never quite got there.
was a great hit in the ‘down period’ of the Chinese The whole night was bathed in affection and The goodbye show was sentimental – Cheung
record industry. And their second album Beijing appearance of Thin Man – vocalist Dai Qiang, gui- warmth, though the music was strong, it was all and his comrades shed tears on stage, and the
Dream was released in 2002. Their brilliant per- tarist Guo Zhiyong, bassist San’er and drummer about love and hope, loneliness and confusion. Dai audience tried to stay longer (until the guards
formances led them to major music festivals such Hayato immediately drew the crowd to the danc- Qin said at last, “This event aims to tell young came to drive them away). What’s exciting is that
as Midi Music Festival, Fuji Rock Festival, Liji- ing pool right in front of the stage. people that love exists between us and we should Cheung’s farewell to Snow Wolf Lake is not fare-
ang Snow Mountain Music Festival, Helanshan Dai Qin – the soul of the band – stirred the give a hand to others.” well to all his musical dreams. “I hope I can
Music Festival and last year’s Gegentala Grass- crowd with his personal charisma and hard rock- On Thin Man’s new album, they pay more at- make at least two new musicals in the future,”
lands Music Festival. ing performance. tention to humanity and society and seem to have he said. Looking forward to it, Jacky. The legend
As the warm-up band fi nished their songs, the The screen said ‘All these sounds will be re- found their role, spreading love through music. of the singing god still isn’t over.