China in the News

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Sunday, January 14, 2007, L.a. Times Business section:
"Research follows factories to China": Many big companies such as Google, HP, Johnson && Johnson, Microsoft, and Motorola are establishing research facilities in China, primarily in Beijing and Shanghai, hoping to develop products for the huge Chinese market as well as utilizing the growing number of Chinese engineers and scientists. The draw to China is its huge market, lower labor rates and rapid growth, and Chinese governments are giving all their support to accommodate these foreign investment facilities. Many of the science and math professionals leading the research facilities traveled abroad to study, returning to China to be a part of the country's economic development boom. By the end of 2006, there may be as many as 800 research facilities set up by foreign investors. China had spent about 20% more in 2006 on research than the previous year, with 16% of this from foreign investments. China's increase in R&D and our decrease has led to some concerns about where we are with competitiveness in math & science and our emphasis or lack of it in research. Interesting to note that China is "pumping out 600,000 engineering graduates a year--nearly double India's and eight times the number in the U.S.[!]" So, many of these students attend schools here, then return to their countries. For example, at San Jose State's College of Engrg which has about 5,000 students, 1,200 are Indian and Chinese nationals. China has a lot to offer, and as an example, one supplier of medical equipment in China, Siemens, is researching ways to integrate Western diagnostic techniques with traditional Chinese medical practices.
Aileen Willoughby

[Anonymous]

L.A. Times, front page, right column, Friday, Jan. 19, 2007: China is stepping up its military defense development program (did you know that China has the largest military in the world?) and last week shot a missile that destroyed one of its aging weather satellites. To the US, this is a concern with US satellites in space, but also, the missile reached a satellite that is in the same band where most satellites and manned space missions travel. China's response was that it is modernizing its military capabilities and part of that program is developing new weaponry. They claim that they are still years behind the US and Soviet Union in that regard (so, don't worry). But as China is growing by leaps and bounds in many areas of business, space is fair game for them, too. In September, China "used a ground-based laser to illuminate at least one U.S. satellite." Watch what happens in that area, too.
Aileen Willoughby

[Anonymous]

Wow this is a very interesting article. Especially when you consider the fact that China is pumping out 600,000 engineering graduates a year - 8 times the US! They are progressing at a rapid pace. It will also be very interesting to see what they produce integrating Western diagnostic techniques with traditional Chinese medicine. I am really glad we are taking this class and getting a head start with being aware of what's going on in China.

[Anonymous]

I heard about this on the news last night. It's amazing that one of their missiles accidentally hit a satellite - hopefully they will not be doing more tests and accidentally hitting other things in space, especially where it concerns the US. I'm glad China is a "friendly state". It's also amazing how much China is in the news now and how much they are progressing in many different areas - defense, medicine, engineering, technology, etc.

[Anonymous]

Los Angeles Times, Jan. 23, 2007, page 3
"The World: Not much faith in their food; Safety is becoming a priority for Beijing, but public confidence is low after several incidents"

China's food safety and sanitation is an area that needs much improvement. There have been periodic episodes of people becoming ill from eating food that was either poorly cooked or handled or that was bad from the get-go. Statistics estimate that 300 million people in the PRC end up with food poisoning each year. And the people's faith in the government on this issue is not real strong, considering how the government tried to coverup the SARS virus several years ago. Advice from a local woman was to avoid small markets and street peddlers. Hotels and restaurants are going to have sanitary grading systems, and the government has established a government agency to oversee food safety, but the country has yet to have food hygiene laws. It was rather amusing to see their 4-color warning for the Feb 18 launch of the Chinese New Year: Red means "eat at your own risk;" and is the level at which at least 100 people have been sickened or 10 people have died from food poisoning. Swell. With the 2008 Olympics coming up, there will probably be much more improvement. But I hope a great deal of effort is made before our China trip! Any comments from those who went on the trip last year?
Aileen Willoughby

[Anonymous]

This was an article in the OC Register on Jan 21st. It talked about two beautiful mountains in Eastern China: Taishan in Shandong provence and Huangshan in Anhui. Thousands of people climb the steps of their peeks every year. Taishan is considered one of the most sacred mountains in China. It is one of 5 holy mountains and played a role in the cult of the 6th century BC philosopher Confucius. Confucius was said to have visited Taishan several times. Huangshan, translated into English as "Yellow Mountain". This mountain is very picturesque with its distinctive pines and rolling clouds that seem to move like waterfalls over the mountains, has some of the most beautiful scenery. There are workers on the steps of the mountains that offer to carry visitors' backpacks for $1 all the way up the mountain and will carry YOU for $100!

[Anonymous]

Interesting the growth in China. It sure was obvious to us when we traveled there last spring. There are cranes everywhere. I just wonder what is going to happen with all the growth if somethng is not done to control pollution. There was a show on China Today on the education channel on TV last week. The entire show was devoted to the plight China has on its hand as they deal with growth and the pollution it is causing. What will happen is the big question. Will economic growth be the only motivator or will the governmnet make environmental issues a priority. If they do not what happens to the rest of the world as China continues to pollute. When we were in China last year I kept wondering why the sky was never blue. The only time I remember seeing a blue sky was when we were outside Beijing on our way back from The Great Wall I saw a glimpse of blue. I wonder where you go to see blue sky? That was a part of China I found to be rather depressing. I wonder if Beijing ever has a blue sky.

[Anonymous]

Today, Monday, The Daily Breeze had an interestsing article about censorship in China. It was titled "Casino Royale to premiere in Beijing as 007 finally gets past censors." With all we learn about China and as I observed the growth last year when I was there I am still taken aback when I remember just how much government control there is still in China. Even though the movie will be distributed in China Soney will get very little profit because China only gives foreign film companies 13%. To protect its filmmakers Beijing limited imports last year to 50 titles for theatrical release including those from Hong Kong. Other films get limited release on DVD through Chinese distribution and also black market vendors. Authorities regected 2002's Di ANother Day because of its depiction of North Korea a close Beijing ally as a ganster haven. Casino Royal made it by the censors without any cuts.

[Anonymous]

Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, January 31, 2007, page A3
"Africa holds attractions for China leaders"
The Western countries are getting a little nervous about Chinese officials racking up frequent flier miles to the African continent, especially to South Africa, as China searches for sources of raw material. This past November, China hosted a China-Africa Cooperation Forum which included delegates from 48 African countries. The deal made was for China to provide military assistance, investments, loans and credits, and for the African countries to recognize the PRC, not Taiwan. Chinese President Hu is in Africa now on an 8-country tour and is expected to sign some deals and packages. Interesting growth in China-Africa trade: 1995, $3 billion; 2005, $40 billion; 2010, the goal is $100 billion. Wow. Western countries are also concerned about China's move for Sudan's oil, disregarding Sudan's poor stance on humanitarianism (Darfur). One human rights advocate group wants China to take bolder measures in putting pressure on Sudan (support sanctions, monitor how Chinese weapons are used in Darfur, examine human rights abuses by Sudan's military, and provide financial assistance to victims of Darfur). Chinese companies are doing business there, but there have been accusations of exploitation on the part of the Chinese. Recently, Zambian workers rioted at a Chinese copper mine because of poor work conditions.
Aileen Willoughby[Edit by="awilloughby on Jan 31, 7:26:40 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I read an interesing article in the LA Times on Sunday Februay 11. During the time when Mao was in power funeral ceremonies were discouraged, but today there is a resurgence of the elaborate funeral ceremony. Sometimes they are so elaborate that they are like a big party for a wedding. People are spending huge sums of money on funerals even though they are discouraged by the government. The values of filial piety and ancestor worship come into play in these funerals. Chinese people highly value the ideals of ancestor worship and funerals are therefore quite important. So as the Communist hold on the people of China loosens some of the ancient customs are becoming more and more popular and practiced.

[Anonymous]

The Huntington Library in San Marino, CA has announced that they will be celebrating the "Year of the Pig" on Saturday, February 24th, from 10:30-4:30 PM. They will feature a "Lion Dance", book reading and signing (Oliver Chin's "The Year of the Pig"), Youth art, dance and music. All the activities are included in the price of the general admission to the Library.

[Anonymous]

The Huntington Library recently announced the arrival of several foreign diplomats from China, who came to see the progress on the Chinese garden located at the library. Among the visitors were Consul General Zhong Jianhua from mainland China, former Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Vice Premier of Foreign Trade, Wu Yi, and foreign Minister Li Zhaoxin. They became the first Chinese to sign Mr. Huntington's historic guestbook. President Steve Koblik said, "This is a remarkable moment in The Huntington's history."

[Anonymous]

Beijing Olympics 2008

The official website of thje Beijing Olympics (en.Beijing2008.cn) is a fun place to roam, particularlly with our trip on the horizon. The introductory screen gives a count-down to the games down to the second. This page also offers many interesting llinks. I tried a few and was surprised to learn that there are also six other co-host cities as far flung as Shnghai (football) and Hong Kong (equestrian). Studying the detailed map of the venues actually in Beijing, I located the Olympic Green in the northern portion of the city. While many facilities are being built here, the most interesting appears to be the National Stadium which will seat 91,000 spectators. The architecture looks amazing; it was designed by a Swiss firm. There are pictures of its on-going coonstruction. I wonder if the Olympic Green is on our trip itinerary?

[Anonymous]

This is a really interesting website that offers pictures of places, historical sites and a little background on some of the famous places. It is amazing to think that we are going to visit these places! This site is very helpful for me because I have never been to China, and don't know much at all about China or it's history because I don't teach Social Studies, I teach math. I was surprised at how beautiful some of the sites are. I always pictured China as a place with tons of people, little room to walk and and buildings close together. I'm glad there are some places that are not. It would be interesting to go to a few of the Olympic sites too.

[Anonymous]

There was an article in the Daily Breeze on February 16th about a man who faces the death penalty for ant fraud in China. The man started a business selling kits of ants and breeding equipment. Ants are used in some traditional Chinese medicine for healing, which apparently can be very pricey. The man solicited investors and collected $385 million dollars - he charged $1,300 for a kit that costs him only $25. By the time people caught on to his scheme, much of the money had disappeared. Since China has started making the transition from a planned economy to a free market, fake investment and pyramid investment schemes have become very common. The death penalty is used widely in China. It is usally reserved for violent crimes, but is also used in cases involving large sums of money or cases that are destructive to society.

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