Armed riot policemen run past a burning car during an anti-terrorism drill as part of efforts to maintain security in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province May 22, 2007.May 23, 2007
Anti-terrorism drill in Guiyang【PHOTO NEWS】
Armed riot policemen run past a burning car during an anti-terrorism drill as part of efforts to maintain security in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province May 22, 2007.
Foreiner in China：Money Management: in China, and in my Country
Some reflections on a Chinese language post from My Chinese Blog Experiment, called 钱的管理：中国跟我的国家有区别吗? You can also read about some of my other Chinese Language Posts here.
This was one of my first efforts at writing a Chinese post on this blog. It’s great practice for my Chinese, and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I chose money management as a topic, because I definitely see a lot of the new upper-middle class spending money in ways that just don’t make no sense…
I don’t mean to focus on money, but it’s tricky to avoid this topic if you’re a Canadian/American in China. When I meet someone on the street, and I tell them I’m Canadian, the most common reply is “Canada, eh? Canada’s really rich, right?”
Now, being from Canada’s poorest province, Newfoundland, I often feel the need to explain that not everywhere in Canada is rich. But instead I usually just play a game I like to call “Count the Audi’s.” Despite the fact that China is still a country in development, man oh man, does it ever have a shit-load of luxury cars! In my province, I might see a couple of Audi’s in a week. Here’s I can hit the same total in about ten seconds.
Now is it necessary to own such a car? Or is it that having such a car projects the image that you want to show others in society?
Compensating for anything?
I guess it happens everywhere in the world, but I think when you get a strata of society new to money, as some in China are, you’re likely to find this phenomenon.
Another point I raised in this post was the fact that second-hand clothing doesn’t really seem to be popular here in China. At least not that I can see — with the possible exception of army surplus stores. By the way, check out Chinese Rock Star, He Yong (left), not being afraid to buy a second-hand Navy shirt. Good for you, buddy!
Most other countries have tiny stores where you can go and get old retro, dirty cheap clothes, for about the same price as regular clothes in China. There’s a scary thought hey? If Chinese textiles can be made for so cheap, maybe the second hand stuff is priced so low it’s not worth selling…
More likely it’s the fact that Chinese people in general are more concerned about the possible image they might portray by wearing someone else’s used clothes? Maybe the knock off Ralph Lauren with the leather man-purse is a better option?
Anyway the underlying truth of the matter, in my opinion, is that appearing to have money in China seems to be almost as good as being rich for real.
What I’ve tried to say in my Chinese post - and I tried to do it in a relatively sensitive way without being negative - was that it doesn’t matter what impression you project for others to see. Expensive cars, clothes, cell phones — they’re just a mask.
The opinion others have of you means nothing in the end. The most important thing is the opinion you have of yourself.
This was one of my first efforts at writing a Chinese post on this blog. It’s great practice for my Chinese, and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I chose money management as a topic, because I definitely see a lot of the new upper-middle class spending money in ways that just don’t make no sense…
I don’t mean to focus on money, but it’s tricky to avoid this topic if you’re a Canadian/American in China. When I meet someone on the street, and I tell them I’m Canadian, the most common reply is “Canada, eh? Canada’s really rich, right?”
Now, being from Canada’s poorest province, Newfoundland, I often feel the need to explain that not everywhere in Canada is rich. But instead I usually just play a game I like to call “Count the Audi’s.” Despite the fact that China is still a country in development, man oh man, does it ever have a shit-load of luxury cars! In my province, I might see a couple of Audi’s in a week. Here’s I can hit the same total in about ten seconds.
Now is it necessary to own such a car? Or is it that having such a car projects the image that you want to show others in society?
Compensating for anything?
I guess it happens everywhere in the world, but I think when you get a strata of society new to money, as some in China are, you’re likely to find this phenomenon.
Another point I raised in this post was the fact that second-hand clothing doesn’t really seem to be popular here in China. At least not that I can see — with the possible exception of army surplus stores. By the way, check out Chinese Rock Star, He Yong (left), not being afraid to buy a second-hand Navy shirt. Good for you, buddy!
Most other countries have tiny stores where you can go and get old retro, dirty cheap clothes, for about the same price as regular clothes in China. There’s a scary thought hey? If Chinese textiles can be made for so cheap, maybe the second hand stuff is priced so low it’s not worth selling…
More likely it’s the fact that Chinese people in general are more concerned about the possible image they might portray by wearing someone else’s used clothes? Maybe the knock off Ralph Lauren with the leather man-purse is a better option?
Anyway the underlying truth of the matter, in my opinion, is that appearing to have money in China seems to be almost as good as being rich for real.
What I’ve tried to say in my Chinese post - and I tried to do it in a relatively sensitive way without being negative - was that it doesn’t matter what impression you project for others to see. Expensive cars, clothes, cell phones — they’re just a mask.
The opinion others have of you means nothing in the end. The most important thing is the opinion you have of yourself.
May 22, 2007
`24' has China on the Brain!
Trying to get a sense of China’s place in the American public consciousness—to the extent it exists at all-- isn’t easy. As we’ve seen, China barely registers in presidential campaign, and when it does (as in the Republican debate the other night) the subject tends to elicit absurdly simplistic soundbites (which ,as I write that , I realize is redundancy squared…).China, however does play a bit part in one of the most popular TV series in the US: 24, the drama in which super Agent Jack Bauer routinely saves the US from terrorists in one day ( 24 stands for 24 hours). The series is entertaining—I count myself as a fan—even though the plot lines have become increasingly, shall we say, convoluted now that the series is in its sixth season. I mean, how many different ways can Jack Bauer save the Republic from terrorists 24 hours? Well, one way is to have China, the rising superpower, play a sinister role in this season’s back story. At end of last season, China intelligence agents kidnapped Jack and took him back to China, where, according to the story, he was tortured mercilessly for two years. Why had they done this? Because Jack had shot and killed a Chinese agent at the LA consulate in his pursuit of Islamic terrorists earlier in the season (why was he shooting up the Chinese consulate in pursuit of Islamic terrorists? Never mind, it seemed to make sense at the time, even if it doesn’t now)…. At the beginning of this season, Jack is returned from the Chinese prison, looking a little worse for wear, having been tortured for two years. Nevertheless, in about five minutes he’s fit as a fiddle and tracking down terrorists again. Now, as this season draws to a close, we find that Jack’s father—a high techy, CEO kind of guy—is helping the Chinese steal a critical electronic component which will give Beijing access to all of Russia’s defense plans. How is it Jack’s father is in bed with the Chinese, and why in the world does everyone from the President of the United States to Jack Bauer care so much about //Russian// defense plans? Never mind; like I said, it’s more than a little convoluted. The highlight of this episode—at least for those of us with China on the brain—came when Jack’s father tried to kidnap his grandson (Jack’s nephew). Again, never mind the rationale or how the kid fits into the plot. The priceless bit of dialogue comes when the grandfather speaks by phone to the grandson, explaining his plans for the two of them: Jack’s father (speaking to the grandson, Josh): “…I’m taking you away from this ungrateful country, to someplace we can both start over.”
Josh: “Where?"Granndpa: “China. Within a decade, they will have surpassed this country in EVERY possible way. And WE can be part of it! I am going to give you the future I promised you when you were born.Josh: “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”“No, I didn’t think you would, but you will…”
Wow. I say this as a certified Panda Hugger (married to a Chinese woman, own a home in Shanghai, don't believe China's really a threat to anyone right now): I’m with Josh! What the hell ARE you talking about, Grandpa!!? The question of the day is, wouldn't most Americans ask the same question as Josh? Or do they, god help us, agree with Grandpa?
Josh: “Where?"Granndpa: “China. Within a decade, they will have surpassed this country in EVERY possible way. And WE can be part of it! I am going to give you the future I promised you when you were born.Josh: “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”“No, I didn’t think you would, but you will…”
Wow. I say this as a certified Panda Hugger (married to a Chinese woman, own a home in Shanghai, don't believe China's really a threat to anyone right now): I’m with Josh! What the hell ARE you talking about, Grandpa!!? The question of the day is, wouldn't most Americans ask the same question as Josh? Or do they, god help us, agree with Grandpa?
Spending on R&D gets boost
China, which last month pledged to become an innovation nation, yesterday unveiled a strategy to strengthen its scientific prowess over the next 15 years.
Spending on research and development (R&D) will account for 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, according to the National Guideline on Medium- and Long-term Programme for Science and Technology Development (2006-20) issued by the State Council.
The ratio of spending on R&D will be increased to 2 per cent of GDP by 2010 from the current 1.3 per cent.
"By 2020, the general goal for our country's science and technology development is to dramatically strengthen homegrown innovation capacity," the plan said.
The targets are based on ground realities in China and the experience of other countries, said Gao Changlin, a senior researcher with the National Research Centre for Science and Technology for Development.
Gao, who was involved in strategic research for formulating the guideline, told China Daily that it is a global trend to increase investment in science and technology, both in developed and developing countries.
Most of the funds must come from State coffers rather than the private sector, he said, explaining that even in developed countries, government spending usually exceeds 35 per cent of the total spending on R&D.
Also in the guideline, the country envisions that by 2020, science and technology will contribute 60 per cent to economic growth.
The reliance on key foreign technology will decline to below 30 per cent from more than half now.
To achieve these goals, the blueprint details a number of policies on financial support, tax incentives and government procurement, together with a package of key projects.
Gao said motivating enterprises to go down the path of innovation would be crucial, adding that spending on R&D might be tax- deductible.
The guideline also pledges to have a mechanism of venture capital investment for startups; and encourages small- and medium-sized technology companies to go public overseas.
The guideline lists a comprehensive package of key technology, frontier technology and basic research programmes.
The 16 key programmes will address a series of urgent problems China confronts in energy, information, health and resources; and develop technologies for both military and civilian uses.
They include a new generation of wide-band wireless mobile communication technology, exploration of large oil and gas fields and coalbed gas, water pollution control, prevention of serious contagious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, manned space flights and lunar exploration.
In frontier technologies, China will focus on such sectors as energy, biology, information, new materials, advanced manufacturing, space development and exploration of seas and oceans.
In energy research, for example, advanced technologies for energy-efficient buildings, utilization of clean and liquidized coal, extraction of oil and gas from areas with complex geological structure and development of recycled energy and new energy are all given priority.
In basic science research, four major programmes are the study of proteins, control of quanta, nano technology and research of growth and reproduction.
Spending on research and development (R&D) will account for 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, according to the National Guideline on Medium- and Long-term Programme for Science and Technology Development (2006-20) issued by the State Council.
The ratio of spending on R&D will be increased to 2 per cent of GDP by 2010 from the current 1.3 per cent.
"By 2020, the general goal for our country's science and technology development is to dramatically strengthen homegrown innovation capacity," the plan said.
The targets are based on ground realities in China and the experience of other countries, said Gao Changlin, a senior researcher with the National Research Centre for Science and Technology for Development.
Gao, who was involved in strategic research for formulating the guideline, told China Daily that it is a global trend to increase investment in science and technology, both in developed and developing countries.
Most of the funds must come from State coffers rather than the private sector, he said, explaining that even in developed countries, government spending usually exceeds 35 per cent of the total spending on R&D.
Also in the guideline, the country envisions that by 2020, science and technology will contribute 60 per cent to economic growth.
The reliance on key foreign technology will decline to below 30 per cent from more than half now.
To achieve these goals, the blueprint details a number of policies on financial support, tax incentives and government procurement, together with a package of key projects.
Gao said motivating enterprises to go down the path of innovation would be crucial, adding that spending on R&D might be tax- deductible.
The guideline also pledges to have a mechanism of venture capital investment for startups; and encourages small- and medium-sized technology companies to go public overseas.
The guideline lists a comprehensive package of key technology, frontier technology and basic research programmes.
The 16 key programmes will address a series of urgent problems China confronts in energy, information, health and resources; and develop technologies for both military and civilian uses.
They include a new generation of wide-band wireless mobile communication technology, exploration of large oil and gas fields and coalbed gas, water pollution control, prevention of serious contagious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, manned space flights and lunar exploration.
In frontier technologies, China will focus on such sectors as energy, biology, information, new materials, advanced manufacturing, space development and exploration of seas and oceans.
In energy research, for example, advanced technologies for energy-efficient buildings, utilization of clean and liquidized coal, extraction of oil and gas from areas with complex geological structure and development of recycled energy and new energy are all given priority.
In basic science research, four major programmes are the study of proteins, control of quanta, nano technology and research of growth and reproduction.
China-Japan talks 'expect no breakthrough'
A new round of sub-cabinet-level talks between China and Japan is expected to open in Tokyo tomorrow, but Chinese analysts expect no "breakthroughs" for the frosty ties.
Heading a Chinese delegation, Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo is expected to fly to Tokyo today to hold two-day talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shotaro Yachi.
No specific topics have been officially unveiled, but Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported the upcoming Dai-Yachi talks are likely to touch on the Japanese leader's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine honouring 14 convicted Class A war criminals and the bilateral dispute over China's natural gas project in the East China Sea.
A major task for the talks is to break the stalemate in the soured China-Japan relations, without which the high-level meeting between the two leaders cannot go on, said Jin Xide, a researcher on Japanese studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"So we can't expect any breakthroughs on a specific question if it hinders the development of bilateral relations from the fourth-round China-Japan strategic talks," Jin told China Daily yesterday.
China and Japan had three rounds of talks last year, the last one taking place in Beijing in October.
The last talks were stopped when Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which China, along with other Asian countries, sees as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
China-Japan relations have cooled since Koizumi took office in 2001 and began his annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine.
Despite repeated requests by Beijing and Seoul to stop the pilgrimages, Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in October, triggering a further strain on diplomatic ties.
Signs have shown the icy political relations have "cooled" the growth of bilateral trade, because the bilateral relations were at a very low point last year.
Between January and August last year the trade volume of Japan and China increased by 10.3 per cent year on year at least 13 percentage points less than the growth rate between the EU, the United States and the Republic of Korea, which register at 23.7, 24.9 and 25.7 per cent respectively, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The key to improving bilateral ties is for Japanese leaders to face up to wartime history and stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, a move that has offended the Chinese people, said Guo Xiangang, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies.
The talks are significant because communication between the two countries still functions. "I personally feel cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the talks," he said.
On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing that China hopes the two sides can enhance their understanding through the talks.
"We will also reiterate our solemn stances on certain issues," he added.
Heading a Chinese delegation, Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo is expected to fly to Tokyo today to hold two-day talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shotaro Yachi.
No specific topics have been officially unveiled, but Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported the upcoming Dai-Yachi talks are likely to touch on the Japanese leader's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine honouring 14 convicted Class A war criminals and the bilateral dispute over China's natural gas project in the East China Sea.
A major task for the talks is to break the stalemate in the soured China-Japan relations, without which the high-level meeting between the two leaders cannot go on, said Jin Xide, a researcher on Japanese studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"So we can't expect any breakthroughs on a specific question if it hinders the development of bilateral relations from the fourth-round China-Japan strategic talks," Jin told China Daily yesterday.
China and Japan had three rounds of talks last year, the last one taking place in Beijing in October.
The last talks were stopped when Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which China, along with other Asian countries, sees as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
China-Japan relations have cooled since Koizumi took office in 2001 and began his annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine.
Despite repeated requests by Beijing and Seoul to stop the pilgrimages, Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in October, triggering a further strain on diplomatic ties.
Signs have shown the icy political relations have "cooled" the growth of bilateral trade, because the bilateral relations were at a very low point last year.
Between January and August last year the trade volume of Japan and China increased by 10.3 per cent year on year at least 13 percentage points less than the growth rate between the EU, the United States and the Republic of Korea, which register at 23.7, 24.9 and 25.7 per cent respectively, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The key to improving bilateral ties is for Japanese leaders to face up to wartime history and stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, a move that has offended the Chinese people, said Guo Xiangang, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies.
The talks are significant because communication between the two countries still functions. "I personally feel cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the talks," he said.
On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing that China hopes the two sides can enhance their understanding through the talks.
"We will also reiterate our solemn stances on certain issues," he added.
Remains of Chinese victims back home from Pakistan
Officers carry the coffins of three Chinese engineer victims, who were killed by gunmen in southern Pakistan, to a hearse at Luogang Airport in Hefei, East China's Anhui province February 18, 2006. The plane, carrying the three bodies of Chinese engineers from Pakistan, arrived at the Hefei Luogang Airport. Later, the bodies were carried to the hometown of the victims by car immediately. The victims, Long Hongbao, Wei Jianping and Zhao Bin, were shot along with other three colleagues when their car was attacked by gunmen on a road in the town of Hub, some 700 km (435 miles) southeast of Quetta, the Balochistan provincial capital February 15.
Baby swimming
Three infants swim in a baby health center in Huangshi, Central China's Hubei Province February 7, 2006. Swimming is conducive to the development of babies' body systems and gets increasingly popular among young parents.
Chinese new fation,haha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
