Obama's China itinerary revealed
Shanghai Photographer Night at Dada
Racism in China: How poignant is it?
Heart Attack: Starring Jake Newby
Monitors remind classmates that love is publically unacceptable
- Salt water has crept up into the drinking water reservoirs of Guangdong province, leaving residents of key cities like Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhuhai, and Zhongshan facing one of the worst water crises in recent history. We're no science experts, but according to this report (in Chinese, with pictures) at some point in October, Zhuhai water chlorine (chlorinity?) levels reached 3300. An index of 250 is considered normal and the absolute upper limit deemed safe for human consumption is 400. Could you imagine drinking a morning cup of instant salty coffee? Not good.
- The official response to an Italian health department study on hazardous materials which found that imported Chinese shoes contained high amounts of nickel and other health unfriendly chemicals was, "Well, you started it." Wei Yafei of the China Leather Goods Industry said that most of these dyes and chemicals were imported from Italy in the first place. Of course, this is all sour grapes, because the market share of Chinese made shoes in Italy has recently grown 700%, with China now exporting about 90 million pairs, or 180 million shoes, to Italy each year.
- According to this report, certain types of tuna will be banned from being served as sashimi (that's raw fish Japanese style) in China's restaurants. The reason -- high levels of carbon monoxide, which is used to treat tuna that cannot be stored at -55 degrees Celsius, which would cover most of the sashimi bound tuna of Shanghai, because the city simply lacks those kinds of facilities. Thus, to make the fish look fresh, you have to spray it with carbon monoxide. However, Professor Wu of the Shanghai Fisheries University said that there is one way we can foil the masterminds that would poison the good foodies of the world: "Though looking red and fresh, CO-treated tuna is tasteless and lacks its usual supple texture," he said. Eat it, discuss its suppleness with those around you, and then regurgitate it. If you find it's been processed, celebrate by smoking cigarettes outside during rush hour.
- Finally, some light-hearted news to cheer you up. One of Russian premier Vladimir Putin's bodyguards is in China for an international kung-fu and karate competition. He says that although being a karate master, that he respected Chinese kung-fu, especially because he watches a lot of Chinee martial arts flicks, especially those starring Bruce Lee. OK, so that wasn't really light-hearted. Or interesting.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
post to facebook
That picture of the bodyguard is pretty interesting!
Looks as if he's sunburnt everywhere but his head.