Shanghaiist

The Xinjiang Riots: What's happened so far

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-07T00:15:00+07:00

Photo compiled by BBC

Twitter has been blocked (as has Danwei, presumably because of their coverage) and Internet is allegedly down everywhere in Urumuqi - basically, it's information crackdown time since the proverbial shit has hit the fan.

The standing death count is still at 140 (UPDATE: 156), with 828 recorded injured, though it's hard to say how valid that number is considering the media blackout.

According to the AP, though things may have calmed down somewhat in Urumuqi thanks to government checkpoints and newly imposed curfews, the protests have now spread to Kashgar as well. Luckily, it seems like the protests there are still just people yelling at each other - rather than widespread violence and death.

So what was all of the protesting about?

The protests were supposed to be a peaceful sit-in in response to what apparently many (anywhere between 1000 to 3000 allegedly participated) thought was a flawed handling of a conflict between Han Chinese and Uighur workers at a toy factory in Shaoguan, Guangdong.

Several Uighur were rumored to have sexually assaulted a Han Chinese female, based on a post on an internet message board. Then on June 26, violence erupted between the two ethnic groups as Han Chinese attacked Uyghur workers in revenge. Two Uyghurs were reported killed and 118 injured before local police said that a disgruntled Han Chinese worker who hadn't been hired back at the toy factory confessed to "faking the information to express his discontent."

As Global Voices Online points out, most sexual assault cases don't erupt in mass racial incidents. But with Han Chinese feeling Uyghurs get "special treatment" and Uyghurs feeling like victims of Han Chinese imperialism and racism, relations between the two have never been particularly stable.

How did a peaceful protest turn into one of the most violent and deadly riots in recent Xinjiang history?

With both sides having something to gain from the way they report the story, it's very hard to say. According to the Associated Press, the violence started when the crowd grew past the 1,000 mark and people refused police demands that they disperse.

Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the pro-independence World Uighur Congress based in Germany, said he received calls from Urumqi describing the protest as peaceful until police used force to try to clear the square. "Riot police were using police batons to beat people," he said.
One caller he spoke with said police opened fire. Dilxat said some protesters were beaten badly. One of his informants told him that one person was killed. The account could not immediately be corroborated. Video shot from a building nearby and photos from mobile phones taken from the protest showed people running from police and a car on fire. In other shots, smoke rises in the distance and fire engines race to the protest.

Meanwhile, Xinhua has argued that the rioters had been there as part of a World Uighur Congress plot to threaten the stability of the Chinese government. It pointed to comments by exiled Uyghur and WUC leader Rebiya Kadeer for believers in Uyghur separatism "to be braver" and "to do something big."

The clashes took place between Uyghurs and members of China's Han community. Several vehicles and shops were also smashed or set ablaze Sunday evening during the violence that the provincial government said was masterminded by the separatist World Uyghur Congress. 'They took to the street, not peacefully, carrying knives, wooden batons, brick and stone,' said Wang Yaming, who was attacked by the mob but saved by a group of Uygurs.

As you can probably tell, the Chinese government's take on the WUC's nature is kind of different from some other sources.

What is the World Uighur Congress?

For Xinhua, it's a "separatist" organization formed by "Rebiya Kadeer, a former businesswoman in China, was detained in1999 on charges of harming national security. She was released on bail on March 17, 2005 to seek medical treatment in the United States."

According to itself, it's an international organization that "represents the collective interest of the Uyghur people both in East Turkestan and abroad" whose main objective is "the right of the Uyghur people to use peaceful, nonviolent, and democractic means to determine the political future of East Turkestan." It has categorically rejected Rebiya Kadeer's alleged role in the "peaceful" protest.

And this (possibly wackadoo tin foil hat-esque) site claims they're all part of a CIA conspiracy to break up China by inciting unrest. We have not substantiated any of the claims on this site, but if anyone can confirm whether Rebiya Kadeer's husband DOES work for Radio Free Asia or if Berlin HAS been cultivating relations with exiled Uyghur politicians, we'd maybe apologize for calling the site wackadoo. Maybe.

So what has been the world response?

Xinhua:

""Oops! Not again!" was almost the universal response when news of the unrest came Sunday night, when blood tainted Urumqi, with at least 140 lives lost and more than 800 others injured...

For whoever was behind the riot, or for whatever intentions they had in masterminding the bloodshed, one thing is clear: under no circumstances should slaughters be brooked, violence allowed or national security challenged."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon:

"All the differences of opinion, whether domestic or international, must be resolved peacefully through dialogue," Ban told a news conference in Geneva when he was asked about the rioting in the capital of China's northwestern region of Xinjiang.

"Governments concerned also must exercise extreme care and take necessary measures to protect the life and safety of civilian populations, and their citizens and also protect the properties and the freedoms of speech, assembly and information," he said.

"This is the basic principle of democracy. That's what I am urging again to all the countries of the world."

Chinese President Hu Jintao: [crickets]

Elsewhere on the web:

ESWN has one of the largest groupings of articles about the mass incident that we've seen so far, including links to Youtube videos of the protest.
Reuters has an interesting Fact Box listing the most major incidents of unrest in modern Chinese history - the most recent previous one happening in Tibet in March 2008. We guess we'll have yet another sensitive anniversary to add onto the list next year.
They also have a Fact Box on the Xinjiang region and the political turmoil that's bubbled out of there so many times we don't know if we can really call it "under the surface."
The Telegraph has answers to questions people who are newer to the whole Xinjiang conflict thing. Like, for people who don't really know what a Uyghur is.
Adam Minter of Shanghai Scrap points out that it seems like Western media was more reluctant to call what happened in Tibet "riots," opting for the much more peaceful sounding term "protest" instead. Bias against Muslims/for Buddhists perhaps?
The official CCTV video of the riots. Worth watching and then compare contrasting with other videos you may find.

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Today's Links: South China rains kill 20, displace 700K

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T19:30:00+07:00

South China rains kill 20, force 700,000 from homes [Xinhua] "Torrential rains and floods in southern China have left at least 20 people dead and two missing. More than 700,000 people have been relocated as downpours have destroyed houses, flooded crops, cut power, damaged roads and caused rivers to overflow, according to the latest figures from the provinces of Hunan, Fujian, Jiangxi and Guangdong and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. "
SHANGHAI BUILDING COLLAPSE: Hundreds protest [Straits Times] "HUNDREDS of Chinese homeowners protested outside government offices in Shanghai demanding refunds after a 13-story apartment building in a complex under construction toppled over, newspapers reported on Sunday. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said the protesters marched on Saturday through central Shanghai, holding handwritten signs and chanting: 'Lotus Riverside, refund (our) homes!'"
China apologizes to Mexico for tough swine flu stand [AFP] "China's Health Minister Chen Zhu Friday apologized to his Mexican counterpart for failing to warn him about the tough measures Beijing imposed on Mexicans to combat swine flu. "I regret that I did not talk first" to Minister Jose Angel Cordova, Chen said on the sidelines of a meeting in Cancun about the swine flu pandemic."
Landfill sites fail green screen [China Daily] "Almost half of China's rubbish dumps do not meet the country's environmental standards, the State Council has said. Of 935 landfill plants, more than a third do not take anti-leakage measures and almost 40 percent do not separate rainwater from leachate, a potentially hazardous solution created in the decomposition of waste, said the State Council's environment assessment team. Only 57 percent met the criteria during tests, it told 21st Century Business Herald."
China's elderly will overwhelm the nation [Los Angeles Times] "For three decades China's one-child policy helped power this nation's economic rise. With fewer mouths to feed, families saved. Poverty fell. Living standards improved. But a social experiment that worked well in some respects is now threatening the country's hard-won gains. China's working-age population -- the engine behind its prolific growth -- will start shrinking within a few years."
‘The new New York is Beijing’ [MSNBC] "By all rights, Beijing should be suffering the post-Olympic hangover anticipated by skeptics and cynics... If anything, however, the Chinese capital is enjoying a renaissance in the arts and culture - normally what would be the first casualty in a climate of recession and censorship. And it’s attracting a growing number of people from around the world who want to be part of the scene."

Photo from Xinhua

Photos: July 4th Celebration @ Boxing Cat Brewery

Justine Karp — 2009-07-06T18:30:00+07:00

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The weather held up, Carlton J. Smith made everyone shake their booties, and lots walked away with fabulous prizes (the Crocs had their own cheerleading team). All in all, it was an incredibly successful Fourth of July celebration!

All in all, we raised 15000RMB for charity. 12 teams competed in the charity chug off, drinking for the Rotary Club, Red Cross for Sichuan Earthquake Relief, Bo Ai Kids, BEAN, The Library Project, Chi Heng Foundation, Compassion for Migrant Children, Hands On Chengdu, and Roots & Shoots.

Funnily enough, the winning team actually hadn't thought of a charity to support before they entered. We guess they were just looking for an opportunity to down beers. If you're a charity interested in being supported, we ask that you make your case with them: 土豆 ~ Super Potato. Up for grabs is the winning pot and half the raffle sales (roughly 10,000RMB in total). The other half the raffle sales will be split amongst the rest of the charities.

Thanks to Boxing Cat Brewery for playing host and filling us up with delicious food and beer, thanks to all the sponsors for their generous donations, and most of all, thanks to everyone who came and turned this into an awesome, rockin' Fourth of July.

Photos by Andrew K. Jordan

Pencil This In: Acoustic open mic, an all universities mixer, and Shanghai Idol

Edna Zhou — 2009-07-06T17:00:00+07:00

When the summer heat starts making you drowsy this week, we recommend checking out some live music and art shows, networking with university alums, and ending the week with ~~drunken KTV~~ Shanghai Idol and the Not Me opening.

Monday
Unleash your inner sensitive musician tonight at Bee Dees' weekly Acoustic Music Open Stage. If you're a musician, go and perform your latest songs; if you're not, relax to some acoustic sounds as you drink away the last of the Monday blues.

8:30-11:30 PM. Bee Dees, 433 Dagu Lu near Chengdu Bei Lu (大沽路433号近成都北路) No cover

Tuesday
While we don't have any Tuesday-specific recommendations, today might be a good day to broaden your horizons and check out some art galleries. Ranging from photography to murals to ceramics, and in locations all over Shanghai, there's bound to be one close to you that piques your interest.

Thursday
For those looking to network on a Thursday night, the semi-annual Shanghai All Universities Mixer is a chance for alumni from universities abroad to meet and mingle. Participating alumni groups include Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, USC, Yale and others. Cover is 100 rmb and includes two premium drinks and complimentary canapes. RSVP here

6:30-9:00 PM. Brown Sugar, Building 15, Xintiandi North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, Xin Tian Di (太仓路181弄新天地北里15号近黄陂南路)

Friday
Who needs Adam Lambert when you have Shanghai Idol? Head to the Bulldog to watch some of Shanghai's finest break out of their KTV shells, complete with a panel of "crazy personality judges". Think you have what it takes? Contact Jonathan Biber at jonathan@zuloo.co.uk to become a contestant.

Starts 10 PM. Bulldog Shanghai, Wulumuqi Nan Lu at Dongping Lu (乌鲁木齐南路1号近东平路) No cover

Afterward, walk just a couple blocks to the Not Me opening, featuring female DJ Elin Aram and a mix of free flow from 9 to 11.

Doors open 9 PM. Not Me, 21 Dong Ping Rd at Heng Shang Rd (东平路21号近衡山路) No cover

Preview Photos: Eyes wide shut at the July 4 Party

Wee Ling Soh — 2009-07-06T16:30:00+07:00

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Spurred on by the light buzz from beer we had chugged for charity, we pounced upon some unsuspecting flag-waving partygoers during the July 4 Shanghaiist + Boxing Cat Brewery Party last weekend.

We've always been fascinated by the surreal effect closed eyes can have in contrast with the actual surroundings. The magnitude of expressions, some of which slightly uncomfortable, were captured à la My Name is Earl.

That said, though we are still unsure where this spate of photography will take us, big props to the sporting partygoers who obliged us in this ongoing project.

More photos, with eyes wider open, to come later.

Guys must watch out for sexual harassment in China too!

Allie Shi — 2009-07-06T14:30:00+07:00

Recently, a famous recruitment website did a special survey of sexual harassment in the workplace. To our surprise, it seems that one third of the male respondants said that they had encountered forms of sexual harassment.

Over 5,000 workers responded. According to the survey, sexual harassment was most likely to happen at night bars or clubs - 30.1% of the respondents reported encountering inappropriate behavior there.

When in private places with less alcohol, such as offices, women were still much more likely to encounter sexual harassment. Almost 40% of office ladies reported being improperly "touched" while only 15.6% of males encountered the same.

Another interesting question on the survey was, "How would you react to the sexual harassments happened in the work place?"

65.3% of people said they would shut up and endure it. 14.8% of people said they would resign their jobs. Only 10% chose the option to denounce the action and 5.9% said they would report it to the associated branch of the company.

The survey also confessed that the main reason that more than 80% of people who do not report or denounce the act is that the sexual harassment usually come from their bosses. Yikes.

"Oracle Bone" essayist fails gaokao, but gets into Sichuan University

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T13:30:00+07:00

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We've talked at length about the national exams (or gaokao) that have been making our Chinese compatriots' lives hell the last month. Every year there's a couple of weird controversies, usually relating to cheating or illegal registration or the like, and this year was no exception.

But cheating stories are depressing. Here's one wacky gaokao tale that seems to have earned a happy ending. A Sichuan student failed his gaokao essay, but may get into university anyway because the 800-word paper had been written (largely correctly) in a language from 3,000 years ago.

The script, called "甲骨 Jia Gu" (oracle bone script) is from the Bronze Age and is usually found on ox bones or turtle shells. Professors who translated the essay into modern Chinese found that 19-year-old Huang Ling's character use was largely correct, but his essay was awarded an 8 out of 80 (later lowered to 6).

From the SCMP:

Mr Huang was quoted saying that he was not trying to "play around" but was hoping to "attract the attention of the examination assessor". He said he had become obsessed with oracle bone script since last year, when he was taught how Chinese characters evolved from it. He has since read voraciously about it in his spare time.

Teacher Fu Tichao was initially angry at Mr Huang, but admitted it was impressive that he wrote the essay in 90 minutes. There are only about 1,000 oracle bone script characters, and Mr Huang has mastered 80 per cent, the teacher said.

While some netizens criticised Mr Huang for showing off, others applauded his dedication to a rare and difficult discipline.

Danwei pointed out that writing wasn't all in oracle bone, but rather was an amalgamation of various ancient forms:

This reporter's initial reaction was astonishment when I first saw the paper covered in ancient characters on the copy Xiao Huang made of his essay. After inspecting it carefully, several language arts teachers who had studied ancient characters discovered that it contained oracle bone characters, bronze inscription characters, and seal characters. And after reading Pu's transcription, a number of language arts teachers said that although some of the sentences were ungrammatical or strained, the meaning was basically understandable.

Pu said that Xiao Huang's writing was usually better than this, so the ancient characters may have affected his thought process.

Many felt that the low score belied the rigidity of the national exams, which do not normally let students like Huang show off their true skills. But if Huang got into university anyway, then at least it shows that sometimes, with enough media attention, there are exceptions to the rule.

Chinese writers churn out Michael Jackson bio in 48 hours

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T12:00:00+07:00

If there was a world record for the quickest post-death biographies ever written, this one would probably win. Two Chinese writers have written an "instant book" on Michael Jackson spanning 130,000 words... in just 48 hours. Entitled "Moonwalk in Paradise - the Michael Jackson biography", the book became available for pre-order on Friday and landed on China's bookshelves on Saturday. The writers "didn't sleep for two days" and survived off of coffee and cigarettes until the book was done. Neither have ever met or interviewed Jackson, instead simply compiling the story from their "accumulated knowledge about the king of pop." Going by what our writing tends to look like after two days of no sleep, we bet the second half of this bio looks like brilliant, not-quite-lucid nonsense. Source: China Daily

Friday: NOT ME opening!

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T11:00:00+07:00

Party animals that we are, we were absolutely thrilled to find out that Shanghai was getting another live music venue. Not Me, a bar/lounge on Dongping Lu, will soon be hosting a score of Indie / Indie Electro / Electroclash / Dance Rock acts in the French Concession. But before we start rooting for Cut Copy or Friendly Fires to make their way over to (or at least get copious dance floor play in) Shanghai, there first must be a grand opening!

Luckily, S.T.D., who brought over Ratatat in May and are now in charge of Not Me's creative direction, would never pass up such a great party opportunity.

They'll be collaborating with Swedish jean label NOKO Jeans for a double launch - both of the Not Me club and of NOKO's move to become the first fashion jeans producer in North Korea (yikes, good luck).

Spinning at the booth will be DJ Elin Aram of Swedish dj duo Do It! with support from STDJs R3, DJ Sosso and Mau Mau. Some finger food and free flow drinks will be provided between 9pm and 11pm, and the entry is free.

We've got our fingers crossed that this'll be great. As much as we love Logo and Anar and Shelter and what not, Shanghai really could use a new venue on the scene.

When: Friday, July 10 9PM
Where: 21 Dong Ping Rd near Heng Shang Rd, 21 东平路

[Updated] Xinjiang riot leaves scores dead

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T10:15:00+07:00

Update: BBC News is now reporting that at least 140 are dead and over 800 injured. It also has video, which may be disturbing for some to watch.

Riots erupted yesterday in Xinjiang after a protest in Urumuqi's People's Square turned sour, ending with three dead and scores injured, according to Xinhua. One of the protestors told SCMP that the protest had been held to demand an investigation into a deadly June 25 brawl between Uighur and Han Chinese workers at a toy factory in southern China.

It was meant to be a silent sit-down, but when the numbers swelled to 1,000 and people refused to disperse, the protest became violent. Xinhua has pointed the finger at the World Uyghur Congress, calling the riots a "preempted, organized violent crime. It is instigated and directed from abroad, and carried out by outlaws in the country."

But some human rights groups and Uighur independence activists have argued that it was yet another harshly played hand by Beijing, where excessive force was used to beat down what was at first a peaceful event. While Xinhua says that three have died (all Han), BBC Chinese reports that the current body count also includes 10 Uyghurs. More pictures can be found on Boxun.

Fatal bus crash on Shanghai's Yangpu bridge

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T09:45:00+07:00

Last night at around 9:30pm, a No. 3 line bus lost control on the Yangpu Bridge and swerved into the opposite lane, colliding with cars and causing a 12 vehicle pile-up. Roughly 14 people were injured. Three were killed by the accident - the bus driver died on the spot and two others, a bus passenger and a driver of a taxi the bus crashed into - died of injuries after being sent to the hospital. Police are currently investigating the cause of the accident. Source: Xinmin and Xinhua

Week Around the Ists

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-06T09:00:00+07:00

Courtesy: Jason Wagner

Gothamist followed the story of a woman who claimed a police officer manhandled her—punching her and grabbing her breasts—because she had taken her pug out of its carrier. There were numerous, some differing witness accounts and the police are investigating the allegations.

Seattlest owned up to its darkest, most claustrophobic fear--getting trapped in a badly maintained hellevator.

SFist wondered why some Bay Area residents feared the high speed rail system, which would whisk people from downtown San Francisco to downtown Los Angeles in two hours.

Phillyist was disappointed but unsurprised when the makers of Trojan condoms named Philly amongst the least-sexed cities in the States.

Chicagoist checked out the annual Pride Parade, which celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Torontoist didn't just get to watch their city's Pride Parade (or people-watch after it)—they got to march in it, snapping photos as they want.

LAist found that there is no better way to represent your 'hood than by sporting an area code t-shirt--818, 213, 310, 323 & 562 in the hizzouse!

Londonist wondered if the candid spectacle of a backpacker sniffing his own underwear constitutes entertainment.

(Grandpa) Bostonist criticized the fixie phenomenon and white trash parties, inviting the wrath of hipsters citywide.

DCist spoke to the sad owners of a dog who they suspected had been stolen while tied up outside a local Whole Foods, which, it turns out, made their commenters surprisingly angry.

Around Shanghai: No more airplane temperature checks, but we're getting a Wall St. Bull and Linkin Park!

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-05T15:00:00+07:00

Shanghai has decided to stop on-board aircraft passenger temperature checks, to the dismay of budding photographers hoping to document the bizarre hazard suit teams. [Shanghai Daily]
Mudwrestling at Martini Bar? Those are two things we thought never would really mix, but it somehow happened. [SmartShanghai]
What a load of bull. Shanghai's planning on building a bigger version of Wall St.'s charging bull statue to be placed on the waterfront. It'll mark the tail end of China's Year of the Ox and... we guess, be auspicious somehow. [The Age]
Sweeeeet. Skateboarding's totes catching on in our city or something and that's rad, man. [Global Post]
You know what's the best way to commemorate the 300 day countdown to the Shanghai World Expo? By opening up an Expo dedicated to Expos, like they did in Beijing. [CRI]
We were JUST snarking on Linkin Park last night, and guess what we read this morning? They're set to perform at Shanghai Stadium on August 15. They're totally gonna kick our asses. [Shanghai Daily]

Photo by Edna Zhou

Interview: Grace Before Meals post-rocking Shanghai

Edna Zhou — 2009-07-04T14:00:00+07:00

Coming to us off a European tour, Australian band Grace Before Meals is set to play at Yu Yin Tang tonight at the Indie China Showcase, along with six other bands from around China.

We had a chance to talk to frontman Vic McEwan in between his band's crazy rehearsal schedule:

Post-rock Ozzie band Grace Before Meals is playing tonight at Yu Yin Tang, along with a host of great Chinese indie bands for an Indie China Showcase.
Where: Yu Yin Tang 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号
Starts: Saturday, July 4, Showcase starts at 9pm
Cover: 50RMB
For more local events, visit the Shanghaiist Calendar.

How did the band come about?

The band started as a solo recording project by me. As the recording was completed I realized that I wanted to play these songs live but didn't want to plat under a solo name such as Vic McEwan, so The name Grace Before Meals was born.

I started practicing these songs with my girlfriend at the time Sarah Moor. She is a drummer and also plays piano. We organized to play a show together and realized that it would be nice to have some strings and of course needed some bass guitar to round out the sounds we had recorded. I had played in a band called Box Freezer Romance with Amelia Reid for some time so asked to come and play at our first show. Another friend Fiona Berry, was a viola player and so we asked her to join us and play. After a few rehearsals and a gig we realized we really liked playing together, and somehow it just felt very easy.

Another friend from Box Freezer Romance, Penny McBride also had some rehearsals with us. She was busy for our first couple of shows but continues to play with us and is on tour with us here in China. Fiona Berry, the viola player, wasn't able to travel at this time so our line up for these shows is piano, percussion, xylophone, bass and trumpet.

Mostly the people in this band came together because they are all so lovely to spend time with. And Sarah Moor and I got married the day before we left on this 3 months European and China tour. So this is really our Honeymoon Tour.

Why the name Grace Before Meals?

Grace Before Meals was simply a name that I had had in my head for maybe ten years and thought a band would be good with that name. To me the name isn't about anything religious but about a moment of quite contemplation and thanks for the good things around you. Maybe these songs are the sound track to that moment of quiet contemplation before people engage with the FRENZY of life.

Your first show was in 2008- what's it like to be playing a worldish tour already a year later?

We have all played in other bands all our lives, and still do play in other bands. Organizing a world tour so quickly is a great way to utilize the fresh energy that we have together. We all have a lot of energy for this band, not just for the playing music side of it but for the organizing part and for creating different experiences, whether they are musical, cultural or whatever. This band is full of people who have all had interesting life experiences and love to explore and to look into the cracks to find the undiscovered beauties.

How do you factor instruments like a viola and clarinet into a band?

The viola is such a beautiful instrument and under utilized in what is loosely termed "rock music". To me it is like adding a lace collar or a beautiful antique necklace to an outfit; it has such a haunting, beautiful, sad and uplifting tone, all at the same time. How could we have anything other that a viola?

The clarinet is an instrument I have been playing for only a few years. It doesn't feature in our live show much because I am playing piano, but there are plans to have some songs that are based on the clarinet in our live set. These songs are being explored in rehearsals at the moment.

Now the question every band hates: How would you describe your music?

I would describe our music as beautiful and creepy creepy music, that sounds a bit like a haunted house. I think at the same time our sound manages to feel beautiful, like the first stages of love, and sometimes fearful, like you're a tiny child lost in a crowded market place and all you can see is the legs of tall adults and the deafening drill of human chitter chatter and endeavor. Complete loss with no plan of action for escape.

What do you know/think about the Chinese bands you'll be playing with at Yu Yin Tang?

We don't know much about the line up for the show at YYT. The person who has organized this show for us seems to be involved in some interested music from China so we are excited to play with some current underground players in this country. We are looking forward to seeing and hearing what is happening here.

What next after China?

We have many plans! When we get home to Australia on the 22nd of July, myself and Sarah will be traveling to Townsville in Northern Australia where we will be installing a sound installation along the foreshore of Townsville. This will be exhibited for a month as part of an outdoor sculpture festival.

Before that we have our double EP launch in Sydney, then in October we travel to Melbourne for a launch and also play a show in the middle of the country in a dried out river. This will be part of a theatre show about water and the current drought in Australia that turns water into a precious commodity like gold. The show is called Gold.

Four days after we get home to Sydney, we have our first show there as part of a ten month program of shows/exhibitions that are being funded by the Arts Council of The Australian Governement. It is a very exciting opportunity for us to be given some support to showcase some underground music and art from Australia. Ideally we would love to bring out a Chinese band or two to showcase as part of this series of shows.

Next year we plan on touring Europe and China again and hopefully to spend one month together in Frankfurt, Germany making a theatre performance together.

What are you expecting from your show on Saturday?

On Saturday we hope to experience a real part of Chinese underground culture. Hopefully we will get to give and receive at this gig. I think there are some interesting angles being explored in this band that aren't very common in typical rock music, so we are looking forward to sharing that and to sharing in a real experience of Chinese underground music. We hope to learn from every little part of it.

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A big THANKS to all our Independence Day Party sponsors

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-04T12:00:00+07:00

Last Reminder: Shanghaiist + Boxing Cat Brewery July 4 Party

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-03T20:30:00+07:00

Where: 82 Fuxing Xi Lu near Yongfu Lu (复兴西路82号)
Cover: 50RMB, includes drink
Raffle tickets: 25RMB per ticket, 200RMB for 10
Music: The soulful sounds of Carlton J. Smith and some American tunes besides.

Mini Schedule Round Up: Saturday, July 4

12am noon - Doors open, raffle ticket sales begin
1:15pm - Carlton J. Smith begins to lay down his Independence Day grooves.
3:00pm - Charity Drinking Relay first round begins
3:30pm - Raffle first round begins
6:00pm - Someone carries you and your numerous prizes home

What can you win? Check out the list of fabulous raffle items:

Ctrip.com - One night at the Shanghai Shangri-La
Quintet Bed & Breakfast - One Night Voucher at their 5 Bedroom Bed & Breakfast
Hair Culture - Free Haircut from Hair Culture and 2 x 1000 RMB Gift Certificates
ZaZa Nail Spa - 500 RMB Gift Certificate
Crocs - 25 Pairs of Crocs
eno - clothing and accessories
Two Cities Gallery - jewelry
Laris - Brunch for 4, including Free Flow Champagne, Mineral Water and Juice
The Factory - Free Recording Session & Dinner
Mon Reve - 5 certificates of 50 RMB each for their Pastries
The Fat Olive - 500 RMB Gift Certificate
Awfully Chocolate - 2 Gift Certificates for cakes
Osteria - 2 Gift Certificates
Vargas Grill - 2 Gift Certificates for (Brunch for 2 People)
NAPA Wine Bar & Kitchen - 500 RMB Gift Certificate
Sherpas - 400RMB in Sherpas vouchers and two bottles of wine.
Ruby Red - 2 Bottles of THE Sauvignon Blanc, signed by the wine maker
Torres Wines - Bottle of Wine
MHD - 1 Bottle of Svedka Premium Vodka
Napa Reserve - 1.5 L Magnum of 2000 Howell Mountain Vineyards
Globus Wines - 2 Bottle of Schramsberg Napa Valley Sparkling Wine
Group Trade LTD - 2 bottles: a Viniterra Terra Malbec and a Finca Sophenia Altosur Cabernet Sauvignon
Closed Door - 500 RMB Voucher for Late Night Wine Lounge
Cantina Agave - Voucher for a Free Bottle of Tequila @ Cantina
REV Training and Coaching - 5 Personal Coaching Certificates (worth 2000RMB each)

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Xinhua to broadcast in European grocery stores

Ben Overton — 2009-07-03T17:00:00+07:00

Shoppers in supermarkets across Europe will soon get the rare "treat" of watching short broadcasts from Xinhua while picking out their groceries.

In a bizarre choice of expansion strategies, everyone's favorite news source (besides Shanghaiist) has announced that it will begin short 90-minute English broadcasts inside select European supermarkets in order to improve the country's image and media influence abroad.

Xinhua's announcement is just one of several expansions of the Chinese government's recent 45 billion Yuan effort to expand its influence both domestically and internationally in recent times. After the unveiling of an English version of the Global Times and the expansion of The People's Daily's international coverage, it comes as no surprise that Xinhua would get its chance to hook a new audience as well.

The question, though, is what China intends to actually do with its expanded media coverage. The central government's 45 billion Yuan program is first and foremost a response to negative international media coverage of the Olympics, so one would assume that the newly expanded Xinhua is simply intended to provide a better-harmonized version of the news abroad.

As the Shanghai Expo looms only 309 days away (in case you forgot), it is possible that this is China's attempt at preventing a firestorm of negative international press similar to last year's pre-Olympics coverage.

We're also still a bit puzzled by Xinhua's choice of media outlets and it seems like we're not the only ones.

Last we checked, grocery stores are not at the top of most peoples' lists of most trusted news sources, or places where they would stop to watch tv. Perhaps it is just Xinhua trying to enter a market with seemingly untapped demand... and maybe not realizing that the reason its untapped is because the demand isn't there.

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Spring Airlines wants to make flying even less comfortable

Edna Zhou — 2009-07-03T15:30:00+07:00

In the latest addition to "brilliant ideas that China likes to try," Spring Airlines is now considering selling standing-only tickets to passengers on their flights. The budget airline currently has only 13 planes in their fleet and cannot meet growing demand for more flights from more passengers.

In the new model, passengers would be sitting on something resembling a bar stool with seat belts tied around the waist. The president of Spring Airlines likened the experience to "catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water."

The plan would supposedly help the airline cut 20 percent of their cost while allowing 40 percent more room for passengers.

If this is all sounding familiar, that's because Airbus tossed around the idea of standing seats back in 2003. Then they scrapped it, only to have the New York Times run a front page story on it in 2006. Ironically, Spring Airlines purchases their planes from Airbus and has asked them to help formulate a model that would accommodate the standers.

The plan has yet to be submitted to Chinese aviation regulators so we are not sure if such a model would conform to airline regulations. If it were to pass, it might not be the worst idea in the world- while no Chinese airline has a fabulous reputation for comfort, people buy standing tickets and suffer through much longer journeys on trains every day.

Dialogue of the Day: BBC grills Qin Gang

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-03T14:30:00+07:00

Quentin Sommerville, BBC News:
Qin Gang, do you have children?

[laughter]

Qin Gang (秦刚), Foreign Ministry spokesman:
[nods affirmative]

Quentin Sommerville:
I ask you because a few weeks ago, you asked my colleague whether he had children when he asked a question about Green Dam Youth Escort. And you said that the Green Dam Youth Escort is essential to protect the children of China, and my colleague would of course understand that if he had children.

So now that the government has delayed the installation of this software, are the children of China, perhaps your children less well protected?

Qin Gang:
Everything I need to say on the subject, I have already said, so I have nothing to add to the matter. Okay. Next question.
(该说的话我已经说了。有关部门呢，已就这个问题呢，发表了（这个）谈话，所以我没有更多的补充。好，下面一个问题。)

From Hecaitou

2009 July 4th Rundown

Eric Hu — 2009-07-03T14:20:28+07:00

You know where we’re going to be tomorrow, but if for some in explicable reason you don’t have a hankering for some Kelley Lee BBQ and rapturous Boxingcat brews, here are a few other options in town. We’re not including the AmCham bash because Sheshan isn’t quite “in town,” plus we think it’s just a tad criminal to spend 350 RMB (non-member price) for an American Independence Day bash in this wretched economy.

Nothing speaks to Americans’ “can do” spirit more than Barbie, the ever young and ever plastic icon who has now laid claim to her own swath of Huaihai Lu, and her own David Laris restaurant (which we indeed enjoyed a few weeks back). Tomorrow, the Barbie Café is throwing their own “Barbie-que” and will be serving up American BBQ classics: burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, blueberry pie and the like. 85 RMB per person (minimum 2 people), 45 RMB for the tots.

Those looking for a slight twist to their BBQ may want to consider teppanyaki at Kagen, which is offering a lunch buffet for 168 RMB. This is good teppanyaki folks, and guests who bring an official US identification will can enjoy free-flow sparkling wine as well. Grilled meat and free booze; why quibble, this sounds pretty damn American to us.

Two-headed Hengshan Lu monsters Sasha’s and Zapata’s will have a celebration in their combined outdoor patios. 180 RMB at Sasha’s gets you access to their American BBQ and unlimited flow of America’s favorite brew, Stella Artois, 150 RMB gets you Mexican BBQ with unlimited Coronas and frozen margaritas.

Looking for something a little more subdued, a little more cultured? Try Tale of 4 Cities, which is throwing their first July 4th bash in their wonderfully quirky art center location that overlooks a bizarrely quiet and tranquil human-made lake. 88 RMB for all you can eat and drink combo (beer only, we believe).

Picture by laura padgett on Flickr.

Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.

Have you got the GUTS, Chinese youth?

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-03T14:00:00+07:00

Back when we were wee little children, we watched Nickelodeon's Guts with the same fanaticism our Gen-X uncles had for American Gladiators. The show, which pits kids against kids in a competitive sports arena was great for its messiness, its "safe" violence, and its schadenfreude (when that girl who looks a lot like the annoying kid in your math class falls off the giant yoga mat pyramid onto her face. ha!). We've grown up now, but we're happy to hear that millions of Chinese youth will be getting a taste of the childhood we remember - MTV's international division will be bringing Guts to China. Called 挑战小勇士 (tiaozhan xiaoyongshi), it'll allow Chinese kids their shot at athletic glory and humiliation on a giant foamy set, something the adults have been allowed to do for a while now. Source: Hollywood Reporter

Live Music This Weekend: Grace Before Meals, Monroe Stahr and RESO 6

Jake Newby — 2009-07-03T13:00:00+07:00

Ugh. Summertime in Shanghai and livin' ain't all that easy. It's too darn hot one minute, sun showers the next. Luckily, Yuyintang have just installed a new air-con unit in the main room making it just that little bit less hot 'n' sticky. Live Bar? Well, they've got dirt cheap beers. And Soma Live? They seem to have melted away altogether for now. So here's where to get sweaty this weekend:

Friday
Slip on your Fei Yues or Warriors and head on up to Live Bar tonight for their retro party. Monroe Stahr are the band to see with Knock in support. The good people at Live Bar have the following advice on dress code: "Retro party requires striped shirt, Jazz hat, old photo, or even retro make-up. Everything is alright if only it's retro." You have been warned.
¥30 (ladies free), 9:30pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路

If you prefer the shock of the new to the comfort of the old, then Yuyintang is your place as they bring their regular New Faces Underground showcase to a Friday night. Having paid their dues playing to less than packed crowds on Wednesday nights, Baby Number 13, who go for a more plugged in sound live, will be heading the pack of new bands. Emo kids Forget and Forgive will also be there as will two bands chosen from last Wednesday's showcase.
¥30, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)

Australian duo Grace Before Meals are certainly making the most of their time in Shanghai. They only got into town yesterday afternoon, but they'll be at BeeDees tonight, YYT tomorrow and Live Bar on Sunday. There's really no excuse to miss them.
Free, 9pm, 433 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu. 大沽路433号，近石门一路

Saturday
Last week, we boldly stuck our neck out and predicted that having Hans (Miniless head honcho plus frontman of Lava|Ox|Sea and Duck Fight Goose) working at Yuyintang might just mean more Miniless bands playing there. It was a brave, some would say inspired, forecast.

But here we are, one week on and we can tell you that tonight at YYT you'll not only be able to catch the brilliant Duck Fight Goose (kind of a Miniless super group), but will also find Boojii and Self Party in action. And they're not even the headliners.

Completing the mammoth line up will be Beijing post-rock outfit Pentatonic, indie-poppers Torte Bus, occasional Zhong Chi backing band Triple Smash (but doing their own stuff for once) and come around two of three to catch Grace Before Meals.
¥50, 8pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)

Xiaoba Lezi will be hosting a second (now monthly?) meeting up at Live Bar with Ten’s, Sure, Larc Square, Gap and Blue Fantasy the bands getting folked up.
¥30, 9pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路

Sunday
Experimental music collective RESO will be throwing their sixth shindig at Yuyintang. Zhang Lin, something of an old hand with experimental and improvisational music, will be leading the way together with Porn Moon Twins, OK=NO and MTDM.
¥30, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)

Meanwhile, if you were passed out somewhere in the vicinity of the Boxing Cat Brewery come Saturday evening and missed them Friday night too, Live Bar offer you a final chance to see Grace Before Meals this weekend.
¥30, 9pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路

Video: Monroe Stahr

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Interview: Carlton J. Smith celebrating American soul in Shanghai

Justine Karp — 2009-07-03T11:30:00+07:00

This coming Saturday, July 4th, Carlton J. Smith will help us celebrate the United States' 233rd birthday by performing at the Boxing Cat Brewery Fourth of July party.

Born and raised in New York, New York, this R&B artist is a dynamic and engaging performer who writes, produces, and sings all his own music. Strongly influenced by a James Brown concert he went to as a child, his funky beats have given him the nickname "Soul Brother Number New" (first coined by James Brown's road manager), and he makes sure to live up to that name every time he steps on stage.

His first visit to Shanghai was back in 2004 and is back to perform in China for roughly his sixth time.

When did you first realize your passion for music?

As a little boy, my mother took me to see James Brown. I was mesmerized and hooked on being an entertainer from that moment on.

How long have you been writing, arranging, and producing your own material?

Since the 1990s. I'd like to think I've gotten better at it as time has gone by.

"Soul Brother Number New" Carlton J. Smith will be crooning his soulful sounds at the Shanghaiist + Boxing Cat Brewery July 4 Party.
Where: 82 Fuxing Xi Lu near Yongfu Lu (复兴西路82号)
Starts: Saturday, July 4
Cover: 50 RMB includes a drink
For more local events, visit the Shanghaiist Calendar.

Is it difficult to do?

Well, not having a formal degree in music hinders me somewhat, but I'm able to convey what's inside my head to the musicians I'm working with so it's a lot easier. Also, with the invention of such software as Garageband and Logic, it makes it a little easier to compose a song... though nothing will ever take the place of real live musicians.

What other genres of music do you enjoy listening to/playing?

I enjoy listening to hip hop (certain hip hop), old school country and western (they told the best stories), and of course classic rock.

I enjoy singing and performing rock. Hip hop is really just hte new funk so I try to have a hip hop beat inside all of my grooves when I'm doing original material.

You started Tru-Beat Productions in January 2000, what inspired you to do this and what exactly does this company do?

Tru-Beat was actually started for me by a young lady named Trudie Eppich. She saw me and believed in my talent and has been busting her ass to get whatever she can get happening for me and my career.

Every artist should be so blessed as to have someone believe in them to the extent that Trudie believes in me. God bless her.

Road manager for James Brown/Prince, Alan Leeds, named you "Soul Brother Number New", for those of us less familiar with the scene, can you explain what this title means and how you feel about receiving that tile?

Well, James Brown was known as "Soul Brother Number One" for years before he became "The Godfather of Soul." He was called that because he instilled pride in the African American race at a time when America was still treating us as second class citizens. Before James Brown, we were called negroes and coloreds and much worse.

After Brown recorded "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud," it became an anthem for us and a celebration of our heritage. That's when we began to refer to ourselves as being Black and we became very much aware of our glorious past.

Although, in my humble opinion, the ignorance of hip hop has done a lot of damage to us as a people and the way that we are perceived all over the world. Not to mention the tremendous amount of psychological harm it's done to our youth.

But I'm digressing.

I filmed a movie directed by Barry Levinson entitled "Liberty Heights" and in the film I was asked to portray James Brown. That's when Alan Leeds first gave me the nickname of "Soul Brother Number New" and I've done my best to uphold it every time I step on a stage... no matter how horrible the venue or what the pay is.

I feel as if I'm representing James Brown, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, the Heroes of Motown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, So on and so forth.

How do you feel about being given the title of "R&B King of New York"?

The same way I feel about the title "Soul Brother Number New." But I haven't been in New York in so long I feel as if I have to go back and reclaim my throne!

I'm working hard on some incredibly funky music that will help me achieve this lofty goal!!

What made you decide to start performing internationally?

I'd love to be able to say there was some sort of divine light that appeared in my bedroom window one night and told me to go forth and spread the Gospel of Soul Music...

But in actuality, some band canceled at the House of Blues and Jazz and I was called in as a last minute replacement and Voila! Here I am!

Are you coming prepared in your red, white, and blue?

No, that's a little too "Rocky"-ish for me! I think I'll just wear something nice.

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Xinhua: USA Pavilion NOT confirmed yet

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-03T11:00:00+07:00

So despite the U.S. promising to be at Expo 2010 and Hillary Clinton allegedly confirming its participation, Shanghai World Expo organizers still haven't actually received the letter of confirmation, according to Xinhua. It's only when this letter gets into the Shanghai World Expo's very eager hands that a country's pavilion is truly confirmed, apparently a completely different matter than whether someone has been appointed as Commission General of the pavilion. So why did the U.S. Secretary of State publicly appoint Jose Villarreal to his Commission General position if nobody had yet to actually apply with the Shanghai organizers? It's all too confusing for us so we'll just direct you to the much more capable hands of Shanghai Scrap.

Around Shanghai: Disneyland rumors, real estate highs and lows, and laowais get to stay longer

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-03T10:00:00+07:00

Woah! Is the Shanghai Disneyland idea back on? A Disney news site reports that Bob Weis, Exec VP of Walt Disney Imagineering may have been hired as the creative lead for the "in-development" Shanghai Disneyland Resort. [AWN]
An exhibition about Cartoon Games is starting on the 4th at the Shanghai Exhibition Center (that building across the street from the Portman). We're curious and entry's only 50RMB! [Xinmin]
Oh no, signs the recession still isn't completely over! Rental prices for high-grade offices here continue to plunge. [China Briefing]
But weirdly, new home sales have seen the opposite trend, soaring nearly 70% during the first half of this year. [Shanghai Daily]
Five foreigners living in Pudong are now able to get permits of up to five-years for them and their families under a pilot program. Lucky them. [Eastday]

Today's Links: The Shishou truth, a controversial opinion on Yao Ming, and Hong Kong marches

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T20:00:00+07:00

Shishou official speaks out about riot [China Elections] "A blog entry posted by an official in Shishou has shed more light on the recent events in Shishou city, Hubei province. The blog is maintained by an official named Liu Guolin and details his perspective on the government's containment efforts in Shishou and lessons that can be learned from the handling of the incident. The blog entry marks a surprising break from usual government silence concerning such incidents and tight control usually asserted over official reports."
China's smart grid ambitions could open door to US-China cooperation [needigest.com] "China’s largest electric transmission company has announced an ambitious plan to develop a national smart grid by 2020 that would help utilities and their customers transport and use energy more efficiently. The sheer size of the project raises some intriguing questions. First, about whether China has the capital and technology for such an extensive upgrade. And second, whether the project could provide an opening for U.S.-China cooperation on technological improvements that could benefit both."
China launches first direct flight linking Beijing, Lhasa [People's Daily Online] "Air China, the nation's biggest carrier, said Wednesday it will launch the nation's first direct flight between Beijing and Lhasa, the capital city of southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region, beginning July 10 to promote tourism. The three-hour-fifty-minute flight will be operated by the Airbus A330. Previously, travelers had to transfer through Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province neighboring Tibet. The transfer added two hours to the flight."
Peking University rejects applicant who faked his ethnicity [Danwei] "In the latest development of a case that has received quite a bit of attention over the past week, the admissions office of Peking University announced yesterday that it would not accept the application of He Chuanyang to study at the university's Guanghua School of Management. He had the highest score on the college entrance exam, the gaokao, in Chongqing this year. However, along with thirty other Chongqing students, He was found to have faked his ethnic minority status, which awards 20 bonus points on the gaokao."
Canzano: China runs Yao Ming into the ground [Oregonian] "The Chinese government turned him into a science project. They monitored Yao Ming's birth. They gave him the best nutrition, training and instruction. He became the face of China's national basketball team. He never missed a practice, or a tournament, and why should he? Yao represented the hopes of a billion-plus people... Think about that today, and also consider what Yao's patriotism might have cost him. Because in an attempt to engineer the world's greatest center, the Chinese sports machine broke him down and ran him into the ground."
Pop star Wei Wei targeted by Swedish tax agency [China Daily] "Chinese pop music star and Stockholm resident Wei Wei has been targeted by Swedish tax authorities, who recently attempted to freeze 50 million kronor (about 45 million yuan) of the singer's assets, according to Swedish media reports. The Local, a Swedish website, published a story on June 30, quoting the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) as saying, Wei Wei has neglected to pay income taxes on money earned from concert tours throughout her homeland, where she is one of the country's biggest stars."
Thousands march in HK for economic relief, democracy [Washington Post] "Tens of thousands of people marched on Wednesday in Hong Kong's biggest annual protest calling for greater democracy as well as improved economic relief measures and investor protection during the financial crisis. The march on the 12th anniversary of Hong Kong's return from British to Chinese rule in 1997 drew a cross-section of Hong Kong society from middle-class professionals to blue collar laborers and foreign helpers as the city grapples with recession and a jobless rate at a nearly four-year high of 5.3 percent. "

Green Dam protesters celebrate censorware twist [Updated]

Kirsti Jönson — 2009-07-02T19:59:00+07:00

Photo of Ai Weiwei's Party by Shasha Liu

The planned protests against the Green Dam Youth Escort turned into celebrations on Wednesday, when Chinese authorities suddenly postponed their order of the infamous censorware program. In turn, Lots of young Chinese netizens gathered to turn their Green Dam anger into a feast.

The event, held in the trendy "Green Zone" in Beijing, was supposed to be a part of a larger Internet boycott against the Green Dam on the day mandatory installs were to begin. But it changed into an all day party as news of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's abrupt indefinite postponement reached the objectors.

Around 200 Beijing residents dressed in t-shirts mocking Green Dam arrived to celebrate their victory in the war against censorship. Festivities included matching T-shirts, breakfast, censorship talks and an all-day E-party.

Artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who organized the internet boycott and the protest event, told Reuters:

"This is a very rare example for the government to suddenly push back an important decision the night before it is due to be rolled out."

Chinese authorities has been under a lot of pressure, not only from the general public, but also from several trade groups and the European, American and Japanese Chambers of Commerce. The U.S. National Association of Manufacturers had even sent a letter of protest, claiming that the Green Dam “raises significant questions of security, privacy, system reliability, the free flow of information and user choice.”

The cancellation of Wednesday's deadline could be seen as an indication that China is having trouble censoring its citizens and willing to listen when they speak up. Not forgetting that a postponement is not quite the same as an outright cancellation, Ai Weiwei promised that his group would continue to keep an eye on the Chinese government and expressed a strong belief that the young people of China would continue to fight censorship.

It's especially important to be cautious since MIIT has already told China Daily that it was only a matter of time before the rule gets implemented and that "the government will definitely carry on the directive on Green Dam."

Meanwhile, several computer companies have already begun installing the software in new computers anyhow. Lenovo, Sony, Acer, Asus and BenQ have all agreed to include the software on new computers, according to the Telegraph. Considering their market share in the Chinese PC market, it almost feels like the protests were for naught and the celebrations came much too early.

Read more on the web :

Green Dam protest turns to celebration for over 200 Chinese youth [The Examiner]
Chinese Web Users Celebrate Green Dam About-Face [newsfactor]
Chinese bloggers hail Green Dam ‘victory’ [Financial Times]

Music: Indie China Showcase at Yu Yin Tang

Edna Zhou — 2009-07-02T18:45:00+07:00

If you're still coherent after our July 4 Shanghaiist + Boxing Cat Brewery Party this Saturday, head over to Yu Yin Tang for their Indie China Showcase... because nothing follows burgers and beer on July 4th quite like some experimental post-indie math rock that makes you gaze at your shoes.

Presented by IndieChina.com, a site founded in 2004 to promote and publish artists, brands, and products from China's independent music scene, the event will host six bands from China, as well as a special guest from Australia.

Here's the full lineup:

Grace Before Meals - (post-rock)
Torte Bus - (folk, indie-pop)
Pentatonic (post-rock)
Self Party (shoegaze)
Triple Smash (post-rock)
Duck Fight Goose (math rock)
Boojii (experimental rock)

Indie China Showcase starts at 9 pm. Yu Yin Tang is located at 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu near Kaixuan Lu (延安西路1731号入口在凯旋路).

Tickets are 50 rmb per person and 40 rmb for students.

US confirms participation in Expo, but funding still unclear

Ben Overton — 2009-07-02T17:25:00+07:00

A flurry of recent activity regarding the US Pavilion at next year's Expo has resulted in US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirming the United States' participation in the Expo after the USA Pavilion organizers announced PepsiCo signing on in a US$5 million deal.

However, even with Clinton's support and PepsiCo laying down the cash, it is still unclear exactly how the US plans to finance and implement its plans for the pavilion, which is due at the opening of the Shanghai World Expo in 310 days. The future of the US's involvement in the 2010 Expo has been in doubt for quite a while, as private funding has so far failed to meet the total budget of US$61 million set by the pavilion organizers.

The continued lackluster support has drawn exasperation and prodding from those involved and Chinese officials have repeatedly warned against the possibility of the US's absence from the Expo. To add to the mess, the US has already missed the construction deadline, which will most likely end up being extended until the US can gather enough funds.

In a prolonged drama filled with barely anything but bad news, PepsiCo's announcement is the break that the pavilion organizers have been longing for. As the US Pavilion's newest "Global Partner," PepsiCo will become the pavilion's exclusive non-alcoholic drink and snack provider. Perhaps even more important to the pavilion, though, are the 5 million US dollars that PepsiCo will contribute to the building of the US Pavilion.

Yet, even with Pepsi's vital partnership, no one seems to know exactly how much funding the pavilion really has. The AFP is reporting that the USA Pavilion steering committee has only raised a measly US$2.8 million out the required US$61 million, but has US$36 million "under negotiation." Shanghai Daily, on the other hand, has the total figure at US$35 million collected or pledged, while BusinessWeek is reporting that fundraisers have gathered less than a third (US$20 million) of the required funds.

And of course, the official USA Pavilion website has nothing to say as far as concrete numbers.

At this point, beyond PepsiCo's 5 million, we aren't even really sure if they have any funding at all.

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Sleeping can be an art, too!

Allie Shi — 2009-07-02T14:30:00+07:00

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Who says that sleeping cannot be creative? A German photographer focused on Chinese people sleeping on the street for the six years he was in China, shooting over 750 photos in all. His photos attracted both media and netizen attentions. This photographer, known only as Bernd, said he hoped that people will not misunderstand him and explained that these photos are not to humiliate anyone, but rather to show Chinese culture in another perspective.

Here are some photos from Bernd's website, www.sleepingchinese.com. Bernd told the reporter:

"我发现人们在任何地方都能入睡，这在其他地方非常罕见。自从我拍了第一张做被子的人打瞌睡的照片后，我拍的睡觉照越来越多，我的朋友们甚至每次给我打电话不问"你好"，而是问"有新照片么"?"

"I discovered that people can go to sleep at anywhere(in China); it is very rare in other countries. Since I shot the first photo of a bed-maker sleeping, I have begun shooting more photos of people sleeping in different places. My friend even don't say 'Hi' when they call me; they ask, 'do you have new photos?' instead."

To our surprise, the usually fenqing ("patriotic") netizens did not find fault with his photos of sleeping Chinese. Rather, they liked how a foreigner took a unique perspective to discover China:

"说明中国人太累了!" "(The photos explained that) Chinese are too tired!"
"这样的镜头让我由衷感动，也让全世界看到了中国最真实的一面."
"This perspective moves me from heart. These photos let the world see the most real side of China."

China's top 5 music videos

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T13:00:00+07:00

China Music Radar tipped us off to a CCTV article about the Top 5 music videos playing in China right now. Stats you should know:

Four of the artists are from Taiwan (one of them was in F4!)
Four of the videos feature tinkling piano music intros and an orchestral swelling in the middle of the song.
All five MVs do the dramatic singer camera sweep. You know the one - where the singer's making his or her "I'm so moved by this music face" while the camera sweeps from one side to the other. While this is by no means a Mandopop only convention, it's funny how overused it is.

Our award for most interesting song/video is Penny Tai's Dilemma (两难). Tai, a Malaysian Chinese singer/songwriter released her 9th album this May, called Forgive Me For Being The Girl I Am (原谅我就是这样的女生). Which features some actually artsy-looking shots and a bit of bondage.

Meanwhile, the most WTF song/video goes to Jerry Yan's Say I Love You at KTV (在KTV说爱你). Besides having one of the dumbest names and concepts for music we've seen recently (hard to beat on the Mandopop scene), it also features an incredibly creepy girl lead who floats onto Jerry Yan's hand and proceeds to play the (tinkling) piano with her feet.

Most unintentionally funny explanation of video by CCTV goes to the Jackie Chan & Zhou Hui duet Film of Myself (自己的电影):

Action star Jackie Chan and Taiwan pop diva Zhou Hui formed a duo to present this song. The music video was filmed by Chan's exclusive crew. For them, it might be their first non-Kung Fu production. Zhou Hui plays an innocent student in the 1980s and a leading actress of a movie. For her it is a rare attempt at acting.

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Shanghai is predictably Expo ticket crazy

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T12:00:00+07:00

Tickets for the World Expo officially went on sale at 9am yesterday and already, peak-day tickets (tickets for the first three days and for the National Day holidays) had completely sold out.

The first ticket sold was bought through telephone by a person who called at 00:09 on July 1. The first ticket sold in person was to a 74-year-old man who had waited in line since 3am. Wow! We know old people wake up earlier, but that's pretty crazy (and we would think unhealthy) for a senior citizen.

He said he intended to go to the Expo with his wife and daughter and told reporters that "We have to see the things that will make life even better."

While you guys probably won't come close to experiencing the Expo fanaticism local Shanghainese are going through, it is probably a good idea to still book your tickets as early as possible - especially if you want to visit during a peak day, since there are now daily limits on the number of peak day tickets outlets are willing to sell.

A single-day regular time ticket will cost around 140RMB. Peak day tickets are a little more expensive at 180RMB. Both will be on sale until September 31.

You can buy them at almost any outlet of China Mobile, China Telecom, Bank of Communications or the China Post. Apparently there are 2,796 locations in the city and you're bound to live near one. If you're too busy (or lazy) to go in person, you should visit the Expo's official website at www.expo2010china.com or dial the Expo hotline: 962010. Some outlets will give you free delivery if you order more than three tickets at a time.

Source: Xinmin

First swine flu-related death occurs in Zhejiang

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T11:30:00+07:00

Just like they warned, China's now reported its first death related to swine flu - though they're not sure if the death was actually caused by the virus. A 34-year-old female patient in Zhejiang province had been recovering from H1N1 when she was found dead on her toilet yesterday morning. The hospital said her temperature had been normal for a week, she was coughing only occasionally and her other symptoms were disappearing. The death was ruled as accidental, though police are still investigating. The total number of mainland infections is currently at 867. Source: SCMP

On an I <3 Fudan streak

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T10:30:00+07:00

Coming from a country where streaking is a time honored tradition, we rolled our eyes and laughed when we heard about the two young graduates from Fudan University who rubbed "I Love Fudan" on their naked bodies and ran through the campus. And then we promptly forgot about it.

That is until today, when we found out what a stir it caused on the internet. Unfortunately, celebratory clothing-optional silliness is not quite acceptable in a country where you can let your kid walk around with his butt hanging out.

School officials said that the two men had been identified and that they would not be punished since they've already left the school. The officials did, however, ask that students commemorate their graduations in a "more meaningful and civilized way," according to Shanghai Daily.

Though the pictures first appeared on a bunch of popular website forums, they've been mostly scrubbed by now. Mostly. Typing "I love Fudan" into Google gave us this gallery as the first link. Man, once it's up on the internet, it's up on the internet forever.

More on the Minhang building collapse

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T10:00:00+07:00

Shanghai Daily has been covering the crap out of the Minhang building collapse story (and good for them - it gives us something to blog about). Not only did Shanghai Meidu's construction company ignore "obvious warnings" of impending danger by piling up tons of soil next to the riverbank (a mistake experts are calling the antithesis of using common sense), it also ignored actual vocal warnings from supervisors at the site. Meanwhile, the possibility of graft being involved somewhere is still high. Minhang district authorities will be investigating whether several government officials had owning stakes in Shanghai Meidu. That would explain how the real estate company managed to get the land for one-third the price of plots bought in the same area.

Photo of the Day: The men in suits continue

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-02T09:00:00+07:00

Photo by Big Red Studio

More photos on the Shanghaiist Contribute page. To see your photos on our Contribute page, use Flickr and tag your photos “shanghaiist”. Or you can email your photos to photos@shanghaiist.com and they will automatically appear on our site (and here).

Today's Links: Sichuan peppercorns, J.G. Ballard, and buying up Iraqi oil

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-01T19:30:00+07:00

Sichuan peppercorns: "There's a war in my mouth." [Boing Boing] "Sichuan peppercorns, oh yeah! Raven of Made with Molecules after eating them wrote, "There's a war in my mouth." They create a riot of numbing and tingling sensations, particularly if you can get relatively fresh ones (i.e. not stale from sitting around in a Whole Foods bulk bin). Raven links to an abstract about the particular anesthetic-sensitive potassium channels inhibited by hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, one of the components of sichuan peppercorns that make them so exciting."
Death of a Dystopian: The life and legacy of J.G. Ballard [Reason Magazine] "J.G. Ballard is best known for Empire of the Sun (1984), a largely autobiographical coming-of-age novel based on his upbringing in Shanghai, where his father was a businessman, and his internment in a World War II prison camp during the Japanese invasion. For those with darker tastes, there is the cult classic Crash, a wild, transgressive 1973 novel about a community of car-crash fetishists that was eventually made into a Cronenberg film. His writing is obsessed with the territories where the organic meets the inorganic; it is absurdist, bleak, vivid, and awake to the psychological effects of media and manmade landscapes. In the words of the novelist Martin Amis, “Ballard is quite unlike anyone else; indeed, he seems to address a different—a disused—part of the reader’s brain.”
Life in jail for killing Chinese student [News.com.au] "THE killer of a Chinese student who was left to die after being raped and choked on a roadside verge has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Danny Adam Wright, 36, was found guilty of the wilful murder and sexual penetration of Chinese student Jiao Dan, 22, in the Perth suburb of Inaloo on October 8, 2007. Justice Michael Murray told the court in sentencing Wright today that it was a dreadful incident for which Wright had failed to show remorse. He sentenced him to life in jail with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years."
At Iraqi Oil and Gas Auction, Bargaining Is Contentious [NY Times] "The Iraqi government stumbled once again on Tuesday in its frequently delayed effort to award development rights to its most valuable oil fields. In a public auction it largely failed to attract the lucrative offers it sought from dozens of international oil companies invited to the bidding. The single successful contract went to a joint venture of BP and the China National Petroleum Corporation for the largest field offered: Rumaila, near the southern city of Basra, which has proven reserves of more than 17 billion barrels."
Officials gauged by more than economic achievement [China Daily] "Officials will be evaluated on more than just their financial performance, a Party spokesperson said Tuesday. In a bid to update its economic-orientated focus when reviewing the work of officials, environmental and social development efforts will also be measured, said Li Zhongjie, deputy director of the Party History Research Office under the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee."
Building a new Old City in Kashgar [Danwei] "Old Kashgar is not long for this world. Quake fear, anxiety over ethnic unrest, and pursuit of development have spurred the authorities to launch a large-scale plan to demolish and redevelop 85% of the Old City. There has been considerable criticism of the project among Kashgar residents and in the world world media, but it has done little to stop the project. This month's Phoenix Weekly contains an interesting cover feature on life in the Old City and how it may change in the future. The story is a little oversold based on the coverline: "The Shadow of 'East Turkestan' on China's Strategic Anti-Terrorism City," as most of the feature is about everyday life as opposed to terrorism."

Chongqing hotels: book one room, get swimming beauties for free

Allie Shi — 2009-07-01T16:30:00+07:00

When summer comes, everyone wants to dive in the water to cool down. Recently, many hotels and high-end clubs in Chongqing posted ads in a BBS claiming that they offer beauties at the pool to "play with" as a deal to attract male customers.

Good news, we suppose, for those who are looking for some "exotic experiences" in an expensive hotel. Though these "swimming beauties" don't come cheap - they only need to show up at the swimming pool from 8PM-10PM, but the hotels or clubs have to offer free drinks and fruits while paying them 80-100RMB per day.

We guess that If you happen to be over 168cm with a cute face and free on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, maybe it isn't such a bad idea to exercise while earning some extra money.

Of course, if you're applying for the job, you might have to worry about your safety. For sure, it is possible to encounter sexual harassment, especially poolside. The working officials in the hotels and clubs promised that, "Safety is guaranteed. Just come to us when you find any problems."

People on the net expressed doubts about the idea of using beauties to attract more customers, afraid that this action will worsen the already bad elements of the hotel business - such as prostitution.

"如果游泳有小姐陪。那如果裸体我就去就餐。“ ”If there are ladies to accompany me swimming. I will have dinner with them if they are naked."
"当代中国已经是人欲横流的社会，世风日下，娱乐场所都需要美女献身，不算稀奇。"
"Now China is full of human flesh desires. The moral values of society are worsening day by day. Entertainment industries need beauties to sacrifice themselves; this is nothing new."

"色情诱惑！"
"Pornographic temptation!"

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Screening: Human Flesh Search Engines on July 18

Elaine Chow — 2009-07-01T15:30:00+07:00

Daedalum Films, the group that brought us Up From the Underground - the documentary about the band Hard Queen and what it means to make it as an indie group in China - is now screening their newest film on July 18.

This time around, Luis Tapia and Mark Schoellkopf turn their lens towards China’s Human Flesh Search Engines (人肉搜索），the Chinese phenomenon of using the internet and its 250 million netizens to seek out and disseminate information - sometimes for good, sometimes not.

From their site：

The menacingly-named Human Flesh Search Engine has made headlines around the world, but it remains largely misunderstood and its deeper implications unexplored. Daedalum Films examines the origins of this Chinese Internet phenomenon, dissects its most dramatic cases, and asks the question: "what can the Human Flesh Search Engine tell us about modern China?"

Doors open at 8pm and the event goes until 11pm, with the film screening at 9:30pm. Wine, beer, and soft frinks will be unlimited, but seats are fewer, so you ought to get a ticket now. Ticket cost is 80RMB and can either be purchase online (and delivered to your door) or at these locations:

Daedalum Films' office Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm
CANART Monday to Saturday, 10:30am-6pm
eno, any day, 10am-10pm

Beijing air is only "slightly polluted"...right.

Edna Zhou — 2009-07-01T14:30:00+07:00

Beijing, like many Chinese cities, has not what we would ever dare call excellent air. So for the past several months, the US embassy in Beijing has been posting hourly updates on their measurements of air quality in the 'Jing via Twitter feed. Set up out of concern for the health of the embassy staff, the reports range from "good" to "very unhealthy" based on the levels of airborne pollutants (particles) that can enter a person's body.

However, Beijing's environmental protection bureau has their own air pollution statistics, and from comparisons between the two, their reports are slightly more optimistic.

From the China Daily:

The air quality for June 18, when the sky was murky at noon, was "slightly polluted," according to the official data, but the result was different on the BeijingAir Twitter, with the hourly measure creeping into the "hazardous" range for seven hours.
China Daily calculated that only five days were above "moderate" level in May on BeijingAir, but the local environment bureau said on its website on May 31 that the capital's air quality was the clearest during the same period since 2000, with 25 blue-sky days.

So why the discrepancies? We could point our fingers and yell "liar liar pants on fire", but let's first note that different measuring systems are being used. The US embassy uses EPA standards from back home that measure particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5); the Chinese government measures those less than 10 (PM 10). Scientific speak explained:

PM 2.5s will be part of the air quality evaluation system to offer people a clearer picture of air quality. The bigger particles are seen as less dangerous because they can usually be expelled from the body by coughing.

Also, the embassy pulls their results from within the central business district. An embassy spokesperson says to keep in mind, "This is a single site. It cannot be used to measure the air quality across the city. They can't be compared."

Whichever report you choose to believe, it's still useful information for a city's citizens to access. If anyone scientifically-minded in Shanghai has some free time to set up a pollution monitor, we at Shanghaiist would be highly interested (though maybe slightly scared) in seeing how dirty our skies are... and how the results compare to what's officially released.

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