Al-Jazeera has followed up on the Yilishen ant farming incident, a massive investment scandal that conned thousands of Chinese (and as many as one million by some reports) out of their life savings. He also got into some trouble with the local police while on location at Yilishen's now-vacant office building. Four years ago, Yilishen got into trouble with the US Food and Drug Administration for selling "dietary supplements" that included Sildenafil, the active drug ingredient in Viagra. One of the masterminds of the scandal has since been sentenced to death.
Al-Jazeera on the Yilishen ant farming scandal
Today's Links: World's oldest profession, suicide of toy company boss and recall of China-made toothpaste
This Youku video shows some women offering old men massage hanky-panky, all out in the open in an unnamed city, for as low as RMB5! The world's oldest profession is alive and well in China, and it is everywhere.
Bad boundaries: Illegal maps draw fines
Among the many things one can do to make China "lose face" in the international eye:
"Chelsea Clinton slimming patch" and other drug scares
We told you about the Made-in-China scare that is happening outside of China, but let's take another look at what's happening right here right now. A CCTV program (click link for video in Chinese) has investigated a herbal weight loss patch (美国七点瘦) which its manufacturers claim to have helped Chelsea Clinton shed 12 kilograms in less than a month. Users are instructed to stick the patch to the area of the body where they want to lose weight and then just wait for the patch to miraculously suck the fat out of them through the skin (yes you heard that right).
Made-in-China: A Closer Look
The recent hoopla over poisonous, tainted, and otherwise malignant Chinese exports — toothpaste, toys, and pet food, oh my! — has left us with an unpleasant taste in our mouths (and not just the minty-fresh kind). Industrial malfeasance has become the bane of Chinese commerce, and we have no intention of downplaying the unique brand of terror experienced by a parent who realizes he just gave his kid a lead-addled plaything.
Tainted Love: A good time for a hunger strike
Sichuan food addicts beware! China’s food safety inspectors have found some startling news (well, actually it’s not that startling at all, as you can see here, here, and here), 13% of recently tested chili products have been found to be unsafe. The reason for the health concern is too much preservatives and improper labeling.
Today's Links: Canada, chocolate and burning puppies
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Photo by shanghaistreets found via the Shanghaiist Contribute page.
Rat poison strikes in Harbin, Zhejiang and US pet foods
China's hospitals and in particular, Chinese hospital food, do not necessarily have the highest of reputations. Now the whole scare factor of heading off to a Sino hospital has just raised that little bit more with the recent story that a poisoner is at large in a Harbin hospital restaurant.
Is that really mutton you're eating?
If you are thinking of heading out to your favorite Xinjiang restaurant to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year with a big helping of lamb or mutton, you might want to think again. On the other hand, if you are into cats as much as this guy, go right ahead as planned.

