Shanghai China Snippets Observations about living in Shanghai and China in general

[tag]China[/tag] is going to tax the chopstick.

According to the Dutch radio

5% will be levied on wooden [tag]chopsticks[/tag] from next month.

Yearly about 1,3 miljoen m3 wood is used to produce 15 billion (pairs of) chopsticks.

A couple of years ago, 2001 to be exact, the number according to the [tag]Washington Times[/tag] was

45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks every year, cutting down as many as 25 million trees in the process, according to government statistics.

Update: Dutch people can’t count. The BBC also mentions 45 Billion.

I can hardly imagine that in 5 years the number of chopsticks has decreased. It’s also a difference of 11.5 versus 34.6 pairs of chopsticks per person per year so I’ll go with the Americans eventhough the number seems still rather low.

I like the tax and I am curious how much effect it will sort.

Here some tips on how to use chopsticks.

Sources Articles: China’s Chopsticks Crusade 2001, NOS Dutch, 45 Billion Chopsticks

Sources Photos: Chopstick pic from boilthechicken

Three opinions in todays [tag]Shanghai Daily[/tag]. Up to you whether you agree with me or with them:

1. Free flow of ideas with [tag]Internet[/tag] in [tag]China[/tag]

“A strong government under the leadership of the [tag]Communist Party[/tag], with one feature being state ownership of the news media, is by no means necessarily antithetical to the free flow of ideas. “

2. Children will continue to take care of old parents (reason 4)

There is a fourth reason which is rooted in China’s traditional culture. [tag]Chinese[/tag] people run the risk of being regarded as unfilial if they send their old parents away. The concept of Yang Er Fang Lao, which means raising one’s child so that one can live a comfortable life supported by his or her child in return, has a hidden assumption – children have to live with their parents.

3. Avoid [tag]cyberspace[/tag] tool for cheating in exams

Before sending money to buy such service, however, think about this: When you want to cheat someone, can you make sure you won’t be cheated in return?

Source: [tag]Shanghai[/tag] Daily 1, 2, 3

It’s already old news, I do realize that. No doubt it has been the opening item in the news all over the world so what I am about to tell you won’t be that exciting.

Still, I posted before about the arduous task “the people who decide” had in determining the winners of the [tag]Panda[/tag] [tag]Pageant[/tag] so I had to follow up. If the [tag]Shanghai [/tag]Daily can open twice in a week with a big picture of [tag]Pandas[/tag], so can I.

Last Friday it became official. After a succesful trial marriage, where they showed superiority to their peers in appearance and health, No. 19 (male) and No. 16 (female) will be the chosen representatives.

Yes, you read it correctly, No. 19 and No. 16. How original to give them these names isn’t it.

There is a catch though. A chosen panda is not like any panda who can be named by an ordinary keeper, no, no it will be something the people can choose.

Mainland officials have started looking for suitable names for the two pandas.

An ideal name will consist of two [tag]Chinese characters[/tag] and fully embody the aspiration of [tag]Chinese[/tag] compatriots across the [tag]Taiwan[/tag] Strait, ….

The [tag]China[/tag] Wildlife Conservation Association will be responsible for choosing a list of potential names for the animals.

“We’ll shortlist 10 pairs of names which will be publicized at the [tag]Spring Festival[/tag] gala on Chinese Central Television on January 28, the eve of the [tag]Chinese lunar New Year[/tag].

The couple will be given the names that receive the most votes from TV viewers,”

Mind you, that [tag]Spring Festival[/tag] gala is one of the most watched programs in the year so I am sure the sms voting will be a nice moneymaker. It all sounds swell and dandy and I can’t wait to watch a program just to find out what 10 pair names of names they came up with.

Maybe something in the line of [tag]beibei[/tag], [tag]jingjing[/tag], [tag]huanhuan[/tag], [tag]yingying[/tag], [tag]nini[/tag], the five uglies of the coming olympics.

The only thing that can make all this merry and joy become tears is this.

Authorities in Taiwan have been accused of politicizing the offer of two pandas, and have yet to agree to accept the [tag]gift[/tag].

Source: SH – Link

It’s not easy to become the [tag]pandas[/tag] destined to live in [tag]China[/tag]’s renegade province. It’s not even sure when the big winners are chosen as the “Panda pair for [tag]Taiwan[/tag] may be revealed on Friday”.

There are some insightful pointers though about the contest and the selection criteria.

An anonymous source at the centre said it has chosen 11 giant pandas, of which two will be sent to Taiwan as a goodwill gift.

The pandas six males and five females, all aged between one and five were selected from 23 in the centre.

After two months of match-up experiments, the 11 candidates have been chosen. They are healthy, lively and adaptable to new environments, the source said.

The pair meet all the standards required for a goodwill mission to Taiwan, said Zhang, head of a nine-member selection panel.

The standards focus on the age, body conditions, mental activity, and external and genetic characteristics of each panda.

Like I said, to become the chosen panda is not easy.

The good thing is, they will be warmly received.

an opinion poll in Taiwan showed that more than 70 per cent of people on the island welcomed the decision..

Source: China Daily – Link

[tags]shanghai, beijing, news, animals[/tags]

Beggars are part of life in China. Foreigners tend to have somewhat different opinions whether you should or should not give. Is the beggar king raking it in, are they pretending?

It doesn’t really matter to me. In the end of the day a couple of Renminbis is easy to spare, even if it is not 100% clear where it will end up.

I just read that some smart asses tried an online version. The site has been closed down now and they only made 200 Renminbi in 46 days.

That is pretty poor begging ’cause the street will definitely generate more

Source: Shanghai Daily – Link

[tags]china, shanghai, begging, description2005[/tags]

The saga continues. (see previous post on selling the moon).

The Beijing company ‘Lunar Embassy’ is not giving up its right to sell pieces of the moon, despite being forbidden to do so by the Beijing’s industrial and commercial watchdog agency.

It filed suit in Beijing to regain its business license.

The industrial and commercial watchdog agency suspended the company’s business license on October 28 on grounds of speculation and profiteering. The move halted the company’s normal operation and “incurred huge economic losses,” said Li, chief executive officer of Beijing Lunar Village Aeronautics Science and Technology Co Ltd.

“They don’t have enough evidence to make the ruling,” Li said, stressing his business activities do not violate any law. “In fact, there is not a law or regulation in China that prohibits the selling of land on the moon.”

Earlier reports say 34 clients bought 49 acres at 298 yuan (US$37) an acre — amounting to 14,000 yuan in the first three days of sales.

If he gets his license back I think I start selling some pieces of Mars, Pluto and for that matter any part of the galaxy. I already have a name for the company, 42.

Source: Shanghai Daily – Lunar embassy …