<- Click to filter by commenter
| 557 |
Another Drawing and Yifan Beware of the Enterovirus 71 (i.e. HFMD which is widely spread in China) if you determine to let your love ones to touch the public pavement and lawn. |
| 556 |
My First Camping with New Tent I don't intend to be sarcastic, but looking at the landscape of your camp ground, the site definitely was a landfill. With strom sewage pond on the side, power transmission above you and residential buildings across the street........ This is not camping, this is homelessness! |
| 555 |
Bad Tourism: Killing Goose for Eggs They didn't kill the goose which can lay golden eggs for the tourism of China, the goose actually starved to death many years ago, because people pay so many attention to the eggs it laid and not the feed it needs! Tourism just like any business which has a product cycle, when people lost interest in your product, that is the end of the cycle. To pro-long the cycle, the operator must put in new elements such as new programs, new points of interest, new promotions and better services. I was in Guilin three times, every time I received the same kind of sevices, same food, same routing, even the T-shirt they sell are the same pattern 10 years ago. No wonder they have to cut price to sustain. I visited Yu Yuan just last month, once I entered the courtyard and looked up, to my astonishment, green grass is growing on the roof which is a clear sign of heavy deposite dust and years of neglect. The only building within the entire compound is clean and well maintained is the kiosk. The same thing happens to the Forbidden Palace in Beijing three years ago. The tourism in China is actually in the mode of diminishing return, cutting price demonstrated her inability to upgrade facilities. Without new investments to the industry, I think it is at the beginning of the end. |
| 554 |
Bad Tourism: Killing Goose for Eggs It's goose not gross. |
| 553 |
Customers Wants Service to be Bad Very interesting! Saw a Taiwanese news this morning and people there are shocked at the propensity of spending of the tourists from mainland China, each visitor is estimated to spend RMB20-30,000 on top of the tour and tens of thousand are expected to arrive every week. Their dinners are usually US$500 per 10 persons/table. Not surprisingly, the tour operators in Taiwan are scramble to buy new double decker bus and boat complete with panorama and sky deck. Are these the same tourists who were visiting Guilin? |
| 552 |
Metro Between Hongqiao and Pudong Airport 30 Km of tube in one year? That is a tall order! Too bad for Maglev, from icon to eye-sore! |
| 551 |
Expo China Pavilion - Oriental Crown Overhear the Shanghai Metro #2 will link Pu Dong (PVG) and Hong Qiao (SHA) airports in time for the inauguration of Expo 2010, perhaps you can shred some light on this, it sounds to me a daunting endeavour. |
| 550 |
Bad Behavior, Its Reason, and Future Looks like the obstacle of your social rectification goes all the way to the Constitution. I rest my case but god bless China! |
| 549 |
Beer Can by the Highway vs Spitting JS, thank you for your explicit comment! I cannot envisage the present social norm is the result of the past history of China. The City of Shanghai deployed an army of traffic assistances to guard the major intersections to prevent jay-walking and the result is encouraging. I don't see people smoking in a confined space when a 'no-smoking' sign is posted. So don't think the installation of contemporary norm and moral standard in China is a daunting task. |
| 548 |
Beer Can by the Highway vs Spitting JS, your comment is not only passive but evasive! Look at Singapore, you can call the ruling party the dictator, but it represent an effective government. |
| 547 |
Beer Can by the Highway vs Spitting JS, I agree with your comment that China is only 'slightly' behind in social norm when compared to the world. If the ruling party in China still using the passive and operant conditioning method to educate their citizens about the contemporary norm, then China will be lagging behind almost forever. If a team of social police is deployed mix with massive propaganda to penalise and educate those 'bugs', I am sure China will become much 'civilised'. This is the classical conditioning which can be painful during process but often used during 'Culture Revolution'. In the '70, Hong Kong conducted several campaigns against 'litter bugs'. Almost in a instant, Hong Kong is a cleaner city and the spittoons disappear for the restaurants and theatres. No pain, no gain! |
| 546 |
Train is Better than Car to Hangzhou What happen to the Maglev intended for Shangahi-Hangzhou to be inaugurated in time for the Expo. |
| 545 |
Favorite Road: Wukang Road JS, you must like the suburban living! The street used to call route Ferguson and is the upscale residential community within the French Concession before the war. The trees alone the street was imported from France and is called French Wutong. My family used to own a house at route Lafayette now known as Fuxing Road and it was a good area to live. |
| 544 |
How Cold is Shanghai Today A superstructure on the roof? I hope the top floor owner has the permit to cover the structure. If waste water from one household can create icicle of this magnitude over night, obviously it is not one of the "green" family. BTW, JS, is this your back yard? |
| 543 |
How Cold is Shanghai Today It is not funny! Apparently the vertical draining pipe has been exploded due to cold weather to form the icicle. The building owners may look for expensive repair bill and sewage back flow may occur at the lower floors. This is a bad design as the builder never consider sub-zero weather. BTW, those icicle can kill when fallen. |
| 542 |
Shanghai is Freezing Distinctively cold in Shanghai? Not really! Many cities are colder and have higher humidity than Shanghai and yet people living there do not complain about the weather. The problem in Shanghai is the city has a obsolete building code, very few buildings are required to have wall and window with "R" values which means to have the building insulated, so the people are exposed to the weather element all year long. Electric heating and cooling are widely used but it can be very expensive and waste of energy due to uninsulated wall and window and can hardly reach the comfort range. To make matter worse, Shanghai cooling and heating system does not include the ventilation thus creates "sick building syndrome" and many dwellers are not even aware of the problem. I saw many people never take off their winter gear even at home or at sleep, no wonder people find the winter or summer unbearable. Insulation can inexpensive at the construction stage, but the builders who are overwhelm by the cost and profit never think about such unvisible feature. |
| 541 |
Happy Thanksgivings Thanksgiving, not Thanksgivings |
| 540 |
Plastic Bags in Seattle JianShou, may be you are not awared that starting 01 Jan 2009, Seattle will start to charge a Green Fee of 20 cents a bag. Banning free plastic bag is a good thing, but rise the ecological awareness through education is something else. In Shanghai I can still see many excess packaging, moon cake is a good example. In the beverage business, most of the disposable packaging actually cost more than the content and it creates more solid waste than plastic bag. Last month I had a dinner at Shanghai Spring, after the dinner I asked the waitress to bag the leftovers, I was given a nice and strong clear plastic box together with a nicely printed paper bag just for two dumplings, I am overwhelmed! |
| 539 |
Top Commenter of 6 Years Much regret we cannot meet each other in person, I was in Shanghai for a week and left on 14 Sept., you took UA858 for SFO at 1PM and I took AC026 for YVR at 4PM, yes, it is a small world, we are so close, yet so far apart. |
| 538 |
Dinner with Friends in Microsoft in Redmond In Seattle, due to small Chinese population, best food is seafood or Japanese food, if you like Chinese food, try the Northwest Tofu shop for lunch or breakfast, 19 St. by Jackson, or in the Bellevue area, try Toy's cafe for dinner, 107 by Main which serve authentic beef noodle. Both are small eateries and does not look glamorous but very clean. |
| 537 |
Don't Force Me to Write on Topics The Propaganda Bureau of China is now banning any form of discussion in associated with Sanlu milk product on the web in an attempt to control the damage on the image of Chinese food product. Any attempt to comment of the above subject will endanger the existence of this blog. GOT IT? |
| 536 |
Photos of Wujiang Road It is funny the city crew translate the word "waste" as "ondeemable". |
| 535 |
OOB for Vacation Yes, take a restful vacation with your love ones, will make you health, wealth and wise! |
| 534 |
Lang Ping's American Volleyball Team Beat China @elliottng, do you play Chinese chess? do you know the general' soldier once crossed the river can never return! Now both China and US women volleyball team are in the semifinal, if China wins, Lang Ping will become the second fiddle in volleyball field in the eyes of Chinese. Should US team prevail this weekend, then Lang Ping is the traitor! Olympic game is like a peace time battle field, every score, every medal counts, it is all about pride, fame and glory, |
| 533 |
Lang Ping's American Volleyball Team Beat China Lang Ping was expelled from Chinese Women Volleyball Team as a coach after failing to capture gold at 1996 Atlanta Summer Game and her life was once miserable, now she is vindicated and is looking forward to receiving medal for the US Team. GO LANG PING GO ! |
| 532 |
Olympic is about Competition and Happiness JianShuo, can I ask you a personal question.......... Do you wish 2012 Olympic Summer Game to be held again in Beijing or in Shanghai rather than in London? |
| 531 |
One Ceremony, Many Perceiptions During the opening ceremony, the adorable little girl who sung "Ode to the motherland" was actually lip singing, to me this is deplorable and is contrary to the Olympic Spirit, may be it is in line with the National Interest ????? |
| 530 |
One Ceremony, Many Perceiptions The national flag is a symbol of a sovereign country and the protector obviously is her military forces, it is natural for the color guard (US) of the military as the flag carrier. This tradition has been carried out in all previous Olympic summer games. May be the image of PLA and the goose-step is little bit too harsh for many foreigners, and the committee had used a little girl sung on the side to dilute the tone, an excellent intention. |
| 529 |
Data Center "Sealed" During Olympic China hosting Summer Game 2008 was an attempt to show the advancement of the counry and invite people from all over the world to glorify the event. Nevertheless, the uprising in Tibet changed the setting. Beijing has now deployed 100k official security and 500k informers all over the city, migrant workers, students and foreign businessmen are repatriated, foreign visa are curtailed, police check points are established, foreign news agency are only allow to cover the stories in associated with Olympic. China has demonstrated herself as a totalitarian state to the rest of the world and the Olympic Spirit has been whitewashed. If all these efforts are to suppress the uprising by Dalai Lama, perhaps this is what Dalia Lama and his instigators have hope for in the first place. Now Beijing 2008 has became Armed Camp 2008, I feel very sad! |
| 528 |
The Most Beautiful Sky in Shanghai Would you mind post a photo for blue sky in Shanghai please? |
| 527 |
Sunset and Clouds in Shanghai Would it be......... "every cloud has a silver lining", which means better days are awaiting ahead of you! A good sign for you future endeavour. |
| 526 |
Shanghai Dazhong Taxi Does Dazhong use any vehicle other than sedan such as station wagon or mini-van? As a party of two with 4 suitcases cannot comfortably sit at the back without holding one of the luggage on the knee during the journey from the airport. Any alternatives? |
| 525 |
Hard to Use Metro Instead of a Car JianShuo, does Xujiahui regarded as downtown? |
| 524 |
I Felt Afraid of Public Opinions Now correction: should not be measured by the amount of money |
| 523 |
I Felt Afraid of Public Opinions Now JianShuo, I share your feelings! The Nationalism Movement raised by the 'angry youth' and 'netizens' makes everyone in China and beyond so venerable to criticism and the sources are usually anonymous. It reminds me of the era of Culture Revolution when everyone lives in fear and distrust. I really hope the government should put an abatement to it as it clearly violates human rights. BTW, donation is a result of compassionate behaviour and should be measured by the amount of money, got it? |
| 522 |
Photos of Shanghai in May, 2008 - Part II I have a condominium at Orient Manhattan and it is stone's throw from your office, it used to be a very good residential compound six years ago when it first completed, but now parked vehicles occupied the entire drive way, motor bikes are parked up-stair in front of the door way, dog excrement are littering the pathway and the building starts to show its age. Yes, I agree with you, it looks ugly now! |
| 521 |
Grace Wang Called a Traitor "靈 台 無 計 逃 神 矢 ， 風 雨 如 磐 瘖 故 園 。 寄 意 寒 星 荃 不 察 ， 我 以 我 血 薦 軒 轅" Quoted from local daily. |
| 520 |
Death and Religion in Tibet JS, I noticed that most of the readers' comment in the last two weeks are not attached to the daily blog but locked into the recent comment column, in the last two days the comment column also become inaccessible. I don't know whether it is a problem from my side, nevertheless, can you please rectify the situation from your side. |
| 519 |
Four Types of Consciousness Angry Youth = 義和團 Conscious Patriots = 袁世凱 God Like Analyst = 李鴻章 Careful Balancer = 慈禧太后 Please correct me if I am wrong, but don't call me a traitor! Thanks. |
| 518 |
Street Scenes of Nayang - Part II JS, it is the "inflatable rubber dam" not robbery jam. |
| 517 |
Standing Cross Different Lines @Claudia Frais, thank you for your endorsment of my POV. It is too late now, the campaign staged by oversea Tibetan in the last four weeks inadvertently united almost all Chinese both domestic and oversea, friend and foe toward Beijing government. The show of unity has put many foreign media on the 'defence' mode and the rally for 'free tibet' is diminishing. As far I can remember this is first time China can display such unity among her people. 'United we stand, departed we fall'. Perhaps China should thank Dalai Lama of his effort! |
| 516 |
Standing Cross Different Lines Can we put aside the Summer Game and the torch relay and look into the objective of which the oversea Tibetan wish to achieve. I see the Tibetan government in exile and his 100,000 followers living in India and Nepal do have a strong will to return to Tibet, since Tibet is a land-locked areas and lack of arable land, the economy today is depended largely on tourism from China and oversea, so an independent Tibet can devastate the people of the areas. Dalai Lama fully understand the situation and is not seeking independent Tibet but rather "one country, two systems". On the other hand China in the last ten years has marginalized the Tibetan by bringing in Chinese immigrate to the areas and diluted the distinctive culture and religious of Tibet. Does anybody see China and Dalai Lama can compromise on this issue without external supports. |
| 515 |
Friends Started to Boycott French Products Don't forget France deployed over 3000 police to protect the torch relay in Paris, without the police present, the torch already ended up at the bottom of the river Seine. |
| 514 |
Friends Started to Boycott French Products You have to understand who is the instigator behind this. www.tibetnetwork.org/torch_paris |
| 513 |
Disturbed Lunch My sympathy you had a distrubed lunch. I am a businessman and I always believe in "give them what they want and they'll come back for more", if the restaurant management can exercise a little skill of persuaion, I am sure the distrubation shall never extented to the rest of the guest. Even the coupon was a counterfeit, the restaurant can regard it as an advertisment and I sure there are many more coupon in circulation which will never be redeemed. This is a break down of human relationship and people are having hard time to understand or trust each others. There is a saying "when there is smoke, there is fire!", now smoke is everywhere, are someone try to put out the fire? Does anybody know how to use wisdom to solve the problem? |
| 512 |
Error in Western Media Report about Tibet At the happenings of the riot at Lhasa, China escorted away all the foreign journalists from the areas. I remembered one BBC reporter said when he reached Hong Kong " China is handling her domestic affair and does not wish the world to see". The notion of that statement to the world is simple and clear "China is suppressing the native uprising with heavy hand". Owing to the news black out except CCTV, the journlists are writing stories based on the sources feeded by oversea Tibetan organizations with improvised footages. If China open Tibet to all foreign journlists at that time and see the uprising first handed, do you think they'll write the stories otherwise? |
| 511 |
Why I Didn't Cover About Tibet Why western countries sided with Tibetan at this conflict in Lhasa? I don't know! Does Dalai Lama has the magic touch? I don't know either! When the conflict happened in Lhasa, I was in Hawaii reading the news. Looking at the history of Hawaii, it was the US who annexed the island kingdom and overthrow the monarchy about hundred years ago. No reports of the local Polynesian stood up to fight the US army to revive the monarchy. Did US government gave special treatments to the islanders such as one country, two systems or waive the federal tex? No such thing! Did US government outlaw the former ruler of the Kingdom? I saw fresh flowers placed at the statue of the former King every day! Are the islanders are proud American? I can't see otherwise! I was told many islanders join the US military and there is a four stars Hawaiian Army General. President Clinton even apologized to the islanders for the overthrow of the Hawaii Kingdom. Why Tibet and Hawaii have two different outcomes, I shall let the ruling party to answer this question! |
| 510 |
Can you Understand Dish Names in China? This is so funny. I translated some menus, including the most restigious restaurant Beijing duck restaurant " quan ju de" and some other menus. This is just hilerioius. So, i know some skills and terms about how to translate chinese to english, as i have been a chef for ten years. Very interesting to read your blog. |
| 509 |
"I Will Follow All the Rules!" To wish you and your family every happiness at this festive season. |
| 508 |
Current University Students are Different Have anybody noticed that the world and regional ranking of SJTU and other Chinese Universities are surging due to "modernization" according to the Chinese Official Delegation who visited my university two months in Canada. http://ed.sjtu.cn/rank/2007ARWU2007TOP500LIST.htm I know JianShuo does not pay too much attention to the ranking, but someone in the Education Ministry thinks otherwise and will persist in present course. |
| 507 |
The Age of Change, in Reality, and in Mind 且听枫吟, perhaps JianShuo should say annual salary of RMB500,000 or more is not unheard of in Shanghai, I do know there are lots of people in Shanghai have income more than that, but may not from salary, it also includes bonus, commission, profit, capital gain etc. otherwise how do you expect people can afford to buy luxary condominiums and cars with only miniscule income? Take China Mobile for example, its reveune reached US 33 billion, what remuneration do you think is appropriate for her CEO and his management team? This is not the era of People's Commune! |
| 506 |
Aniseed Vietnamese French Cuisine It is PHO, I love it, do you have a picture to show us? |
| 505 |
Gas Station Explosion Near my Home It is apparent there was no safety official to supervise the crew prior to the accident, it is sad! The unprecedented economic development of China which shocked the world is accomplished at the life of innocent workers (6,000 deaths a year in mining accidents alone), it is really sad! |
| 504 |
Movie Lust, Caution. Good! You should see the original version of the movie, in China not only the part involved the war time puppet state is removed, but also about 7 mins sex scene is missing. The China version is about 20 mins lighter than the oversea version. |
| 503 |
Toughest Time for Me and Wendy "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" ............remember the song by Billy Ocean? |
| 502 |
Toughest Time for Me and Wendy Hi, Jianshuo, You are a great man and think positive way all the time. You are blessed by all your blog readers. Keep going, Wish you and your family have a early seasonal greeting. Stephen |
| 501 |
More Detailed Shanghai Future Metro Map From the map I can see plainly route 2 light rail is intended to be the shuttle of PVG, I think it means Maglev will be in dormant once the light rail is completed. |
| 500 |
More Detailed Shanghai Future Metro Map Typo at caption. |
| 499 |
0# Gas Shortage in Shanghai The surge of commodities price including crude oil in the recent months is mainly due to $US has reached 30 years low, so low it has fallen off the benchmark of countries who are pegging with $US. China is now facing cost-push inflation despite her hugh trade surplus. Is it a right time to let RMB floats? |
| 498 |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition) Last summer I took a day tour to Hangzhou and the taxi driver from Shanghai charged me RMB1,600 including road toll, can anybody tell me this is fair fare of taxi from 7AM to 9PM? |
| 497 |
Seat-Belt? Oh. No. Thanks! Problem for me of wearing a seat belt while taking a taxi in Shanghai city is the driver always thinks I am distrustful of his driving skill. |
| 496 |
Seat-Belt? Oh. No. Thanks! Should the plane encounter turbulence, it can easily send a passanger airborne inside the cabin if not strap to the seat. Last year, an AirCanada flight departed from PVG encountered terbulence and send six passangers and crew to hospital after emergency landing in Japan. |
| 495 |
Airport Construction Fee for Connection Flight? Jian Shuo, any idea when the PVG Terminal 2 will be in operational and the arrangement of ground transportation. Thanks for your info! |
| 494 |
Top Commenter of the Month (2007H1) Hello John, good question! but what is the heritage should be inherited by every Chinese, I am not trying to evade that. May be you can enlighten me on this issue. |
| 493 |
Some Thoughts about War and History A grudge against Russia may be necessary, after all, she has annexed the entire outer Manchuria from China in the last hundred years which is an area three time bigger than Japan and Chinese government recently has endorsed the border treaty. |
| 492 |
Fight Between Foreigners and Local I like to discuss this subject but now is not a good time to do so as the content may challenge the bottom line of your authority. |
| 491 |
Fight Between Foreigners and Local Ling, I am discussing the ideology during the pre-war era of WW2, and you are referring to war years and the afteramath, are you singing the wrong tune? 3 years and 8 months? Are you referring to the war years endured by the American? |
| 490 |
Fight Between Foreigners and Local Of the above fighting incident, if you take away the foreigner's factor, it is purely a clash between rich and poor, law defying vs ignorance. If someone is comparing Chinese patriotism to pre-war era of Nazism of German and Imperialism of Japan, it is totally wrong. Nazism is to revenge the injustice of Versailles Treaty and the land and German people annexed by Poland. Japanese Imperialism is to seek better livelihood for her nationals in the era of great depression. What China need is folkways to a social norm and not revisiting the past unfavourable events in history. |
| 489 |
Fight Between Foreigners and Local About thirty years ago, China was opening her door to the west in needs of investments, foreigners rushed in with capital and technologies, on the side, the authority granted the foreigners in China with special immunities such as: Immune from any misdemeanour charges Don't have to queue up with local residents for anythings Entitle to enter best restaurants or hotels where local residents are forbidden from entering.......and many more benefits. At that time, foreigners - both caucasian and Chinese from Hong Kong and Taiwan walked the street of China like a Emperor. This injustice caused the Chinese resident with a attitude of either admiration or resentment towards foreigners, and today when China is strong and rich, the mentality still persists. |
| 488 |
Top Commenter of the Month (2007H1) It is really fun for me to conduct dialogue with people in China to understand their thinking and behavior, afterall we do have different background and history. We have had fierce arguements on many issues, such as past history, economy, politic, welfare, transport, social norm, life style, weather, pollution, housing and even the meaning of democracy. We cannot concur on many subjects, afterall we do have different backgroung and history, my conclusion is either side are superior than the other, just different in mentality, the mentality which is required at that particular community or country. At any rate, my apology to those who were offended by my previous comments and thank JianShuo to provide me such excellent platform of dialogue. |
| 487 |
Shanghai Also has Blue Sky - for One Day It was due to typhood Sepat was in proximity of Shanghai and the reversed east wind, the sea breeze from the ocean blowed the pollutant inland. |
| 486 |
SJTU - No 565 in the World Ranking I am dismay of your indifference at the very institution which cultivated you to become one of the elite of the city. As a proud alumni of my university, I always return to have discussion with current students and staff of my work experience and in exchange I also gain the up-to-date business information. Indeed university is the institution of knowledge exchange. I agree your university has a long way to reach the world pinnacle, but I can see she is stepping into the right track and now dashing forward, don't you want to be the part momentum? This is call the contribution to the society. |
| 485 |
SJTU - No 565 in the World Ranking SJTU today released the top 500 university ranking and she now rank at 234th position, a great leap forward in ranking as compared to last year. SJTU also the number one university in Shanghai. JS, this is something you can proud of now......... |
| 484 |
One Year to Beijing Olympics Sorry, mistake in my comment. The boycott of Moscow game in 1980 was the sanction imposed by USA for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. |
| 483 |
One Year to Beijing Olympics fggfz, yes, the summer game at Berlin in 1936 was a stage for Hitler to promote Nazi ideology, if country like USA boycott the game, how does people like Jesse Owens, the African-American sprinter can receive his gold medals from the hands of Hitler? The boycott of Moscow game in 1980 was the sanction imposed by USA for the downing of KAL 007, it was purely a political move and has nothing to do with freedom. The LA game was also under boycott for the same reason. Politic and sport does not mix. |
| 482 |
Shanghai Car Plates IS Investment Is there people actually hoarding up these Shanghai plate for spectulation purpose? Wonder what happens if authority announced these plate to be non-negotiable. |
| 481 |
Shanghai Car Plates IS Investment So your asset is intangible and the value of the title is determined by the policy maker, this is not an investment but a direct payment to the government. |
| 480 |
On the Top of 8 Meters... I think this is your Outward Bound School. Next time you engage a jump like that, never wear a short pants, make sure the life line is long enough to stay clear of the platform. The harness you use is not safe, in the event of mis-step, and a person like you is top heavy with big belly, you can easily fall through waist belt from the other side or break your spine. A Y-type harness can best protect you. Remember, you are a father now! |
| 479 |
Strengthen the Control of Speech There is a dilemma here: A law abiding Chinese citizen should entitle to world news and obtain views from other end about China via satellite TV. A law abiding Chinese citizen should never steal satellite signal without paying to become a subscriber. Any comment? |
| 478 |
Shanghai Hotel Guide - Part II Dennis, thank you for your info but Jin Jiang Inns and Motel 168 were fully booked, the team has left for Shanghai last week and trust they'll find the right accommodations in China. |
| 477 |
Accident in Shanghai Metro This is tombstone technology! i.e. improvement is made only at the blood of the users. |
| 476 |
Starbucks Finally Closed in the Forbidden City The administration and the management of the formal Imperial Palace is deporable. I was there last summer and saw thick dust inside the palace and shrub grew from the roof tiles, it is clearly a neglect for a long time. If you visit the eateries and the gift shops, it is very nicely decorated and with air-conditioning. It is necessary for the management to change the 'profit centre' attitude otherwise the main palace can be converted into a seafood restaurant and the inner courts can become a hotel. Starbuck in the forbidden City obviously is a misfit and nuisance, but it also shown the capitalization of this historic monument. |
| 475 |
Olympics Impact to TV Commericals It's the gymnastic! Olympic has now became the biggest consumer goods promotion campaign in the world and we are footing the bills, about the truth Olympic spirit, it is already brushed aside. |
| 474 |
Shanghai Hotel Guide - Part II My company staff is planning a trip to China this month and asked me if the accommodation and services by Home Inns in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing are compatible. Can anybody give us some input. |
| 473 |
The Dinner - Part III - Government or Party? JS must mean "mayor"! |
| 472 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Давид , "The huge reserve is held by the government, not in private hands." Now you are getting my point, how does the hugh reserve can benefit the average Chinese? not much! but when Chinese see their investments went bad, what repercussion do you think will arise in regardless of whatever amount may involved. The province where I am residing had a hugh revenue surplus from the oil boom last year, and everyone in the province including infants received Can$400 per head plus many reductions in energy cost and tax. This is how a government should tackle the surplus and reserve. By the way, US campaign at Iraq may not be a bad investment as long as US can prevail at the end, then many 'oily' returns thereafter. China in the end may pay hugh forfeit to Germany in the event the Maglev need to be scrapped. |
| 471 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Давид , China' hugh trade surplus with US means American can afford to buy from China and yet Chinese consumers cannot afford the reciprocal. Should the trade surplus hurts US economy in any way, US congress will without hestitation slam the trading door shut. If you read the GDP per capita, you'll find many people in China still live under poverty line, so amount like US$1.5 billion can benefit many people for a considerable duration. Sitting on US$1.2 trillion does not reflect the true financial situation of China. The real wealth people usually know how to manage their portfolio and usually have little cash in circulation. By the way, the revenue received by Pudong Maglev cannot even offset the operating cost nor it is serving as a useful airport shultte, should I call it a white elephant? |
| 470 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Давид ,Do you know what percentage of GDP can become the revenue, and what percentage of revenue can transform into expenditure. Most government expediture are fixed cost, and what percentage of expenditure can be spend items of no useful purpose? |
| 469 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Давид , you compare GDP with expenditure? |
| 468 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Давид , if you take the GDP of China and divided by her population, I am sure you'll find $1.5 billion is not a loose change for any bureaucrat and for any region. For the same amount, Shanghai can build the PVG ph1 by herself without seeking grant from Japan. |
| 467 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor The installation of Maglev at Pudong was an intention to show the advancement of Shanghai and hope such technology will and can revolutionize the transportation network of China, however, due to hefty construction cost and the new advancement of wheel technology by TGV, the Maglev is no longer a technology bears both feasible in operation and speed record. The cancellation of south extension to Hangzhou proves Maglev is not longer the future in the transportation of China. Maglev at Pudong is only a proving ground and China contributed at least US$1.5 billion and it is likely the project can be dismantled after Expo 2010 to make room for the real airport shuttle. Should the fund for Maglev be shared among the people of Shanghai, each can receive up to Rmb700, what a waste! |
| 466 |
Difficulties as a Foreign Visitor Why don't you do a survey and ask all your oversea readers to itemize the things that are most difficult to endure during their visit to Shanghai. I am sure you'll surprise from the reflections of the laowais. |
| 465 |
Name of the Baby - Part II Do you consider to hire a Feng Shui Master to pick a name for your son? |
| 464 |
Name of the Baby - Part II Would you consider names with more masculine appeal? |
| 463 |
Name of the Baby Naming a baby is a daunting task, make sure it is easy to pronounce in both Chinese and English and easy to be remembered by others, and also bears special meanings in Chinese. Finding a good name for your child is actually helping him in the future. I hope Jianshuo will not make a haste decision like the way he named his car. |
| 462 |
My Baby Arrives I am surprised you have not mentioned the condition of your love once Wendy who gave birth of your lovely baby boy. |
| 461 |
My Baby Arrives BTW, can you disclose the name of the new born? |
| 460 |
My Baby Arrives Congratulation on your new born, do take a leave to stay with the new arrival and your love once. |
| 459 |
Trip Plan Case Study - Shanghai - Hangzhou If I hire a Shanghai taxi to Hangzhou for one day tour, say from 0700 thru 2300, what is the fair fare the driver would charge? |
| 458 |
Pudong Airport to Ramada Plaza Hotel Saw the news this morning with regret, the Maglev south extention has been called off, and the Shanghai Maglev will stand alone and become a showy piece. Just like the monorail in Seattle, it serve mainly the tourists. |
| 457 |
Chinese Stock Market is More Crazy It is apparent the government has sunk her national reserve into the stock market and kept her economic miracle intact, should it reach the bursting point and the she is unable to sustain the market value, the blood of China will freeze. |
| 456 |
Take Taxi or Buy a Car? Anybody consider to own a cycle richshaws in Shanghai? It should be very cheap to buy and low maintenance, it is also environmental friendly and a platform for exercise. Riding in it should raise the eyebrows of the others or you can hire someone to do the paddling as to ease the unemployemnt in Shanghai. On the weekend, you can put your love once behind you and have a joy ride, and you can also use the cycle lane to avoid the traffic. Is this the wonder cycle of the future? Hahahahaha |
| 455 |
Street Markets in Shanghai Yee, did you ask the same to those parparazzi? According to freedom of press, people have the liberty to take any photo in the public areas and post it anywhere they like it unless the subjects in the photo for are used for commercial or defamation purpose. |
| 454 |
Buying Furniture in Shanghai I don't mean glass partial at the balcony, a sun room actually is a enclosed structure attached to the building on ground level with a glass roof. Judge from your tone, such annex is not very popular in Shanghai. Thanks for your info. |
| 453 |
Buying Furniture in Shanghai Is it popular in Shanghai to build an enclosed glass sun room above the deck and within the yard? Does it require endorsement from the authority for the annex? |
| 452 |
SJTU - No 565 in the World Ranking "The ranking cannot be absolutely fair", I cannot dispute that. Just like in every examination, it does ascertain a "value" to the students in relation to their study, you can call it unfair but this is the rule of the game and same apply to ranking. Why US Universities score so high and Asian score so low? It depends on whether the local authority is treating the education as a "profit centre" or a "cost centre". |
| 451 |
View before May Holiday Shanghai Jiaotong University is renowned in compiling the Academic Ranking of World Universities. http://www.webometrics.info/ Many students use this guide as the yardstick in selection of the university. |
| 450 |
How I drive in Shanghai - Part II Taking about bicycle lane. Last time when I was in Shanghai, I saw a caucasian woman riding a bike standing in the middle of the bicycle lane stopping a column of vehicles who were using the lane as a by-pass, the woman pointed at the sign telling the drivers that the lane is exclusive for bicycle. Two drivers walked out and brushed her aside and then drove on. I was a passenger at the third vehicle of the same column and was embarrassing when I looked on. |
| 449 |
Reasons of Bad Traffic in Shanghai Shockr, about the Milan incident. If someone received a parking ticket, do you think she should fight the traffic warden in the street or she should defend her motion in the court? Immediate after the parking dispute, the Milan Chinatown turned into sea of red, people were waving Chinese Flag, do you think every home and business in Chinatown should keep a Chinese flag in anticipating of the event and who were distributing the flag. |
| 448 |
Reasons of Bad Traffic in Shanghai I remember ex-premier of China Zhu Rongji once said "Chinese are the smartest people in the world" and the people of China take his word seriously and often take the same notion to the extreme, eventually, self-esteem prevails. Today, if you challenge anyone of jaywalking or queue jumping, he/she must think you are insulting their intelligence and not knowing they are actually obstructing the social norm. Same to the traffic violators as they think they are not only beating the clock, but also the system. Street vendors always "float" the price against their customers and anticipate counter-offer, but not knowing this is against fair-trade practice and at the end curtailing those would be customers. Two weeks ago in Milan, Italy. A group of Chinese immigrate disputed with local police over parking violation and developed into riot. During confrontation, the street were full of Chinese waving Chinese flag not knowing the act is the sign of occupation of foreign soil. I think it should all start with the "social education". |
| 447 |
Kijiji SJTU Office JianShuo, my understanding of kijiji.cn is a web offering classified ads and it is free, can you tell me where do you obtain your reverue to make ends meets? |
| 446 |
My Favorite Food in the World I have had tasted the same in Nanjing for breakfast few years ago, the secret is the chili sauce. Today, most of the chili sauce available from the market are blended with industrial dying agent, it looks red but not spicy nor with any aroma. Last year, I took the venture to enter into rural area to search for the "authentic" "unblended" dry chili powder and I have 5 Kg of it. |
| 445 |
Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners carsten, for your interest, the article also mentioned during the same period last year, Shanghai also recorded 337 cases of divorce involved foreign spouses, among the top is Canadian and then Japanese. The main reason of divorce is the separation of the couples between two countries. |
| 444 |
Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners carsten, see if you can access from your side http://www1.appledaily.atnext.com/template/apple/art_main.cfm?iss_id=20070324&sec_id=15335&subsec_id=15336&art_id=6934476 |
| 443 |
Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners carsten, the source is from friday edition of atnext.com, a newspaper from Hong Kong I believe is banned from China. |
| 442 |
Shanghainese Girl Marrying Foreigners According to statistics Shanghai, Shanghaiese marrying to foreign spouses was registered at 2960 couples during 2006. Among the foreign spouses, Japanese ranked the top and then Chinese from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. US and Australia ranked 3rd and 4th. Let the figures tell the story! |
| 441 |
I Found a Bug - in my Soup If I see a bug in my soup at the restaurant, I'll first pay for the meal and pack the soup and the bug, so the evidence is rightfully belong to me. Register the complaint with the local health authority together with the evidence, if there is one bug in the soup, there must have a group in the kitchen and it is easy for the authority to trace the source of the insanitary. If you live in a city you call home, this is how I ensure the food I eat is safe for me and the fellow citizens. Asking for a free meal or money back does not help the restaurant to keep their kitchen clean. |
| 440 |
Nanpu Bridge I think the two and half loops spiral landing on the west end bridge is a design fault, it features too many shape and hidden curves and thrill like a roller coaster. I don't think I wish to negotiate this bridge. |
| 439 |
Best Shanghai Eatery Streets? WuJiang Lu is like a gourmet paradise to me and many tourists who are visiting the city, if the authority is determined to dismantle the street, the city will lost one of her attraction just like the way they closed the XiangYang Market. |
| 438 |
Xiangyang Market - the Shopping Paradise Over 70% of world raw cashmere and yarn are produced in China, but the dyeing technique are in the hands of Italy and Britain, so for most of the quality cashmere piece goods, China has to import from abroad, so it is not going to be cheap. Cashmere clothing is light weight, warm and soft, but has drawbacks, it produced too much static and poor resiliency. If you really determine to have a cashmere knitwear, get one at Oxford St. or Regent St. at London UK. who has the best price, style, selection and quality. |
| 437 |
Xiangyang Market - the Shopping Paradise Quality cashmere with good price at XinYang market? Cashmere wool produced in China are usually all scoop up by the European and Japanese buyers. You be lucky if you can find "cashmere sweater" in Xinyang are actually made from lamb wool, if not, synthetic yarn. |
| 436 |
Best Shanghai Eatery Streets? Loretta, yes, Yang's fried dumpling is good and don't burn your lips on the first bite, but prepare for long queue and eating in the street, the sit-in is deplorable. Try to avoid the consomme soup which is too waterly. The delicatessen at Wang Ja Sa is very good and with comfortable seatings but with no non-smoking partition, better go in group so you can sample different variety. |
| 435 |
Best Shanghai Eatery Streets? Jian Shuo, thank you for your diciphering of the above, I shall be busy during my fore-coming visit to Shanghai. |
| 434 |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition) oh typos favour instead of favourite, Few more street add to the list Si Nan Lu Huai Hai Zhong Lu Tai Kang Lu Yong Jia Lu Thanks |
| 433 |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition) Jian Shuo, please do me a favourite of translating the following: Dong Jia Du Lu Wan Yu Jie Renmin Lu Yong Jia Lu Xiangyang Nan Lu Hefer Lu Jinan Lu Zhaozhou Lu I am told these streets have the best eateries in Shanghai. |
| 432 |
Four Seasons Hotel Please be advised the smoke-free environment campaign is not an attempt to extinct smokers, but give the right to the non-smokers and the staff not to inhale the hurtful smoke which may endanger their health in a closed areas. Smokers are ordered to conduct their enjoyment in a open or private area only. |
| 431 |
Four Seasons Hotel When do you think the municipal government of Shanghai will institute the non-smoking policy like the one being carried out in Hong Kong which is in line with world wide campaign for smoke-free environment. |
| 430 |
JW Marriott Hong Kong Jian Shuo, next time you go to Hong Kong for business, try to stay at Mandarin Oriental which is about I Km west of Marriott. Mandarin offers the best in the hospitality Industry and set the standard of 5 stars hotel. |
| 429 |
The Scar in People's Heart oh, typing mistakes>>>>clip should be chip, none should be nor. |
| 428 |
My Experience with Hong Kong Jian Shuo, correction>>> Hong Kong is now part of the China, you don't apply a 'visa' to enter Hong Kong, you need to obtain an 'entry-exit permit' and is issued only by the Chinese Government. While visa is an endorsment issued by a sovereign country upon or before entry. The Chinese Government is very sensitive about any wordings may associate Hong Kong as a state. |
| 427 |
The Scar in People's Heart Jian Shuo, great! looking forward to seeing you soon. |
| 426 |
The Scar in People's Heart carsten, My next visit to Shanghai is during Chinese New Year, if Jian Shuo agrees, he can send his phone # via e-mail to me, please revert. |
| 425 |
Living Cost in Shanghai - Medicine carsten, looks like we have something in common, I started my career with overseas container services, and if you are from Denmark and engaging in ship building industry, you must be one of the A.P. Moller guy. To stay in China or not, you have to ask if the Chinese are treating you as one of their own, or if you have sentimental feeling towards this country. |
| 424 |
The Scar in People's Heart Jian Shuo, just a matter of curious, do you know the history which prompted the intrusion of Japan into China during 1931 and 1937 respectively and would not declare war at each other until Pearl Harbour incident? |
| 423 |
Living Cost in Shanghai - Driving Just imagine you crippled a person in a traffic accident, and a million RMB is a small amount for the victim to live for the rest his life not to mention the medical care required. In Canada, most auto coverage started at CAD 2 millions. |
| 422 |
The Scar in People's Heart I know a man in Shanghai, he lost a leg during the campaign of Culture Revolution by his neighbouring red guard who also happens to be his childhood friend. Today, the man and the former red guard both close to '60 still live next to each other and two families are closely associated. The crippled man never blame the neighbour who beated him up none the former red guard shown any regret or remorse of the incident, nevertheless, both blame the 'circumstance' caused the consequence and mishap. Forget the past, look at the future, otherwise you'll always have clip on the shoulder. |
| 421 |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition) Jian Shuo, in the event if you are writing on the food in Shanghai. Can you or the fellow readers suggest the good eateries in Shanghai. eg. Dumpling House at Yu Yuan, Xiao Yung Pan fried Dumpling, Ningpo Dumpling also at Yu Yuan and the poultry blood soup at the hotel restaurant between the two stadiums. I just love to eat at Shanghai! |
| 420 |
Living Cost in Shanghai (2007 Edition) Are you sure Coke 355ml is 1.20 Yuan per can? The cheapest I can get is 1.70/1.80 Yuan per can at 6 packer from Lianhua. |
| 419 |
Chinese Stock Market is Crazy carsten, the Chinese law governing the foreign ownership of the real estate more or less contains the principal only, so different bureaucrats can have different interpretations and implementations. |
| 418 |
Chinese Stock Market is Crazy God knows! The policy can change as fast as the prices of the stocks, different real estate agent can come to me with different interpretations. Hey carsten, "life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get"...........Forrest Gump |
| 417 |
New Xiangyang Market Location? No wonder! when I counter-offered one-third of the asking prices, often received hostile receiptions at shops of the old city. |
| 416 |
New Xiangyang Market Location? JianShuo, can the same tactic of bargaining (70% off) applies to the vendors at Shanghai Old Street or Yu Yuan? I found these vendors are hard to negotiate. |
| 415 |
Standing in a Train? No... Any body knows when was the corruption free decade of China? It was during the Culture Revolution! "It was the best of time, it was the worst of time" |
| 414 |
Shanghai Consolidated Guide Bourbon Street is at New Orleans, the name just refers to the place full of bars, restaurants and night clubs etc. |
| 413 |
Personal Income Tax in China Oh dear, almost every incomers are subject to taxation in China, the inland revenue must hire an army of tax collectors to the task. |
| 412 |
I Got a Tax Summary! The postscript printed at the bottom of your tax form is politically incorrect! It can construe as a deed from the government, and theoretically, the individual tax payer can challenge the government the appropriation of his or her batch of tax dollars to the activities other than 'flourishing and prosperity'. This can create chaos in government administration. The western countries deem the taxation is the duty and obligation of every citizens and not a contribution of wealth subject to glorification. |
| 411 |
Books I Read These Days Yes, today is the first day of winter! I wish you and every blogger a happy holiday season and New Year of health, happiness and prosperity. |
| 410 |
Shanghai Looks Similar to US, But... Shrek7, The land right in China has reverted back to the government since 1958, all the properties in China today are sitting on either borrowed or leased land, so by law, the government has right to re-claim any land at any time and the residents are only subject to re-settlement fee at the discretion of the authority. I have my properties in Xujiahui, after reading all the documents, I find the only right I have is the "dwelling right" and it can revoke on demand despite the land lease term. |
| 409 |
Public Holidays in China Jian Shuo, I am still wondering how Shanghai being the economic centre for China can lapse 7 consecutive days 3 times a year without losing business. |
| 408 |
The Blind Men and The Elephant Jian Shuo, I agree with you. Remember few years earlier of that faithful evening, a similar event almost same in every scale was happened in Gwangju, Korea. Today history has white washed that event, the world has forgotten Gwangju and most Korean are reluntant to discuss it, not by government repression, but people in Korea think this was a day in infamy. Oh dear, I used the word "infamy" on the day of infamy, Dec 7. |
| 407 |
Hello from Narita Airport, Tokyo Jian Shuo, what is the rationale of taking NH to SFO via NRT? where you can take UA direct to SFO. |
| 406 |
The Blind Men and The Elephant Hello Stephen, I am stephen as well. Do you know Chinese authority has forbidden any form of discussion of the event on that faithful evening up to this date. Thanks to CNN I was able to watch the full live coverage before and at the event, but to my surprise, many footage we can see today associated with the event has carefully either deleted or edited when compared to the live coverage. I hope one day the truth will prevail. The official account released by the Chinese authority after the event is 37 soldiers were killed with no autopsy details and that was quickly diluted by the western media. |
| 405 |
Chaminade in Santa Cruz An outwardbound school inside the resort? how lavish! |
| 404 |
Rumors after Rumors - Part II I see this is a conspiracy of defamation in an attempt to weaken the integrity between you and your company. This happens a lot in the western business world and seems Shanghai is using the same trick now which is an effective and cheap ways to remove the competition. Watch out those head hunters, they can either make you or break you (with an empty post) and you never know the mechanism behind it. At any rate, Jian Shuo, watch your back! |
| 403 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II I think most of you have overlooked one important factor about the intermarriage in Chinese society, the blessing from parent of the would be groom or bride hold a significant factor in deciding the marriage. Most Chinese people do not wish to see their grand-children bearing the family name to be a 'mix' (bad for family tradition) and may not able to communicate with them. On the other hand, Chinese bride marrying a Caucasian would meet less opposition from the family, after all she is not longer a member of the family after marriage and will bear the name of her spouse. |
| 402 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II Ben, During 1940 summer, the battle of France concluded, and the French government surrendered to Germany, according to clause in the instrucment France must hand over all the oversea colony to Germany including Indo-Chine. Germany at that time did not have a naval force strong enough to escort ground troops to Indo-Chine. British on the other hand controlled the entire Indo peninsula from Singapore all the way to Burma and into India. She sees German occupied Indo-Chine would post a threat to her colonial interest in the region, and for political reason, she cannot and would not launch an incursion against the France garrison stationed there, otherwise the battle of Indo-Chine will begin before the battle of Britain. British solution to the crisis was to invade US to occupy the France colony so that US can protect British interest in the region. In the view of US, Indo-Chine has much strategy significance than the Phillippine, the task of annexation was left to the commander-in-chief Douglas Macarthur stationed in Phillippine. Macarthur at that time was an army general and has no ships, before he can order enough battle ships from San Diego to carry out the task, out of everybody expectation, Japanese land troops already entered Indo-Chine from China with German decree. Macarthur was furious and since he has friends in Washington, a trade embargo was instituted against Japan for the advance into Indo-Chine. This is the cause of the Pacific War to the best my research. |
| 401 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II ILoveYouToo, I guess you like watered down version of histroy. |
| 400 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II Ben, "The Pearl Harbour attack was provoked by Japanese atrocities in China" How come US ambassador to Japan Joseph Kennedy (father of JFK) was able to broker war supplies to Japan until summer 1940? How come FDR did not imposed trade embargo with Nazi Germany, after all FDR and Churchill are 'friends at the navy'. How come Lend-lease agreement did not extended to China prior to Pacific War, may be FDR and Madam Chiang had not established friendship? How come 'Flying Tiger' reached China after Pearl Harbour, and the air defence before that was aided by Soviet Union until June 1940. The US Congress had voted to stay neutral at both European and Asian war and FDR had to comply. The trade embargo with Japan by US and British was a result of conflict of the colonial interest at Indo-Chine (now known as Vietnam+Cambodia+Loas) at the end of the Battle of France which occurred at summer 1940. |
| 399 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II ILoveYouToo, If you really don't mess with us, then the world shall live happily thereafter. Elaine, Check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendi_Deng |
| 398 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate - Part II ILoveYouToo, I admire you patriotism and loyalty towards your own country. USA need people like you to stay strong. Do you actually aware the causes of the Pearl Habour and war on terror and who was provoking it? History have taught us many lessons to prevent us to repeat the same in the future, but to my amaze, many history books today have been white washed to become a story books. |
| 397 |
Metro Lines are the Bones of the City Thanks Herbert, you gave me extra fun of my antique advantage! |
| 396 |
Metro Lines are the Bones of the City These street names suppose to be the antique market in Shanghai and was given by another blogger, nevertheless, I shall use the two versions of Dongtai Lu provided with the taxi driver. Thanks Jian. |
| 395 |
Metro Lines are the Bones of the City can anybody give me the Chinese version of: Fangbangshong Lu and Dongtai Lu, and are these places accessible via Metro or bus from Xujiahui? Please advise, thank you! |
| 394 |
I am not a Big Fan of Hate... Talking of history books, not only the Chinese version has been distorted, the world history have somewhat modified to conceal the aggression of certain countries. At the beginning of Sino-Japanese conflict started at 1937, US was sided with Japan and supplied her with all the raw material in needs of the aggression. At the summer of 1940, US and Japan realation suddenly went sour and oil embargo followed which eventually started the raid on Pearl Harbour, the official version we can see today of the US-Japan turned hostile at the eve of the Pacific War is US switched side to China and tried to stop the war machine of Imperial Japanese force. The fact is China never recieved any aids from US prior to Pearl Harbour and the truth cause of the Pacific War have been 'white washed'. Last month, the description of the US oil embargo prior of the Pacific War displayed at Yasukuni has been removed at the request of US government, even Wikipedia has a 'diluted' version of the cause. Perhaps the truth cause will never be known to the younger generation. |
| 393 |
Photo: Dog under Sunshine To place the stuffed animals and comforters under the sun, it must for either sanitation or fumigation purpose. Jian Shuo must be so relaxing this weekend just to handle the house works. |
| 392 |
Suggest a Topic I have to dispute that. Chinese celebrity such as Yao Ming, Zhang Ziyi etc, do you think English speaking Caucasian have any difficulty to pronounce their names? or do you see any government official carries a Christian name when addressing the foreign dignatories. It is due to many Chinese are too 'shy' to put forward their Chinese name especially when they try to subculture into Western society. How often do you see a Japanese bears a Western name? because they have deep respect of their culture and heritage. |
| 391 |
Online Map in Shanghai (and China) Thanks greg, any chance you can tell me fangbangshong lu and Dongtai lu in chinese character so I can relay the same to the taxi driver. Many thanks. |
| 390 |
Online Map in Shanghai (and China) Coming to Shanghai next week, can anyone tell me where i can get a old map, like the Shanghai or Peking in '20 or '30 or earlier for my wall decoration, not necessary authetic, a framed replica is preferred. Any advise? |
| 389 |
Skiing in Shanghai cotton, the best place to get the ski clothing are the shops around Ocean Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, they have authentic brand names clothing and complete with toque and mitten, but no equipments. |
| 388 |
Drive on the Right in China Jian Shou, "that land in terms of geographic issue" means geographic landmarks. Australia has a very dramatic landscape. Australia is famous for its "outback," the remote lands of the interior. The desert outback covers most of the interior. It is too hot, dry and barren to support many people. Eastern Australia has large areas of grasslands, used primarily for sheep and cattle ranches. Australia also has some mountainous areas and plateaus scattered throughout the country. The Blue Mountains, on the south-eastern end of Australia, get their name from the blue haze caused by oil droplets given off from the eucalyptus trees. |
| 387 |
Drive on the Right in China Very good explore for China driving roles. Someday you or us could make another topic regarding Road History compare of China and World. From pictures you had such wonderful trip in Australia. Any idea for that land in terms of geographic issue? |
| 386 |
Drive on the Left in Australia Multiculturalism is an ideology advocating people of all races and cultures with equal status and without racism. I think it is an appropriate term to express the interface of human. I apologize of my alleged wording and should never overwhelm your comment. |
| 385 |
Drive on the Left in Australia JianShuo, it is not diversity, but multiculturalism. |
| 384 |
Jian Shuo in Australia - Day II, III and IV Jian Shuo, are you visiting only Queensland and NSW, will you also see New Zealand after Australia? If you do, NZ has an excellent selections of woollen goods and sheep hide products! Have a safe trip! |
| 383 |
Life in Remote Places carsten, yes, wikipedia is blocked in China since last october due to failure to compromise on content filter with the Chinese authority. But I have good news for you, the authority is aggressively preparing baidupedia to replace wikipedia and I am sure you'll find fun with that in due course. |
| 382 |
Life in Remote Places I don't think people come to Sydney for concert or opera, as matter of fact, they don't have show everyday, but Sydney Opera House signifies the landmark of Sydney and Australian are proud of it. Just like Oriental Pearl of Shanghai, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco and Big Ban of London, these are the symbols of the cities they represent and are the 'must see' of every visitor. |
| 381 |
PVG: Shanghai Pudong Airport Map I remember few years ago, the pilots of Singapore Airline was attempting to take off at Taipei airport and misunderstood the runway 05L and 05R and eventually slammed into the closed runway. The rating of SQ was dropped from the top all the way to the bottom. The air-controllers have their way to speak clearly to the pilot, e.g. 05R will call as 05Romeo. The long term plan for PVG is to have four parallel runways and four terminals, anyone knows which direction will the airport to be expanded? |
| 380 |
Life in Remote Places Jian Shuo, you are in Sydney, good for you! Enjoy your holidays. The chief officer of Shanghai Government is only removed from his present positions pending for investigation, he is only condemned, not yet convicted. |
| 379 |
Why I Keep Losing Stuff carsten, My best wishes and congratulation to both of you! |
| 378 |
Brick Road in the Garden Jian Shuo, I think you have done the unit stone wrong! First you have to remove all the grass and soil about 6" deep, put 3" of gravel at the bottom and put 2" of sand on top of the gravel, compact it with tramping machine and then put a layer of waterproof membrane before laying stones. The walk way must tilt slightly towards the gutter for drainage. Laying the unit stone without proper footing will result in uneven settlement or the water will decay the house foundation. How the satelite disc is facing the wall rather than pointing towards the sky? |
| 377 |
Who is Chinabounder I agree with Loiterer. Just take Canada for example, qualified school teacher with Bachelor degree will receive US$45k - 60k PA and the demand is high. A lot of good education students are being marked by the school broads prior to the conferment of the degree. For those less ideal graduates who wish to seek a teaching job overseas, their first choice would be Japan where they receive US$30k - 40k PA and is organized by big company such as Nova Group, next in line would be Korea and then Hong Kong in according to the pay scale. I don't know how much an average English teacher can receive in China, but taking away the housing and other expenses, his or her 'take home' pay is minuscule. When these English teachers returned home, their teaching career overseas are not recognized in the resumes. |
| 376 |
Put Google Search into Inside My Site Its Cool and Nice. I will try to implement it. |
| 375 |
Who is Chinabounder Ali, The French diplomat had his story written as "Madam Butterfly" is Rene Gallimard which happened in Beijing 40 years ago, Hollywood had made a movie out of this story as well. Looks like we crossed each other on this French affair. |
| 374 |
Who is Chinabounder Ali, Never realize Li Shuang de Bellefroid is a male. |
| 373 |
Who is Chinabounder English moby dick is invincible??????! What if the English teacher happens to be a female and had numerous love affairs with Shanghaiese men, do you think the Shanghai professor will act otherwise? Looks to me is the Chinese ideology is being challenged by the people within China. I recall 25 years ago, an attache at French Ambassy in Beijing had a Chinese woman living in his foreigners' compound, the Chinese police arrested the woman for 'indecency', thus touch off an international incident. Eventually the attache and his Chinese girl left for France. If Shanghai cannot judge this matter from an international standpoint, then rest the world will look at this as a laughing stock. |
| 372 |
Why I Keep Losing Stuff JianShou, can it be a result of pilferage? |
| 371 |
7 Tips to Travel to China This Quarter tip #14, don't forget the flu-shot and hepatitas-shot before entry to China especially during the coming season. |
| 370 |
More Pictures from Qingdao jian shuo, you shown us a picture of classic street light fall in disrepair, I hope this is not the general attitude of people in Tsingdao towards the structures and buildings left by German and Japan before the war. |
| 369 |
Rujia Qingdao, Fuzhou Road Loretta, Tony & Juliet, I don't think you catch my point. Cheap accomodation means less frills not necessarily less ideal. Home Inn is a franchise business and there must be thousands of rooms and showers built to the same specifications. In the hospitality business, the first rule is safety, so when they design a standard room, a mock-up room must be used to eliminate any possible hurts can be done to the guest during their stay in the hotel prior to massive building. The hotelier of Home Inn acknowledged the bathroom can be slippery when wet and mildew situation on grout yet did not rectify it. The solution should be very simple, to use 'one-piece' fibre-glass shower floor to avoid slippery and dark colour grout to hide the mildew, non of these measures will increase the building costs of the hotel but they have overlooked during mock-up stage. A typical error of not paying attention to the business. The installation of carpet or rug in the guest room has its advantages, it hide scratch and can serve as sound barrier and it last twice as hard wood floor. Just like buying a car, a cheap car does not mean it has to compromise on reliablity, just less fancy trims. At any rate, hope my explanation solve your allegations. |
| 368 |
Rujia Qingdao, Fuzhou Road If this is the standard material used for shower, then injury is inevitable, the floor of the shower should always use riven or split tile to avoid slippery, the tile with surface like sand paper, the mat is useless to prevent slip and often hides germs. |
| 367 |
Qingdao (Tsingtao) Pictures Tony, China has been exporting fine sand to Japan in the last ten years to furnish several sea bathing facilities there, not surprisingly China's fine sand is in hot demand. |
| 366 |
Rujia Qingdao, Fuzhou Road oh dear, I can see mildew clearly deposited on grout at the shower, this can down grade the hotel by one full demerit, cheap accommodation does mean comprising on cleanliness. |
| 365 |
Real Ice in Shanghai Metro Shark7, it is the garbage can they are using and who knows what was in it before the ice. |
| 364 |
Maglev Catches Fire reading news from Shanghai, the damaged Maglev train has to be repaired same spot on the track where it was burnt. Looks like it has a serious fault in its designs. Obviously the Maglev service to airport is also suspended. http://www.news365.com.cn/gdtp/200608/t20060815_1064672.htm |
| 363 |
Dong Fang Ji Bai from KFC michelle,, can you see this is a regional marketing scheme tailor made for shanghai market and is targeting all age group, the name, the menu, the colour scheme and ......... no English! |
| 362 |
Dong Fang Ji Bai from KFC Is that funny? People like Yum! can enter the heart of Chinese food and operates a facility which wins the heart of Chinese consumers. Is Chinese entrepreneur prepared to fan off these foreign invasion? |
| 361 |
Coins are Popular in Shanghai Coins jingling in the pockets represents the sign of a poor man, may be that is reason why people declines coins. Bill Gates must accepted from his adviser team not to pretend a poor man by carrying coins in his pocket. |
| 360 |
Shanghai Public Transportation Card Elaine, SPTCC did not steal the concept from Ez-link, the original patent owner of this card is Smart Card developed in '70. The largest franchisee of Smart Card to-day is Octopus in Hong Kong. Both SPTCC and Ez-link are now the franchisees of the patent owner. |
| 359 |
Shanghai Public Transportation Card JS, thanks, I can't take my baggages into Metro and walk out from the concourse at Xujiahue, I'll get my card at 24Hr stores after arrival. |
| 358 |
Shanghai Public Transportation Card JS, excellent idea, can I buy it at the PVG airport upon arrival? |
| 357 |
Top 3 Issues of Shanghai Tourism Shrek7, sushi is considered as finger food in Japan, only outside of Japan people is asked to use chopsticks to pick up the delicatessen as part of the culture promotion, and the sushi chef usually will made the riceball firmer for easy pick up. If you still have problem with that, you should ask for western utensil. |
| 356 |
Top 3 Issues of Shanghai Tourism Shrek7, rice in a plate is western serving. Filipino, Vietnamese and cafe restaurants in Hong Kong always use spoon to serve the purpose. You don't see chopsticks associated with plate serving, perhaps only in Shanghai. |
| 355 |
Top 3 Issues of Shanghai Tourism Shrek7, use your lower lip as a ramp to the edge of the rice bowl and the chopsticks as shoval, open your mouth wide and start unloading, I am sure you'll find this method effective. |
| 354 |
Top Commenter of the Month (2006H1) JS, your most faithful commenter should be carsten, he has been posting useful and constructive comments with good deeds consistently since the day you established this blog. For me, I am only an opinionated bigot and I don't even live in Shanghai. |
| 353 |
Fake Market in Shanghai? Yes, carsten, now more than half of the footwear across the world are made by China, but none bears the home brand, very sad! Last Feb when I visited the xy market, I saw a lighter made in a shape of match stick, beige body with red tip, I bought it at rmb7 per piece for 20 pieces. Two weeks later during the month when I attended the trade show at Las Vegas, I saw the same lighter was selling for US$8.99+tax and was selling fast. From xy market to Las Vegas stripe, the same lighter can appreciate 10 folds. Incredible! NB - airliners does not accept lighters on board as baggage, do not attempt! |
| 352 |
Fake Market in Shanghai? carsten, Timberline is a brand owned by a company from Hong Kong selling cheap imitations, I presumed you are referring to Timberland. Nevertheless, Timberland has also moved the famous sailing shoes and hiking boots production to China from '98 in view of low production cost. |
| 351 |
Fake Market in Shanghai? Everytime I visited the fake markets, I feel sadden for the manufacturers of China. Most of the faked apparel and soft goods I saw are of excellent quality, both material and craftsmanship. Many authentic brand name owners were amazed of the skill of Chinese seamstress. Not surprisingly, many brand name apparel were and is being made in China by the Chinese garment manufacturers. I am amazed why Chinese manufacturers little is investing into designs and marketing and create their own brand, and let the foreign brand owners pocket the profit. |
| 350 |
OOB for Two Days JS, OOB is the term you used to seek a break in your regular blogging, but sometime it confuse new readers who are not familiar with the "out-of-blogging". Would suggest you use "TOB" i.e. temporary off blogging........just a suggestion! |
| 349 |
Second-Generation Identity Card The new 2G ID card has tracking ability? This is amazing! They must installed radio beacon into the card. Technology is so advance in China now! My new driver license also has an IC embedded in it, when someone violate the traffic regulation, the traffic police only need to swipe the license against the mobile computer and the citation is printed right in front of the violator, that makes the police's and the violator's life much easier. I think this is the purpose of issuing 2G ID card!???? |
| 348 |
China's Low-Cost Spring Airlines Load factor up to 94% means it is fully sold on every flight, perhaps Spring Air set the fares too low. |
| 347 |
Xiangyang Market - the Shopping Paradise Overheard the XY market is now officially closed, I guess the blackmarket outside the old market perimeter is still much alive! If anybody dare to venture into gangster's territory, prepare yourself of the mishap! Good luck! |
| 346 |
Flying to Beijing Again WJS, this blog continues to be the defacto guid to travelling around China. Keep up the good work!! I wonder if you could help me? Im currently travelling in China, and need to book a flight from Shanghai to Beijing. Can you recommend a good reasonably priced English speaking travel agent to book these tickets through? Can you respond to my email address if possible? Thanks Stephen |
| 345 |
The World of Different Rules Shrek7, Bribes and kickbacks are the form of benefits in order to facilitate the transaction with your trading partner and sometime it is illegal or unethical. Nevertheless, the use of gratuity or bonus to motivate the employee or the contractor in addition to the regular remuneration often creates loyalty to work. That is why large company often pays generous fringe benefits to retain their skillful workers. I guess life must be fairy miserable under your supervision........... no grease! |
| 344 |
Slight Changes in "China" Sorry this is off topic, but I read this and immediately I thought of you since you are the king of bloggers in China. Of course its not like you're doing anything wrong. http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/06/30/china.censorship.ap/index.html |
| 343 |
Look at These Advertisements Bud, Budweiser, obviously you are not a beer drinker. |
| 342 |
South Railway Station Pictures Yes, it is clearly lack of water, I think it is wrong mix of top soil, i.e. too much sand and drain away water. |
| 341 |
South Railway Station Pictures micah, reading the directional board, the term 'consignment' is usually referring to the delivery of parcel to a consignee of afar, while interpreting the chinese wording, would it be appropriate to read 'left luggage' or 'baggage storage'. Any comment? |
| 340 |
South Railway Station Pictures ILH, the track on the lawn clearly indicates machine mowed, nevertheless, to service such stylish landscape, the lawnmower operator may suffer from motion sickness. |
| 339 |
Shanghai South Railway Station JS, how's the progress on the Maglev Shanghai/Hangzhou which is due to complete by '08? Overheard from the news that construction of Maglev is on verge of cancellation due to dispute on the transfer of core-technology. |
| 338 |
46A is the Best Seat on Boeing 747 Flying to HKG in july via UA869 and asked for the seating 46A/B, but I am told the row 46 is reserved for the passenger with infant only. Reading the seating chart of UA and found the row of 46 has different rating: http://www.seatscorecard.com/United-Airlines-Boeing-747--400.html Just for your reference. |
| 337 |
One Child Policy - Part II JS, even with "one child policy" in place in China, funny is the birth rate of China today is almost same as US, and many western countries have much lower rate than that. What China needs today is comprehensive education and the elimination of illiteracy. It is not about quantity, but quality! |
| 336 |
Weather Forecast: Wet and Hot JS, does the government still stipulate the air-con must be set at 26C and above? I was cooked last july when I visited Shanghai as many business used that stipulation for not turning on air-con. |
| 335 |
"The Right to Refuse Service to Anyone" It is the city's bylaw that require business to post a sign as caption before they can verbally to decline customer at their discretion. Got it? |
| 334 |
"The Right to Refuse Service to Anyone" It is usually for the restaurant operators to prevent rascal or 'unprefered' customer entering the premise for mischief, e.g. insulting staff, overdrinkings, fail to pay after servings or use the washrooms without patronage etc. I saw some restaurants in US even hire security guards to pick out the 'prefered' customers. JS, freedom does have a perimeter! |
| 333 |
Escaping from Raffles City To execute a day-time curfew in the commercial district of Shanghai for the meeting of SCO? It just like putting a sign saying "temporary out of order" to the world market. |
| 332 |
City in China = County in U.S. The city of Chongqing in China has more population than the entire state of California or the country of Canada. It is only the division of the municipalities. |
| 331 |
Suzhou Taihu Mercury Club & Marina js, obtain your coxswain licence now. |
| 330 |
Water Mellon for Summer The retail giant of Uncle Sam is not invincible in every undertakings of his business venture. The "one size fits all" success formula of Wal-Mart has little or no room to adopt the oversea markets, when it confronts with patriotic Koreans, the chance for Wal-mart in Korea is limited. The same also happens to Wal-mart in Germany. It is like to stick an America flag on foreign soil! |
| 329 |
Tulip Blooms in my Garden js, make sure you have to cut the tulip below the stem now, otherwise you'll not see the bloom next year. |
| 328 |
Jian Shuo Wang Flying to San Jose js, these are the abbreviation of the details listed in your ticket, it tells the name of the ticket holder, the flight and the date, the class and the seating, all charges assocated with the flight and the break downs. The coding is a open secret and airliners do encourage the passengers to decipher the abbreviation as to ascertain the itinerary is correct. If you fly eastbound across Pacific frequent enough, then jet leg will not haunt you anymore. |
| 327 |
Jian Shuo Wang Flying to San Jose js, these are the abbreviation of the details listed in your ticket, it tells the name of the ticket holder, the flight and the date, the class and the seating, all charges assocated with the flight and the break downs. The coding is a open secret and airliners do encourage the passengers to decipher the abbreviation as to ascertain the itinerary is correct. If you fly westbound across Pacific frequent enough, then jet leg will not haunt you anymore. |
| 326 |
Happy Children's Day js, good, no more impostor! but are you running out of colours. |
| 325 |
Happy Children's Day js, at the last 100 comments column, why each blogger receives a designated colour bar, my colour is navy blue and yours is rose, is there a meaning behind it? |
| 324 |
Happy Children's Day js, your love ones must treat you as 'kidult' (kid adult). |
| 323 |
962288 Hotline for Foreigners "It will also make it easier for expatriates, and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan citizens, to live in Shanghai." How does the government distinguish between the local and foreigners? From the above sentence posted by China Daily, the reader will interpret Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as independent states apart from China. As a matter of facts, people from the above regions do receive preferential treatment in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. How does the local see these 'Chinese' citizens of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan? Any comment? |
| 322 |
Got Fever - 38.4 C last tooth = last row tooth = innermost tooth = wisdow tooth forgive me if I lack of imagination! |
| 321 |
Hello, I am OK now Wish you healthy, wealthy and wise! |
| 319 |
City Life v.s. Village Life so "hukou" is like a two ways street, a barrier for people who are seeking greener pasture within their own turf. |
| 318 |
City Life v.s. Village Life js, is there a legitimate way to transfer the 'hukou' from rural to urban? |
| 317 |
Zhang Jiang Hi-Tech Park joseph, one way street with two way markings? no wonder it is confusing for anyone who attempt to drive in Shanghai street. |
| 316 |
Zhang Jiang Hi-Tech Park js, at the first picture, it appears people parking on the left side of the road despite it is a two ways street. It looks funny to me. |
| 315 |
City Life v.s. Village Life js, would it be better if you describe it as: urban dweller vs rural dweller. In North America, village is often refer to the cottages, golf courses, resorts and country clubs. |
| 314 |
Getting U.S. Visa in China jianshuo, Do you think America Consulate is having the attitude problem? On contrast, Chinese Consulate has the similar problem. Indifferent attitude, odd office hours and charging c$50 per applicant, wish to register a complaint?.....................you are standing on Chinese soil! I guess all government bureaus are the same! no satisfaction! |
| 313 |
It is Pouring! Pouring! carroll, Shanghai has better infrastructure, most of the electricity goes underground in the cable well, unlike west coast, the power is supplied via plyon which is vulnerable to strong winds. |
| 312 |
Keep Doing, and Its Meaning jianshuo, congratulation of your insistence in the past years and every endeavours to make this blog so interesting, I think you have attained your achievement. |
| 311 |
It is not Impossible, But Difficult jian shuo, perhaps you can consider to re-phrase the caption to read: "It is possible with due flexibilities!" |
| 310 |
My Boat Sunk in Dishui Lake jianshuo, Between words I can see you have a strong desire to own a real pleasure-craft, why not! just register with your local yacht club and start with dinghy and then keelboat, don't forget to invite us for a launch picnic. Like the Nike says "Just do it". |
| 309 |
My Boat Sunk in Dishui Lake jianshuo, With due respect, the boat of your size can only be played in bath-tub, to battle the choppy water at the lake, you need a gas-powered boat at least 3' long with extended radio control. Have you consider to build one yourself with plywood? It is fun! |
| 308 |
Back from Shengsi zjemi, I was told these card pushers receive as little as 1 yuan per 1000, many people view these pushers are annoying even nuisance. What if these pushers have become petty crime? then the safety of Shanghai will be compromised. Have a compassion toward those less fortunate at this prosperity city. |
| 307 |
Visited Yangshan Deep Water Port carsten, The number of container berth does not reflect the efficiency of loading and discharging. When I was in Hamburg, I saw the container port can deploy 6 shore gantry cranes to work on one HL-G5 ship simultaneously, and radio controlled robot flatbed is used to transport from shipside to transtainer, average turnaround time per ship is less than a day with 4000 moves. This is truly the best logistics support the ship owners can dream for and it is all depend on what facilites are behind the wharf. |
| 306 |
Visited Yangshan Deep Water Port jianshuo, carsten 52/30 berths for the region of Shanghai? What if China starts to produce high valued commodities in the future and the tonnage drops, it can have serious effect on shipping and wharf industries. For Yang Shan port, I am still wondering why the authority do not connect a railroad link between the island port, unless they would thinking of river barge operation as a secondary measure. I hope the East Sea of China is not as rough as North Sea of Europe, should the gale force wind strike the region, container tractor travelling on the bridge will fly like a kite and the driver of the tractor should prepare an anchor under the seat. |
| 305 |
Visited Yangshan Deep Water Port To erect a 5 berths container port 30km into the ocean link only by a 4 lanes multi-spans bridge is a bold undertaking, also a logistics nightmare. |
| 304 |
Visited Yangshan Deep Water Port jianshuo, little bit confused, the Yang Shan Port is 30 km south east of Pudong into the ocean, is it linked by the Dong Hai Bridge as the only passage between the seaport and the mainland? Am very interested at this offshore container seaport which is the world first like the KIX in Osaka, can you please provide the layout of Yang Shan and see how the sea port can offset the rolling sea wave. |
| 303 |
Democracy in Residential Area To designate a chairperson for and on behalf of the owners' association thru electoral voting is not an act of decmocracy. Someone is mixing the the corporation and country together! |
| 302 |
Tulip Blooms in my Garden jianshuo, The urban street is filled with bad food and poison and the cats cannot distinguish it, e.g. almost all motor fluid discarded at the gutter carries toxin and can kill small pet. Make sure your cat is feeded only with safe food. Just wish you have a happy and health cat! |
| 301 |
Tulip Blooms in my Garden jianshuo, enjoy your garden and weekend, don't forget to feed the cats, starvation to animal is inhamane. I hope you have built shelter in the garden for the cats. |
| 300 |
What to Write Today? jianshuo, out of wit? how about show us the pictures of tulip in your garden! it is time for blooming. |
| 299 |
Car Insurance in Shanghai JS, what is the US lifestyle you are referring to....... If a young professional.... *work hard and play hard *live in suburb and work in urban *lunch at Mcdonald and dinner at Hyatt *motor vehicles as prime transportation *hiking, biking, boating and golfing during the weekend *willing to travel extensively and make adventure these are the lifestyle of YUPPIE and obviously it does come cheap. |
| 297 |
Car Insurance in Shanghai Last summer when typhoon struck Shanghai, many vehicles were 'washed' in their underground parking, insurance companies refused to compensate the same due to policy non-coverage. The vehicle owners took the cases in the street and staged public rally against the complex developer to no avail, therefore, obtaining a full coverage is essential for your vehicle. Cars are not cheap in US and Canada, e.g. a Camry v6 with medium dressing would cost 200k rmb plus sales tax, and a litre of gas is at 7rmb, for me, car is a must in my daily transportation and I cannot evade the cost. Personally I think quality housing is the major contributor to put Shanghai in the golden list. |
| 296 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China zippy, Don't get mad with me! The in-depth knowledge of CX you posted couldn't said better by the secretary-general himself. My compliment to you. In the last paragraph you mentioned both Swire and Jardine, as a matter of curious, how do these two 'blue' blooded British congomerates operate under the red flag without the British blessing. Have they loss their domination in business previously established? |
| 295 |
Happy Birthday to Goudaner (2nd Year) ops! typo in my writing, remains should be reminds. |
| 294 |
Happy Birthday to Goudaner (2nd Year) JS, the sentiment towards your Goudaner remains me the love affair with my first new car. Anyway, happy motoring. |
| 293 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou - Confirmed JS, In the recent comments column, can you please re-activate the 'last 40 comments function' which makes checking so easy. |
| 292 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China zippy, you are so persistent, okay, let me say it one more time, CITIC a Chinese state owned investment company based in China has 25% stake in CX..... and is a principal shareholder. Talking of ibanking, are you referring as investment banking? the web which provided the definition on the term actually operated by one of the investment bank in US. If you wish to bickering on the same subject over and over again, I afraid I am unable to entertain you any longer. |
| 291 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China zippy, you are so funny, if you allege no Chinese from mainland are the member of CX management team, so let it be! I just said China is the part owner - principal shareholder of CX. Talking of the term 'principal shareholder' in the corporate jargon, check this out http://www.investorwords.com/3844/principal_shareholder.html I am not intend to embarrass you, but after all, this blog are for casual chating only and I happen to have an accounting degree. |
| 290 |
Back from Snowing Hangzhou JS, It is announced that Disneyland will be built at Pudong and it is 3.7 time bigger than her Hong Kong counterpart, project will be completed by 2010 in line with Expo. Can you tell us more of this project which is so close where you live! |
| 289 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China zippy, I just remember both CX and CITIC are also the owners of Dragonair, or as the principal shareholders. The relation and interest between Swire CNAC and CITIC are beyond my knowledge. |
| 288 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China zippy, I think you have misinterpreted the team 'principal' shareholder, yes, both Swire and CITIC are the owners of CX together with other shareholders, but the management is appointed by the board of directors represented by the owners. |
| 287 |
Happy Women's Day carsten, For the last 160 years since Opium War with British, the boarder of China has shrinked, the northern border pushed southward by almost 150kms, Mongolia was made independent due China unable to protect her from Russia, former puppet states such as Vietnam and Korea turned hostile against China. Colonies and settlements were erected by foreign powers until WWII. China almost had wars with all her neighbouring countries and many overseas powers. Today, Japan naval strength is the most powerful force in Asia, second only to US, two southern neighbours of China have nuclear capabilites and the third is on the way. China is maintaining an 'uneasy' peace with all her neighbours. Without a 'decent' military presence in the region, I don't think China can look eyeball vs eyeball with her counterparts over the table. BTW, Since the downfall of Soviet, why Euro still have to maintain NATO? |
| 286 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China CX principal shareholder is CITIC (25%) a state owned investment company in China and both CTS and CNAC have stake in the company and I don't have the latest update. |
| 285 |
Happy Women's Day carsten, I can see your fury on poverty in China, do you have better solution for it? The problem is so immerse, even the authority sink the entire GDP of China cannot solve the problems which is 800 millions strong. |
| 284 |
Business of Zhending Chicken - Part II JS, thanks, I shall do the same next time I encounter a queue jumper. |
| 283 |
Business of Zhending Chicken - Part II JS, Can you tell me how ordinary Shanghaiese tackle queue jumpers, when I was in Shanghai, I always challenge the person who dare to jump the queue and it works, but people usually surprised at my action. I know this activity has been a folkways in Shanghai, so I need to know the usual tactic by the local people against this activity. Any comment? |
| 282 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China shockr, Want to hear something funny?, the world best airline operator is actually based in Hong Kong - CX, and the principal shareholder of this company is registrated in China, I guess this is merely a poor exchange of information. |
| 281 |
Business of Zhending Chicken - Part II The dumpling house at Yu Yuan, Ground level - no service - rmb 8 per 16 pieces first level - self-serve - rmb 16 per 16 pieces Top level - full service - rmb 25 per 8 pieces Liu, have you see which level has the most people queuing for it? This also explains the disposable income received by the general public after paying off other necessties. |
| 280 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China JS, It is the people who made the industry different than the others. Just like in the hospitality industry, the difference between 3 stars and five stars rating (Mandarin Oriental standard) are purely depend on human factors, people doing the right things at the right times and at the right places. The building, furniture, equipment and fixture plays an insignificant role in rating. The same also apply to airline industry. |
| 279 |
Booking China Domestic Flight Outside China I fear the deep discounted fare will eventually render the airliners to operate with a lower denominator. At the end, it is the traveller who suffers. |
| 278 |
Cultural Differences Between China and America JS, the caption of this article is China vs Amercia in culture, while in the content you are comparing Japan to America, are you indicating China is moving towards Japan in both lifestyle and business mentality? |
| 277 |
Diversity, Consistency, and Efficiency dezza, corruption can be construed as remuneration of the distribution chains, for the institutions who provide finance and the bureaucrats who facilitate the transactions. Without these parties, the gears driving the economy will be missing few teeth. Sounds unethical? but it is truth! |
| 276 |
A Blog is All About a Person The altimeter ports under the cockpit are vulnerable to water etc, if the de-icing crew spreaded fluid at the under side of the fuselage without covering and it may tampered one of two altimeters on board. If both altimeters shown conflicting readings, then situation as your description appears. |
| 275 |
20 Years of Professional Managers in China As a matter of curious, who is responsible for the insert/delete/rectify of this personal file. |
| 274 |
Report from Hong Kong in Jan Can anyone tell me what is the best rate PVG/HKG and return in Shanghai, I heard the local rate is deeply discounted while my agent is still charging me full C$600+ for the same passage. |
| 273 |
20 Years of Professional Managers in China So much is said about being a professional manager at the disposal of big corporations and enterprises, what about the spirit of being an entrepreneur? Without the operation of successful small and medium businesses in China, the big corporation will find themself like a ship floating in dry dock, no water to make them afloat. Many international corporations were started with one entrepreneur and many international corporations were able to expand are because their managers have the entrepreneurial endeavour. |
| 272 |
Meetup: MBA or Not, that is a Question Does the the applicant for MBA program in China actually requires prior related working experience after undergrad? |
| 271 |
The Last Day of Vacation mcgjcn, You are not alone!, I am attending my office 2AM this morning since my return on sunday due to jetlag. Hope I can get out of this grave-yard shift before the coming weekend. |
| 270 |
Credit Cards Offer Discount at Preferred Stores The credit card holder may looks glamorous when he flushes his plastic, but not knowing this is the marketing strategy to made him to 'pre-spend' his money and dig deeper into the unsecure loan from the bank often charged with hefty interest. One little advise is always use your credit card wishly. |
| 269 |
Lovely English-Speaking Jinjiang Taxi Driver I called David and he provided me with the airport transfers during my New Year stay in Shanghai, he is reliable, courteous and a safe driver, cannot compare him with the average Shanghai taxi driver who are described as "jockey with a death wish". |
| 268 |
Hongkong Restaurants Close in New Year Yung Kee is one of the top ten restaurant in Hong Kong made famous by its secret recipe BBQ goose, you cannot miss its four floors tall golden siding anywhere in Wellington Street. Traditionally in Hong Kong, any services rendered during the Lunar New Year are subject to surcharge and staff are subject to double pay, to avoid being accuse by visitors of over charging, many restaurants choose to close during the festival. |
| 267 |
Overseas Chinese Get Back to Home JS, do you need a visa for visiting Hong Kong? and does the authority stamped it in your passport? |
| 266 |
Edwards' New LCD Dell 2405 The Dell 2405 costs 40% more in China than its counter-part in North America and it is locally made. It appears to me the consumer index in China has surpassed Canada and US at least in the eyes of Dell. |
| 265 |
Xujiahui Metro Installed Auto-Door That is good to heard, the Metro is upgrading its hardware at the safty of the passengers. My house is at Xujiahui and I shall try it out during my return at Lunar New Year. |
| 264 |
The City and Its Moral Boundary Richard Hong, Fake goods is fake goods, it does not really post a direct competition with the authentic goods. From the consumer' point of view, every item of fake goods he/she purchased just increases their determination to buy the authentic piece in the future. If you are holding a brand name clothing without counterfeit in the Xiangyang market, then you shall really worry about your marketing. As matter of fact, fake goods actually help promote the authentic one as long the style and quality are distance apart. |
| 263 |
I Don't Drive Well After Back from San Jose carsten, Don't take it serious, it is a book written by Joseph Heller in the '70 and Hollywood had made a movie based on that. Perhaps you can get a DVD instead. I just feel the American bombardier in the book assembles great similarity on your driving dilemma in Shanghai, no offence. |
| 262 |
Xiangyang Marketing will be Shutdown? What so wrong with Xiangyang Market? Anybody been to Times Square in New York can tell you the place is flooded with vendors selling faked goods same as Xiangyang Market. Any complain will turn to a deaf ear. |
| 261 |
I Don't Drive Well After Back from San Jose carsten, Have you read the book 'catch 22'? If you can navigate the Shanghai traffic for one year without a scratch, then I think you have graduated. Why give up now. |
| 260 |
I Don't Drive Well After Back from San Jose For people in the road to read each other's mind, it takes time, perhaps the entire generation, just to learn why drivers and pedestrians must adhere to the common rule. Many people thinks American has the the best and perfect traffic regulation of the world yet tens of thousand dies from it. It is the behavior of the people who dictates the safety in the road. I am really impressed by the German who has the best behavior in the road. |
| 259 |
Weekend at San Jose Drive in and back in. It depends very much at the width of the parking stall. In North America the parking stall width is usually 8'-10' plus a 18'+ driveway making drive in parking very easy. In my city, SUV, mini-van and pick-up truck accounts 60 % of the private vehicles, so wider parking is essential for practical purpose. |
| 258 |
SFO Pictures odysseus, Your dream sky will re-appear if China runs out coal and oil. |
| 257 |
Jet Lag Patterns hahaha, looks like our commie-basher has gone over the edge! |
| 256 |
In San Jose Already Are you living in neighbourhood with 'white' trash who are enjoying goods made from communist China? |
| 255 |
In San Jose Already bellevue, carsten is a Danish national living in Shanghai, he is not a 'red', so don't shoot the wrong guy! |
| 254 |
In San Jose Already bellevue, carsten is a Danish national living in Shanghai, he is not a 'red', so don't shoot the wrong guy! |
| 253 |
Jet Lag Patterns bellevue, If censorship is in the mind of Jianshuo, then you comments will not be posted here. Do you know the name 'bellevue" actually refer as luntic in most eastern states name after the Bellevue Hospital, the famous mental institution in New York. Please consider to change your call sign to avoid being a laughing stock. |
| 252 |
Jet Lag Patterns Jet lag only happens to me on eastbound flying, if you adhere to your daily routine and think very little about the home time, then jet lag will not play any role during your stay in SFO. |
| 251 |
In San Jose Already 毛主席說： 炸彈跌落茅廁-------激起公"糞"…….好臭好臭 |
| 250 |
Flying to SFO bellevue, Jianshuo is lying about China? You must think the bloggers like us are the inmates of Bellevue Hospital.........a psychiatric ward in New York! Is that how you get your call-sign? |
| 249 |
Trusted Tourism Agency Lisa H, I would suggest you to use only Visa or AE for payment, at least it will give you some protection if things went sour. Last summer, I booked my tour with china-sss.com with visa and paid cash upon departure, no problem. |
| 248 |
Flying to SFO Dear bellevue, Are you associated with Epoch Times in New York? if so, please spare some space for our normal blogging! Thank you very much! |
| 247 |
Shanghai is Still Highly Polluted Timothy, Both tobacco and alcohol beverage are state run enterprises in China and the government receives enormously out from it, nevertheless, the health care are commercially operated and pays by user. From ecominic point of view, I cannot see any reason for the government to disgust the chain smoking and bin drinking. |
| 246 |
Shanghai is Still Highly Polluted Today you pollute the environment to death, to-morrow you have the pay the hefty price on health care, do you justify the course of doing so? |
| 245 |
Polution in Shanghai - Part II @carsten, Last summer when I was in Shanghai, I saw the pollutant deposited on tree leaf are light brown dust and to me it is distinctively sulphur, have Shanghai received their dose of 'Acid Rain' yet? |
| 244 |
Maglev Extended Time My house is in Puxi, and I cannot find a good reason to use Maglev/taxi instead of taxi all the way to Puxi especially when I have more than two baggages. The train is superb, but the facility at the west terminal is not user friendly. Maglev is never intended to be the airport shuttle, but a testing ground for and on behalf of the Transrapid, and eventually all the test data goes exclusively in the hand of German at the expenses of Chinese people. BTW, Maglev is too short to be of any useful purpose. |
| 243 |
Polution in Shanghai - Part II We all aware of the pollution even thought I am just a occasional visitor to Shanghai. The smog overcasting Shanghai are contributed mainly by the coal fired power generators. Presently China burns more coal than US and India combine, but what can you do about it? Constitute an energy abatement program? or ask China become the signatory of Kyoto Accord? Either way will choke the economic growth of China. Nevertheless, I do hope the people the Shanghai can find the balance between the clean air and water and the comfort and wealth. For JS and Carsten, I admire you consistent effort on the 'green'. |
| 242 |
Pudong Starbucks is Nice I am a young American businessman, and I work for a coffee house that competes with Starbucks in the US. The founders of the company are Chinese Americans, and they have been considering opening one of our café in Shanghai or Shenzhen. Our design and products have a distinct Chinese/Asian influence, with a definite American feel. As we try to evaluate coming to China, we want to know if people would come to our café. Do you think the Chinese market would embrace a coffee house with both Chinese and American roots? Please post any thoughts you have. Thanks! www.SweetwatersCafe.com |
| 241 |
Wheat Powder Fuwa (Olympic Mascots) JS, Overheard from news media the airport of Shanghai PVG has introduced quarantine measure for all inbound and outbound travellers in fear of bird-flu. My concern is whether the disease has actually spread to Shanghai and her vicinity areas since I am coming to visit the city on X'mas. Appreciate if you can shed some light on this would be pandemic as we know very little on its developments in China. |
| 240 |
IPEVO Skype Headset Hardware .17 euro per min.? I only pay $.05 per min. while calling from Canada to China on my regular land line. |
| 239 |
Fudan v.s. Tongji University Do you mean your girlfriend's campus is classified as 'Hard Hat' area in light of falling objects? ......... just kidding. |
| 238 |
Cold Winter Comes oli, yes, Shanghai is damp cold in the winter months, my experience is to wear woollen clothing, other winter jackets made of down, thinsulate or fleece are less effective at freezing point with humidity 70% and above. I also suggest you wear gore-tex as outter wear, yes, dress yourself like a mountaineer or a highlander. |
| 237 |
Cold Winter Comes winter usually starts in 'dec around x'mas, looks like you are receiving an early winter, so bundle up and stay away from flu! |
| 236 |
Fudan v.s. Tongji University Thanks cissylover, How is the employment situation for the fresh graduate from the Shanghai Universities, do most of the graduate able to find work associated with the field they studied in the first two years of job seeking? Appreciate your comment. |
| 235 |
Fudan v.s. Tongji University JS What if the high school student failed the entrance exam to the university, does the student have a second option to the higher education? On the average, what is the failing rate of the high school students to enter the university? |
| 234 |
BBC's Interview would somebody please direct me to the content of the coverage made by BBC as I cannot find the same from BBC web. |
| 233 |
Running Around Century Park Did you spell the name right? Centenary Park!!? I guess you were over looked. |
| 232 |
Picture in Shanghai @Tony, The prelude of revolution which is civil unrest is already happening at the door step of Shanghai. Last july, I was encountered by a large group of vigilante taxi drivers outside Longyuan station who were unilaterally asking for higher than normal fare despite the police was looking on, the scale was so big and they controlled the entire outbound lane, this constitutes open defiance of the authority and the society. May be these are the 'loser' of the rat race, but I cannot discount the possibility such defiance can develop into full scale civil conflict like Frence is facing to-day. |
| 231 |
Picture in Shanghai farawaypanda, I do admire your patriotism and sentimental feeling towards your motherland even when you are abroad. Last week I stumbled into Wendy's blog and discovered very interesting subject titled 'sharing the truth on picture' and the content is very sad. http://home.wangjianshuo.com/fanfan/20051028_906.htm The whole question can be narrowed down to one word - POVERTY. The communist define the term as it is created by the exploitation of the capitalism and the ruling classes, while the capitalism define the same as uneven distribution of resource among people, which version do you pick to reflect the truth stand of China to-day? |
| 230 |
KFC Dropped Potato Wedge in Shanghai KFC chicken is truly 'junk' food, it contains very large dose of monosodium, a taste enhance chemical and it pressure fries together with the chicken skin, so the chemical and the trans fats acid are totally sealed into the meat makes the food totally 'unhealthy'. It can instantly dehydrated your mouth for hours. |
| 229 |
KFC Dropped Potato Wedge in Shanghai KFC together with other restaurant operators failed to eliminate the trans fats from the cooking oil that fried the potato and could face civil law suit from obese people who ate fried potato regularly. Most of the fast food franchises in North America have provided green salad as an alternative to fried potato since last year. Perhaps they should consider fried rice as well. Pepsi has relinquished the ownership of KFC and removal of the Pepsi product is natural. |
| 228 |
Call a Taxi on the Phone? In English? Hi Eva, Those taxi drivers in Beijing are really helpful, but try not to do the same again as the the air flow of the vehicle while in motion can easily blow the engine exhaust into the cabin through the open tailgate and render both driver and passenger toxicated. Would suggest you dislocate the front wheel and fit it into the rear seat of the sedan and I am sure the Shanghai taxi drivers will find it acceptable. |
| 227 |
Call a Taxi on the Phone? In English? Eva, as a matter of curious, how you can fit a adult size bicycle into a sedan like taxi in Beijing. |
| 226 |
Super Girl Concert in Shanghai As expected, it is reported the 'Super Girl' will be terminated from happening again due the political sensitivity. |
| 225 |
Do You Believe in Living Cost Index? Life in Shanghai just like the dumpling house in Yu Yuan. Ground level - RMB8 per 16 pieces - no service First level - RMB16 per 16 pieces - self service Top level - RMB25 per 8 pieces - full service There is always a level to meet your lifestyle! |
| 224 |
Not Perfect English is Fine, So does Correction I still cannot understand why a simple suggestion of wording can develop into battle of word. I shall feel happy if someone can point out my mistakes in a friendly way. |
| 223 |
We Filled Our Lives But Lost Our Souls This is a typical SOS massage (Save Our Souls), but anyway, welcome to the rat race and the corrupt world of capitalism. Stephen |
| 222 |
Price Increase of Shanghai Metro Shanghai Metro may be the best underground railway in China but still regarded as obsolete in international standard especially when compared to MTR in Hong Kong. Additional revenue collected can be best used on improving signalling system enable shorter interval between trains. Erection of screen door at concourse can better protect the passengers. Build more two ways escalators to facilitate travellers. Better HVAC add to the comfort of the riders. Bazaar like market condition at concourse should be rectified. Stephen |
| 221 |
Baidu Post If Li Yu Chun is elected as Supergirl by overwhelming support from the general public via the SMS text messages rather than handful of judges, this proves democracy has its value in the mind of all Chinese. Now, do you people see the dilemma from the authority? Stephen |
| 220 |
Yu Garden undeniable, the shops and eateries outside the gate of Yu Yuen are the best tourist attraction of Shanghai, the stylish venue and the product mix keep me coming back to visit every year. It should regarded as a 'must' visit of Shanghai. Stephen |
| 219 |
Different Views on Typhoon bigbro, I agree with you that most news media like to exaggerate the event so it can draw more attention and sell the story at higher price, after all, these are the bread and butter of the news workers. Often the media have to "make" news to stay afloat as the "truth" is always boring. It is same with the news media all over the world and that is why news media are losing credibility over years. Stephen |
| 218 |
Different Views on Typhoon When the city dwellers built strong shelters and sewage in defence of all weather, of course, typhood is treated as a relief of the hot weather and blessing from above. Where in rural area, farmers' yearly harvest can be destroyed overnight by strong wind and deluge, of course, typhood is a fearful monster. The love and hate of the typhood depends very much where you live. Stephen |
| 217 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Good day, Shirley, I have tried the iced tea at Camphor Garden one hot late evening as per you suggestion. The place is nice, the ambience is friendly and the tea is cool....... and I had offered something outside of the menu. At any rate, it was a good treat! Thanx. Stephen |
| 216 |
Maglev at Long Yang Station last week, I found the outbound taxi stand at Long Yang Station is occupied by a group of vigilante taxi drivers who asked twice of the normal fare for all passengers. To avoid that, simply go to the departure area and ride the inbound taxi to your destination. I was told the situation has existed for some time. Stephen |
| 215 |
Back from Beijing Trip Follow the Singapore way, basic fare 5.00 + meter fare and all taxis will take you there. |
| 214 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Good morning, Shirley Thank you for your advise, I shall try the ice tea as per your direction! Stephen |
| 213 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Good morning, buster05 Iced beverage is always my favourite and obviously we have different taste! Stephen |
| 212 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Hello Shirley, Thank you for your advise, can you tell me where it is located. Stephen |
| 211 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Hello Jason, Very constructive comment, I'll bear that in mind. Stephen |
| 210 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Jason, ILH + buster05 I shall enjoy the fun should any one of you really want to do a battle of words! BTW, ILH you better learn how to speak proper English otherwise your friends may not understand you. buster05, how come you were muted since our last discussion? Stephen |
| 209 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop Jason, Looks like the discussion has gone beyond the coffee and tea! Would Jason please tell me if I said anything wrong by suggesting JS to use "evening" instead "night"? Did I ever say "evening" is the bedtime? don't quote my words out of context as everybody has his own writing styles. I am deplored to see open minded discussion has developed into battle of words. By the way, I don't use or have a Webster! Stephen |
| 208 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop can somebody tell me the tea house in Shanghai, do they serve ice tea in the summer? Stephen |
| 207 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop ILH, In attending a late night party, do you greet your friends with "good evening" or "good night"? Evening actually extended from dust to bedtime according to definition! Stephen |
| 206 |
Tea House vs Coffee Shop ILH In Chinese vocabulary there are only "day" and "night", should JS uses "evening" instead of "night" and the sentence will have different touch. Appears ILH also thinking in Chinese!?? Stephen |
| 205 |
Do You Have a Calendar? That is a very interesting observation! My mother always uses a calendar for everything, and I have one, but I usually do not mark very much on it. At one point I used my Palm V as a calendar, and I put almost everything on it. |
| 204 |
Work Life Balance DallasCowboy Please forgive me if I offended you, kindly explain to us what is the perimeter of the subjects we can discuss on this blog, as you can see plainly I did not started the topic, just try to elaborate it. Stephen |
| 203 |
Language Exchange Partners Wanted buster05 Have you? Stephen |
| 202 |
Work Life Balance Wookie, China emerged herself from the ash thirty years ago without the burden of obligation or moral standard to her people nor to the world. She has re-written the rules which best suited for China and received rapid success in her developments. Yes, you can call it the dictatorial ruling, but it has changed the life style of billion. China has increasing in line with democratization and human right since she has joined the world club such as WTO, GATT and has abided by the ruling both ecominic and political. Birth control is designed to cap the growth of popluation and today the growth is still positive, so imbalance of gender or old age problem are not as severe as you predicted. I am told the second child is allowed provided the couple have the economic support but the benefits to the child shall be eliminated. Should China established relation with Vatican in the future, then 'one child policy' may be in jeopardy. Stephen |
| 201 |
Language Exchange Partners Wanted Lady Macbeth, It would be a wishful thinking to teach Chinese to speak "Celtic" English. In the real world, the Chinese would like to learn the American English so they recieve the latest technology, information, TOEFL etc. You can call it the substandard English, but it is presently the most popular language of the world. I don't like it that way, but this is the trend. I therefore would suggest people to imitate the phase and tone of the news anchors of BBC/CNN who speak popular English and phase. I think this is the best way to improve people's ability on English. Stephen |
| 200 |
Work Life Balance wookie, Twenty years when I was in China, I saw a farmer who has 10 kids, he was poor and wish some of the kids will support his livelihood by the time when they grow up, it was the common wish in the rural area, nevertheless, some of the kids never made it to maturity. This is a typical case of ignorance associated with illiteracy and enhanced poverty in the area. Birth rate in many western countries without birth control have been low, even lower than China, just look to Hong Kong now part of China, birth rate is so low and the acting chief executive had to encourage people to bear more kids. During the cold war era, the American were teasing Soviet people had to line up every day for their daily supply, but failed to see the queue in front of the cashiers at their own supermarkets. Stephen |
| 199 |
Hire a Taxi? Avoid Rainy Friday ILH It is a matter of choice! can you see JS have lived a balanced life for both of his work and family. the kind of life style everybody in Shanghai is hoping for. I am sure he does not need you to tell him what to do. Stephen |
| 198 |
Trusted Tourism Agency This is the other Stephen who was asking for the tour operater in Shanghai. I have sided with the holiday package offered by Shanghai Airlines but the booking will not commence until june, these people would not take visa over the phone and I have to buy RMB bank draft prior to my arrival to Shanghai. Trust the trip to Beijing would be fun and thank everybody for locating the tour operator for me. Stephen |
| 197 |
Trusted Tourism Agency I was able to use the business office of American Express to arrange my travel last year. They did an excellent job but I do not think they are available to pleasure travelers. It would be worth a phone call to find out. This is slightly off topic but I would like to highly recommend a Beijing guide for those who might be interested. He is Mr. Wang Xue Liang and can be reached by email at tour@163bj.com. I was extremely satisfied with his services. This is probably not important for the locals that are reading this but if you are a confused American such as myself Mr. Wang will be able to greatly enhance your visit to Beijing. A person could also see what other services his travel agency offers, they probably offer travel packages, but I have not used them. Steve |
| 196 |
Spring Comes to Shanghai Yes, spring has finally arrived in Shanghai, also the beginning of the forest fire season. In the event of fighting forest fire, there is a technique called "Controlled Burning", that is to set a fire prior to the fire path. The technique is like a sword with two edges, it can exhaust the burning at the control line and serve to the favour of the firefighter, but if the wind shifted or the firefighter miscalculated, the whole technique may back fire to the face of the firefighter who orginated the the plan often with a devastating consequence. Stephen |
| 195 |
T.I.C Moments So much have been said about the TIC moments and I trust all the commenters have unforgettable experiences. China has secluded herself for almost quarter century since Korean War and went through enormous political changes, the education institutions did not re-open until late '70, so people bearing an unothodox behaviors today should not considered as uncommon. I suggest all expats and visitors do not tease your Chinese counterpart openly of the "TIC moments" as it will induce repercussion due to self-respect. I think the people in China have already done their upmost to match the international folkway. Stephen |
| 194 |
T.I.C Moments when people jump the queue in front of me, I am told "TIC". when people smoking in the non-smoking areas, I am told "TIC". when people shoot fire cracker into my living room during New Year, I am told "TIC". Stephen |
| 193 |
Is 10,000RMB/Month a Ridiculous Offer? I think you all missed one important factor, that is why expats are pay higher than the local talent. In the beginning, when China was ready to open her door to the foreign companies to "do" business, Shanghai was so primitive in both social and commerce. Companies were not allowed to hire local staff (not even ayi), all staff must be assigned by the authority, the office often was the place you sleep, finding a decent meal in the street was a daunting task. Lack of social life forced the foreign staff to work long hours. My company paid our staff all expenses in China plus hardship allowance and monthly home passage on top of salary, still people were reluntant to station there. Today, things are different, expats do not possess special skill cannot and should not receive extra remuneration as the local talent. From the company point of view, I would prefer to hire the local staff at 10,000/mn rather than import an expats who may have language barrier. Stephen |
| 192 |
Edward's New Satellite TV carsten, capital punishment is a social dilemma and I don't have a conclusion yet. Should someone commits a crime so serious or so often and the society does not think rehabilitation is an option and putting the offender back to the society would eventually endanger the rest of the people, then putting the offender away for good would be the only solution. In the old days, public execution would considered the most appropriated way of settlement and it can also deter others from imitating. In the recent decades, the politicians can feel the church power with new set of morality and condemn death penalty as cruel and inhumane. As the result many countries abolished death penalty and replaced with life time imprisonment. Imprison someone carries a weight on the society, in US it cost about US$150 per inmate per day. In China the cost may be cheaper as the inmates are asked to work to earn their living. Death penalty still carries out by some States in US but execution has been fewer as to avoid public outcry, estimate there are 5000 death role inmates in US and some has awaited over 20 years for the impending execution. China has no relation with Vatican, so the church moral cannot apply to China nor her politicans, so Chinese government is just doing the justice at her most convenient way. Stephen |
| 191 |
Does Shanghai have Beach carsten, Sorry, I am not set up for that! Stephen |
| 190 |
Does Shanghai have Beach carsten, I would love to meet people in Shanghai during my fore-coming visit, do you mind give me your e-mail address, or you can obtain my e-mail thru JS so I can forward you my itinerary. Looking forward to chatting with you soon! Stephen |
| 189 |
Does Shanghai have Beach Sandy beach is the result of erosion of land by the ocean, Shanghai is located at the mouth of the YangTze river and every year million tons of silt poured into the basin and form the Shanghai delta, it is the natural process of land reclaimation into the ocean. Sandy beach must be rare in you vicinity. Stephen |
| 188 |
Jia You, Shanghai Metro! Shanghai Metro has often exceeded its load max by as much as 40% during the peak hour and what it needs to solve the congestion is to upgrade the signalling system. At present, the Metro is operated at 3 mins interval, this is the best Metro can provide for safe operation, unlike Hong Kong MTR it can operate at 1 min interval thanks to advance computerized signal system. The revenue received by the Metro can barely cover the operation cost and rising the fare may not favour by the government, so the Metro is operating at shoestring budget with obsolete technology, unlike its counterpart in Hong Kong who can charge 5-7 times fare as compared to Shanghai and recently it has completed automatic screen door for all concourses. There is a saying "what you pay is what you get". I apologize should someone feel the above is insensitive. Stephen |
| 187 |
Does Shanghai have Beach JS, I plan to visit Shanghai in May, is it still cool and rainy? Stephen |
| 186 |
No Baggars Premitted on Metro? Have you experienced the "energy crisis" in US during the late '70? Car manufacturers pump our small car like Pinto and Vegas to combat rising fuel cost, people were still driving the way they used to be. LA is a upcountry and you cannot live without wheels. Stephen |
| 185 |
No Baggars Premitted on Metro? I watched the coverage from BBC last week on the same subject and understand most of these child pan-handlers are controlled by gang members. Many of the children are recruited from rural area due to poverty. Should authority removed the controllers behind the pan-handlers operation, do you think there is an orphanage can house and feed all these little mishaps until they grow to age? The government rather spend money on places where people can see and admire. This is a social problem and is lacking immediate solution! Stephen |
| 184 |
Happy Birthday to Goudaner ILH, I think you are right, my previous comment was a bit intrusive and I apologize should someone find it offensive. Stephen |
| 183 |
Donation in China To contribute tangible time and relief to help the poor and helpless of the community which are the same people provided you with fame and fortune is regarded as a successful citizen. I am kind of sad to see the moral standard of China is approaching individualism. Stephen |
| 182 |
Happy Birthday to Goudaner JS, don't get obsess with your present Goudaner, in the years to come, I am sure you'll possess more toys other than the above if you devote yourself to your work. Stephen |
| 181 |
Donation in China China has emerged from extreme communism to extreme capitalism in the last twenty-five years, accumulating of wealth is paramount among the younger generation not to mention of sharing. In Shanghai I saw people willing to spend $100k in extreme cuisine for one dinner to show off his wealth rather than giving to the charity. I think it will take much longer time for the people to change their view. Stephen |
| 180 |
Dislike Doing or Starting to Do carsten, Obtain the title of "Zhong Guo Tong" when you return to the country where you came from may benefit you many years to come, of course it starts with the language. Stephen |
| 179 |
Dislike Doing or Starting to Do Do you know the speaking of Shanghainese is about to extinct, lot of vocabulary made the language flourished in the '30 are missing, speaking of Shanghainese can no longer serve the formal communication between people, yet some people use it to identify their distinction within the society. The flourish of language is associated with wealth, it is truth with English and Cantonese. The elders told me when the Shanghainese entrepreneur retreated to Hong Kong in the early '50 and saw the place was so primitive. They refrained themself to learn Cantonese and speak only Shanghainese and English within their group, but local people who wish do business with them had to learn the Shanghainese instead. Today the retailers in Hong Kong all able to speak Mandarin in order to earn the tourist dollars from China. See the trend Now? Stephen |
| 178 |
Helping by Hiring Oui, I share the same view on your latter part. Many middle age immigrate from China lacking language ability are subject to exploiation same way like the "Ayi" in China. Stephen |
| 177 |
Helping by Hiring Shelly, Vancouver is the residential city of Canada, most retirees would enjoy the weather and scenery there but commercial activies is limited due to its geographical location. Many immigrates pick Vancouver as their landing point not aware of the macro-economic situation usually ends up in the rut. You are inviting people from the west to explore opportunity in the China which I can understand. China in the last twenty years has made fast progress and developed its unique pattern of economy, within that body, competition and marketing are so fierce and sometime is beyond of our comprehension. I know people with great ambition went to China to seek their opportunity and many came back empty handed. After all, China is not the land of plenty, to be successful in China, one must have special connection and edge over the other. People like us is comfortable and content with our life here, of course will not consider to fight another day in China. Like I said, I am hopelessly spoilt. To reach the pinnacle of the career? it is a lonely place and I would not like to be there. Stephen |
| 176 |
Helping by Hiring Shelly, Appreciate your gesture, but this country has been kind to me and I am spoilt. Should you feel life is hard in US, perhaps you should try Canada for a change. Stephen |
| 175 |
Helping by Hiring In the last 100 years, China underwent from feudalism, individulism, communism and then capitalism, at each stage of the change, the government always takes people to the extreme, is that too much for the people to adapt? Stephen |
| 174 |
Comment RSS Feed To gather people from east and west under the same blog and to communicate with single language is a daunting task. As long as we can understand each other itself is a blissing from heaven. Should the host implement prefect English, I am sure some would be commenter will disappear. I enjoy writing on this blog just because I can express myself casually, typos and errors can be found from my previous comments but I regard that as minor deficiency, after all, we are not writing an essay in the English school. Stephen |
| 173 |
Helping by Hiring What China needs today is the proliferation of knowledge to all class of people, of course it starts with basic education. There are an old saying "knowledge is power". I know a farmer in Canada, he has a degree in agriculture, he is also a chemist, mechanic and weatherman, he and six of the staff manage 2500 acres of land with array of machinery, who say farmer cannot get rich? Should China treat education as eager as summer game 2008, then Chinese will walk away from poverty in no time. Stephen |
| 172 |
Helping by Hiring Shelly, Life without a baby sitter or day care service is not the end of the world. One must fail to consider the consequence of having three kids. I live in Canada and never employ a maid to do the house works, my home is very much automated and I enjoy doing the house work as an exercise. I deem if I cannot take care myself, how could I go out to work and to support my family? Stephen |
| 171 |
Helping by Hiring I agree that increase the working opportunities of the house maid and street paddler would solve their imminent livelihood. but the long term solution would be teaching them a skill and they can perfect it in the future, this is the different between skill and non-skill worker. If the majority of China remain as non-skill worker, sooner or later it is going to haunt the country should they decided to rebel. Stephen |
| 170 |
Life in a Low Cost Labor World People in Shanghai are so contended with their life just because the other people surrounding them are so poor, people from rural area are mostly illiteracy and cannot compete with the elite class of China. To be employed as house maid and street paddler are inevitable. Would the elite class in Shanghai help these unfortunate majority to acquire better skill to improve their future life or to exploit and suppress these working class in order to maintain the superiority complex status. It is a matter of sharing! Stephen |
| 169 |
Yes. It Snowed in Shanghai This is the adverse weather pattern which is haunting the world for last twenty years due to global warming. Perhaps we should seriously look forward to Kyoto accord and install emission abatement plan by every Nation of this planet. Stephen |
| 168 |
Welcome to the God of Fortune chinese, I deplore the tone of your comment. Everybody has the right the protect the lifestyle they enjoy and I am doing it vigorously. Should you find yourself disturbed at your resting hours and your property is invaded, what will you do? Remember this blog discussed people in Shanghai should bears five virtues and one of them is civilize, looks like it is no match with folkway. As matter of fact, the New Year I spent in Shanghai four years ago was my first New Year in China and my mother moved to Shanghai three years before that. Stephen |
| 167 |
Talking with Friends is Great Understand there were 6,000 miners perished last year during mining accidents. Is the authority treating it as the casualty of future prosperity or intends to install an abatement to reduce this mishaps. FYI The Liao Ning mining accident has became the headline news in North America. Stephen |
| 166 |
Welcome to the God of Fortune Jian Shuo, I agree that is how you express your exuberance during the festival, nevertheless, the right to have quiet surrounding during midnight need to be respected, furthermore, there is sign prohibits firework from the podium as it comes in proximity with the outter buliding and can cause fire. Is there a safer way to celebrate? At any rate, think of it as a culture crash. Stephen |
| 165 |
Welcome to the God of Fortune I remember the Chinese New Years I have had four years ago in Shanghai. On the fourth night of the New Year and unaware of the tradition, my mother's apartment was showered with rocky firecracker and exploded outside of the windows even it is 18 floors up. I thought an air raid was over Shanghai. Eventually I found there were a group of people shooting firework display at the complex podium, I was trying to argue it is midnight and this is not a firework area. My allegation were soon dismissed due the their overwhelming joy over the event and it developed into a shouting match, finally my mother step in and I have to back off. I think this is a typical case of "civilization" Vs "tradition", and the tradition finally rules. Stephen |
| 164 |
New Year is Approaching Wish all the readers of this blog will enjoy a healthy, profitable and productive year of the rooster. Happy Spring Festival. Stephen |
| 163 |
Meningitis in Shanghai It is reported China has banned all coverage in associate with meningitis, any news regarding the disease must be reported by Xinhua exclusively with immediate effect. Stephen |
| 162 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou New source reveal the Maglev extension has four stations, Shanghai Station, Expo Station, Hangzhou Station plus one station between Shanghai and Hangzhou. Stephen |
| 161 |
Do Chinese Move to Small Cities james China is not 'popularizing' education and high living standard, but 'polarizing' it between top tier and bottom tier citizens by mean of 'hukou'. As mentioned by Jianshuo, university acceptance rate from rural is lower as compared to city dwellers, without education, rural residents' ability to make wealth is limited. Should one day you become the ruling class, how are you going to tackle the desire of the vast majority of population to receive better education and treatment like the elite few receive today? Stephen |
| 160 |
Do Chinese Move to Small Cities How do you explain the workers from rural area working in Shanghai are subject to exploitation, arrest and repatriation, while people in Hong Kong can visit China without restriction and visa is always required for Chinese to do the reciprocal. After all, these are all Chinese living in the same country! It is about equality and basic human right! Stephen |
| 159 |
Do Chinese Move to Small Cities Hukou is a invisible border segregating the people of the same country into two categories, the rich and the poor. Does anyone think it is fair to every citizen of China? When China annex Hong Kong in 1997, one country two systems, and in 1999, Macau returned to China, one country three systems, should Taiwan unifies with China in the future, one country four systems. Is there a better way to express equality for majority people within the same country? Stephen |
| 158 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou carsten, The source only reveal the Maglev will pass thru Expo 2010 site plus two more possible stations along the route. No report of the Maglev station will be in Shanghai other than Long Yang. Good news is 70% of investment is fund by Beijing. Jianshou, when you were in Seattle, did you see the monorail from downtown to the Spaceneedle? It was built in the sixty during the Expo to show the future mode of transportation, now the monorail is only used in the Disneyworld........ at the future world. Stephen Stephen |
| 157 |
Picture News of Shanghai 2005 I am a believer of equality, in the country of China, there should not be a two tiers of citizen, the farmer and the city dweller which cause discrimination and paradox among people. Stephen |
| 156 |
Maglev Extends 2 Hours? I still have a feeling that the Maglev is wrapped in secrecy. The authority is down playing its significance, and the accessibility has been poor, which does not represent a formal shuttle to airport. Stephen |
| 155 |
Got Cold Again My doctor always tell me to drink lot of fluid and take rest in the event of cold symptoms, remedy has little or no effect in cure. Stephen |
| 154 |
Got Cold Again It is sad to see the hospital in China operates like a commercial profit centre, does the authority has any intention to subsidize or provide the basic health care to all people in the future? Stephen |
| 153 |
Shanghai Metro Map and Timetable There is a small ally outside Yu Yuan Garden near north east entrance full of costume jewellery wholesalers, my wife told me the selection is comprehensive and the price is good, but no bargaining. It is up to you to discover. Stephen |
| 152 |
Rainy Crazy Friday Night in Shanghai For most of the Vietnamese immigrant to Canada or the States during the war years, they still regard Saigon as their homeland. I have travelled extensively in North America, I found the areas where most of the Vietnamese work and live are always call "little Saigon", never see a "little Uncle Ho". For ILH, sorry my comment carries political under-lining which confused you. Stephen |
| 151 |
BlueZone's Xinjiang Impression Can someone tell me whether special permit is required for foreign passport holders to venture into Xinjiang or Tibet in addition to their visa. Stephen |
| 150 |
Chun Lian Started to Appear As mentioned, it is a Chinese couplet, two lines of verse, equal in length and with rhyme, always in the words of greeting and happiness. Stephen |
| 149 |
Chun Lian Started to Appear Do you think you can make one for your blog, or ask your readers to provide some. Stephen |
| 148 |
Rainy Crazy Friday Night in Shanghai limin is right, Saigon was the capital city of South Vietnam prior to 1975. Stephen |
| 147 |
Spring Festival in 2005 Is fire cracker still allowed in Shanghai during Lunar New Year? Last time I was there for the festival, the street was like a urban warfare battlefield, and some crackers are as big as a dynamite stick. Stephen |
| 146 |
Is the Real Estate Cooling Down? - Part III Don't let the impending property value correction haunt you due to factors beyond your control. Should such correction ever occur, it just represents the end of the market cycle and the new era will begin, more people seeking accommodations will pour in due to its affordability, as long as people need shelters, the real estate market always holds its value in the market. In the closed economy like China, the impact of the correction can be mild as the authority controls the interest rate, money supply and the availability of land. Just like you build a sand castle, the bottom layers always need to be compact before you can build upward. I never like to use the word 'crash' to describe the downfall of the market price, it means something fall to a bottom and never able regain its value. Stephen Stephen |
| 145 |
Donation Needed for Zhan Xiao Feng What is the premium of the medical insurance for a average citizen in Shanghai? Stephen |
| 144 |
Donation Needed for Zhan Xiao Feng Please don't get me wrong, I am not intending to glorify the North America medical system but curious to know how a average Chinese can deal with such hefty surgery fee should he/she needs one and public donation is not an option. Stephen |
| 143 |
Donation Needed for Zhan Xiao Feng Liver transplant depends largely on whether a suitable donor can be located, should surgery fee is a problem, any US hospital can find some foundations to step in, In Canada, such surgery is covered by health care and it costs nothing to the recipient. As far as I know, nobody should or will die due to lack of surgery fee. Stephen |
| 142 |
Donation Needed for Zhan Xiao Feng 300k RMB is a hefty amount for the working class in China whose average income is only 1k RMB per month or equivalent to average manager yearly pre-tax income in the State. Stephen |
| 141 |
Donation Needed for Zhan Xiao Feng Mr. Wang, My condolence to the passed away student. Somewhat confused, $300K is a hugh amount for any class of people in China, in the event of such surgery, how does the average people deal with the situation? I hope the money not entirely goes to donor! Stephen |
| 140 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou carsten, I hope my greeting did not antagonized you, after all it is only a wishful thinking. Stephen |
| 139 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou carsten, Congratgation with your fore-coming marriage with your long time girl friend and your decision to become a Danish-Chinese. Any chance to post your photo in the event of wedding so we can share your exuberance. Sincerely Stephen |
| 138 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou carsten, I concur with your veiw that Maglev should be scrap in light of poor return and usefulness. Nevertheless, writing off 10 billions from the book may cause some heavy weight bureaucrat's head rolling. Stephen |
| 137 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou I am reading the report allege the extension of Maglev Shanghai/Hangzhou is built to help the ailing Shanghai airport shuttle into profitable service and an attempt to regain the 10 billions previously invested. I think the entire team of the authority should send to school to study basic economic. The basic problem of the existing Maglev, is lack of passenger due to uneasy access and odd operating hours. To resolve the problem is simple, just to limit the parallel transportation and all buses and taxis are allowed as feeder only from Long Yong station. Any direct passage to the PVG will require extra premium. I am sure the revenue of Maglev will surge and the extension may be in dormant. Just a wild thinking........... Stephen |
| 136 |
Top Two Differences in China Paying gratuity to the person who serve you is a matter of courtesy while the right of the consumer is not exploited as it is totally voluntary. I cannot see why authority would want to cap the extra remuneration coming towards the hard working hospitality staff, while the bureaucrat can receive extra bonus for their hard work. Double standard? Stephen |
| 135 |
Top Two Differences in China No tipping is the remnant of the Bolshevik and is regarded as obsolete in western world. Tipping or gratuity is an extra appreciation render to the server, it helps to bring up the quality of service, it may create a two tiers of hospitality, but it also help the server to reach the pinnacle of serving. Sales tax in addition to the price is intended to show the transparency of taxation, since people in China has resistant against tax, value added tax may be the best way to collect tax. Stephen |
| 134 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou Zhang & PC, Bristish government will not spend money on Maglev, but they did on Millennium Dome which also a white elephant. Have you ever see a bureaucrat operate a success business? Stephen |
| 133 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou Mr. Wang, Something is missing here, none of the reports have mentioned what is the budget in building the Shanghai/Hongzhou Maglev, I hope it is not an open end project. If the PVG shuttle has spent 10 billions in building and the utilizing is so low, what will happen to a longer Maglev can serve the people. I hope it is intended as a toy laces over the expo 2010. Stephen |
| 132 |
Joined A Club to Rent a Car Carsten, Do you think SUV such as Hammer H1 or H2 is avialable for rent in China, at least you can kill and would not being killed by those lawless drivers. Stephen |
| 131 |
MagLev May Extend to Hangzhou Mr. Wang, The erection of Maglev may never materialize in the free market due lack of revenue support and loading factor, but in the planned economic like China who can use public funding to reach it's goal despite the economic return, I don't know whether you call it aggressive or dictatorial ruling. After spending over 10 billions in building the airport shuttle in Shanghai, China found the core technology still in the hand of Germany and requested additional EU200 million for complete tranfer. Last november, five Maglev Chinese engineers caught trespassing into the restricted area of the Shanghai Maglev depot. The German staff cannot arrest these people but the entire event was transcribed and has transfered to diplomatic level. The Maglev has reached deep in the China's pocket and offer little in return, should Handzhou extension be built, it is the people of Shanghai who will eventually foot the bill. Do you think people in Shanghai can afford it? Stephen |
| 130 |
Is the Real Estate Cooling Down? When will the real estate bubble be bursted, may be no one can tell! I have just visited my mother who lives in Shanghai and she possessed another newly built apartment in the 34 floors complex in Puxi. I noticed after 10 months of completion, the occupation rate is not more than 10 percent when I count the lighting outside the complex during the dinner time, the vacant units are all in the hand of the speculators according to the realtor. Plainly I can see the real estate price is made artificially high by pure speculation, but when I see so many units in the market are not supported by the end users which means the property is only pay up to a margin, it does not take a rocket scientist to tell you the correction is imminent. Stephen |
| 129 |
Skyscrapers in New York Mr. Wang, Can't you see high rise buildings has now become a visual pollution now, there are increasing number of corporations are moving into surburban instead of downtown, with trees, lakes, or ocean views, just look to your microsoft head office in Washington State. The Shanghai city planner should build more green belt, otherwise the city will become uninhibitable in the years to come. Stephen |
| 128 |
Life in New York is Tough for Me Mr. Wang, You can buy Pepsi from Macdonald? That is astonishing! Looks like the cartel is dismentled. For any revolving vistors to any city, you always find the price are unbearable due to unaccustomed to the city, should you visit New York next time, I am sure you know your ways around. I can buy lunch box from Canel Street Chinatown which is good for two meals for $3. Stephen |
| 127 |
Is the Real Estate Cooling Down? Mr. Wang, Real esate is a commodity and the price is determined by the supply and demand. The surge of the real estate price in the recent year is not a healthy situation for Shanghai, it only benefits those who have real estate in their investment portfolio. The major beneficiary in this scenario would be the government who is the biggest land owner and use the money in economic expansion. The most convenient way to boost the land price by the government is to limit the supply and she has done well to accomplish the goal. When price go beyond a banchmark when people can no longer support the price demand by the realtors, the real estate market will collapse and the domino situation sit in, that is when bank calls on loans. This is the what we call "bubble". People in Shanghai perhaps never faces the real estate melt-down before, but look to what Hong Kong had done in early '90s for the real estate and suffer the consequence thereafter. Nevertheless, the yield from the real estate is enormous for the government and it made tax revenue become insignificant. Should the market melt-down occurs, then the government will instantly left with no income and the economic hard landing will emerge. I don't know what will happen to China. Mr. Wang, I hope you can see clearly what is powering the economic miracle of China and you better hope the real estate will stay strong in the years to come. Stephen |
| 126 |
10 Things You Love/Hate About Shanghai aaaldahcd myoocep. |
| 125 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan Carsten, You ask me do I hate Mao? the answer is yes and no! He is a great leader before the liberation of China during '49, but after that follows "the great leap forward" and "culture revolation" which rendered whole generation of Chinese become illiteracy, and the impact is profound. Nevertheless, during his era, the unfair distribution of resource and corruption are minimal. I share your sympathy when I see the rich and poor has polarlized in China, the situation is unspeakable when I visited the rural area. I don't know the economic reform is actually doing good for China, but may be a small group by now. I visited Shanghai occasional just because my mother is living there. I myself live in Canada since childhood. At any rate, it is nice to have dialogue with you on some common subjects which helps me unstand better of the city and merry christmas to you both. Best Wishes Stephen |
| 124 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan Carsten, Remember chairman Mao once said "poverty is caused by the exploitation of the capitalism". Looks like history is reversing itself. Stephen |
| 123 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan Carsten In spite of development of China in recent years to improve the living standard of the people, do you still see there is a desire by the majority to seek opportunity aborad by legal immigration or otherwise? By the way, any chance to contest my last comment to you should you feel comfortable to reply. Stephen |
| 122 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan Brandon, Chinese citizen holding passport issued by Hong Kong SAR government can visit over 100 countries with immunity of visa including Japan. Have you see the problem now? Stephen |
| 121 |
Back from Geek Diner in Bellevue Mr. Wang, I suggest you check carefully with BoA on terms apply to foreign resident unless you are using a local address. Stephen |
| 120 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan James, It is something about face!, China would like to offer immunity to any country if she can receive the reciprocal treatment. Not like some countries who are hungry for tourist dollars and offer one side immunity. As matther of fact, I overheard the visa fee received by the consulate can almost support the operation overseas. Stephen |
| 119 |
Getting Shore Pass (Temp Visa) for Japan On the contrary, does China give immunity of visa to foreign citizens as well? Stephen |
| 118 |
Dec 6 - The Longest Day in 2004 Mr. Wang, Jet lag can be severe especially when you fly east bound across Pacific, however the same can be mild when return to Shanghai. Stephen |
| 117 |
Edward's New Satellite TV Carsten, As a matter of curious, you as an expatriate living in Shanghai, can you subscribe foreign newspaper either through internet or by mail without hash from the authority, or is there a restriction on internet that certain web you cannot surf from China. Not too long ago, I heard the BBC is banned in China on contrary report of human right in China. My stay in Shanghai is not long enough to observe whether the surppress on news media is still in place, appreciate your comment. Stephen |
| 116 |
Arrived in Seattle Mr. Wang, You are so bold to drive the I-5 during rush hour, the traffic at I-5 just like a cascade and people in Seattle usually do 70 mph on interstate. Look out for the black ice when you drive in early morning, the experience is so thrill which will eat your heart out. Stephen |
| 115 |
Arrived in Seattle Mr. Wang, Want Chinese food? take I-5 and exit at James, if you missed James, take Dearborn and it'll lead you to the international district. Stephen |
| 114 |
Starting the Journey, Again Mr. Wang, I have bad news for you! When you reached Seattle, you"ll find a week long overcasted rainy weather to greet you on your arrival. This is typical Pacific Northwest winter weather and suggest you wear woolen sweater and Gore-tex jacket to keep warm. Don't forget your flu shot prior to your arrival! Stephen |
| 113 |
Thinking about Sony F828 Mr. Wang, Should you think of SLR camera with 6-7 mp, always look into Nikon or Canon, please refer to consumer report, Nov issue and you see why! If not available on your side, I can email you the page. The best place to buy is Japan, since you are omitting Japan, or you can buy it from Washinton State, mind you Washington has 8 percent sales tax in place, according the consumer report, Sony 828 is selling at $819 which is more money than Nikon/Canon. Never mind the warrenty, when do you even see a repair during the warrenty period? Stephen |
| 112 |
Rejected by ANA and Postponed Travel Mr. Wang, It is an international practice that no country at any time can assure their passport holders which other countries will waive the visa requirement when entering. Always obtain visa or letter of immunity when entering other countries. All border officials have right to reject foreign visitors for any reason even with valid visa. Entering without proper visa endorsment is entering at your own accord. Stephen |
| 111 |
U.S. Trip Update Mr. Wang, While in New York, don't forget to join the shopping excitement on the Boxing day - 26 Dec., trust Wendy'll like it. Stephen |
| 110 |
Xiang Yang Market Again Carsten, the web should be lvmh.fr |
| 109 |
Xiang Yang Market Again Carsten, I guess you are not a marketing guy. A homogeneous product are marketed and sold all over the world at the affordability of that market segment and not according to the cost. Product brought from other segment cannot enjoy the same after sale service in order to stop parallel import. Some famous brand names would even allow countfeit to flood the particular market segment in order to gain free promotion and they always know when stop the infringement and regain the authentic product market. Xiang Yang market is actually helping the famous brand names to promote their products. If you are interested, look to LVMH.com how they market their products and gain hefty profit worldwide. Stephen |
| 108 |
Edward's New Satellite TV Carsten, The world has been a little different while you would in China. After the invasion of Iraq, US has the same problem of human right in his hand, should US bring up the same subject in the international stage against China, she'll sling mud the same back to the face of uncle Sam, so Taiwan and Tibet issue can not longer embaress her. Besides that, China does not have anything to hide from the rest of the world..............may be SARS? Stephen |
| 107 |
Xiang Yang Market Again Mr. Wang, Avoid wearing shoes with lining in North Amerca, unless you are prepared to hike the tundra, otherwise you may receive the athletic foot due to intense sweating when you pace the mall. Also avoid wearing any shoes with leather sole as it may slip. Stephen |
| 106 |
Xiang Yang Market Again Carsten, Perhaps you should consider to give the authentic made soft goods and apparel to your girlfriend Xiuying and maybe she'll treated you with "authentic" sentiment...........just a joke! Wish to remind you X'mas is just at the corner. Stephen |
| 105 |
UA858 PVG - SFO Mr. Wang, Hope you like the flight via UA858/857. Personally I try to avoid flying 747 which is a 30 years old design and is too crowded when full. My favourite is 767 or 340 which is much comfortable and quite. Stephen |
| 104 |
Edward's New Satellite TV Carsten, The feeling from my side is yes! China used to shy away from "human right" and US and Europe always like to use this the same to surpass China. In the recent years, China has confronted the human right issue in the international stage and received few recognition. It is reported European Union members may back down and start to sell arms to China. Anyother example is China has open up the media to the world to certain extend, like the recent coal mining accident, China report the news to the world without any restriction so the western media cannot allege China lack of freedom of news media. I am sure there a lot unfair stories have not been told or concealed by the local official, but the openness of Beijing Government really give us a fresh look. Stephen |
| 103 |
Edward's New Satellite TV I think the point is not whether to legalize the satellite TV, it should be a discussion of whether to open the international media to China. China has now powerful enough to play a role in the international stage, what she did and what she said carries certain weight. To limit the people to receive the feed back from the rest of the world would not be a wish idea as people of China don't know how to support their government in the event of dilemma, furthermore, there is not any matter can embarass her in the international stage anymore. In view of the proliferation of the internet, these information can be reached by the people of China anyway, at the end, it is the authority who lose the revenue for failing to legalize and control the satellite TV, where the business is a multi-billion operation in the west. Stephen |
| 102 |
Edward's New Satellite TV Mr. Wang, It is very sad to learn that Shanghai being the metropolitan of China still has unrealistic ruling in place despite the strong demand of information from people where the information received by the people is totally hurtless to the authority. I don't know whether the law against people owning small pet is still in place? Stephen |
| 101 |
Top 10 Places to See in New York City The renovated MoMA is a great piece of artwork~~~ |
| 100 |
Road Report between Home and Xujiahui Hey jiashuo, be sure to visit the Grand Central Terminal in N.Y.C. in the early morning if you have time. Most people who work in the city live in the suburb, Connecticut, New Jersey, or upstate New York. For business people in particular, most of them take the train to New York, and so most likely they have to get up from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. depending on the nature of their jobs. If you wanna drive to the city, fine, but you've got to be really early as well, otherwise you're guaranteed to be stuck in a traffic jam. |
| 99 |
Top Three Innovation that Failed in Shanghai Mr. Wang, I don't think the three items you mentioned are a failure, just like any government measures, with proper and consistant advertizing, it can become popular among people. It depends very much on how far the bureaucrat wish to persist. Stephen |
| 98 |
Jian Shuo Wang is Going to U.S. Mr. Wang, Please bear in mind America is a big country, if you wish to see her in two weeks covering the cities you mentioned is not practical. Would suggest you tour either west coast or east coast in this two weeks and perhaps you'll received an indepth feeling of the cities and people you visited. N.B. Ever think about to include Canada in you visit? Stephen |
| 97 |
Going Back to China? carsten, The gap between the rich and poor has polarized in China, there is nothing we can do about it nor the government wish to change the situation. Just make sure you stay on the right side. Stephen |
| 96 |
Going Back to China? Mr. Wang, When I see this subject, I really have mixed feeling, repatriation has become popular among the Chinese immigrate community, many people left their family here and return China to seek fortune. I was a volunteer few years ago and came across few cases of these man made single families. At the end, many families were seperated or divorced and the children really suffered from the consequence. Today, it still remains a serious social problem among the Chinese community. I personally do not against anyone to seek fortune in China, but family value should come before wealth, always have the family by their side! Stephen |
| 95 |
Jian Shuo Wang is Going to U.S. Mr. Wang, Another alternative for you may be simple, join the local Chinese east coast tour from Seattle, if not available, join it at Vancouver. Check with toureast.com. Stephen |
| 94 |
Jian Shuo Wang is Going to U.S. Mr. Wang, glad to heard you coming to US for vacation! While you are in Seattle, don't forget to visit the flag shop of Starbuck by the waterfront near fishman wharf. During the break of Dec 11-14, you may travel south to California or east to Yellowestone. For Yellowstone, you can rent a car and take I-90 east to Montana, the drive is about 900Km from Seattle, Yellowstone is located at SE of Montana joining Idaho and Wyoming, inside the park the drive is about 3 hours and accommodation is available outside of the park gate. There are lot of points of interest along the route but half of them may be closed in winter, check the weather before you go, you may not able to handle the mountain road in the winter. For Grand Canyon, you may fly to Las Vagas and rent a car travel east to Grand Canyon, it is about 200 Km and can be completed in one day, don't forget to see the Hoover Dam on your way back, tour in Las Vagas is self explanatory, but try to stay at the main stripe. Should you need any advise or hotel booking, you may web the AAA and find it useful. Have a good trip! Stephen |
| 93 |
Going Back to China? Mr. Wang, What is the income tax rate presently applied to the working class. Stephen |
| 92 |
Basic Geographic Knowledge about China - Part II Mr. Wang From Shanghai to Xi'an by train, how long does it take? Is Nanjian on the way to Xi'an? Please revert! Stephen |
| 91 |
Auto Industry Enters Winter in Shanghai Mr. Wang BTW, what made is your Goudaner, I through you are driving a Fiat. Stephen |
| 90 |
Auto Industry Enters Winter in Shanghai Mr. Wang You described the auto retailers are facing sales decline while the demand are still growing strong, could it be fierce competition at retail level or there are other factors leading the demise of the retailors. Could it be the rising fuel cost or the consumers have reached their demand cycle. Stephen |
| 89 |
Pudong Airport Maglev in Depth Mr. Wang I have copied the page of CNN and directed to your hotmail, hope you'll find it useful. Stephen |
| 88 |
Pudong Airport Maglev in Depth Mr. Wang, Please read CNN.com today, there is an article about PVG of which Shanghai should be proud of. Stephen |
| 87 |
Winter in Shanghai Mr. Wang Winter in Shanghai assembles great similarity as Northern Europe such as London, England. Wondering why the city never incorporate new building code to have the living quarter insulated. As mentioned by carsten previously, insulated housing can keep warm or cool up to 10c of the outside temperature and is a must in Northern Europe. In the long run, I think it can save energy for China. Stephen |
| 86 |
Top Commenters of Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct I guess I have told too much! Stephen |
| 85 |
Winter in Shanghai Mr. Wang, Most of the heating elements in Shanghai should be electric driven, as winter approaching, would it further intensify the power shortage as Shanghai had faced in the summer. Stephen |
| 84 |
Winter in Shanghai gniw, Electrical appliance sold in Hong Kong has the same voltage as China, but different in socket, would suggest to buy in China. Stephen |
| 83 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev bigbro, Thank you for taking time to write the above for me. The reason I brought up the subject of "Japan bashing in China" is because I have deep curiosity about this subject. It is my intention to probe into an average Chinese to see why the resentment can carry over sixty odd years and still growing strong in the third generation, or it is just a political measure by the government. Now I can see plainly the hatred is generated by blood from the slaughter of your ancestor and it is still vivid in the mind of many Chinese and not according to others who described as "brain washed". Few months ago, we have discussed this subject to no avail, today I can see the situation with a better view from your side if your article represents the majority. I cannot help to suggest how China to resolve the Sino-Japanese conflict. At any rate, I am resting my exploration on this subject and apologize to bring up the sour past of your memory. Again I thank you for shedding light on this subject. For Mr. Wang, much regret our dialogue ended in near shouting match. Stephen |
| 82 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev bigbro can you read my last message? which I wish to see your version of allegation. May be I never realize the truth of the history you wish to put forward. Please refrain yourself from using foul language which reflects the uncivil side of your wording. Stephen |
| 81 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev Can you please tell me which part of the Japanese invasion history has been distorted by the Japanese governemnt according to your knowledge. I understand you read the history from your textbook and I have my own, just curious to see your version of the invasion. Stephen |
| 80 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev If you see a war is inevitable to resolve the difference, so let it be war! There is several wars you can choose, such as culture war, commercial war, athletic war. Germany was defeated in WW2, but today, she is the most powerful economic power in Europe, which is exactly what she wish to see should Germany won the war. Japanese culture invasion has also made her mark in South East Asia, In Hong Kong, Japanese dining has become stylish way of living. When will China introduce non lethal aggression against her foe? Stephen |
| 79 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev No wonder Japan and few western countries treated China as a potential threat to their safety. Do you think the present situation in China towards Japan has similarity during the pre-war years of Nazi Germany when Polland annex the East Pussia from Germany in WW1? Stephen |
| 78 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev Spring Liu, If Japan insists her present course on the recognition of history, do you think another war can resolve the difference? Should China look into the future rather inherit the past? Stephen |
| 77 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro - Part III mc_dean Why discourage these people with strong enthusiasm to work and support for their city? Shanghai has progressed markly in the last twenty odd years thanks to the people like the few you have contested, otherwise I don't know whether you can find a washroom in the street of Shanghai today, not to mention toilet paper. Stephen |
| 76 |
A Car Towed Away for Temp Parking Mr. Wang, Please ignore my previous message as I haven't read the bottom part. Stephen |
| 75 |
A Car Towed Away for Temp Parking Mr. Wang, How much does the car owner has to pay to redeem his car! Stephen |
| 74 |
Why We Use English Signs? Geno, I agree with you but next time please write me a concise paragraph rather than the above, thank you. Stephen |
| 73 |
Why We Use English Signs? bigbro, Road in place of Lu is actually used by the Metro when I saw the picture posted by Mr. Wang, I don't know whether there is a continuation by the city on this issue. Stephen |
| 72 |
Why We Use English Signs? Sumant, What will India become today without the British ruling in the past? Stephen |
| 71 |
First Contributor of New MyBusStop Project Mr. Wang It is really nice to see bus stops sign are so informative, perhaps add some vivid colours made it more stand out. By the way, what is the prefix GJ stand for? Stephen |
| 70 |
PVG: Location of Maglev Station carsten, bigbro is right, even you as a foreigner to call authority direct will only receive a diplomatic reply. When I was in Shanghai, I am told the erect of Maglev in Shanghai is to conduct a feasibility study to deploy the same all over China, now the study is over and the project is in dormant, the proving ground are suppose to be scrap, but 10 billions almost the same amount to build the PVG cannot be written off from the book, so the authority is facing dilemma and keep operating the Maglev to avoid it become a 'white elephant'. The Maglev never was intended to serve the passagers of the PVG. This is my version of the truth and I hope no offence to the people who regard Maglev as the lanmark of Shanghai. Stephen |
| 69 |
PVG: Location of Maglev Station Understand from the greyline that the revenue collected not longer covers the operating cost of Maglev, so operate at one shift can reduce the overhead. Stephen |
| 68 |
Why We Use English Signs? Just compare people in Hong Kong and those in Shanghai and you will see the result of the melting pot. People in Hong Kong may be knowledgeable and stylish but lack of compassion and unity, although Shanghai is trailing behing Hong Kong, but the enthusiasm of the city is overwhelming and it will prevail, the Chinese content should not be contaminated through her evolution into modern age. Stephen |
| 67 |
MyBusStop Project Reloaded Does Shanghai still use "LU" instead of "road" in English version? Stephen |
| 66 |
Why We Use English Signs? Mr.Wang When you mentioned Xiang Yang Market, I remember saw a sign posted in English suggesting visitor not to trade with vendors outside of the premise, it was written in clumsy English but no typos. Perhaps you can suggest to the caretaker with a better version of signage to improve the image of the market. Stephen - many thanks |
| 65 |
Why We Use English Signs? To pursue the prefect English also means its readiness to receive its culture behind it, inevitable it will contrast with the traditional culture of China, as a result, I saw parents line-up to buy Harry Potter as the reading material of their children, I dont' know whether it is plain stylish or an attempt to discard Chinese culture. To erect English signs can show China is progressing into International stage but I hope she can still preserve her own identity and not to be subculture into the melting-pot. Just look at how South Korea fight off the Japanese culture invasion in the last thirty years and distinctly become Korean, othwise Korea will still remain as Japanese colony. Stephen |
| 64 |
Why We Use English Signs? Twenty years ago if someone speaks Mandarin in the streets of Hong Kong, I am sure he or she will be met with cold shoulder due Hong Kong was much richer as compared to China. People in Hong Kong looks to English speaking westerner to seek their fortune. Today, things are totally reversing itself as Hong Kong needs the tourist dollars from China to sustain her economic growth. In the years to come, I think English will still be the dominate language of the world, just look at Japan in the 70' who was almost the second richest country in the world, but her culture and language are not adopted by the rest of the world. The acceptance of English also means the adoption of the culture of the English speaking countries. In China, I can see American culture invasion has profound impact on most Chinese, like the way they live - cars, supermarket and big house, the way they eat - fast food and junk food, the way they enjoy - Hollywood movies, not to mention the political structure. I don't know whether it is good or bad for China and I shall leave it to the wisdom of the people of China. Stephen |
| 63 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro Mr. Wang, I have an interesting question for you - which version of English is being used in China? Like center = centre, habor = habour, color = colour, jewelry = jewellery. This is the different between American version and English version. In Japan, Taiwan,and Philippine are using American version, whereas Hong Kong, Singapore and India are using English version. The version of English being used will be adopt by all commercial, government and school of that country. When I was in Shanghai, I can not see the clear distinction between the two versions through the commercial signage. Please advise! Stephen |
| 62 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro - Part II Interested to know which renowned advertising company made such nuisance! Stephen |
| 61 |
ShanghaiWiki.MetroTypos Created Mr. Wang, It is good to see you have pushed ahead to rectify the typo in the Metro, when you finished with that perhaps you should include the public sign displays at tourist area, there may not be any typos in it, but I am sure someone can made it more concise and more understandable. Stephen |
| 60 |
ShanghaiWiki.MetroTypos Created Mr. Wang Do you think Metro or the municipal government of Shanghai will seek outside help to rectify their in-house nuisance? Stephen |
| 59 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro Mr. Wang, As matter of curios, please tell if English course is offered to the students in Shanghai, if so, how good is their ability to write and speak English by the time they finished high school. Stephen |
| 58 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro I think JH is right, people are taking an indifference attitude towards the ever changing enviroment and paying little attention to the details. In the long run, I think it is going to hurt China. Stephen |
| 57 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro Mr. Wang Please tell me why the English commend by you and your blog readers who reside in Shanghai are much better than those people working for the big corporations. When I was in Shanghai, I can see typos everywhere including corner stones and big billboards, you can blame the sign makers lack of English background, but the head of the corporations must prove read the final vision before it hit the street. Typos is only one problem but the grammatical mistakes made things even worse, just look at the public proclamations posted at the tourist areas, sometime it really creates laughing stock for the foreigners. Stephen |
| 56 |
So Many Typos in Shanghai Metro Mr. Wang I was told last year that the authority has send people to rectify the typos in light of the laughing stock, isn't it? Stephen |
| 55 |
Happy Birthday to Me Mr. Wang At age of 27, you may content the achievment of your career, your love ones and all the things you currently possess and enjoy,but this is not the pinnacle of your life, to enjoy your career fully, you should consider post-graduate education to enhance you skill for the balance 30 years to come. Competition will be much fierce if you don't have the right tools, it is true in this ever changing environment. At any rate, happy birthday to you and enjoy your cake with your love ones. Stephen |
| 54 |
Inside Pudong Airport Maglev Train Would any body tell me why Maglev is only running at the office hours and not matching the operating hours of the airport. How come the accessibility from both station is so poor and is totally user "unfriendly". After all it has spend over 10 billion to build and improvement of such kind is minimal. When I was in Shanghai last january, I have a feeling that the authority want to keep the Maglev under "wrap". Stephen |
| 53 |
Inside Pudong Airport Maglev Train Joachim I cannot verify your technical reply on Maglev which is contrary to the article from a magazine, will revert. Stephen |
| 52 |
Happiness, Wealth and Long-Live Mr. Wang, These three statues you show us, are they only popular in the southern China or it is a common symbol of happiness for all Chinese? Stephen |
| 51 |
Inside Pudong Airport Maglev Train Joachim, Perhaps you never realize the Maglev needs consistent supply of power from ground, at high speed, the contact point of power supply can easily or prematurely worn out. The same problem also applies other high speed trains currently using overhead transmission. The noise pollution generated by Maglev is 2.5 times over other trains associated with high building cost makes Maglev economic unfeasible to build in large scale. Twenty-five years ago, British Aerospace built Concord supersonic jet was the proud of the Britain, owing to the economic reason, the jet has now ends up in the museum. Whether the Maglev is a toys or tools to the Shanghai, it has now become an icon of the city. People should use it to her fullness extent for joy or for convenience. The airport and metro should use better signage and advertizing to promote this facility. Stephen |
| 50 |
Inside Pudong Airport Maglev Train Mr. Wang Do you think the Maglev is serving a useful purpose for ferrying passagers between the city and PVG? Ther are increasing debates in the engineering world that the Maglev in Shanghai could be the first commercial operation of such kind and may be the last. The wheel technology process by Japan, Germany, France and Canada have surpassed Maglev in few aspects. Nevertheless Maglev still suffers from mechanical deficiency. At any rate, people in Shanghai must proud to have Maglev in their city rather than a tool to reach airport. Stephen |
| 49 |
Long Vacation Ends Mr. Zhu Manufacturing is the major source which drives the economy of China today, having it shut down for a week will result in production disorder and backlot of orders. Worker in China can have prolong holiday three times a year, i.e. National/labour/New Year is unthinkable in western standard. I am sure the tourist industry is doing a brisky business during the event, but it has little effect in earning hard curreny from overseas. Stephen |
| 48 |
Long Vacation Ends Mr. Wang For the long holiday you enjoyed during the National Day, I understand you have to re-pay by working over several weekends. Is that mean most of the commercial activities in the country will come a halt for a week? Do the companies in China have any contingency measures against it? Here in North America, the longest holiday in a row does not exceed 3 days which in line with business activities. Stephen |
| 47 |
Voted as Top 10 Blogs in China Winston Churchill once said "............was so much owe by so many to so few" Stephen |
| 46 |
Crime and Beggars in Shanghai Tur, By looking at your tone, you must be the first time visitor to Shanghai. There were two guys from Hong Kong brought their girl friends to the room and each received six months and three weeks courtesy from the local police, and they posted their picture on the web, do you wish us to see your face on the web. Stephen |
| 45 |
National Holiday Begins Mr. Wang, Do you mean all office workers, labourers, government servants excluding people working in the retail sector all receive a week paid holiday? Is that mean the entire country is in idle for a week? Stephen |
| 44 |
Orange Harvest in my Garden Mr Wang, I see you are living in Puxi with joy. Do people in Shanghai still prefer to live in Puxi over Pudong? Stephen |
| 43 |
Happy Mid-Festival carsten, I appreciate your view towards family orientation during the festival, but to merge the Moon Festival and National Holiday may drew reluctance from the law makers in Beijing as they clearly do not wish to see the exuberance being diluted by family value during the National Holiday which is the major festival to unify the country politically. Stephen |
| 42 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Mr. Wang My local camping store can supply me with disposable toilet and is light to carry. Please tell me how far is the peak from the train station and is the path all elevated. Is there a cable car connecting the mountain side? Appreciate you advise. Stephen |
| 41 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Thank you all for the information, I don't think my knee is strong enough to perform that task and I am thinking seriously to strike Huang Shan from my visiting list. By the way, how expensive is the hotel at the peak? Stephen |
| 40 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Mr. Wang Is there any sanitation facility attached to the accommodation? Stephen |
| 39 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Thanks xuebin for the excellent information. Can you please tell me Huenshen (Yellow Mountain) is at the vicinity of Nanjing, would it be possible to visit without guided tour and how is the accommodation facility at the region. The train from Shanghai, do they have non-smoking section? Please advise! Stephen |
| 38 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Lars Thanks for your information and is useful for my fore coming visit to China Stephen |
| 37 |
Travel by Train in China - Part I Mr. Wang Can you please tell me the travelling time between Shanghai/Nanjing! Stephen |
| 36 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev charles I concur with your view for the past, people in China tend to forget the misery caused by the past mishaps, e.g. the great leap forward and the culture revolution and try to turn a fresh page, how come they cannot use the same attitude to deal with the Sino-Japanese relation, would you consider this is the double standard? N.B. I am not pro-Japanese. Stephen |
| 35 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev charles wang Chairman Mao once said, "evolution through revolution". Stephen |
| 34 |
PVG: One Million Passengers for MagLev Carsten, The history of China is written in blood, and same will happen in the future. Stephen |
| 33 |
Rent an Apartment in Shanghai felixSH/helen gong You must think this is the blog for your classified ad! Stephen |
| 32 |
Today in History - My Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Wang Happy anniverary to you both! Stephen |
| 31 |
Cars with Non-Shanghai Plates Mr. Wang Is this an administrative measure to limit the growth of the vehicle inside the city of Shanghai? Stephen |
| 30 |
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Pictures t/b can you tell me which part of the airport made you so insatisfactory? Stephen |
| 29 |
Goudaner Scratched by Drunk Driver Mr. Wang, I noticed you mention the guy try to pay you off with $300, I don't know whether it is enough to cover the damage. As matter of curious, does vehicle in Shanghai bears insurance against all perils, in your case, who is going to pay the arrears of the damage? Stephen |
| 28 |
Joined A Club to Rent a Car Carsten, I absolutely agree with you on the traffic situation in Shanghai, I can't call it choatic, but I do experiencing difficulty in just crossing the street. Stephen |
| 27 |
Negative Comments for this Blog Mr. Wang I understand your frustration, but don't let it hamper the existence of the blog you created. People may be jealous for what you have accomplished and you must disregard it. At any rate, keep the faith strong. Stephen |
| 26 |
Shanghai's Growth is Slowing Down Mr. Wang My comment is not intend to be offensive, after all, Shanghai is your city. Perhaps we are spoiled by having trees and lawn surrounding my house and fail to imagine the life of the city dweller. At any rate, please consider my comment as friendly reminder. Stephen |
| 25 |
Shanghai's Growth is Slowing Down Mr. Wang, I understand China wish to use Shanghai to show the glamorous side of the country, highrises were built indiscriminately on every inch of land they can find in the inner city, but they never intend to width the road, the density of popluation in some area has rised ten folds in ten years without adequate infrastructure, and the buildings are in such close proximity which show lack of city planning. Should you visit the world famous concrete forest - New York, you'll still find trees and green belt across the city, nevertheless, shanghai does not have the same. It is in my opinion, Shanghai should suppress the growth of the automobile in the city and develop more public transportations, this will reduce the air pollution and congestion, thus made Shanghai more comfortable to live. I can see another problem looming on the horizon, all the highrises built in last ten years will started to show its age after twenty or thirty years later almost simultaneously. I cannot imagine how the city can tackle the situation. Stephen |
| 24 |
Shanghai's Growth is Slowing Down Hello Mr. Wang, I think the major obstacle blocking the development of China is the government unable to protect the personal wealth and list it in the constitution. This explain why most people are reluctant to invest or deposit their wealth in China unless there is distinct advantage. It also explain why no major international corporation would set up their headquater in China. To amend the constitution will inevitable in conflict with the existing socialism that rule the country today. China is now facing dilemma and I don't think they know which path to choose. I wish the wisdom of the government will prevail. Slowing down in construction is actually good for shanghai, government should improve the infrastructure that support the city. I think the road network and sewage underground are left untouch in last thirty years, the deficiency as the result have started to show. PuDong is actually sinking into the river due to overbuilt, soon it will become another French Quarter of New Orlean which is 8' below sea level or it will become another Holland who use wind mill to pump water. I would like to see Shanghai progress and yet preserve the history of the old, otherwise it will become another concrete forest which eventually become inhabitable. Stephen |
| 23 |
If I were a Visitor to Shanghai Lu, Thank you for your detail explanation on the location. I shall visit the Yun Nan Road in my fore-coming visit to the city and taste the authentic delicatessen of Shanghai. Stephen |
| 22 |
If I were a Visitor to Shanghai Lu, Can you tell me the Yun Nan Lu in chinese version, sounds so delicious! Stephen |
| 21 |
If I were a Visitor to Shanghai Thanks Lu for your prompt reply! Do you know any restaurant in Shanghai specialized in this panfried dumpling. I would also like to know where I can get the authentic curry beef soup, looks like Yu Yuen is not one place can offer everything. Please reply. Stephen |
| 20 |
If I were a Visitor to Shanghai shanghai girl, It is a nice comment you posted above as compared to your previous few. The establishment of this blog by Mr. Wang is to show the first time visitor to Shanghai the sight and sound of the city, I don't think it is the attempt of the host to show the social complex of the city, perhaps shanghai girl can enlighten us in this field as long as it is not political sensitive. By the way, I have tasted the dumpling offered at Yu Yuen, but I cannot find the panfried dumpling, people told me it has has become unpopular, but I cannot believe it. Stephen |
| 19 |
Rent an Apartment in Shanghai Mr. Wang I know it is not your style to respond to any commercial referral posted on this blog, nevertheless, if you don't take any action, this blog will eventually become a bazaar on web. I shall leave this matter to your discretion! Stephen |
| 18 |
Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem Unvieled rebecca Please take your nuisance elsewhere! Stephen |
| 17 |
OOB on Travel for Three Days Mr. Wang Since you are in Hong Kong, can you please brief us how you feel about the place and people of Hong Kong. People over there has long treated Shanghai as their major competitor and try to beat her in every possible way, some of the articles released by the media can be construed as hostile, nevertheless, I let you to interpret the situation from Shanghai point of view. At any rate, if you are visiting Hong Kong for the first time, don't forget to visit the Peak, it is like the Bund in Shanghai, and there are good restaurants at the Peak. Enjoy your trip! Stephen |
| 16 |
Many People in Metro Mr. Wang Are these the recent photos of the metro? I see people dressed in winter gear! Stephen |
| 15 |
Maglev Schedule Mr. Wang The Maglev from Pvg. Can you please tell me where is the station, as last time I was at pvg, there are no signage direct the passenger to the facility. Also where does it end, does it connects to the metro? Please revert! Stephen |
| 14 |
Discrimination Against Foreigners in Shanghai? cheeky, In reply to your comment, I never realized an ad of such insensitive can be posted in Shanghai, would suggest you take this complaint to the local government as it constitutes discrimination not only to colour people, but Chinese also included. I studied socialogy parallel with my academic courses, I found it illustrated the true intercourse of human races. cheeky, with due respect, I don't mean to be sarcastic. Stephen |
| 13 |
I can Swim Now Carsten. Your tone looks like I am attending to deter the future of this site. I am not asking Mr. Wang to operate the site on the full-time bases nor to have an assistant to help him, after all, it is a goodwill gesture in which Mr. Wang established in the first place. I think the spirit should be extended at the will of Mr. Wang whatever he deem appropriate. Mr. Wang can choose to respond on comment at his own discretion, but as a regular reader of this site, I don't wish to see it deteriorated. Enough have been said to suggest how Mr. Wang to operate the site, and I shall refrain myself from posting any comment in relation to this subject. Stephen |
| 12 |
I can Swim Now Mr. Wang I am under the impression that the mission of your site is to show people outside of Shanghai perhaps outside of China the truth sight and sound of the city. I first encountered your website by seeking the Pudong Airport information and then I found more useful tourist information of the vicinity region of Shanghai. I admire your courage to display your office work and private life on the web, and through your web, people outside of China can have a glance of the daily life of an average citizen of Shanghai. I do encourage you to keep the good thing going, eventually you are building up an international network of friendship, but don't forget to keep the dialogue going. Regard Stephen |
| 11 |
I can Swim Now horsoon It is not my intention to describe Mr. Wang as "arrogant", so don't put your word into my mouth. Stephen |
| 10 |
Discrimination Against Foreigners in Shanghai? cheeky, Since you are a university gradute, perhaps you should take a course in sociology and it may change your view. Discrimination is the perception by the others caused by language, culture and folkway. When you cannot communicate by the people around you, often you will think being discriminated. I am a minority in my community and I never feel being discriminated by the others due to my race, the main reason is I am able to subculture into the melting pot, of course, failure to do so will result you being left alone, and being alone is being discriminated. Stephen |
| 9 |
Shanghai Taxi Colors I have had bad experience with Shanghai taxi driver two years ago and I vow never take a taxi or ride a seden-like car in Shanghai owing to different driving culture. I find the public bus is equally efficent, comfort and clean and the service has greatly improved in the last two years, however, the subway is a somehow disappointed mainly food stores are operated at the concourse making the area less hygienical. Perhaps Mr. Wang should introduce the public transportation of Shanghai where the standard has more or less reached international level. I am sure the travellers from aboard will enjoy better view from taking bus and subway. Stephen |
| 8 |
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Pictures Hello t Airport is a venue for travellers to use as a transit point, convenience is paramount to the travellers. When you compare PEK to O'Hare in Chicago which consists of 3 terminals, 9 concourses and the perimeter is over a mile wide. I perfer PEK over O'Hare in convenience. Stephen |
| 7 |
Starbucks Tour in Beijing Mr. Wong Nice to see you running a popular web-site for people outside Shanghai can see the average daily life of the working class of China. One major deficiency is Mr. Wong so reluntant to reply to the enquiries you received some how made people think you are so elegant. Trust your rectification on your behavior is greatly appreciated both by myself and the others. Stephen |
| 6 |
Blog on WAP Mr. Wong Would appreciate if you can provide me a reliable tour operater who specialised the region of Shanghai/Nanjing/Beijing should I and my family wish to visit China after X'mas. You help shall be grateful as our last visit was not joyful due our operator directed us for shopping more than sightseeing. Awaiting you reply! Stephen |
| 5 |
Nice Meetup with Hailey and Roddy Dear Bigbro, I admire your insistence on righteous eventually will prevail. At any rate, I am signing off on this subject and it is a pleasure to exchange opinions with you. Regard Stephen |
| 4 |
Nice Meetup with Hailey and Roddy Dear Bigbro, War is an act itself is a crime both brutal and lawless, wage a war on others for any reason is right and the loser is always wrong. Humanity does not fit in any warfare since WWI, civilian are most vulnerable as they are ofter the target of the military incursion. I am not suggest Chinese should forget and forgive this history, nevertheless, bearing the sorrow and resentment towards Japan does not help China to progress forward. Stephen |
| 3 |
Nice Meetup with Hailey and Roddy It is really against my wish to jump into the argument owing to the fact I see this things with a different view. I cannot say the resentment by Chinese people against Japanese was a result of consistent instigation by the Chinese government, nevertheless, government never attend to dilute the situation. Chinese argue the Japanese government fails to apologise, compensate and "learn" from the mistakes she had done during the WWII, but on the contrary, Japanese do think they have suffer enormously from the war, just the atomic bomb kills 200,000, and Japan lost land to the Allied power. To-day, Japanese respect the American despite they have killed massively during the war, and Japan never received apologise from US on using atomic weapon on her, not to mention compensation. Perhaps, people in China should look at this history from a softer angle and use a more rational approach. At any rate, please do not label me as a pro-Japanese, I see there are many things Chinese can learn from Japanese both economic and culture although Japanese sometime are reluctant to share their knowledge, should China process such goodness, she shall be invincible. stephen |
| 2 |
About the Pudong Airport Staff Hello, I deplore the tone made by Grace, it cannot consider a "shame" for inability to speak English to meet the language requirement of the foreigners. Perhaps when China controls half of wealth of the world and people rushed to learn Chinese in order to do business with her, then, one can consider it is a "shame" for unable to speak Chinese both in China and aboard. Stephen - Canada |
| 1 |
About the Pudong Airport Staff Hello, I read your message under the caption of "About Pudong Airport Staff" with mixed feeling. I have passed the Pudong Airport six times in the last two years, the staff are young and are eager to learn, many occasion they are willing to perform task outside of their job descriptions. The warmth and enthusiasm I received was overwhelming. I don't think any body should judge the quality of the Pudong Airport as inferior for inability to communicate with the travelers with English. Pudong Airport is inside China, a country where English is not considered as their native language, any body who wish to use English to obtain the service they desire should anticipate obstacles. If one is travelling through European Airport and you try to use English to communicate, I am sure you'll be treated with indifference attitude. At any rate, I think Pudong is a excellent Airport and is taking care people all over the world, most important, the Airport has aggressive staff to make it happen. Perhaps in the very near future, it'll become one of the best Airport in the world. Stephen - Canada |