How should the US view China’s developing relations with her neighbors? Should the US modify its foreign policy toward these same nations in light of their changing relations with China?
The U.S. should view China's developing relations with her neighbors as a "top priority". The United States is a super power and must develope positive relations with China and her neighbors. As mentioned in our reading, China and the United States share many of the same obstacles, i.e. "terrorism". The U.S. must adopt the motto, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". In that context, we must reach out to China's neighbors. We can use our instruments of power, i.e, military aid, economics, and diplomacy to build stronger ties in the Southeast Asia region. We must also modify our foreign policy towards these nations. We should not sell out our beliefs but we must be willing to not to change the beliefs of these nations. A few years ago, I attended a National Security Seminar through the War College. This seminar focused on communicating with other nations. The U.S. must communicate well in this region. Our strategy should not be just a nation building or an intent on creating democracies but also on gaining consensus.
- Tom
Monday, April 28, 2008
Naxi People
The Naxi people are an interesting group of people in China. Although a minority group, consisting of only 250,000 to 300, 000, they have learned to survive amongst the Han majority. The Naxi embraced Communism prior to 1949. They were survivors and went with the winning team. The Naxi continue to survive based on skills they obtained from the past. Most Naxi are not poor and neither are they wealthy but they get along. The women are the backbone of this community. The women operate small business and are known for 3 things, managers of their household, their business and for being ceaseless workers. The men operate small businesses also but not as successful as the women. Education is a plus for the Naxi people and their students are denied the "affirmative action" bonus points due to excelling in education. The Naxi people also believe in Party membership and look at Party membership as an asset. For future survival, the Naxi will have to continue doing what they do best, economic success. They manage their businesses well and have for the most part fully integrated themselves in the main stream. The challenge for the Naxi will be migration from other groups seeking to move in on a good thing. Here is an article I found about the Naxi people. This article does more justice for the Naxi people. Again, the Naxi people are an interesting group.
- Tom
UPDATED: 08:42, March 05, 2006
Young minorities keep old traditions alive
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He Xiangguang has been living in Beijing ever since he left Lijiang, Yunnan, to study in the Central University for Nationalities 17 years ago.
Four years back, He, 35, and a few Naxi friends started a website which has grown into a virtual community of the Naxi people.
From just about 40 people in the beginning, the website (www.lijiangtime.net) now has more than 500 registered members.
According to the Lijiang city government, some 600 people of Naxi ethnicity, working in different professions, have made their home in Beijing.
Many of them are just in their 20s and 30s, but they cherish their ethnic identity and maintain links with their hometown, thousands of kilometres away.
When the website was first started, "there were very few Naxi students in Beijing and the online community could provide us much needed help and support," said He, who works in the Alcatel Shanghai Bell Co Ltd in Beijing.
"We call it the 'spiritual home of the Naxi people'," said Qiu Yuhua, 26, one of the earliest participants in the website. "I will always have a soft spot for Lijiang."
Qiu was born and raised in the old town of Lijiang. She earned a master's degree in ethnology from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences last July and now works at the China Tibetan Studies Institute. She is working on a project on the history of Tibet.
"I'm learning the Tibetan language to better understand the Tibetan people, who share many similarities with my own in terms of origin," she said.
The website has become a platform for Naxi and other people interested in this minority group to discuss topical issues such as the impact of tourism and the latest news in Lijiang.
"We don't want to see our ethnic culture blossoming and withering quickly like a flower," said He.
He and his friends have invited some scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to talk about the ancient Dongba hieroglyphs on their website.
The website also serves to help Naxis living away from their hometown.
"We talk about buying a house, getting a car, or finding a job. Economy and daily life are as important as culture," said He.
Every year, during the Sanduo Festival, He and Qiu organize the Naxi people in Beijing for a celebration. Besides students, there are also scholars, artists, journalists and people from other fields among the Naxis in Beijing.
Everyone prepares some cultural programme and all conversation is in the Naxi language. The celebrations conclude with all of them holding hands in a circle and performing the Naxi group dance.
In the past two years, the Naxis have held ceremonies to commemorate the Naxi ancestors at the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in northern Beijing.
Apart from the Sanduo Festival, the Naxis also meet for other occasions such as the Torch Festival (in the sixth month of the lunar calendar) and the Ghost Festival (seventh lunar month). They hold painting exhibitions and seminars on Naxi culture.
Cherished traditions
Zhang Jiangtao, 29, is another active website participant. The young man has been away from his home in Lijiang for 11 years. As he works in the IT industry, he spends one to two hours every day to maintain the website.
Zhang pointed out that the Naxi minority comprises just about 300,000 people. "We can easily be inundated by other cultures. So I feel an obligation to work for our own people."
He is worried about the increasing impact of tourism on Lijiang. But he says: "Economic development has positive effects: While more people outside come to appreciate Lijiang and the Naxi culture, the local people also widen their horizons and realize the uniqueness of their own culture."
Yang Huayun, 27, is also a native of Lijiang. She graduated from Peking University and now works in a digital television company.
Yang remembers following her grandparents and parents to the Beiyue Temple at the foot of the Yulong Snow Mountain where the Sanduo God is enshrined during the Sanduo Festival and paying homage to the Naxi people's ancestors. She has been participating enthusiastically in the gatherings of Naxi folk in Beijing.
He Ling, also 27, has been working in the media since graduation from the Central University for Nationalities.
She said although living in a big city such as Beijing means missing out on the cultural atmosphere of Lijiang, she cherishes the traditions. "We all persist in speaking our mother tongue, which is very important to maintain our identity," she said.
She has been to other small old towns such as Fenghuang in Central China's Hunan Province and Pingyao in North China's Shanxi Province, but finds her hometown the most charming.
At this year's Sanduo Festival, she will join her friends to watch the special cultural performance.
"What is most important for me is not seeing the programmes, but enjoying being part of a big family," she said.
Li Ling, 30, regrets that she did not learn to play the kouxian, a plucked bamboo instrument, from her mother Li Xiuxiang, who will come to Beijing and perform in next week's show.
Her grandmother had been a famous folk singer in Lashihai, about 8 kilometres from the old town of Lijiang. But Li said both folk songs and the kouxian are difficult to learn. Although the songs have set tunes, a good singer is expected to improvise with lively lyrics.
"Without a deep understanding of Naxi culture, such improvisation is almost impossible," said Li, who has a master's degree in minorities' literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
While playing the kouxian with the hands, one needs to sing in a certain, peculiar way, which makes the kouxian very hard to learn.
Li has been away from home for 10 years, but often goes back. Living in Beijing, she values her hometown and its culture even more.
Although she and her brother did not learn much music from their mother, their nephew has picked up a lot. Barely 3, the boy who lives in Lijiang knows several Naxi lullabies.
Li works in the Nationalities Pictorial, which was founded in 1955 and covers minority issues in Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, Korean and Kazak.
The pictorial's current editor-in-chief Che Wenlong is also a Naxi native and a distinguished photographer. This January, a picture album entitled "The Impression of Naxi" was published by the China Nationalities Photography Publishing House. Many of the pictures in the album have been taken by Che in the 31 years since he started working at the pictorial.
He Xiangguang said people in Lijiang hold grand celebrations to mark the Sanduo Festival. The elderly go to the hot springs near the Beiyue Temple to take a bath, while the young go to the old town to buy things and find love through song and dance.
Before supper, families lay out the dishes in front of the wooden plates carved with their ancestors' names.
"We believe that our ancestors come home to enjoy the meal. We Naxi people are special."
Source: China Daily
- Tom
UPDATED: 08:42, March 05, 2006
Young minorities keep old traditions alive
printResizeButton();
He Xiangguang has been living in Beijing ever since he left Lijiang, Yunnan, to study in the Central University for Nationalities 17 years ago.
Four years back, He, 35, and a few Naxi friends started a website which has grown into a virtual community of the Naxi people.
From just about 40 people in the beginning, the website (www.lijiangtime.net) now has more than 500 registered members.
According to the Lijiang city government, some 600 people of Naxi ethnicity, working in different professions, have made their home in Beijing.
Many of them are just in their 20s and 30s, but they cherish their ethnic identity and maintain links with their hometown, thousands of kilometres away.
When the website was first started, "there were very few Naxi students in Beijing and the online community could provide us much needed help and support," said He, who works in the Alcatel Shanghai Bell Co Ltd in Beijing.
"We call it the 'spiritual home of the Naxi people'," said Qiu Yuhua, 26, one of the earliest participants in the website. "I will always have a soft spot for Lijiang."
Qiu was born and raised in the old town of Lijiang. She earned a master's degree in ethnology from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences last July and now works at the China Tibetan Studies Institute. She is working on a project on the history of Tibet.
"I'm learning the Tibetan language to better understand the Tibetan people, who share many similarities with my own in terms of origin," she said.
The website has become a platform for Naxi and other people interested in this minority group to discuss topical issues such as the impact of tourism and the latest news in Lijiang.
"We don't want to see our ethnic culture blossoming and withering quickly like a flower," said He.
He and his friends have invited some scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to talk about the ancient Dongba hieroglyphs on their website.
The website also serves to help Naxis living away from their hometown.
"We talk about buying a house, getting a car, or finding a job. Economy and daily life are as important as culture," said He.
Every year, during the Sanduo Festival, He and Qiu organize the Naxi people in Beijing for a celebration. Besides students, there are also scholars, artists, journalists and people from other fields among the Naxis in Beijing.
Everyone prepares some cultural programme and all conversation is in the Naxi language. The celebrations conclude with all of them holding hands in a circle and performing the Naxi group dance.
In the past two years, the Naxis have held ceremonies to commemorate the Naxi ancestors at the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in northern Beijing.
Apart from the Sanduo Festival, the Naxis also meet for other occasions such as the Torch Festival (in the sixth month of the lunar calendar) and the Ghost Festival (seventh lunar month). They hold painting exhibitions and seminars on Naxi culture.
Cherished traditions
Zhang Jiangtao, 29, is another active website participant. The young man has been away from his home in Lijiang for 11 years. As he works in the IT industry, he spends one to two hours every day to maintain the website.
Zhang pointed out that the Naxi minority comprises just about 300,000 people. "We can easily be inundated by other cultures. So I feel an obligation to work for our own people."
He is worried about the increasing impact of tourism on Lijiang. But he says: "Economic development has positive effects: While more people outside come to appreciate Lijiang and the Naxi culture, the local people also widen their horizons and realize the uniqueness of their own culture."
Yang Huayun, 27, is also a native of Lijiang. She graduated from Peking University and now works in a digital television company.
Yang remembers following her grandparents and parents to the Beiyue Temple at the foot of the Yulong Snow Mountain where the Sanduo God is enshrined during the Sanduo Festival and paying homage to the Naxi people's ancestors. She has been participating enthusiastically in the gatherings of Naxi folk in Beijing.
He Ling, also 27, has been working in the media since graduation from the Central University for Nationalities.
She said although living in a big city such as Beijing means missing out on the cultural atmosphere of Lijiang, she cherishes the traditions. "We all persist in speaking our mother tongue, which is very important to maintain our identity," she said.
She has been to other small old towns such as Fenghuang in Central China's Hunan Province and Pingyao in North China's Shanxi Province, but finds her hometown the most charming.
At this year's Sanduo Festival, she will join her friends to watch the special cultural performance.
"What is most important for me is not seeing the programmes, but enjoying being part of a big family," she said.
Li Ling, 30, regrets that she did not learn to play the kouxian, a plucked bamboo instrument, from her mother Li Xiuxiang, who will come to Beijing and perform in next week's show.
Her grandmother had been a famous folk singer in Lashihai, about 8 kilometres from the old town of Lijiang. But Li said both folk songs and the kouxian are difficult to learn. Although the songs have set tunes, a good singer is expected to improvise with lively lyrics.
"Without a deep understanding of Naxi culture, such improvisation is almost impossible," said Li, who has a master's degree in minorities' literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
While playing the kouxian with the hands, one needs to sing in a certain, peculiar way, which makes the kouxian very hard to learn.
Li has been away from home for 10 years, but often goes back. Living in Beijing, she values her hometown and its culture even more.
Although she and her brother did not learn much music from their mother, their nephew has picked up a lot. Barely 3, the boy who lives in Lijiang knows several Naxi lullabies.
Li works in the Nationalities Pictorial, which was founded in 1955 and covers minority issues in Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, Korean and Kazak.
The pictorial's current editor-in-chief Che Wenlong is also a Naxi native and a distinguished photographer. This January, a picture album entitled "The Impression of Naxi" was published by the China Nationalities Photography Publishing House. Many of the pictures in the album have been taken by Che in the 31 years since he started working at the pictorial.
He Xiangguang said people in Lijiang hold grand celebrations to mark the Sanduo Festival. The elderly go to the hot springs near the Beiyue Temple to take a bath, while the young go to the old town to buy things and find love through song and dance.
Before supper, families lay out the dishes in front of the wooden plates carved with their ancestors' names.
"We believe that our ancestors come home to enjoy the meal. We Naxi people are special."
Source: China Daily
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Olympics will happen: Bird's Nest's First Medal Winner!!!
The summer Olympics is just around the corner. Congrats need to go out to Jared Talent from Australia. He won the first race in Bird's Nest.
Tom
Light the Torch
Jared Tallent Wins 2008 Olympics Test Race
by Jeanne Dupuis on April 18th, 2008
Australian walker, Jared Tallent, won the very first Olympic test event held in China’s National Stadium (also known as "the Bird’s Nest"). Tallent solidified his position as a medal contender by winning the men’s 20km walk in Beijing, beating Chinese favourite, Wang Hao, with a time of 1 hour 20 minutes and 11 seconds.
"I was happy with the race, with the result, but the main thing is we have to do it again in August," the 23-year-old Tallent said. "To be the first to win in the Bird’s Nest is a fantastic feeling. I couldn’t be more happy."
Congratulations to Jared Tallent!!! That’s pretty exciting! He also mentioned that the air pollution, at least at the lower temperatures, was not a problem for him. Let’s hope that holds out through the games!
Tom
Light the Torch
Jared Tallent Wins 2008 Olympics Test Race
by Jeanne Dupuis on April 18th, 2008
Australian walker, Jared Tallent, won the very first Olympic test event held in China’s National Stadium (also known as "the Bird’s Nest"). Tallent solidified his position as a medal contender by winning the men’s 20km walk in Beijing, beating Chinese favourite, Wang Hao, with a time of 1 hour 20 minutes and 11 seconds.
"I was happy with the race, with the result, but the main thing is we have to do it again in August," the 23-year-old Tallent said. "To be the first to win in the Bird’s Nest is a fantastic feeling. I couldn’t be more happy."
Congratulations to Jared Tallent!!! That’s pretty exciting! He also mentioned that the air pollution, at least at the lower temperatures, was not a problem for him. Let’s hope that holds out through the games!
Hui (How to get wealthy)
I chose to look at how the Hui people are faring. In this week’s reading, I found their story very interesting. Although the PRC does not promote religion, it appears that the Hui people are faring very well. This article, if completely true indicates that many of the Hui people are becoming wealthy while at the same time continuing to practice their faith. This week’s text indicated how devoted the Hui people are to their religion. They appear to be equally dedicated in gaining wealth.
Tom
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Muslims rich, faithful in southernmost Chinese city
Hui People, one of a dozen ethnic groups practicing the Islamic faith in China, have been known for their business skill since their forefathers crossed vast deserts and oceans to get to China several hundred years ago.
In China's southernmost city of Sanya in Hainan Province, many local Muslims are among the new rich, while still remaining very devoted in their faith. Liu Hua, a 38-year old Hui businessman, now owns a travel agency, a pearl and souvenir shop and a seafood restaurant locatedin the Tian Ya Hai Jiao (Sky's Limit and Sea's Corner), one of thebest-known scenic spots in China, where he lures almost 1,000 eaters a day. But Liu is also a very devout prayer. He stops whatever he is doing and prays to Mecca five times a day. Strictly abiding by the Koran, he donates 2.5 percent of his annual income to poor Muslims. "I've made up my plan to do a pilgrimage to Mecca in the near future, to accomplish the most important thing in the life of a Muslim," he said. Tens of millions of Muslims live across China, mostly in the northwestern areas and Yunnan Province, in the southwest, and Henan Province, in the center.
In Sanya, with a population of 500,000, there are about 7,000 Hui Muslims, mostly living in the Huihui and Huixin villages of Fenghuang Town. Few people know why this small group of Hui people moved to thesouthern tip of the country in ancient times, and in the first years of the last century, many foreign scholars from Germany, Japan, Britain and France visited this second largest island of the country to find clues for the mysterious resettlement. These foreign experts concluded that during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), Hainan Island was the transitional spot for theinternational spice trade, and Muslim merchants began living on there. Later, some other Muslim families moved to Sanya from the neighboring Vietnam. In the 1980s, local archeologists discovered a large number of old Muslim tombs in Sanya, which indicated that they had lived in the area for quite a long period. Fu Guicai, the 68-year old chairman of the city's Islamic association, insisted that local Hui people have well preserved their Islamic culture and firmly believe in the religion. "Local Muslims follow the Sunni sect and we practice the highest Islamic rites," he noted, adding that foreign researchers were surprised about this when they visited the city recently. According to the local Muslim leader, there are nine mosques, including three for women, in Fenghuang, meaning there is one mosque for every 1,000 Muslims. Fu is among the busiest in the town. He presides over five daily services, preaches on Islam and government policies on religion. In addition, he performs weddings and funerals and helpssettle disputes among neighbors. Yang Zihua, another Muslim leader in the city, said that most young Muslims in the city want to become clergy to pass down Islamic culture and religion generation by generation. Since China launched its opening and reform drive two decades ago, local Muslims have kept close ties and had trade and religious exchanges with Islamic nations, he said.
Currently, over 20 local Muslims are studying in these countries. Most of local Muslims are involved in farming, tourism and service sectors. Their average annual income is 5,000 yuan (about 600 US dollars), more than the average of the whole city. Fifteen percent of local Muslim households have their own car.
Tom
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Muslims rich, faithful in southernmost Chinese city
Hui People, one of a dozen ethnic groups practicing the Islamic faith in China, have been known for their business skill since their forefathers crossed vast deserts and oceans to get to China several hundred years ago.
In China's southernmost city of Sanya in Hainan Province, many local Muslims are among the new rich, while still remaining very devoted in their faith. Liu Hua, a 38-year old Hui businessman, now owns a travel agency, a pearl and souvenir shop and a seafood restaurant locatedin the Tian Ya Hai Jiao (Sky's Limit and Sea's Corner), one of thebest-known scenic spots in China, where he lures almost 1,000 eaters a day. But Liu is also a very devout prayer. He stops whatever he is doing and prays to Mecca five times a day. Strictly abiding by the Koran, he donates 2.5 percent of his annual income to poor Muslims. "I've made up my plan to do a pilgrimage to Mecca in the near future, to accomplish the most important thing in the life of a Muslim," he said. Tens of millions of Muslims live across China, mostly in the northwestern areas and Yunnan Province, in the southwest, and Henan Province, in the center.
In Sanya, with a population of 500,000, there are about 7,000 Hui Muslims, mostly living in the Huihui and Huixin villages of Fenghuang Town. Few people know why this small group of Hui people moved to thesouthern tip of the country in ancient times, and in the first years of the last century, many foreign scholars from Germany, Japan, Britain and France visited this second largest island of the country to find clues for the mysterious resettlement. These foreign experts concluded that during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), Hainan Island was the transitional spot for theinternational spice trade, and Muslim merchants began living on there. Later, some other Muslim families moved to Sanya from the neighboring Vietnam. In the 1980s, local archeologists discovered a large number of old Muslim tombs in Sanya, which indicated that they had lived in the area for quite a long period. Fu Guicai, the 68-year old chairman of the city's Islamic association, insisted that local Hui people have well preserved their Islamic culture and firmly believe in the religion. "Local Muslims follow the Sunni sect and we practice the highest Islamic rites," he noted, adding that foreign researchers were surprised about this when they visited the city recently. According to the local Muslim leader, there are nine mosques, including three for women, in Fenghuang, meaning there is one mosque for every 1,000 Muslims. Fu is among the busiest in the town. He presides over five daily services, preaches on Islam and government policies on religion. In addition, he performs weddings and funerals and helpssettle disputes among neighbors. Yang Zihua, another Muslim leader in the city, said that most young Muslims in the city want to become clergy to pass down Islamic culture and religion generation by generation. Since China launched its opening and reform drive two decades ago, local Muslims have kept close ties and had trade and religious exchanges with Islamic nations, he said.
Currently, over 20 local Muslims are studying in these countries. Most of local Muslims are involved in farming, tourism and service sectors. Their average annual income is 5,000 yuan (about 600 US dollars), more than the average of the whole city. Fifteen percent of local Muslim households have their own car.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Migrant Workers - Are They Really Happy?
I chose an article on migrant workers. I was shocked to see the lives of the migrant workers in China and how they are treated. Before enrolling in this course, I did not know much about China and had never heard of a migrant population in China. The article I found is entitled “Migrant workers need a life of fulfillment”. This article states that most migrants are happy with their life despite missing many basic necessitites. I believe that people can find happiness even in despair. However, it seems impossible that there is true happiness in the migrant workers and I see happiness as an impossibility of happening in China due to the migration rules.
I have worked in labor law for over twenty years and never have I been so shocked about labor working conditions as I have with the migrant work force in China. I see so many similarities of migrant workers in the US and the migrant workers in China. I do believe that the US should take a look at the Chinese migrant issue and develop a fair immigration policy in the US. The migrant workers in the US should never be comparable to the Chinese migrant worker. The US can do better. I will follow the Chinese migrant issue with hopes of improvement for their lives.
-Tom
Migrant workers need a life of fulfillment
By Chong Zi (China Daily)Updated: 2008-03-24 07:13
Economists and psychologists - and the rest of us - have long wondered if more money would make us happier.
Whether the affluent are happier as a whole than their less well-to-do counterparts is becoming an increasingly hot topic for debate. In recent years, much has been written regarding the "science of happiness". We are told that money does not buy us happiness.
Such an assumption was verified again when I came across a survey on migrant workers.
They live in the basements of high-rise residential buildings, in temporary sheds on construction sites, and dilapidated houses on the outskirts of big cities. They are found working on a sort of treadmill in factories, starting their own businesses like selling vegetables, or in the case of women, as maids.
The hard work and living conditions have not scared them away from East China's boomtowns. On the contrary, they said they were pleased with the way it was.
This was part of the survey's conclusions.
The www.39.net and Southern Weekly interviewed 3,889 migrant workers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen from November 2007 to January this year. They published a white paper early this month on the physical and mental health of the migrant workers.
More than 80 percent of the respondents said their living conditions in cities were acceptable, and a majority of them accepted the quality of their life. More than 70 percent of the farmers-turned workers were happy, 22 percent anxious, and only 3 percent on "knife's-edge".
The white paper presented us with quite a rosy picture of the migrant workers, in striking contrast to other reports. A report on migrant workers by the Research Office of the State Council, and a report on the living conditions of migrant workers in cities by the National Bureau of Statistics, gave an insight into the not-so-optimistic situation of these people around the country.
The white paper might have left urban white-collar workers with a sense of inferiority. More than half of netizens surfing the www.39.net claimed to have psychological problems.
Happiness, which has no physical attributes (even if some neuroscientists claim they can see it in the brain), is a feeling, not a thing. This may account for the fuzziness and disagreement that occurs when definitions are made.
Deciding to become happier entails making a choice about which perspective you take and acknowledging that the choice is in your hands.
According to the white paper, the farmers-turned workers, if not all, were happy with their life in cities.
Were they?
As Harvard University psychologist Daniel Gilbert points out in his best-seller Stumbling on Happiness, "all claims of happiness are claims from someone's point of view".
In this sense, we have no reason to doubt the migrant workers' claims of being content. But the white paper with a generalized conclusion and irresponsible suggestions is misleading. It said that the general habit of having a regular physical check-up did not pertain to 83 percent of the migrant workers.
The picture of the farmers-turned workers' being content with their status and life in the cities also seems hard to believe.
So many changes have taken place among this group of people. For Li Tao, who set up a non-governmental organization in Beijing three years ago to help the farmers-turned workers, these changes are amazing.
In 1996 he opened a free training program for migrant workers who could not read and write. Now he is teaching young farmers-turned workers New Concept English.
A large group of rural laborers are now dreaming different dreams in the cities.
The farmers-turned workers above the age of 40 were well-prepared psychologically before they headed for the cities. They were prepared to put up with any difficulties because they had suffered hardships in their hometowns. The second generation of migrant workers, however, do not take hardship as part of their life. They change jobs all the time. They left their rural hometowns to ride the growth wave of the boomtowns in East and South China.
Hometowns are the final destination for the first generation of migrant workers when they think they have raised enough money.
The second generation wants to stay in the cities for good. But they are confused as to which city they should move to. The country's residence registration system has kept them outside most of the social security umbrella. Pension funds, managed by local authorities, and which cannot be transferred, have covered none of the farmers-turned workers.
When the country opened itself to the outside world, our cities' doors were also opened to rural folk. We have so many names for them such as migrant workers, farmers-turned workers, and floating people. Whatever their names, one thing they have in common: the road ahead is not so clear for them.
They find it difficult to be a real part of the cities where they reside. Also, they have no say in the affairs of these cities.
"They have placed their time, energy, skills and fate at the disposal of their urban folks. These individuals, are viewed by their urban counterparts merely as laborers, their rights and interests have practically been ignored," Li said.
In addition to hard work, migrant workers are regularly stigmatized by city dwellers who blame them for everything from crowded buses to street crimes.
The white paper of the www.39.net and Southern Weekly has made a hasty generalization of migrant workers. It has painted an inaccurate picture of them and this could send the wrong message to the decision-makers.
The number of migrant workers -120 million - is steadily rising, prompting the country's legislature and government to consider improving their welfare conditions, healthcare and education rights. They had three representatives at this year's National People's Congress that concluded last Tuesday. The new labor law that took effect on January 1 this year is supposed to give better protection for employees, especially the farmers-turned workers.
While white-collar urban people suffer frequent bouts of self-reproach, most of the farmers-turned workers, according to the white paper, are said to be pleased with their life in the cities.
If money does not buy happiness, what does? Grandma was right when she told you to value health and friends, not money. Or as some psychologists put it, when basic needs are met differences in wellbeing are less frequently due to income and more to factors such as social relationships and enjoyment at work. Other researchers add fulfillment, a sense that life has a meaning.
If migrant workers are still working hard to meet their basic needs, then how come most of them are happy with life? It is a question not answered by www.39.net and Southern Weekly.
(China Daily 03/24/2008 page4)
I have worked in labor law for over twenty years and never have I been so shocked about labor working conditions as I have with the migrant work force in China. I see so many similarities of migrant workers in the US and the migrant workers in China. I do believe that the US should take a look at the Chinese migrant issue and develop a fair immigration policy in the US. The migrant workers in the US should never be comparable to the Chinese migrant worker. The US can do better. I will follow the Chinese migrant issue with hopes of improvement for their lives.
-Tom
Migrant workers need a life of fulfillment
By Chong Zi (China Daily)Updated: 2008-03-24 07:13
Economists and psychologists - and the rest of us - have long wondered if more money would make us happier.
Whether the affluent are happier as a whole than their less well-to-do counterparts is becoming an increasingly hot topic for debate. In recent years, much has been written regarding the "science of happiness". We are told that money does not buy us happiness.
Such an assumption was verified again when I came across a survey on migrant workers.
They live in the basements of high-rise residential buildings, in temporary sheds on construction sites, and dilapidated houses on the outskirts of big cities. They are found working on a sort of treadmill in factories, starting their own businesses like selling vegetables, or in the case of women, as maids.
The hard work and living conditions have not scared them away from East China's boomtowns. On the contrary, they said they were pleased with the way it was.
This was part of the survey's conclusions.
The www.39.net and Southern Weekly interviewed 3,889 migrant workers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen from November 2007 to January this year. They published a white paper early this month on the physical and mental health of the migrant workers.
More than 80 percent of the respondents said their living conditions in cities were acceptable, and a majority of them accepted the quality of their life. More than 70 percent of the farmers-turned workers were happy, 22 percent anxious, and only 3 percent on "knife's-edge".
The white paper presented us with quite a rosy picture of the migrant workers, in striking contrast to other reports. A report on migrant workers by the Research Office of the State Council, and a report on the living conditions of migrant workers in cities by the National Bureau of Statistics, gave an insight into the not-so-optimistic situation of these people around the country.
The white paper might have left urban white-collar workers with a sense of inferiority. More than half of netizens surfing the www.39.net claimed to have psychological problems.
Happiness, which has no physical attributes (even if some neuroscientists claim they can see it in the brain), is a feeling, not a thing. This may account for the fuzziness and disagreement that occurs when definitions are made.
Deciding to become happier entails making a choice about which perspective you take and acknowledging that the choice is in your hands.
According to the white paper, the farmers-turned workers, if not all, were happy with their life in cities.
Were they?
As Harvard University psychologist Daniel Gilbert points out in his best-seller Stumbling on Happiness, "all claims of happiness are claims from someone's point of view".
In this sense, we have no reason to doubt the migrant workers' claims of being content. But the white paper with a generalized conclusion and irresponsible suggestions is misleading. It said that the general habit of having a regular physical check-up did not pertain to 83 percent of the migrant workers.
The picture of the farmers-turned workers' being content with their status and life in the cities also seems hard to believe.
So many changes have taken place among this group of people. For Li Tao, who set up a non-governmental organization in Beijing three years ago to help the farmers-turned workers, these changes are amazing.
In 1996 he opened a free training program for migrant workers who could not read and write. Now he is teaching young farmers-turned workers New Concept English.
A large group of rural laborers are now dreaming different dreams in the cities.
The farmers-turned workers above the age of 40 were well-prepared psychologically before they headed for the cities. They were prepared to put up with any difficulties because they had suffered hardships in their hometowns. The second generation of migrant workers, however, do not take hardship as part of their life. They change jobs all the time. They left their rural hometowns to ride the growth wave of the boomtowns in East and South China.
Hometowns are the final destination for the first generation of migrant workers when they think they have raised enough money.
The second generation wants to stay in the cities for good. But they are confused as to which city they should move to. The country's residence registration system has kept them outside most of the social security umbrella. Pension funds, managed by local authorities, and which cannot be transferred, have covered none of the farmers-turned workers.
When the country opened itself to the outside world, our cities' doors were also opened to rural folk. We have so many names for them such as migrant workers, farmers-turned workers, and floating people. Whatever their names, one thing they have in common: the road ahead is not so clear for them.
They find it difficult to be a real part of the cities where they reside. Also, they have no say in the affairs of these cities.
"They have placed their time, energy, skills and fate at the disposal of their urban folks. These individuals, are viewed by their urban counterparts merely as laborers, their rights and interests have practically been ignored," Li said.
In addition to hard work, migrant workers are regularly stigmatized by city dwellers who blame them for everything from crowded buses to street crimes.
The white paper of the www.39.net and Southern Weekly has made a hasty generalization of migrant workers. It has painted an inaccurate picture of them and this could send the wrong message to the decision-makers.
The number of migrant workers -120 million - is steadily rising, prompting the country's legislature and government to consider improving their welfare conditions, healthcare and education rights. They had three representatives at this year's National People's Congress that concluded last Tuesday. The new labor law that took effect on January 1 this year is supposed to give better protection for employees, especially the farmers-turned workers.
While white-collar urban people suffer frequent bouts of self-reproach, most of the farmers-turned workers, according to the white paper, are said to be pleased with their life in the cities.
If money does not buy happiness, what does? Grandma was right when she told you to value health and friends, not money. Or as some psychologists put it, when basic needs are met differences in wellbeing are less frequently due to income and more to factors such as social relationships and enjoyment at work. Other researchers add fulfillment, a sense that life has a meaning.
If migrant workers are still working hard to meet their basic needs, then how come most of them are happy with life? It is a question not answered by www.39.net and Southern Weekly.
(China Daily 03/24/2008 page4)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Olympic Woes!!!
I read this article from Diversity.com today. This is most likely one of many stories that will be published before 08.08.08 (the start of the olympics). I am wondering how many corporate sponsors will bail out before the olympics as a protest to China's human rights violations. I am also curious about the corporate sponsors who don't bail out. I thought everyone might like this article.
Tom
www.diversityinc.com
Spielberg Quit; Should Olympic Sponsors Follow?
By Yoji Cole. Date Posted: April 03, 2008
Corporations sponsoring the Beijing Olympic Games could suffer guilt by association as critics and protesters voice their concerns over China's involvement in the Darfur region of Sudan and its controversial rule over Tibet.
Protesters disrupted a Chinese official's address during the Olympic torch-lighting ceremonies in Greece, and more protests are planned in cities along the route as the torch travels around the globe. Protesters, however, are not yet targeting the companies or the athletes involved with the Olympic Games. Instead, they want them to use their status and influence to call attention to and show support for ending the genocide in Darfur and China's involvement in Tibet.
"Companies need to release a statement addressing the issue of Darfur and say 'As a major worldwide corporation, we feel we need to play a positive role in ending the genocide.' If they want to get positive media from the Olympic Games, they should take into account what the world is asking," says Brad Greiner, cofounder and director of athlete outreach for Team Darfur, a coalition of more than 250 Olympic and professional athletes from 45 different countries who support Darfur's refugees.
China's involvement in the Darfur conflict received increased media scrutiny following film director and producer Steven Spielberg's resignation in February from his position as artistic director of the games' opening ceremonies.
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Spielberg said in a statement. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." Read DiversityInc's exclusive interview with a Darfur expert who helped Spielberg with his decision to resign.
In Darfur, nearly 400,000 people, mostly Black Africans, live in refugee camps after having been driven from their homes by Arab-African militias called Janjaweed, who are supported by the Sudanese government. China imports 7 percent of its oil from Sudan, and critics say China needs to pressure Sudan to stop the violence and bring stability to Dafur.
The "Free Tibet" movement seeks autonomy from China for the three traditional provinces of Tibet. Supporters of Tibet are asking that China honor the country's "autonomy where there is democracy, freedom and justice that could exist," says Giovanni Vassallo, president of San Francisco--based The Committee of 100 for Tibet.
"Companies should feel free to sponsor the Olympics but understand the risk," warns Vassallo. "At the same time, millions of people around the world will view the Olympics and the torch as it travels around the world as blood-stained."
Tibet's supporters plan protests in cities along the torch relay's route to keep their demand for an autonomous Tibet in the news. Vassallo said the torch will pass through San Francisco April 9 and he expects tens of thousands of protesters to march in the streets.
Torch relay sponsors include The Coca-Cola Co., No. 2 on The 2008 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. Coca-Cola is also a worldwide sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Committee along with Johnson & Johnson, No. 8.
The U.S. Olympic Committee's domestic sponsors include AT&T, No. 22 on the Top 50, Bank of America, No. 3, and General Motors, No. 44.
A Coca-Cola representative said in March that the company is being watchful. "We're keeping an eye on the situation," Kerry Kerr told The New York Times. "We feel that using the torch relay to put political pressure on China is not appropriate." Coca-Cola met several times with protest groups, Kerr added, and is sharing the groups' concerns with the International Olympic Committee.
Vassallo suggests companies feature programs that will benefit Darfur's refugees or Tibet to show support for human rights.
"They should conduct awareness campaigns with their employees to tell them what to do to support [Darfur's refugees and Tibet]," says Vassallo. "If they want, they should pressure China to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama who is recognized by Tibetans as their country's leader. And I think they should steer away from [partnerships with] companies owned and operated by the People's Liberation Army."
Tom
www.diversityinc.com
Spielberg Quit; Should Olympic Sponsors Follow?
By Yoji Cole. Date Posted: April 03, 2008
Corporations sponsoring the Beijing Olympic Games could suffer guilt by association as critics and protesters voice their concerns over China's involvement in the Darfur region of Sudan and its controversial rule over Tibet.
Protesters disrupted a Chinese official's address during the Olympic torch-lighting ceremonies in Greece, and more protests are planned in cities along the route as the torch travels around the globe. Protesters, however, are not yet targeting the companies or the athletes involved with the Olympic Games. Instead, they want them to use their status and influence to call attention to and show support for ending the genocide in Darfur and China's involvement in Tibet.
"Companies need to release a statement addressing the issue of Darfur and say 'As a major worldwide corporation, we feel we need to play a positive role in ending the genocide.' If they want to get positive media from the Olympic Games, they should take into account what the world is asking," says Brad Greiner, cofounder and director of athlete outreach for Team Darfur, a coalition of more than 250 Olympic and professional athletes from 45 different countries who support Darfur's refugees.
China's involvement in the Darfur conflict received increased media scrutiny following film director and producer Steven Spielberg's resignation in February from his position as artistic director of the games' opening ceremonies.
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Spielberg said in a statement. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." Read DiversityInc's exclusive interview with a Darfur expert who helped Spielberg with his decision to resign.
In Darfur, nearly 400,000 people, mostly Black Africans, live in refugee camps after having been driven from their homes by Arab-African militias called Janjaweed, who are supported by the Sudanese government. China imports 7 percent of its oil from Sudan, and critics say China needs to pressure Sudan to stop the violence and bring stability to Dafur.
The "Free Tibet" movement seeks autonomy from China for the three traditional provinces of Tibet. Supporters of Tibet are asking that China honor the country's "autonomy where there is democracy, freedom and justice that could exist," says Giovanni Vassallo, president of San Francisco--based The Committee of 100 for Tibet.
"Companies should feel free to sponsor the Olympics but understand the risk," warns Vassallo. "At the same time, millions of people around the world will view the Olympics and the torch as it travels around the world as blood-stained."
Tibet's supporters plan protests in cities along the torch relay's route to keep their demand for an autonomous Tibet in the news. Vassallo said the torch will pass through San Francisco April 9 and he expects tens of thousands of protesters to march in the streets.
Torch relay sponsors include The Coca-Cola Co., No. 2 on The 2008 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. Coca-Cola is also a worldwide sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Committee along with Johnson & Johnson, No. 8.
The U.S. Olympic Committee's domestic sponsors include AT&T, No. 22 on the Top 50, Bank of America, No. 3, and General Motors, No. 44.
A Coca-Cola representative said in March that the company is being watchful. "We're keeping an eye on the situation," Kerry Kerr told The New York Times. "We feel that using the torch relay to put political pressure on China is not appropriate." Coca-Cola met several times with protest groups, Kerr added, and is sharing the groups' concerns with the International Olympic Committee.
Vassallo suggests companies feature programs that will benefit Darfur's refugees or Tibet to show support for human rights.
"They should conduct awareness campaigns with their employees to tell them what to do to support [Darfur's refugees and Tibet]," says Vassallo. "If they want, they should pressure China to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama who is recognized by Tibetans as their country's leader. And I think they should steer away from [partnerships with] companies owned and operated by the People's Liberation Army."
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Hopes and Prayers
During the interview with Alex Hu, Alex expressed his hopes and dreams in modern day China. Alex is a college student and looking toward the graduation. He indicated that it was most youth's goal to help their family, the society and the country. He stated that his parents were concerned about basic needs, whereas he is concerned about getting a meaning job that will ensure a good future for himself and make him financially comfortable. He believes that the future of China looks good. The article I located talked about 2 - 20 year olds who were caught racing. The article went on to discuss the rapid decline in the price of cars. This opened a market for youngsters who want to buy cars and "change their sluggish lives". The article also puts Chinese youth in the same boat as youth all over the world; they are racing and their parents are praying for their safety.
My conclusion about Alex and this article reveal that Chinese youth are no longer the secluded youths behind the "Great Wall". They are behaving just like the youth in Raleigh, NC, New York City, NY and London, England. They have wants and desires to be financially secure and live a good life. China and the West have almost completed the merger of western culture and Chinese culture within the ranks of its youths.
Tom
Drag racing in China; Sanlian and FHM
Posted by Jeremy Goldkorn, April 4, 2006 3:08 PM
Boy racers of Beijing
San Lian Life Week's April 3 issue features the cover line Drag racing youths. With the steadily-decreasing price of cars, speed-loving Chinese youngsters are taking to illegal drag racing with the same enthusiasm as their counterparts in other countries.
The 'boy racer' phenomenon has been a source of worry to parents and society all over the world since James Dean made drag racing famous in Rebel Without a Cause, and it's no different in Beijing.
The trend has become a subject of public discussion in Beijing since February 10 this year, when the police arrested two 20-year-old men for racing around the city's Second Ring Road at death-defying speeds - nearing 150kph, or fast enough to complete the circuit in under 13 minutes and place them in the Beijing racing pantheon with the legendary "Sir 13 of the Second Ring" (a title the Sanlian article conspicuously avoids). The article profiles one of the youths, and looks at the influence on China's high octane youth culture of Formula 1, which entered the country in 2004 when Shanghai opened an F1 racing track.
The April issue of FHM's Chinese edition gets in on the drag racing vocab trend, using the Chinese word for drag racing (飙 - biao1) in a coverline: You can drag race whatever you ride: Donkey, horse, camel: completely change your sluggish life.
Inside the magazine are adverts for automobile brands KIA and Buick, and a special section sponsored by Cadillac. The San Lian Life Week issue contains ads for Ford and Buick, as well as a co-branded ad for Nokia and BMW.
For more on drag racing in greater China, have a look at blogger Glutter's Hong Kong street racing section.
My conclusion about Alex and this article reveal that Chinese youth are no longer the secluded youths behind the "Great Wall". They are behaving just like the youth in Raleigh, NC, New York City, NY and London, England. They have wants and desires to be financially secure and live a good life. China and the West have almost completed the merger of western culture and Chinese culture within the ranks of its youths.
Tom
Drag racing in China; Sanlian and FHM
Posted by Jeremy Goldkorn, April 4, 2006 3:08 PM
Boy racers of Beijing
San Lian Life Week's April 3 issue features the cover line Drag racing youths. With the steadily-decreasing price of cars, speed-loving Chinese youngsters are taking to illegal drag racing with the same enthusiasm as their counterparts in other countries.
The 'boy racer' phenomenon has been a source of worry to parents and society all over the world since James Dean made drag racing famous in Rebel Without a Cause, and it's no different in Beijing.
The trend has become a subject of public discussion in Beijing since February 10 this year, when the police arrested two 20-year-old men for racing around the city's Second Ring Road at death-defying speeds - nearing 150kph, or fast enough to complete the circuit in under 13 minutes and place them in the Beijing racing pantheon with the legendary "Sir 13 of the Second Ring" (a title the Sanlian article conspicuously avoids). The article profiles one of the youths, and looks at the influence on China's high octane youth culture of Formula 1, which entered the country in 2004 when Shanghai opened an F1 racing track.
The April issue of FHM's Chinese edition gets in on the drag racing vocab trend, using the Chinese word for drag racing (飙 - biao1) in a coverline: You can drag race whatever you ride: Donkey, horse, camel: completely change your sluggish life.
Inside the magazine are adverts for automobile brands KIA and Buick, and a special section sponsored by Cadillac. The San Lian Life Week issue contains ads for Ford and Buick, as well as a co-branded ad for Nokia and BMW.
For more on drag racing in greater China, have a look at blogger Glutter's Hong Kong street racing section.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
China, Look Who's Talking
I came across this article in the post today. The peasants are talking to someone. They were the largest group of subscribers for mobile phones recently. Is something bigger happening here - people who communicate with each other can plan.
Tom
China Mobile posts strong 2007 growth, gains music, users
The world's largest mobile phone service grew in subscribers, revenue, profit, music service members and IM.
Dan Nystedt
PC World Sunday, March 23, 2008; 10:19 AM
China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone service provider, posted strong growth across the board in subscribers, revenue, net profit, new music service members and instant messaging users, the company reported Wednesday.
The company added 68.1 million new subscribers last year, nearly half from rural areas of China, executives said in a presentation. Subscriber growth rose 22.6 percent year-over-year, compared to growth of 22.1 percent a year earlier. The figures show China Mobile continues to grow at a heady pace, due in part to its focus on attracting more subscribers from rural areas more inland.
Subscriberstotaled 369.34 million at the end of last year, and rose another 7.04 million in January to 376.38 million.
China Mobile's operating revenue rose 20.9 percent year-over-year to 356.96 billion Chinese renminbi (US$50.48 billion). Net profit increased 31.9 percent to 87.06 billion renminbi.
The company's mobile phone subscribers sent 502.7 billion SMSs (short message service) last year, up 42.3 percent compared to a year earlier.
The number of people subscribing to China Mobile's wireless music clubrose to 66.88 million, an addition of approximately 50.75 million people last year. China Mobile says it has 250,000 songs available for users.
The number of people paying for subscriptions to mobile news rose to 23.55 million at the end of last year, up by 18.05 million.
The company's Fetionmobile instant message software also fared well, ending 2007 with 73.26 million users, up by more than 67 million compared to a year earlier. Fetion can be used on PCs as well as certain mobile phones, free of charge.
China Mobile plans to invest even more money this year to expand its network capacity and start 3G (third generation mobile telecommunications) services in the run-up to the Olympic Games this August in Beijing. China Mobile plans to spend 127.2 billion renminbi this year, up from 105.1 billion last year, the company reported.
Tom
China Mobile posts strong 2007 growth, gains music, users
The world's largest mobile phone service grew in subscribers, revenue, profit, music service members and IM.
Dan Nystedt
PC World Sunday, March 23, 2008; 10:19 AM
China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone service provider, posted strong growth across the board in subscribers, revenue, net profit, new music service members and instant messaging users, the company reported Wednesday.
The company added 68.1 million new subscribers last year, nearly half from rural areas of China, executives said in a presentation. Subscriber growth rose 22.6 percent year-over-year, compared to growth of 22.1 percent a year earlier. The figures show China Mobile continues to grow at a heady pace, due in part to its focus on attracting more subscribers from rural areas more inland.
Subscriberstotaled 369.34 million at the end of last year, and rose another 7.04 million in January to 376.38 million.
China Mobile's operating revenue rose 20.9 percent year-over-year to 356.96 billion Chinese renminbi (US$50.48 billion). Net profit increased 31.9 percent to 87.06 billion renminbi.
The company's mobile phone subscribers sent 502.7 billion SMSs (short message service) last year, up 42.3 percent compared to a year earlier.
The number of people subscribing to China Mobile's wireless music clubrose to 66.88 million, an addition of approximately 50.75 million people last year. China Mobile says it has 250,000 songs available for users.
The number of people paying for subscriptions to mobile news rose to 23.55 million at the end of last year, up by 18.05 million.
The company's Fetionmobile instant message software also fared well, ending 2007 with 73.26 million users, up by more than 67 million compared to a year earlier. Fetion can be used on PCs as well as certain mobile phones, free of charge.
China Mobile plans to invest even more money this year to expand its network capacity and start 3G (third generation mobile telecommunications) services in the run-up to the Olympic Games this August in Beijing. China Mobile plans to spend 127.2 billion renminbi this year, up from 105.1 billion last year, the company reported.
China - "We Shall Overcome" Maybe!!!
I think that that based on what I have learned about China and its current internal problems we have long since past China’s reconsideration as a world power. China is a world power. While China has GDP is steadily growing, supporting its 1.3 billion people is a challenge. China does have one plus that will have it stay a world power, “the 1.3 billion people” are a market for the world. While the internal problems may exist on a large scale, the world wants to move it products and create economic stability for itself, I believe even at the cost of the Chinese people. In order for China to solve its internal problems they will have to reform its government.. China is currently playing a game with itself. It called itself a communist state but is playing the game of capitalism. Democracy is inevitable. When and how, I do not know but solutions to internal problems will be a factor in the change.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
China-Terror Plot
I read this article this morning online (MSN) about a foiled terror plot in China. I believe that more incidences like this will occur as we near the Olympics. My question is will the terror plots be based on disrupting the Olympics or bringing world attention to human rights activities in China or a slap at the political structure (CCP). This terror attempt was in the air, it will be interesting how China handles an on-ground terror attempt. Hopefully they can contain any terror attempts. Thought you might enjoy this article.
Tom
China: Terror plots targeted Olympics, plane
Officials say they foiled bid to ‘sabotage the staging of the Beijing Olympics’
updated 4:31 a.m. PT, Sun., March. 9, 2008
BEIJING - Chinese police killed alleged terrorists plotting to attack the Beijing Olympics, while a flight crew managed to prevent an apparent attempt to crash a Chinese jetliner in a separate case just last week, officials said Sunday.
Wang Lequan, the top Communist Party official in the western region of Xinjiang, said materials seized in a Jan. 27 raid in the regional capital, Urumqi, had described a plot with a purpose “specifically to sabotage the staging of the Beijing Olympics.”
“Their goal was very clear,” Wang told reporters in Beijing. Earlier reports on the raid had made no mention of Olympic targets.
China has ramped up anti-terror preparations before the August Games. The nation’s top police official last year labeled terrorism the biggest threat facing the event.
The raid and the plane crash attempt were mentioned during a meeting of Xinjiang delegates to parliament’s annual session that focused in part on terrorism.
Emergency landingThe plane incident occurred Friday morning shortly after the China Southern Airlines flight left the far western city of Urumuqi at 10:35 a.m., said Nur Bekri, the governor of the Xinjiang region.
“From what we presently know, this was an attempt to crash the plane,” Bekri said.
Bekri said the crew responded and brought the plane to an emergency landing in the western city of Lanzhou at 12:40 p.m. with no damage or injuries. He gave few details.
Chinese forces have for years been battling a low-intensity separatist movement among Xinjiang’s Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim people culturally and ethnically distinct from China’s Han majority.
China says its main terror threat comes from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, or ETIM. The group has been labeled a terrorist organization by both the United Nations and the United States. East Turkestan is another name for Xinjiang.
The group is not believed to have more than a few dozen members.
Tom
China: Terror plots targeted Olympics, plane
Officials say they foiled bid to ‘sabotage the staging of the Beijing Olympics’
updated 4:31 a.m. PT, Sun., March. 9, 2008
BEIJING - Chinese police killed alleged terrorists plotting to attack the Beijing Olympics, while a flight crew managed to prevent an apparent attempt to crash a Chinese jetliner in a separate case just last week, officials said Sunday.
Wang Lequan, the top Communist Party official in the western region of Xinjiang, said materials seized in a Jan. 27 raid in the regional capital, Urumqi, had described a plot with a purpose “specifically to sabotage the staging of the Beijing Olympics.”
“Their goal was very clear,” Wang told reporters in Beijing. Earlier reports on the raid had made no mention of Olympic targets.
China has ramped up anti-terror preparations before the August Games. The nation’s top police official last year labeled terrorism the biggest threat facing the event.
The raid and the plane crash attempt were mentioned during a meeting of Xinjiang delegates to parliament’s annual session that focused in part on terrorism.
Emergency landingThe plane incident occurred Friday morning shortly after the China Southern Airlines flight left the far western city of Urumuqi at 10:35 a.m., said Nur Bekri, the governor of the Xinjiang region.
“From what we presently know, this was an attempt to crash the plane,” Bekri said.
Bekri said the crew responded and brought the plane to an emergency landing in the western city of Lanzhou at 12:40 p.m. with no damage or injuries. He gave few details.
Chinese forces have for years been battling a low-intensity separatist movement among Xinjiang’s Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim people culturally and ethnically distinct from China’s Han majority.
China says its main terror threat comes from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, or ETIM. The group has been labeled a terrorist organization by both the United Nations and the United States. East Turkestan is another name for Xinjiang.
The group is not believed to have more than a few dozen members.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Lesson 6 - Blog Post - Shop til You Drop!
Can you believe all of the shopping that is going on in NYC. One Chinese shopper refers to it as “ Buy In America”. Just a few years ago, China was an economically depressed country. They had been left out of the market. It appears that they are now driving the market. This article indicates that NYC is expecting 159,000 Chinese tourists in NYC by the end of 2008. There must have been an economic boom. The peasant farmers may have been left out of the boom but not everyone. These shoppers are taking advantage of the drop in the U.S. dollar. The article also states that many Chinese are buying real estate in New York, and spending an average of $340,000.00 U.S. dollars. Clearly, the Chinese are shopping globally and making decisions on a how and where to spend their money in the global market.
- Here is the article,
Chinese purchase "cheap" goods with dollars
13:01, February 20, 2008
On February 14, after China Eastern Airlines' flight from New York landed at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, people swarmed off the plane, all carrying shopping bags. Miss Yang, who took advantage of Spring Festival to travel to the United States, said, "I bought a digital camera, an iPod, designer bags, clothes and shoes. The dollar fell and buying things has become so cost-effective."Miss Yang is only one of the many infected by the "Buy-in-America" craze now on the rise. With the weak dollar and the rise of the RMB, prices in the United States are much lower than in China. Not only are tourists physically shopping, but they are also shopping online with US dollars.During Spring Festival, on Madison Avenue in New York, the crowd was surging, and there was no room for your feet. Traffic police were dispatched to force the crowd, at a standstill and constantly screaming, to move. These shoppers mainly come from Europe; however, many also come from China.Michael Elvidge, from a tour bus company that has been operating for over 80 years, said, "This is the first time in my life to see so many Chinese people in Manhattan."Kimberly Spell, a spokesperson for the New York City Tourism Bureau said that in the last two years, the number of Chinese tourists has risen. New York City received 145,000 Chinese tourists last year; and by the end of this year, the number of Chinese tourists will reach 159,000 – a record high. The New York City Tourism Bureau estimated that once China's tourist visa to the United States opens up, this figure will see a new high.Spell said that foreign tourists contribute significantly to New York City's economy. Last year, New York City's total income from tourism reached 24.7 billion – half of which came from foreign tourists.
Chinese tourists' contribution to the city's tourism industry has become increasingly apparent.Ms. Wu, a white-collar worker in Shanghai, likes to buy cosmetics on the Hong Kong Salsa website. She likes a 30-ml bottle of Anna Sui, now selling at 22.80 US dollars. At the beginning of last year, it was 182 yuan. Now it costs only 164 yuan: a 10 percent decline in price.The biggest reason for the price gap is the weak US dollar. With the strength of the yuan increasing; the gap between in value between the US dollar and the RMB is narrowing. Early last year, the yuan exchange rate against the dollar was 7.80, but today it stands at 7.15.The value of items that are 100 USD, were once 780 yuan, a year ago. But now they cost nearly 10% cheaper.Moreover, in fear of economic stagnation, American chain enterprises launched large scale "discount sales" and promotional activities during the "end of the year" of shopping season.
As a result, the entire United States is "on sale" in the eyes of the Chinese people.According to a survey by the New York Tourism Bureau, Chinese tourists stayed in New York an average of 5.9 nights, with 79% of people living in hotels; 86 percent going out to eat; 84 percent going shopping; and 58 percent visiting tourist spots. In terms of shopping, Chinese tourists mainly buy European-brand cosmetics and clothes. And, it is worth mentioning that among the current Chinese tourists in New York; more than 80 percent are business travelers. Many of them purchase homes in New York. According to statistics, Chinese people spend an average of 340,000 US dollars on real estate in New York: 5,000 US dollars more than the British.
By
People's Daily Online
- Here is the article,
Chinese purchase "cheap" goods with dollars
13:01, February 20, 2008
On February 14, after China Eastern Airlines' flight from New York landed at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, people swarmed off the plane, all carrying shopping bags. Miss Yang, who took advantage of Spring Festival to travel to the United States, said, "I bought a digital camera, an iPod, designer bags, clothes and shoes. The dollar fell and buying things has become so cost-effective."Miss Yang is only one of the many infected by the "Buy-in-America" craze now on the rise. With the weak dollar and the rise of the RMB, prices in the United States are much lower than in China. Not only are tourists physically shopping, but they are also shopping online with US dollars.During Spring Festival, on Madison Avenue in New York, the crowd was surging, and there was no room for your feet. Traffic police were dispatched to force the crowd, at a standstill and constantly screaming, to move. These shoppers mainly come from Europe; however, many also come from China.Michael Elvidge, from a tour bus company that has been operating for over 80 years, said, "This is the first time in my life to see so many Chinese people in Manhattan."Kimberly Spell, a spokesperson for the New York City Tourism Bureau said that in the last two years, the number of Chinese tourists has risen. New York City received 145,000 Chinese tourists last year; and by the end of this year, the number of Chinese tourists will reach 159,000 – a record high. The New York City Tourism Bureau estimated that once China's tourist visa to the United States opens up, this figure will see a new high.Spell said that foreign tourists contribute significantly to New York City's economy. Last year, New York City's total income from tourism reached 24.7 billion – half of which came from foreign tourists.
Chinese tourists' contribution to the city's tourism industry has become increasingly apparent.Ms. Wu, a white-collar worker in Shanghai, likes to buy cosmetics on the Hong Kong Salsa website. She likes a 30-ml bottle of Anna Sui, now selling at 22.80 US dollars. At the beginning of last year, it was 182 yuan. Now it costs only 164 yuan: a 10 percent decline in price.The biggest reason for the price gap is the weak US dollar. With the strength of the yuan increasing; the gap between in value between the US dollar and the RMB is narrowing. Early last year, the yuan exchange rate against the dollar was 7.80, but today it stands at 7.15.The value of items that are 100 USD, were once 780 yuan, a year ago. But now they cost nearly 10% cheaper.Moreover, in fear of economic stagnation, American chain enterprises launched large scale "discount sales" and promotional activities during the "end of the year" of shopping season.
As a result, the entire United States is "on sale" in the eyes of the Chinese people.According to a survey by the New York Tourism Bureau, Chinese tourists stayed in New York an average of 5.9 nights, with 79% of people living in hotels; 86 percent going out to eat; 84 percent going shopping; and 58 percent visiting tourist spots. In terms of shopping, Chinese tourists mainly buy European-brand cosmetics and clothes. And, it is worth mentioning that among the current Chinese tourists in New York; more than 80 percent are business travelers. Many of them purchase homes in New York. According to statistics, Chinese people spend an average of 340,000 US dollars on real estate in New York: 5,000 US dollars more than the British.
By
People's Daily Online
Lesson 6 - Blog Post
Here is an article that I read on February 12, 2008. In this article, it indicated that China is using “nationalism” to obtain military secrets from Mr. Chung. Chung commented that he wanted to help the “motherland”. This spying incident shows that China is interested in more than just being economic partner or competitor with the U.S. China’s spying shows that China considers the U.S. as a potential threat. Since 1999, there have been six (6) other news reports regarding China’s spying to obtain U.S. secrets is a major player in the world. It is not hard to see why China spies on the U.S. China was left out of the world market due to the wars it lost and the territory it relinquished due to those losses. In 1842, China lost the First Opium War and gave up Hong Kong in perpetuity to Britain for 99 years. IN 1958, China lost the Second Opium War and had to open up additional ports and grant unrestricted trade to foreigners. In 1895, China lost the Sino-Japanese War and gave up Taiwan to the Japanese. In 1945, the Japanese turned over Taiwan to China but the U.S. intervened and reunification has not occurred. This article mentions that a majority of the information involved was regarding the sale of military equipment to Taiwan. One has to wonder if China is planning for forced reunification.
China has a history of loss and since becoming a global player, it plays the global of rules of the spy game. Although this spy plot was discovered, China is also signaling its military capability to obtain information about the U.S. China is also showing weaknesses in our system of securing our secrets. These actions make China a global player and most assuredly a topic for discussion in every U. S. and allied forces military think tank.
Ex-Boeing engineer charged in China spying case
Page 1 of 2 View as a single page 5:00AM Tuesday February 12, 2008By James Vicini
WASHINGTON - A former Boeing engineer was arrested on Monday on charges of stealing trade secrets for China about several aerospace programs, including the Space Shuttle, the US Justice Department said.
It also announced a separate case in which a US Defence Department official and two others from New Orleans were arrested on Monday on espionage charges involving the passing of classified US government documents to China.
"We take every one of these cases very seriously," Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein told a news conference.
"The threat is very simple. It's a threat to our national security and to our economic position in the world, a threat that is posed by the relentless efforts of foreign intelligence services to penetrate our security systems and steal our most sensitive military technology and information," he said.
Department officials said Dongfan "Greg" Chung, 72, of Orange, California, who was employed by Rockwell International from 1973 until its defence and space unit was acquired by Boeing Co in 1996, was arrested without incident at his residence.
He was accused in federal court in California of espionage involving economic secrets, conspiracy and other charges. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of more than 100 years in prison, the officials said.
Chung, a China native who is a naturalized US citizen, held a secret security clearance when he worked at Rockwell and Boeing on the Space Shuttle program, the officials said.
He retired from the company in 2002, but the next year he returned to Boeing as a contractor, a position he held until September 2006.
According to the charges against him, Chung took and concealed Boeing trade secrets relating to the Space Shuttle, the C-17 military transport aircraft and the Delta IV rocket.
DESIRE TO HELP 'MOTHERLAND'
Individuals in the Chinese aviation industry began sending Chung letters asking for specific information as early as 1979, the officials said. Chung responded in a letter with a desire to help the "motherland."
Between 1985 and 2003, Chung made multiple trips to China to give lectures on technology involving the Space Shuttle and other programs, and met with Chinese officials during those trips, the officials said. He also sent to China 24 manuals about the B-1 Bomber.
A Boeing spokesman, Dan Beck, said his company has been working with investigators.
"We do not comment on ongoing government criminal investigations and will not comment on the subject matter of the case," Beck said. "Boeing is not a target of the investigation and has been cooperating with the government."
The other case involved Gregg William Bergersen, a Defence Department official who had a top-secret security clearance, and Tai Shen Kuo and Yu Xin Kang, both of New Orleans.
Working under the direction of an individual identified in court documents only as "PRC Official A," Kuo cultivated friendships with Bergersen and others in the US government and obtained from them sensitive classified information for China.
The officials said much of the information involved the US sale of military equipment to Taiwan.
The criminal conduct spanned a two-year period from January 2006 to February 2008, said the documents filed in federal court in Virginia.
Kuo, a naturalized US citizen who had a furniture business in New Orleans, gathered the secret information, the officials said. Kang, a Chinese citizen and a legal permanent US resident, took the secrets from Kuo and gave them to the unidentified Chinese official.
Bergersen is a weapons systems policy analyst at the Arlington, Virginia-based Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which is part of the Defence Department. He received an undetermined amount of cash from Kuo for the secrets, the officials said.
China has a history of loss and since becoming a global player, it plays the global of rules of the spy game. Although this spy plot was discovered, China is also signaling its military capability to obtain information about the U.S. China is also showing weaknesses in our system of securing our secrets. These actions make China a global player and most assuredly a topic for discussion in every U. S. and allied forces military think tank.
Ex-Boeing engineer charged in China spying case
Page 1 of 2 View as a single page 5:00AM Tuesday February 12, 2008By James Vicini
WASHINGTON - A former Boeing engineer was arrested on Monday on charges of stealing trade secrets for China about several aerospace programs, including the Space Shuttle, the US Justice Department said.
It also announced a separate case in which a US Defence Department official and two others from New Orleans were arrested on Monday on espionage charges involving the passing of classified US government documents to China.
"We take every one of these cases very seriously," Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein told a news conference.
"The threat is very simple. It's a threat to our national security and to our economic position in the world, a threat that is posed by the relentless efforts of foreign intelligence services to penetrate our security systems and steal our most sensitive military technology and information," he said.
Department officials said Dongfan "Greg" Chung, 72, of Orange, California, who was employed by Rockwell International from 1973 until its defence and space unit was acquired by Boeing Co in 1996, was arrested without incident at his residence.
He was accused in federal court in California of espionage involving economic secrets, conspiracy and other charges. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of more than 100 years in prison, the officials said.
Chung, a China native who is a naturalized US citizen, held a secret security clearance when he worked at Rockwell and Boeing on the Space Shuttle program, the officials said.
He retired from the company in 2002, but the next year he returned to Boeing as a contractor, a position he held until September 2006.
According to the charges against him, Chung took and concealed Boeing trade secrets relating to the Space Shuttle, the C-17 military transport aircraft and the Delta IV rocket.
DESIRE TO HELP 'MOTHERLAND'
Individuals in the Chinese aviation industry began sending Chung letters asking for specific information as early as 1979, the officials said. Chung responded in a letter with a desire to help the "motherland."
Between 1985 and 2003, Chung made multiple trips to China to give lectures on technology involving the Space Shuttle and other programs, and met with Chinese officials during those trips, the officials said. He also sent to China 24 manuals about the B-1 Bomber.
A Boeing spokesman, Dan Beck, said his company has been working with investigators.
"We do not comment on ongoing government criminal investigations and will not comment on the subject matter of the case," Beck said. "Boeing is not a target of the investigation and has been cooperating with the government."
The other case involved Gregg William Bergersen, a Defence Department official who had a top-secret security clearance, and Tai Shen Kuo and Yu Xin Kang, both of New Orleans.
Working under the direction of an individual identified in court documents only as "PRC Official A," Kuo cultivated friendships with Bergersen and others in the US government and obtained from them sensitive classified information for China.
The officials said much of the information involved the US sale of military equipment to Taiwan.
The criminal conduct spanned a two-year period from January 2006 to February 2008, said the documents filed in federal court in Virginia.
Kuo, a naturalized US citizen who had a furniture business in New Orleans, gathered the secret information, the officials said. Kang, a Chinese citizen and a legal permanent US resident, took the secrets from Kuo and gave them to the unidentified Chinese official.
Bergersen is a weapons systems policy analyst at the Arlington, Virginia-based Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which is part of the Defence Department. He received an undetermined amount of cash from Kuo for the secrets, the officials said.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution - Could There be an Instant Replay
Do you believe that a widespread and cataclysmic event such as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution could occur again in China today? Yes.
Why? The Cultural Revolution was a revolution to start a new regime and to return to the original socialist agenda. Today, we are in a global market with China as one of the major players. In my opinion, China is moving more and more toward a capitalism. China building and investing industries are booming. As was stated in the movie, Wallstreet, "greed" is a driving factor. I believe that "greed" will fuel China's quest for success in the global market but someday, someone will insist that China return to its origins and path of communism. This move could be fueled by the "have-nots" formerly known as peasants. I believe that if the Chinese people demand change, they will have no problem with initiating the change, even if through revolution. If the people get desparate for change and change does not come, desparate people will do desparate things.
Why? The Cultural Revolution was a revolution to start a new regime and to return to the original socialist agenda. Today, we are in a global market with China as one of the major players. In my opinion, China is moving more and more toward a capitalism. China building and investing industries are booming. As was stated in the movie, Wallstreet, "greed" is a driving factor. I believe that "greed" will fuel China's quest for success in the global market but someday, someone will insist that China return to its origins and path of communism. This move could be fueled by the "have-nots" formerly known as peasants. I believe that if the Chinese people demand change, they will have no problem with initiating the change, even if through revolution. If the people get desparate for change and change does not come, desparate people will do desparate things.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
2008 Olympics
I was searching for info about the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This article is promising about the environmental concerns. The air quality is of concern and will have an impact on the athletes. I thought you might like this article.
Tom
Beijing cleans up its act for 2008 Olympics
By Rachel Kaufman Published Oct/5/2007 China , Peace and Conflict , Environment Rating:
New environmental standards implemented
IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said, "Safe and healthy competition conditions for athletes are a top priority for the IOC and the organizers, which is why the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Games and the local Chinese authorities are carefully working to identify any necessary solutions to environmental challenges athletes may face.
"We expect [the organizing committee] to gather experiences from the 2007 test events that will help determine in more detail what, if any, contingency plans may be needed in 2008, to ensure the best possible conditions for the athletes," Mrs. Davies said from IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. "Events could be delayed depending on the conditions at game time."
Beijing is not the first Olympic city to face pollution concerns. The Los Angeles, Seoul and Atlanta games also had air-quality problems that were successfully addressed at the time.
Pollution levels are measured on a scale ranging from 0 to 500, with 300 exceeding anything typically seen in the U.S.
"That's severely polluted. That's L.A. on a really, really bad day," Mrs. Turner said, adding that Beijing hit 500 one day last year.
"Beijing's air is much worse than L.A. Even as they won the bid as early as 2001, they were still competing with Mexico City for most polluted capital in the world," she said.
"Every city that takes on the Olympic challenge has a responsibility to not just clean up their act for the Olympics, but indeed to make that a sustainable change," said Jeff Fulgham, chief marketing officer of General Electric.
GE is developing technology to help China provide a greener Olympic environment.
"I think China probably has the greatest challenge, but also it's really stepping up to that challenge," Mr. Fulgham said.
Beijing has converted from coal to cleaner natural gas for heating, Mrs. Turner said.
She said Beijing has gone well beyond its promises to clean up the air in the city. However, the pollution from the industrial areas surrounding Beijing and the increasing number of cars — Beijing adds 1,000 automobiles to its roads each day — remain problems.
"Today there's approximately 3 million cars on the street, also known as 'the parking lot,' " Mrs. Turner said.
To address this problem, "the auto-emission standards in Beijing are much stricter than the national standards, and so the municipal environmental protection bureau can restrict what kinds of cars are sold or driven in Beijing," she said. Most American sport utility vehicles would fail Beijing's emissions standards, she said.
Mr. Fulgham sees "tremendous improvements" in the quality of air and water.
"What we've seen throughout the country are sustainable, truly changes of behavior that are lasting," he said.
"As we're getting closer to the Olympic events, [Beijing is] getting closer to their goal of having 80 percent of buses and 70 percent of the taxis be clean, which does have a lasting impact on the city," Mrs. Turner said.
Since implementing the new environmental standards, 33,000 taxis and buses have been replaced by newer and cleaner vehicles, and many will be stationed across the Olympic Village to help transport people, Mrs. Turner said. Passengers have been banned from smoking inside Chinese cabs.
Beijing also plans to complete four light-rail systems by next year.
"While the Olympics has stimulated these types of pilot projects and clean buildings, this is all just part of what is just a bigger trend in China on more progressive energy and air pollution laws," Mrs. Turner said.
Olympic facilities also are using renewable energy.
"The seven main stadiums in Beijing are equipped with solar generators; 90 percent of the lighting outside of the stadiums and the hot water supply in the Olympics Village is powered by solar energy," Mrs. Turner said.
Mr. Fulgham said China is expected to build 500 new power plants in the next five years and has the chance to do it differently.
"Rather than traditional coal-powered power plants, let's look at new technology," he said.
Mrs. Turner said that within a month after Beijing was awarded the Games, it approved construction of the long-debated Southwater Northward Project — three massive canals from the Yangtze River bringing water to the dry north.
"Beijing cannot be dry in 2008," she said.
A lot of people are not aware of the impact of water scarcity, Mr. Fulgham said. "A billion people today do not have access to fresh water, and that will grow to 3 billion if we don't do something about it by 2025."
The 2008 Olympics is helping to rectify the problem.
Mrs. Davies said, "The IOC is very pleased and recognizes that an enormous amount of work has been done."
Tom
Beijing cleans up its act for 2008 Olympics
By Rachel Kaufman Published Oct/5/2007 China , Peace and Conflict , Environment Rating:
New environmental standards implemented
IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said, "Safe and healthy competition conditions for athletes are a top priority for the IOC and the organizers, which is why the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Games and the local Chinese authorities are carefully working to identify any necessary solutions to environmental challenges athletes may face.
"We expect [the organizing committee] to gather experiences from the 2007 test events that will help determine in more detail what, if any, contingency plans may be needed in 2008, to ensure the best possible conditions for the athletes," Mrs. Davies said from IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. "Events could be delayed depending on the conditions at game time."
Beijing is not the first Olympic city to face pollution concerns. The Los Angeles, Seoul and Atlanta games also had air-quality problems that were successfully addressed at the time.
Pollution levels are measured on a scale ranging from 0 to 500, with 300 exceeding anything typically seen in the U.S.
"That's severely polluted. That's L.A. on a really, really bad day," Mrs. Turner said, adding that Beijing hit 500 one day last year.
"Beijing's air is much worse than L.A. Even as they won the bid as early as 2001, they were still competing with Mexico City for most polluted capital in the world," she said.
"Every city that takes on the Olympic challenge has a responsibility to not just clean up their act for the Olympics, but indeed to make that a sustainable change," said Jeff Fulgham, chief marketing officer of General Electric.
GE is developing technology to help China provide a greener Olympic environment.
"I think China probably has the greatest challenge, but also it's really stepping up to that challenge," Mr. Fulgham said.
Beijing has converted from coal to cleaner natural gas for heating, Mrs. Turner said.
She said Beijing has gone well beyond its promises to clean up the air in the city. However, the pollution from the industrial areas surrounding Beijing and the increasing number of cars — Beijing adds 1,000 automobiles to its roads each day — remain problems.
"Today there's approximately 3 million cars on the street, also known as 'the parking lot,' " Mrs. Turner said.
To address this problem, "the auto-emission standards in Beijing are much stricter than the national standards, and so the municipal environmental protection bureau can restrict what kinds of cars are sold or driven in Beijing," she said. Most American sport utility vehicles would fail Beijing's emissions standards, she said.
Mr. Fulgham sees "tremendous improvements" in the quality of air and water.
"What we've seen throughout the country are sustainable, truly changes of behavior that are lasting," he said.
"As we're getting closer to the Olympic events, [Beijing is] getting closer to their goal of having 80 percent of buses and 70 percent of the taxis be clean, which does have a lasting impact on the city," Mrs. Turner said.
Since implementing the new environmental standards, 33,000 taxis and buses have been replaced by newer and cleaner vehicles, and many will be stationed across the Olympic Village to help transport people, Mrs. Turner said. Passengers have been banned from smoking inside Chinese cabs.
Beijing also plans to complete four light-rail systems by next year.
"While the Olympics has stimulated these types of pilot projects and clean buildings, this is all just part of what is just a bigger trend in China on more progressive energy and air pollution laws," Mrs. Turner said.
Olympic facilities also are using renewable energy.
"The seven main stadiums in Beijing are equipped with solar generators; 90 percent of the lighting outside of the stadiums and the hot water supply in the Olympics Village is powered by solar energy," Mrs. Turner said.
Mr. Fulgham said China is expected to build 500 new power plants in the next five years and has the chance to do it differently.
"Rather than traditional coal-powered power plants, let's look at new technology," he said.
Mrs. Turner said that within a month after Beijing was awarded the Games, it approved construction of the long-debated Southwater Northward Project — three massive canals from the Yangtze River bringing water to the dry north.
"Beijing cannot be dry in 2008," she said.
A lot of people are not aware of the impact of water scarcity, Mr. Fulgham said. "A billion people today do not have access to fresh water, and that will grow to 3 billion if we don't do something about it by 2025."
The 2008 Olympics is helping to rectify the problem.
Mrs. Davies said, "The IOC is very pleased and recognizes that an enormous amount of work has been done."
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