CHINAInsight Fostering Business and Cultural Harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 8 NO. 4 www.chinainsight.info APRIL 2009 Legendary tale of The

Butterfly Lovers inspires Page 16 Butterfly School Project at A Passage to China By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer a request she made to her parents. As she knelt in from of his tomb, the tomb opens and she steps in... Yingtai disappears, and onlookers only see two butterflies flying out of the tomb. It was said that they were Shangbo and Ying- tai, freed from the bounds of tradition. According to another version of the legend, Zhu Yingtai assumes a male identity so she may travel to study in Hangzhou, a southern city in China, where she meets Li- ang Shangbo. In the course of their studies, Zhu and Liang become very close friends. From a Confucian perspective, the notion of “Junzi” (gentleman) is a well-exemplified Wishes for the Sky ideal in Chinese history and its quality and Page 4 characteristics are well expounded upon by Confucian scholars. Basically, this implies Lovers continues on Page 3

utterflies have long held a special place in the hearts of the Chinese people. The tragic Bstory of the Butterfly Lovers, “Socialism with Liang Shangbo and Zhu Yingtai, is one of the most celebrated romance stories in China. This legend is sometimes regarded Chinese as the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet. The Butterfly Lovers (also known as characteristics”, the Love Story of Liang Shangbo and Zhu Yingtai) has inspired all kinds of literary works, like the Yue Opera, violin concertos, discussed by panel at plays, films and even a TV series have drawn inspiration from the story of the Butterfly Lovers. UCBC presentation Set in the picturesque town of Hangzhou By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer Chinese Brushwork (which lies about 100 miles southwest of Page 8 Shanghai), the only daughter (Yingtai) of he topic for the March meeting • Impacts on Chinese People a rich provincial lord disguises as a boy in of U.S.-China Business Connec- The panel also identified and discussed a order to go into higher education where she tions (UCBC) was Socialism with number of movements that have taken place meets a scholar, Shangbo. He is talented and Chinese Characteristics including in China as follows: hard-working, but poor, but nevertheless Tthe subtitle From Revolution to Reform to First Modernization Movement—Keep soon she falls in love with him. However, Response to Global Financial Crisis. The Confucius, borrow Western technologies not long after, she is ordered to return home addition of this subtitle becomes apparent Second Modernization Movement— because her parents decide to marry her into as the discussion is conducted by the panel American Style: Chinese version of “of the a rich family. It is then that she confesses to of speakers that included Mike Xiong (co- people, for the people and by the people” Shangbo of her love for him. founder of UCBC) of Thomson Reuters; Third Modernization Movement—Soviet In spite of her declaration, Yingtai is Hong Cai, US Bank; and Sam Wils, US Style: Localized communism-nationalism. forced home to wait for the day of her mar- Bank. Land Reform riage with the rich man, whilst Shangbo goes At the beginning of the presentation the Fourth Modernization Movement—CCP ALSO IN THIS ISSUE to the capital city to sit for his exams. following outline was provided as a guide led capitalization. Economic pragmatism, Announcements / 2 Later, Shangbo receives a post as a as to what was discussed: political Conservatism Government / 3 provincial officer and goes to Yingtai’s • In 1949, only socialism can save China The panel asserts that the Cultural family to propose marriage, but is harshly • In 1979, only capitalism can save China Revolution was based on Marxist historical Events / 4 turned down because of his poor family • In 1989, only China can save socialism theory that the upper social structure must Education / 5 background. Shangbo dies in the misery • In 2009, only China can save capitalism match the social infrastructures. Since Environment / 6 for his love for Yingtai, and Yingtai is still • Background China had completed production property American-Born Chinese / 7 made to follow the engagement her parents • Economic Policy Timeline public ownership reform in the 1960s, the Culture / 8-13 & 16 made for her. On the day when she is sent to • Government in action: Stimulus Package social upper level including its key ele- Business / 14 & 15 the wedding ceremony, her carriage passes Contents ment – culture – must match that change. by Shangbo’s tomb. She goes down from • Response to Financial Crisis: A New All past history, customs, arts and literature her carriage to pay her tribute to Shangbo, Round of Reform Socialism continues on Page 15 PAGE 2 > APRIL 2009 announcements www.chinainsight.info Asian Americans: Facts & Figures CHINAINSIGHT highest proportion of the total population were the largest Asian group, followed 15.2 million Publisher: The estimated number of U.S. residents (55 percent), with California (14 percent) by Filipinos (3.05 million), Asian Indians Gregory J. Hugh in July 2007 who said they were Asian alone and New Jersey and Washington (8 percent (2.77 million), Vietnamese (1.64 million), or Asian in combination with one or more each) next. Asians were the largest minority Koreans (1.56 million) and Japanese (1.22 [email protected] other races. This group comprised about 5 group in Hawaii and Vermont. million). These estimates represented the percent of the total population. number of people who were either of a Editor: 2.9% particular Asian group only or were of that Jennifer Nordin 5 million Percentage growth of the Asian popula- group in combination with one or more other [email protected] The Asian population in California, the tion between 2006 and 2007, the highest of Asian groups or races.  any race group during that time period. The state that had the largest Asian population on Sources: Manager of Operations/ July 1, 2007, as well as the largest numeri- increase in the Asian population during the Population estimates Circulation: cal increase from 2006 to 2007 (106,000). period totaled 434,000. http://www.census.gov/Press-release/www/ New York (1.4 million) and Texas (915,000) releases/archives/population/011910.html Richard He followed in population. Texas (44,000) and 3.54 million [email protected] New York (33,000) followed in numerical Number of Asians of Chinese descent 2007 American Community Survey increase. In Hawaii, Asians made up the in the U.S. in 2007. Chinese-Americans http://factfinder.census.gov Production Editor: Dawn Murphy [email protected] Lights out in Are you ready to go digital? Artist/Intern: Beijing for By June 12, 2009, all television stations other pay TV service does not require a TV Lauren Hugh in the United States will converter box from Earth Hour stop analog broadcasts. this Program. Staff Writers: Digital broadcasting prom- Consumers have The Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, sym- Greg Hugh ises to provide a clearer a variety of options bols of Beijing’s successful Olympics in [email protected] picture and more program- including: 2008, went dark on Saturday, Mar. 28 from ming options and will free 1. Keep your ex- 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time as part of up airwaves for use by isting analog TV and Albert Leung Earth Hour 2009. emergency responders. purchase a TV con- [email protected] Lights went out in other landmarks such verter box, with or as the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Sydney TV Converter Box without a government Jennifer Nordin Opera House, the Empire State Building in Coupon Program coupon. A converter [email protected] New York, and the Acropolis in Athens. Congress created the box plugs into your China Earth Hour ambassador Li Bing TV Converter Box Coupon TV and will keep it Bing said switching off lights for one hour Mike Xiong Program for households working after the ana- sent “a strong signal that we all care about [email protected] wishing to keep using their log shut-off, or the vital issue of global climate change”. analog TV sets after broad- 2. Connect to ca- Earth Hour started in 2007 in Australia casters stop analog broadcasting. The Pro- ble, satellite or other pay service, or when 2.2 million people turned out the About Ch i n a Insight gram allows U.S. households to obtain up 3. Purchase a television with a digital lights. It has since become an international to two coupons, each worth US$40, which tuner. movement against global warming. can be applied toward the cost of eligible Ch i n a Insight is a monthly English For more information about the conver- language newspaper fostering business The slogan for Earth Hour 2009 was converter boxes. sion to digital television, visit and cultural harmony between China “Vote Earth! Your light switch is your A TV connected to cable, satellite or www.dtv2009.gov.  and the U.S. vote.” 

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after negotiations between the U.S. State Department and Canada reached an impasse Locke is first on protecting wild salmon runs. He also conceived and launched the West Coast Governors’ Initiative on Climate Change Chinese American and successfully launched public and private initiatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy conservation. Commerce Locke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a law degree from Boston University. Secretary Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomi- d. Promoting progressive domestic busi- nation of Gary Locke as U.S. Commerce ness policies and growth. Secretary by unanimous consent on Mar. e. Improving comprehension and uses Clinton goes 24. Locke is the first Chinese American to of the physical environment and its oceanic serve as Commerce Secretary. He will be an life. to Asia on first important member of the Obama administra- f. Ensuring effective use and growth tion’s economic team. of the Nation’s scientific and technical trip as The Department of Commerce Web resources. energy and climate change during her talks site includes a page on the Department’s g. Acquiring, analyzing, and dissemi- Secretary of with President Hu Jintao and Chinese Prime organization and nating information regarding the Nation Minister Wen Jiabao. mission. The De- and the economy to help achieve increased State Also in remarks after meeting with Yang, partment’s func- social and economic benefit. Hillary Clinton chose to visit Asia on Clinton said, “Our bilateral relationships tion is described h. Assisting states, communities, and her first trip as U.S. Secretary of State. cover a broad range of issues, but we make this way: individuals with economic progress. Clinton said about the decision, “I chose clear to all nations, including China, that a The historic The Commerce Department oversees to go to Asia deliberately in order to send mutual and collective commitment to human mission of the De- other areas such as the country’s transition that message that we are reaching out. We rights is important to bettering our world as partment is “to fos- to digital television, oceans policy, and do see Asia as part of America’s future.” our efforts on security, global economics, ter, promote, and weather forecasts. On the trip Secretary Clinton visited Japan, energy, climate change, and other pressing develop the for- Locke, 59, is committed to accuracy in Indonesia, South Korea and China. issues. With that in mind, Foreign Minister Gary Locke eign and domestic the 2010 U.S. Census, “The census only Clinton and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang and I discussed the resumption of the commerce” of the happens once every 10 years and we need to Yang Jiechi discussed the upcoming meeting human rights dialogue between our two United States. This has evolved, as a result get it right -- no exceptions, no excuses.” of U.S. President Barak Obama and Chinese countries. While we may disagree on these of legislative and administrative additions, He has also promised Congress that the President Hu Jintao at the G20 economic issues, open discussions will continue to be a to encompass broadly the responsibility transition to digital television will be com- summit in London. China is the top holder key part of our approach. And human rights to foster, serve, and promote the Nation’s pleted by the new June 12 deadline, but he of U.S. Treasury bills with almost US$696.2 is part of our comprehensive agenda.” economic development and technological admits that there are still many people who billion as of December. Japan follows with Despite the points of disagreement, such advancement. The Department fulfills this are not prepared for the switch. US$578.3 billion. Clinton asked that China as human rights, Tibet, and the incident mission by: Locke is excited about being part of the continue to buy securities from the U.S. between the U.S. ship, Impeccable, and Chi- a. Participating with other Government White House China Team with Secretary of Treasury. nese vessels, the main message of Clinton’s agencies in the creation of national policy, State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary “By continuing to support American visit to China was cooperation. through the President’s Cabinet and its Timothy Geithner. Treasury instruments the Chinese are rec- Clinton stated that, “the United States subdivisions. Locke was President Obama’s third ognizing our interconnection. We are truly intends to work together with China to build b. Promoting and assisting international choice for Commerce Secretary. New going to rise or fall together,” Clinton said a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive trade. Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and The United States and China are the top relationship, and to work together with c. Strengthening the international eco- New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg both two emitters of greenhouse gases, so it is no China to address common challenges and nomic position of the United States. withdrew their nominations.  surprise that Clinton also addressed clean seize common opportunities.” 

Lovers from Page 1 the highest integrity, morality and demeanor, rated again. About Gary Locke coupled with well-refined abilities and skills For thousand of years, its theme of the both in martial arts and academia -- the pursuit of knowledge, admiration of love Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke missions to Asia, Mexico and Europe, sig- kind of relationship that Zhu and Liang had and appreciation of life has moved people’s is a tireless and successful champion of nificantly expanding the sales of Washing- achieved. When the time came for Zhu to hearts. The devious plot, vivid characters American products, services and jobs. As ton products and services. He successfully return home, the pair is overcome with much and ingenious storyline have made it a the popular two-term governor of the na- fostered economic relations between China suppressed sadness. Zhu offers her younger classic for many Chinese. The Butterfly tion’s most trade-dependent state, Locke and Washington State. His visits are credited sister’s hand in marriage and entreats Liang Lovers is a treasure of Chinese folk litera- broke down trade barriers around the world with introducing Washington companies to to visit her residence to discuss the issue ture and art. to advance American products. Locke has China and helping more than double the with her parents. Liang is unaware that The Butterfly Lovers originated in the worked closely with business, labor and state’s exports to China to over US$5 billion Zhu is female nor that she does not have a Jin Dynasty about 1,600 years ago, and government at all levels to successfully per year. He also opened a Washington State younger sister. (She is, in fact, offering her mainly spread through Ningbo, Shangyu, negotiate complex issues. trade office in Germany to advance trade own hand in marriage.) Hangzhou, Yixing, Jining, Runan and others For the past four years, Locke has been relations with European countries. A year passes before Liang makes his cities. Through time it has been enriched, a successful business advocate and adviser, Locke is widely praised in Washington way to Zhu’s residence. He is overjoyed to and people even built gravestones and helping U.S. companies break into inter- State for winning a nationwide competi- realize Zhu’s true identity and that she is in temples for the couple. This story, the most national markets, particularly in Asia, and tion to win production of Boeing’s newest love with him. However, happiness turns influential folk tale in China, is also known expand their international business. A part- jetliner, the 787, which created thousands into sorrow as the two soon discover that in Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Japan, Singapore ner in the Seattle office of the international of jobs in the state. Locke successfully Zhu has been betrothed to another man. In and Indonesia. law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, aligned leaders from state, county and local great sadness, the two lovers meet at the Thus the Chinese have come to revere Locke co-chairs the firm’s China practice government, businesses and unions, com- tower and lament their great misfortune. the butterfly and by sharing this story we and is active in its governmental relations munities and tribes in this comprehensive, Upon his return to Hangzhou, Liang falls hope it will provide you with a culturally- practice. successful effort. ill in his great misery and dies. When Zhu enriching experience and explain why the Locke was elected Washington’s 21st As part of his considerable trade and hears of this on her wedding day, she flees to Butterfly School Project was added as an governor in 1996, making him the first economic development efforts, Locke his grave. There, legend has it that her tears activity for A Passage to China. Also, as part Chinese American governor in U.S. history launched Washington’s Competitiveness move the heavens so much that the clouds of the fashion show that will be part of this and the first Asian American governor on the Council with business and labor leaders themselves shed tears over Zhu’s grief. event, clothing that would have been worn mainland. In 2000, Locke was overwhelm- working together to effectively position Then, the earth beneath her cracks open and by Shangbo and Yingtai will be on display. ingly re-elected to a second term. He served Washington State for success at home and the ill-fated Zhu commits suicide by jump- See back page for complete details on A as chair of the Democratic Governors Asso- around the world. During the eight years of ing into the open grave. Miraculously, the Passage to China. ciation and gave the Democratic response to the Locke Administration, the state gained  pair is transformed into butterflies. Arising Editor’s Note: For additional informa- the State of the Union address in 2003. 280,000 jobs. into the sky, they flutter and dance side by tion on The Butterfly Lovers go to http:// To open doors for Washington State Locke personally negotiated and signed side among the flowers, never to be sepa- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_Lovers businesses, Locke led 10 productive trade a Washington State-Canada salmon treaty PAGE 4 > APRIL 2009 events www.chinainsight.info 1000 wishes to take flight at Harriet Island for the 3rd annual Earth Day celebration: Wishes for the Sky and ringing a house full of wind chimes. bile in the sky. “House to Touch the Wind” This coming-of-spring tradition has become is a temporary sculpture made of bamboo a leader and model for producing zero-waste and hundreds of wind chimes. The public events. Saint Paul Parks & Recreation has plays this large musical instrument to create started using the event as a benchmark to a soundscape that rings throughout Harriet inspire other “green” events. Last year, 2200 Island. There are additional activities. attendees made only 12 pounds of trash. Wishes for the Sky was founded in 2007 What: A family-friendly, public art by Saint Paul’s Public Artist-In-Residence Poetry scroll: “Peace for the world” event that promotes peace and earth- Marcus Young, in collaboration with chore- mindfulness ographer Shen Pei, architect Peter Kramer, Parks & Recreation, Public Art Saint Paul, Writing a wish on a kite Who: Open to the public and many other local artists. The event is and Eureka Recycling, along with support A thousand wishes will create a large- Cost: FREE presented in partnership with Saint Paul of several community organizations. scale work of art at Harriet Island this spring. When: Sunday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. - Kites are provided. Food and beverages Wishes for the Sky is an annual, interactive 4:30 p.m. (rain or shine) will be sold at the event. Visitors pack- public art experience celebrating Earth Where: Harriet Island, 75 W Water ing their own lunch are asked to “pack it Day alongside the Mississippi River. It is Street, Saint Paul green” (http://www.wishesforthesky.org/ the Twin Cities’ annual day of wishing—a Visitors are encouraged to bike, bus or zerowaste). joyful day for the community to enliven walk to the event. Travel information can be For more information, contact Vonda their relationship with the earth and with found at www.wishesforthesky.org Vaden [email protected], each other. Wishes for the Sky is a public art experi- 612-247-1448. At Wishes for the Sky, visitors become ence that invites everyone to participate in Visit the Web site at re-enchanted with the world by making making a work of public art. Participants www.wishesforthesky.org.  wishes and promises, flying kites, creating write wishes on hand-made, bird-shaped a collective sound collage, reading poetry, kites and fly them to create an evolving mo- Kites flying wishes

Confucius Institute MTO presents China offers three new Practicum On Wednesday, April 8, the Minnesota China’s market. Trade Office, again presents its most popular Taught by a team of seasoned interna- classes and longest running seminar: “The China tional trade professionals and experts on Here are the current class offerings of Are you a foodie? When you sit down at Practicum: A Compact Course on China.” China, the course provides the basic frame- the Confucius Institute at the University of a Chinese restaurant, do you know what to The seminar content has been updated with work for understanding: Minnesota. do? This class will help you read a Chinese the latest information on this rapidly chang- > China’s economy menu, follow Chinese culinary customs and ing and dynamic juggernaut that is China. > China’s cultural values, attitudes and Chinese Rehab introduce China’s regional cuisines. Stu- The “China Practicum” is a day-long im- beliefs Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5 - dents will put their skills to the test during mersion course providing a basic framework > China’s intellectual property rights Register for any or all classes. the final session, when we meet for a ban- for understanding the intricacies of doing regime 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. quet at a Chinese restaurant. business in China. > Market entry and successful business US$15/class With the world’s largest population, one operation in China Does your Chinese need to go to re- Chinese for Travelers of the largest and most steadily expanding Whether applied in long-distance busi- hab? This is an informal conversation group Tuesdays: May 5, 12, 19, 26 economies, a rising standard of living, an ness transactions or face-to-face meetings for adults who want to restore their Chinese 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. increasingly consumer-driven appetite for with potential Chinese customers, distribu- language skills. If you have lived in China or US$80 foreign goods, and a government commit- tors or partners, these valuable insights are studied Chinese in the past, this group can Are you planning a trip to China? Would ted to sweeping economic and trade reform, certain to make your dealings more smooth, help you bring zhongwen back into your you like to? This class will introduce key there’s little question that China is the most professional and productive. life. Refresh your memory and practice phrases and practical vocabulary that you promising emerging market on the planet. Visit http://www.exportminnesota.com having conversations around a topic of your are likely to put to use on the streets of Already one of Minnesota’s top export for more information and to pre-register. choice with our instructor and others like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong. Lessons destinations, China is the focus of ever Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the you. Pay for only the sessions attended. will integrate language and culture so that heightened interest from the state’s manu- seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to you will be prepared to make the most of facturers, service providers and agricultural 3:30 p.m. at MTO’s conference center on Put Away the Picture Menu! - your trip. groups, many of which see the profit po- the 2nd Floor-Skyway Level in the 1st Na- Understanding China’s Food Culture For more information visit tential and are eager to stake a claim in this tional Bank Bldg., at 332 Minnesota St., St. Mondays: April 6, 13, 20, 27 www.confucius.umn.edu  6:30 - 8:00 p.m. vast market. Unfortunately, for companies Paul, MN 55101-1351. The fee is US$75 US$100 unfamiliar with the complexities of doing if pre-registered, or US$95 if registering business in China, mistakes can be costly at the door, including handouts, breakfast and success elusive. and lunch. Advance registration is highly The Minnesota Trade Office’s China recommended. Minhua-Minnesota China Academy Practicum course can provide essential For questions on seminar content, call background that every company must have Mr. Li King Feng, 651-259-7484 / accepting applications for 2009 in order to make sound business decisions 800-657-3858, or e-mail li.king.feng@ Chinese Language and Culture Camp about whether, when and how to enter state.mn.us. The theme of the 2009 Minhua-MCA the Chinese “money” at the camp store. July 20– 24, 2009 at Macalester College of is April 15. Registration requires a US$50 Chinese Culture Camp is Colorful China: Participants will learn about Chinese St. Paul. This camp is for children ages 6 – non-refundable deposit and full tuition is its ethnic groups, folk cultures, arts and lit- water-color painting, Chinese paper-cut/ 13 (completed kindergarten through Grade due by May 15. erature. Children can learn Chinese, “visit” Peking Opera mask making, handcrafts, 6). The fee for day camp only is US$170 For more information contact: China, “meet” people there and “experi- Chinese flute music, abacus, KungFu, – Tuition: US$160 + US$10 Registration [email protected], ence” the beauty of Chinese folk cultures, outdoor exercises, games, Chinese dramas, Fee. The fee for day camp with after care 651-442-9517 or 612-801-8607. Or visit arts and literature. They can also earn Chi- songs, and more. is US$200– Tuition: US$190 + US$10 the MCA Web site: nese “money” by speaking Chinese, and use The Chinese Language Culture Camp is Registration Fee. The registration deadline http://mnchinaacademy.org.  www.chinainsight.info education APRIL 2009 > PAGE 5 Yinghua Academy BOOKS celebrates The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned New Year Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Students gave three separate perfor- By Karin Evans, mances over the two days. Each class Preface by Anchee Min performed traditional New Year’s songs and Synopsis of readers as they navigated the process of dances, recited Chinese stories or performed “Breathtaking- adopting from China. However, much has skits and plays that highlight the holiday’s an unforgettable changed in terms of the Chinese govern- traditions. The festivities ended with a story.”-Iris Chang, ment’s policies on adoption since this book Lion Dance, performed by the professional author of The Rape was originally published and in this revised Chinese dancers from Ha Family Enter- of Nanking and updated edition Evans addresses these tainment. Students and family members In 1997 jour- developments. Also new to this edition is a received an apple and hongbao, the red Chinese New Year is the longest and nalist Karin Evans riveting chapter in which she describes her Chinese lucky money envelope that serves most important celebration in the Chinese walked into an or- return to China in 2000 to adopt her second as a token of well wishes and blessings for calendar, and for two days this celebration phanage in south- daughter who was nearly three at the time. the New Year. came to life at a St. Paul school. In February ern China and met Many of the first girls to be adopted from This is the year of the Ox and anyone the students of Yinghua Academy, a Chinese her new daughter, China are now in the teens (China only born this year is said to be unswervingly immersion elementary charter school, cre- a beautiful one-year-old baby girl. In this opened its doors to adoption in the 1990s), patient, tireless in work, and capable of ated their own New Year. The celebration fateful moment Evans became part of a and this edition includes accounts of their enduring any amount of hardship without included a traditional New Year’s meal of profound, increasingly common human experiences growing up in the United States complaint. jiaozi, a Chinese dumpling and noodles. drama that links abandoned Chinese girls and, in some cases, of returning to China in Yinghua Academy is a tuition-free Students also learned and exchanged special with foreigners who have traveled many search of their roots. charter public school. For more information New Year’s greetings and watched movies miles to complete their families. Illuminating the real-life stories behind contact 651-379-4112 or visit about the celebration in China. The school At once a compelling personal narrative the statistics, The Lost Daughters of China http://www.yinghuaacademy.org was decorated with traditional New Year’s  and an evocative portrait of contemporary is an unforgettable account of the red thread decorations along with other items the stu- China, The Lost Daughters of China has also that winds form China’s orphanages to lov- dents made for the occasion. served as an invaluable guide for thousands ing families around the globe.

A Comrade Lost and Found: A Beijing Story By Jan Wong Synopsis Thirty-three years later, hoping to make A journalist’s amends, Wong revisits the Chinese capital, search through Bei- with her husband and teenage sons in tow, jing for the class- to search for the person who has haunted mate she betrayed her conscience. At the very least, she wants during the Cultural to discover whether Yin survived. But Revolution reveals Wong finds the city bewildering—ancient three decades of landmarks have made way for luxury Chinese transfor- condominiums. In the new Beijing, phone XinXing Academy mation. numbers, addresses, and even names change In the early with startling frequency. In a society deter- 1970s, at the height mined to bury the past, Yin Luoyi will be celebrates Chinese of the Cultural Revolution, Jan Wong trav- hard to find. eled from Canada to become one of only As she traces her way from one former two Westerners permitted to study at Beijing comrade to the next, Wong unearths not University. One day a fellow student, Yin only the fate of the woman she betrayed but New Year Luoyi, asked for help getting to the United a web of fates that mirrors the strange and States. Wong, then a starry-eyed Maoist, dramatic journey of contemporary China immediately reported her to the authorities, and rekindles all of her love for—and disil- and shortly thereafter Yin disappeared. lusionment with—her ancestral land.

China By Marco Moretti Synopsis poses the overpopulated plains of the east Enthusiasm for with the marvels of the west – the forests and the free market and blue lakes of Sichuan, the Himalayan peaks the rediscovery of and Tibetan plateaus, valleys and forests, the traditions mark the deserts and Celestial Mountains of Xinjiang, new China. Red and the breathtaking Guilin Mountains. flags have given And then there are the great rivers: the way to red lanterns, Huanghe (Yellow River), the source of the Communism has creation myth of the Han, and the Yangtze been reduced to a (Blue River), which divides the country into diminishing overlay on a country in which north and south and defines the landscape nationalism and Confucian pragmatism of the Three Gorges, long celebrated in fuel the drive toward a future in which Chinese literature and painting. This stretch long-held traditions are not entirely lost. of the Yangtze is now the world’s biggest This is China in the Third Millennium: a construction site. mix of the ancient and the futuristic, where China is an overpopulated country: cities with skylines that look like backdrops more than 60 metropolises have popula- to sci-fi movies coexist with millennia-old tions exceeding 5 million inhabitants. It “Great is the man who has not lost monuments and values that have remained is also an outdoor museum whose artistic his childlike heart.” ...Mencius unchanged for centuries. The nation’s immense territory juxta- BOOKS continues on Page 7 PAGE 6 > APRIL 2009 environment www.chinainsight.info Water: The Ultimate Solution A report on the progress of the South-to-North Water By Li Songbai & Gao Yan, China Today

Water is the source of life, and without along the way. This route will connect all government required substantial pollution with the least amount of investment from it life could not survive. Despite China’s the lakes along the way – Hongze, Luoma, control to be conducted simultaneously with the government. natural wealth, it has always had a serious Nansi and Dongping. After Dongping Lake, work on the project. water shortage, and as a result water has the route will branch into two parts. The Later, at the instruction of the State occupied a special place in the Chinese northbound canal – [717 miles] long – will Council, which stated “economize water imagination since ancient times. Yu the cross the Yellow River to Tianjin via the first, transport water second, pollution con- Great, a legendary figure who lived during tunnel through Mount Wei in Shandong. The trol first, water use second,” the provincial the 21st century B.C., became a national [435-mile] eastern bound canal will flow via government made a list of 102 key pollution hero for his engineering success in subduing the network in eastern Shandong to deliver control projects. Up to now, 90 percent of floods. Many impressive water conservancy water to Yantai and Weihai. the projects on the list have been completed, projects have been built in China throughout covering all the towns and cities along the the centuries, such as the 2,000-year-old route. This spectacular progress, marked by Dujiangyan reservoir, and the Grand Canal the completion of four key constructions The Jiangdu water conservancy pivot, at the during the Sui Dynasty. In spite of these at Jiangdu, Suqian, Huai’an and Xuzhou, source of the eastern route. magnificent feats, however, China continues will guarantee the quality of the water to to suffer periodic shortages, which seriously be delivered. Technical innovation is the most notable hinders its progress. “Our guiding principle is to send clean feature of the south-to-north water project. It “The south has abundant water, while water, not to relocate pollution sources,” has also laid a solid foundation for quicker the north has little,” said Chairman Mao one engineer said. Another plan, which has progress in Jiangsu. Zedong in October 1952 after listening to already begun, is to prevent possible pollu- a report about a possible strategy to tackle Luoma Lake, storage reservoir for the tion the moment water enters the Yangtze Relocating People while Protecting the shortage. “Why not borrow some from eastern route. and the sea. This will guarantee that the Their Rights the south?” Following this remark, a heated All eight construction sites of the project lower reaches of the Yangtze and coastal The south-to-north water project is an debate began concerning the South-to-North in Jiangsu are proceeding at top speed. Most waters will be free of pollution. enormous one, requiring large numbers of Water Diversion Project. of the investments, [about US$3.7 million] people to be relocated along its way. Just After 50 years of debate, research and in total, have been made. The Sanyang- An Experimental Site for New along its eastern route in Jiangsu, it involves planning, the largest water conservancy Tonghe-Baoying section was the first to be Technologies six cities, 25 counties and three large farms. project in Chinese history was finalized. started, to be completed and to function. The south-to-north water project is a About 7,000 acres of land needs to be Three routes – the western, the central and hugely complicated engineering feat that requisitioned, and 700,000 square meters the eastern – are to be built to bring water involves environmental protection, water of housing pulled down, affecting some from the upper, middle and lower reaches pollution control, relocation of people, pro- 200,000 residents. Without a comprehensive of the Yangtze River. tection of historical relics, water efficiency, and scientific plan, a smooth relocation of Once completed, these routes will con- tapping underground water and industrial people is impossible. nect the Yangtze, the Huaihe, the Yellow and structural change. The difficulties and tech- To guarantee smooth progress of the the Haihe rivers into an immense network, nical demands constitute tremendous chal- project, while not neglecting the rights of which may finally quench the country’s lenges to the construction and the workers those affected, the leaders of Jiangsu at the endemic thirst. On Dec. 27, 2002, after engaged in it, requiring many innovative provincial, municipal and county levels have repeated discussions and verifications, the ideas and the best work possible. firmly followed state policy and the law con- impressive South-to-North Water Diversion Sanyang River, along the eastern route. Change and opportunity often travel cerning people’s rights. All compensation Project began with its eastern and central hand in hand. All the construction sites have has been effected in a transparent manner. routes as the initial stages. The engineering focus for Jiangsu this been turned into testing grounds for innova- The aim is not simply to relocate people, Six years later, the project has made year is on water source and the places that tive ideas, and they have been rewarded with but to make sure they are well provided for quick and steady progress. Its eastern route connect the constructions of other prov- many top-quality results. From the begin- and settle into their new lives successfully. in Jiangsu is nearly complete, and is sched- inces, and to accomplish the first objective ning, while still in the design stage, all the Leaders at all levels have a clear-cut respon- uled to begin delivering water north in late – delivering water of good quality and in construction projects in Jiangsu adopted a sibility to conduct follow-up checks. This 2008. On hearing the news, a China Today satisfactory quantity. The completed Jiangsu new market-oriented working mechanism. practice guarantees that people’s interests reporter immediately rushed to the construc- section, with both the old and the newly Every project is awarded through public are not violated in any way. tion site for a first-hand report. added parts, will be able to send water out bidding, and only the best company receives So far, the relocation program has of the province by the end of this year. a contract. For building pumping stations, progressed smoothly. There have been no The First Stage Nearly Complete public bidding was involved from the outset, serious disputes at any level. Because of Examining the construction map pro- A Clean, Pollution-free Route from their design to the solving of challeng- the government’s care, those who have been vided by the State Council, the routes If we liken the south-to-north water proj- ing technical problems, and this practice relocated have actually experienced a rise in resemble a necklace, with key engineering ect to a necklace, then all of its constructions has brought about many award-winning their living standards, and the local indus- sites along the way its pearls. Although they must be pearls of the highest quality. One constructions at national and provincial trial structure has experienced a welcome all appear the same on the schematic, on the substandard structure will ruin the whole. levels. change. To local people, the south-to-north ground these “pearls” are quite different The south-to-north water project in- Among them, the Jiangdu water con- water project is not just delivering water, it from each other. volves two considerations – delivering water servancy pivot, the biggest electric power is bringing happiness as well.  On a beautiful autumn day, while and pollution control. The former involves irrigation work in the Far East, already 50 Reprinted by permission of China construction was going full steam on the expanding and improving current facilities, years old, has been modernized to be one Today. www.chinatoday.com.cn Jiangsu section, we arrived and were kindly with 14 pumping stations either to be built of the most effective in the country, and received by the engineers in charge of the or to be enlarged. When these constructions construction, and those who will be respon- are completed, two routes will be ready to sible for the water supply once the project deliver water. is completed. Pollution control will involve control of One local official explained Jiangsu’s the Huaihe River, with 26 water processing historic role in supplying water to the plants to be built to treat water discharged parched north. According to him, the con- from cities, a reworked industrial structure, struction in Jiangsu involves two parts: the and a comprehensive project to cover all original Yangtze River network that diverts industries, rivers and lakes along the way. water north, and new constructions. As far Pollution control tops the list of pri- back as the 1950s, Jiangsu started to divert orities for the south-to-north water project, the Yangtze River to ease water shortage in which began simultaneously with its con- northern Jiangsu. The idea for the current struction. project is to expand and extend the existing The eastern route of the project involves diversion network. the current Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Ca- The eastern route will fetch water from nal, which connects the Yangtze and the Yangzhou, a city on the lower reaches of the Huaihe Rivers. Waste discharge along the Yangtze, and then send it north via the Bei- way constitutes a threat to water quality. jing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the rivers Back in 2002, before the south-to-north parallel to it, lifting the water level 13 times water project began, the Jiangsu provincial www.chinainsight.info american-born chinese APRIL 2009 > PAGE 7 Religious reflections: Grandmas and Gods By Albert Leung, Staff Writer

I can’t say that I am a God-fearing found Shinto religion later in life. man. I am more curious about God and My maternal grandmother wasn’t a religion than anything else. My parents particularly religious woman until my aunt rarely showed a pious side unless during introduced her to Shinto about 15 years ago. someone’s funeral or straining times. Re- With that, she found her religious calling. ligious practices weren’t prevalent in my Shinto is a non-Buddhist religion originat- upbringing and only exposed to me by only ing from Japan. Having grown up in Tai- a few family members. I find now that I am wan when Japan occupied the country, her constantly in contention with what to believe lifestyle was shaped by a strong Japanese is true: fate or chance. cultural influence. Shinto connected with Despite being somewhat of a mathemati- her upbringing and managed to ignite her caster, my mind always jars over whether religiously. She would have morning and bizarre life occurrences are indeed divine evening prayer rituals every day which I intervention or merely dictated by prob- could hear throughout the house. Once she Short-Term Chinese and English ability theory. It is difficult to think that started to understand Shinto practices, she my life may be running a course which an convinced my parents, my sister and I to Language Research Award almighty being has already inscribed. I hope start exploring it as well. that I get some choice in matters concerning Program lets educators visit my entire existence. If something is actually watching me go about my vapid life, does it Taiwan tune in all the time? The National Council of State Supervi- 2009. Religion was never a subject I particu- sors for Language (NCSSFL) and the Cul- All applications will be peer reviewed larly wanted to understand more until my tural Division of the Taipei Economic and by NCSSFL and TECRO; the result will be late teens following my father’s passing. Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) notified by TECRO before May 31, 2009. My immediate family never spoke much jointly announce the Short-Term Chinese Questions should be addressed to: Mr. about the topic and the only memorable and English Andy Bi, Cultural Division, TECRO in the exposure to religion I’ve had was from my Language Re- United States, 4201 Wisconsin Ave., NW two grandmothers and my aunt. My paternal search Award #20, Washington , DC 20016, Tel: (202) grandmother was an unwaveringly devoted Author with his mother, left, and his ma- P r o g r a m . 895-1916 / Fax: (202) 895-1922, E-mail: Buddhist and my maternal grandmother has ternal grandmother This is a pi- [email protected]  piously practiced Shinto for almost 15 years. lot program Each played a strong role in introducing me For a short time during my childhood, that will offer to religion as a child. my father, mother, sister and I tried to prac- five Ameri- ASIAN My first religious exposure, that I can tice Shinto with my grandma. My grandma can educa- recall, was with my was living with us at the time and she would tional admin- BLOOD DONERS grandma on my fa- remind us to pray or to join her. As a family istrators or ther’s side. She was unit we’d recite a small part of the Lotus school teach- Individuals of multi-ethnic the most gracious Sutra over and over for 15 to 30 minutes. ers, selected descent (Asian, Pacific Island- and kind-hearted As a child, I couldn’t grasp the reasoning by NCSSFL and TECRO to visit Taiwan and er, Hispanic/Latino, African person I’ve ever behind praying or understand the religion. I conduct research on either Chinese or Eng- known. She regu- only understood, from what they said to me, lish language teaching and learning. Each American, Mixed Race) are larly retreated to the was that it would only do me good. Unsure award will include economy class round-trip desperately needed to register local temple to pray of what I should think about while reciting, airfare and a daily living expense allowance as potential marrow/stem cell and aid the local I focused on listening to my mom’s or my (US$200 per day/approx. NT$6,000 per day) donors. monks. As a tyke sister’s voices. Sometimes I’d think about for the duration of the research period in Yo u c o u l d b e t h e o n e Author, as a young she taught me how school, TV shows or going outside to play Taiwan, which may be as long as 3 weeks. boy with his paternal to correctly hold with my friends. We attempted to stick to This grant, sponsored by the Ministry of t o s a v e a l i f e b y grandmother the incense; how to the rituals and the prayers but after a brief Education of R.O.C.(Taiwan), is designed to appropriately bow; stint we fell out of practice. None of us have encourage American educational administra- registering a s a how many times to bow; whether I should picked it up again since. tors or school teachers to undertake research p o t e n t i a l d o n o r . be on my knees; who I was praying to; and This is as close to devout as I have ever projects in Taiwan and further elevate Chi- how to insert the incense into the incense been. In my younger days, it wasn’t an inter- nese and English language education in both Call 1-800-59-DONOR toll free holder. One of my fondest memories of est I felt like exploring. Now, though, as I countries. for more information. my grandma, besides the squeamish cheek come to understand the world through life pinches, were these words, “If you’re ever experiences and see family members pass, Applicants must: BOOKS from Page 5 suffering, in pain or stressed, just pray to I’ve become intrigued in my grandmothers’ (1) Be full-time administrators or lan- Guan Yin and she will help you.” This I beliefs. My mother says that my grandma guage teachers of public schools in the and architectural heritage is blended with practice occasionally and, whether it is the on my father’s side never imposed her be- United States; history and faith. On this subcontinent of merciful Guan Yin or not, it does manage liefs onto anyone but rather taught you and (2) Personally apply in writing for a peoples and races, religions and ethnic to quell my soul. The effect could also be brought you to the temple if asked. Unfor- grant, and must carry out his/her own re- groups, it is difficult to find a single com- because of how those words remind me of tunately, I don’t have that opportunity now, search, which is neither part of a contractual mon thread: China instead offers thousands my gentle-spirited grandma. which saddens me a bit. Though despite or commissioned research, nor part of his/ of stories to tell, thousands of windows to Despite growing up with her influence, that fact, I don’t necessarily feel lost either. her formal program of studies leading to a open, and thousands of different journeys to my father wasn’t much of a believer. Most I am in a comfortable place and enjoy the degree; undertake. It is an immense tableau, illus- of his siblings are similar to him and don’t challenge in seeking more understanding. (3) It is the responsibility of the ap- trated in this volume through the power of exhibit much of a religious side. One of But in the end, I think I must realize that plicant to identify a Taiwanese counterpart spectacular images accompanied by highly his older sisters converted to Catholicism, some things that occur in the universe can’t and to make all arrangements related to the informative texts. though she doesn’t talk much about it. My be explained. Some things just happen and implementation of his/her research project, This book offers the reader evoca- father never spoke about God, Buddhism maybe neither science nor religion has a TECRO will provide necessary assistance tive itineraries that open the doors to the or anything religious. I’m not sure if it was good explanation. in making contacts or referral.; drama and splendor of China’s dramatic just his way of rebelling against his mother (4) Upon completion of the project, and past and also the freedom to wander in or that it never grasped him. Similarly, my “You should examine yourself daily. If you no later than October 31, 2009, a copy of the reverie amid the treasures and beauties of mother grew up without much interest in find faults, you should correct them. When research report must be sent to the Cultural one of the world’s largest and most diverse religion either. Partly it was because her you find none, you should try even harder.” Division of TECRO; countries.  mother hadn’t had much interest in it till she ...Xi Zhi (5) Application Deadline: April 30, Source: BarnesandNoble.com PAGE 8 > APRIL 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info Artists capture SCSU students spirit through watch Yao Ming’s Chinese brushwork performance at By Albert Leung, Staff Writer

raditional Chinese brushwork The exhibition served as an opportunity Target Center to Hong Zhang is not solely an for Kwan to admire all the hard work and By Feng Yin and Jiawen Wang, St. Cloud State University freshmen artistic expression involving memorable pieces that she and her fellow TChinese history and prose. It students have created over the years. With Editor’s Note: Long before Mar. 1, when the Minnesota Timberwolves hosted the Hous- is merely a channel, a means, an art form each piece, she described, she reflects on the ton Rockets and Yao Ming at Target center, a group of Chinese undergraduate students where life, cultures and personal histories stories behind how it came to be. With every (many freshmen) at SCSU wanted only one thing: to watch Yao Ming play in person for can be depicted. Zhang teaches his students name of the artist she saw inscribed on the the first time in their lives. Richard He, president of China Insight, introduced them to to not only master the traditional brushwork gallery walls filled her with pride. Patrick Floey from Minnesota Timberwolves Group Ticket Sales to help the group get the techniques but to also explore how to ap- “I am very happy and grateful to be part best seats available. Feng Yin and Jiawen, two freshmen from Hunan Province, China, ply it for expressing their individuality and of a great exhibition with such exquisite art- volunteered to cover the event and game for China Insight. Jiawen took numerous photos backgrounds. He tells his students to infuse ists,” Kwan said. “The work by my teacher and wrote the article with Yin. Yin planned the trip, including purchasing tickets, renting their own culture, history and passion into and fellow classmates amazes me everyday a bus, and handling logistics. Over 20 students arrived at Target Center via charter bus their pieces. and I am so impressed by the works that around 5 p.m. and left for SCSU around 10 p.m. after the game. Throughout the month of March, Zhang were displayed.”  and 11 of his students exhibited their talents Editor’s Note: Chinese brush painter cool that Yao blocks the shots, it shows the and labors at the Bloomington Art Center. Hong Zhang will be painting at A Passage All-Star Player’s quality.” After watching Choosing a mix of Caucasian and American- to China. the match, they still could not help talking born Chinese students, Zhang held his first about the match on bus. Everybody said that art exhibition with his protégées together. if there is any other chance to come to see The showcase, Chi: Capturing the Spirit, ran Yao’s performance, they would definitely from February 27 to April 3, 2009. The goal like to go. Most of them enjoyed the atmo- was to see what each of his students could sphere of watching the NBA live. They were accomplish based on their unique personal happy and excited. backgrounds. Students featured in the exhibition in- About the authors cluded Paula Mason, Ming Lin, Joan Weber, SCSU students at the Target Center Yin Feng: A die hard basketball fan Ye Lisi, Bob Schmitt, Irene Sukee Wong, from Loudi, Hunan Province, China. 19 Julia Wong, Mary Kwan, Sandy Kwan, Kitty “Hurrah!” With this excited cry our trip Part of Sandy Kwan exhibit years old, freshman at SCSU. First time to Matthews and Joanne Ke-Eng Liu. The to the Target Center to see the performance watch an NBA game (on TV, of course) in paternalistic teacher was more thrilled to by Yao Ming began. Before the trip, we 2004, this was the first time to watch the showcase the work of his pupils rather than spent a long time talking with many friends NBA in person. Really enjoyed NBA, and his own. Zhang fondly expressed gratifica- who wanted to watch the game; got the head loved the amazing performance showed in tion for his students’ dedication and work count and purchased the best seats available NBA. they displayed. with the help of China Insight. Then we Jiawen Wang: From Changsha, Hunan “I am very proud of my students and was discussed how to get Target Center with Province, China. Enjoy watching NBA excited to see their work in the gallery. For this group of 20 plus students. We had two games, especially Yao’s performance. Fresh- many of them this was their first art exhibi- options: one was by taxi, it’s expensive man at SCSU.  tion,” Zhang gleamed. and the group would be isolated on 6-7 Trained at the Shanghai Fine Arts Insti- taxis; another option was by charter bus. We finally decided to go by charter bus. tute, Zhang taught for many years in China Bamboo painting before relocating to Minnesota. Upon his We gathered at the SCSU library parking arrival, he first started teaching a group of Part of Mary Kwan exhibit lot and boarded the bus at 3:30 p.m. and American- born Chinese students and a col- started the journey. lege course at the University of Minnesota The game ended up with 105-94, where he taught Caucasian students. His Houston Rockets beating Minnesota Tim- teaching career spans nearly 15 years. berwolves. During the whole match, Yao “My goal as a teacher is to not only teach Ming towered over the Timberwolves by them how to correctly use the brush but 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks, which also how to use their inner energy through recorded a season-high blocked shots. And practice,” Zhang said. “I want my students his career high is 8. SCSU students aboard the bus to appreciate Chinese culture and this dif- During the whole game, Yao did a good ficult writing (style).” job. On the aspect of offense, Yao pushed Throughout his teaching career, Zhang and shoved Love all over the paint until has also preached the extended benefits he got into position for easy hook shots through studying traditional Chinese brush- and layups. On the aspect of defense, Yao work form. For example, to show how con- get three shots away from Love and chal- centration learned through calligraphy can lenged countless others. In the first period, help students’ in their studies, he asked two Yao scored 6 points; in the second period, younger pupils to participate in the exhibit, Yao scored 6 points; in the third period, Yao eighth grader Julia Wong and high school scored 3 points. junior Ming Lin. We got a chance to interview the team Mary Kwan, 23, a Zhang protégé for and Yao Ming at the guest locker room. about 10 years, was one of the 11 students During the interview, Yao said, “I think they featured in the exhibition. For Kwan, used me well. Not just saying passing me Calligraphy implements Zhang’s lessons have more than allowed her the ball, but my teammates really used me to connect to her Chinese roots artistically, well. They used me, the double team, to get but also inspire her to apply these teachings open looks for the rest of the team.” in her life as well. What is more, he also said that team- “Chinese calligraphy is not only about work is very important, because he and his the art but also the culture, language and teammates communicated before the match, history,” Kwan said. “I once told my teacher they cooperated well this night. And this can that he has not only taught me how to make make the whole team become stronger. Yao Ming strong brush strokes, but he has taught me The students from SCSU also praised to take these bold moves and carry it into that Yao did good well in this game. One my life.” of the students, Shoujie Cai said, “It’s so www.chinainsight.info culture APRIL 2009 > PAGE 9 The story behind Lion Dance By Liz Hum Editor’s Note: Many China Insight readers have seen a lion dance during the many Chinese New Year celebrations held recently throughout the Twin Cities area or a performance at A Passage to China. This article may give readers a better understanding of the lion dance and what it means to the Asian community.

lion then becomes protector of the village. competition didn’t exist (Ching) There is a different story involving the lion Even though there is far less contact and a Buddhist monk as well. Both are on in Lion dance competitions, it is still a a quest for a mythical mushroom (loong duel between rival lion dance troupes. The gi), which has great healing properties, and competitions allow schools to show off their happen to meet and join together. While on upper body strength by how powerfully the the quest, the monk teaches the lion Bud- lion head is shaken, their stance skills with dhism and in return, the lion protects the their fancy footwork, cunning and agility monk from harm. with how they get their lucky offering, and An alternate tale depicts the lion as a even their fighting skills by knocking a rival heavenly creature, always causing trouble lion on its butt. To them, lion dance is “. . . a and playing jokes on others. One day, the matter of pride and is taken very seriously” lion played a joke on the Jade Emperor and (French). angered the emperor so much, he cut off Kung fu schools were often very territo- the lion’s head. Kwan Yin, the goddess of rial. They were the protectors of whichever mercy took pity on the lion and used a red village or region they were in, and so having ribbon to reattach the lion’s head to its body. rival schools in the same area would prove She also gave it a horn on its forehead to to be competition when their services were fight with and a mirror to frighten away evil required. In traditional kung fu schools, spirits. The “beauty and the beast” archetype “...the students did not pay a fee. Instead, developed by renown psychoanalyst, Carl the club raised all its funding for the year by Jung can be applied to this myth. Kwan Yin competing in special lion dancing competi- saw the inner strength of the lion and also tions held during the Chinese New Year” became the lion’s anima. “The anima is a (French). This added factor of money made female within the subconscious of every lion dancing even more competitive. History and Origins such festivities explains how: male that serves as his guide in the sublimi- The lion is a symbol of “strength, cour- On every night of [the] first fifteen nights nal world” (Low). Much like the Buddhist age and wisdom” (French). The lion dance of the Lunar New Year, the village people monks, Kwan Yin taught the lion to become is performed during lunar New Years, open- of Bukcheong region used to perform lion good, and through their teachings, the lion ings of stores or restaurants, weddings, and dance. The dance troupe . . . would visit ev- became righteous and turned away from a various other celebrations and festivals. ery house in the village and look into every life of doing bad. The dance is to ward off any evil spirits and corner of the house, even into the barn and There is a direct historical connection demons, so as to bring good luck, happiness privy as if to eat up all malicious spirits between kung fu and Buddhism. It can be and prosperity. hidden in the house. When the exorcising noted that “it was in China that early systems There are many theories about the origins rite was over, the house owner would donate of health-giving breath and body exercises of lion dance, both historical and mythical. rice and filled sacks of rice were utilized as were developed by Buddhist monks to assist For example, “the first record of the perfor- the communal fund to support the village in the rigors of life and in the achievement mance of an early form of the Lion Dance festival, public affairs, scholarships, needy of meditational goals” (Zarrilli). Some prac- dates to the early Ch-in and Han Dynasties neighbors and old people. The owner would titioners have even joked about how kung (Third century BC)” (“Chinese”), where lion have his children ride on the lion’s back and fu was developed to liven up the civilian dance was used in the Great Exorcism. The would attach threads of five colors to its Buddhists, who would often have trouble Great Exorcism was an expulsion ceremony, mane wishing for their health and longev- staying awake while meditating. where “. . . demons, pestilences, droughts ity (Heo). Since kung fu is so closely related to and other evils lingering from the proceed- Unfortunately, such rituals have almost Buddhism, and there is also a connection ing year. . . ” (Bodde) were driven away. The disappeared and the elaborate rites are lost between those two with lion dance, it is Payment for lion dancing varied. The annual cleaning of the imperial palace, both to the modern world. Lion dance is popular obvious that lion dance would be closely traditional way of presenting payment is by physically and spiritually made use of the in practically all of East Asia, and anywhere associated with kung fu. Because of the ac- using lay see (li shir) in the form of a hung fierce mythological creature as well. else where there are Chinese people to robatic moves as well as strenuous stances, bao (lucky red envelope with the payment The belief of the exorcising powers spread the culture. Lion dance is seen more lion dancers must be in good physical condi- enclosed inside). This can usually be held of the lion ties in with Buddhist practices as a cultural activity than a spiritual and tion. Many of the stances and footwork also out and offered to the lion, or it can be tied as well. In 1644, when the Manchurians religious rite now. reflect kung fu moves, and so oftentimes to some real or pretend vegetables, such as took over China, Buddhist temples were On another note, since historical origins kung fu schools also do lion dance, but that loose leaf lettuce which the lion “eats.” Ac- destroyed and kung fu and lion dance prac- of lion dance are just as unclear, there are doesn’t mean all lion dance troupes know cording to lion dance sifu, Jane Hallander: titioners killed or scattered (Low). Out of several mythological approaches to explain kung fu, nor do all kung fu schools teach This tradition dates back to the Ching fear, survivors did not openly associated the origin of lion dance. During the Tang lion dance. In accordance with the Bud- dynasty when Chinese patriots were rebel- themselves with Buddhism anymore and Dynasty, the emperor had dreamed that a dhist exorcising powers that the lion has, ling against the Ching (Manchu) overlords. so opened martial arts schools and contin- creature had saved his life. When he de- kung fu masters used lion dance as means The lion dance was performed all over ued their kung fu practices as well as lion scribed the creature to his ministers, they to “...guard their villages with their fighting the area where the revolution was taking dance. Thus, lion dance is often associated told him it was a lion, and so the emperor skills, and also shield citizens from misfor- place. Under the cover of the festival, the more with kung fu rather than the religious commanded that they recreate the lion out tune on a mystical level” (Ching). This was “performers/revolutionaries” were ex- aspects of Buddhism. of bamboo and papier-mâché. Thus, the lion back when kung fu and lion dance were changing information and the money they Knowing the religious roots of lion became a symbol of good luck, happiness still strongly associated with the religious had collected from various rebel groups. In dance is important. But where did it come and prosperity. aspects of their Buddhist roots. those days the performers with the lion head from? Buddhism was brought to China from Another story involves a monster, Nian, would yell “choi Ching” (“get the Ching”) India, and since lion dance is so closely which appears during the New Year to de- Modern Day Lion Dance in order that any rebels present would know related to Buddhism, perhaps it originated stroy the crops. The villagers made noise Later on, lion dance became known that he was one of them and could receive from India as well. Many cultural influences with gongs and cymbals to scare it off. A only for its kung fu roots. Lion dance was secret messages. If there were any Ching passed between China and India through the different version even mentions the people a “. . . peaceful way for kung fu fighters to informants in the audience they would im- trade routes. Some would even suggest that imitating Nian and dressing up in costumes test each other’s skill” (Ching). Troupes mediately recognize the performer’s yell. lion dance as a part of kung fu was a means to scare the beast away. usually do not fight each other with lions Therefore, since the word Ching sounds for travelers to better defend themselves There is a myth about how a rat-infested though. Before lion dance, there were kung like the word chiang, meaning “green” on the route. village struggled, looking for a way to be fu competitions. (as in lettuce or money), the password was Or perhaps lion dance was adapted by rid of the rats. The lion ate all the rats and In the 50’s, 60’s, and early 70’s, there changed. The “yell” then became “Choi the Chinese when Persian performers in saved the village, but it then turned on the were a lot of [martial arts] matches . . . all Chiang” (“get the green”) and is still used China celebrated their “new day” festival, people. The villagers then dressed up in lion full contact . . . because of one incident, today as the name of that particular lion which was similar to the Lunar New Year’s costumes and made a lot of noise to scare a full-contact competitor died, and Hong dance (Hallander). festivities. Similarly, the lion dance was off the lion. A variation of this story has a Kong government stopped it. No more full- If performing for weddings or restaurant used to expel and ominous spirits as well as Buddhist monk in it who teaches the lion contact tournaments. Then Lion Dance com- for celebrations in Korea too. An account of Buddhism, thereby taming the beast. The petition began. Prior to that, Lion Dance Lion Dance continues on Page 10 PAGE 10 > APRIL 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info

usually a brightly colored head and body, Although there is still a certain degree of and is not hairy. It is a lot less realistic, and competitiveness, troupes are a lot less vio- has many variations on the color theme. lent and aggressive. Nowadays, lion dance For example, a multi-colored face with a is a “. . . more sport-oriented activity . . .” white beard signifies intelligence, bravery (Choo). Lion dance is more for recreation and kindness. It is also associated with than a way of living. In Hong Kong, the General Liu Pei. A red face with a black youth are even more spirited, where “once beard signifies bravery, happiness, good a week, a group of young people meet on luck and prosperity. It is also associated with this roof . . . helping to preserve the tradi- General Kwan Kung, who is said to have tions of Chinese shadow boxing and the had a red face as well. A black face with lion dance” (Worth 31). The lack of space a black beard is related to General Chang indoors makes it difficult for any activities, Fei and represents bravery and strength. and so lion dance and boxing is invaluable A black lion is also the color of a fighting to the youth as their only opportunity for lion, and its features are much more fierce recreation. Lion dance is even a family and intimidating. The Generals were each event. Children ages 2-16 eagerly learn a sworn brother of the Peach Orchard. The lion dance too. Being “influenced by their color of the beard is actually associated with fathers, who are the members of the Zhaoq- the age of the lion dance troupe. An older ing Dianli Lion Dance Troupe, the children troupe would use a lion head that has a white took interest in this special kind of art at an beard, and a younger troupe’s head would early age” (“Children” 23). have a black beard, unless their lion was Lion Dance from Page 9 Since the teams are very competitive, bestowed upon them from an older group. Contemporary vs. Traditional Lion one should not do anything to provoke an- Dance openings, sometimes the troupes would Each lion also has matching pants for the other troupe so as to avoid any confrontation Much of this controversy still stands also get their own table and join in for the performers to wear, so that their legs can and fighting. today, even in America. There are many banquets. For such performances where choi match with the lion’s body. There are even Each school has its own distinct style contemporary groups that see lion dance chiang might be too messy, a scroll with a special shoes that have furry pom-poms and of lion dance. For example, “. . . in Hung as a hobby, a form of recreation, and those message written in calligraphy is unfurled “paws” to even make the performers’ feet Gar (Hung Jia in Mandarin), the students that are still very traditional and view lion from the lion’s mouth instead. The owner or match with the lion. Even the simplest of practice very deep “horses” (stances), with dance as their pride and dignity. When these married couple would then be able to keep costumes can be very elaborate. the power coming from the thrusting and groups clash, there is much misunderstand- the scroll as an offering for good luck. rotation of the waist. In Choy Lai Fut (Tsai Lion Dance Worldwide ing which bars the groups from cooperating Li Fo), movements are quicker” (“Chi- Lion dance can be seen in anywhere in spreading the lion dance culture. Aspects of Lion Dance Traditionally, “. . . access to the mar- There are many factors of a lion dance nese”). The most popular styles now are the where there is a Chinese population. Lion tial arts was carefully restricted . . . many performance. Performers would include southern styles, hok san (crane mountain) dance is popular in most of East Asian, techniques, especially those considered a lion head, tail, drummer, cymbals, and and fut san (Buddha mountain). According including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ma- most dangerous, are secret, disclosed only gong. Sometimes there would be a “Big to the founder of East Rising Dragon Lion laysia, Philippines, Korea, and Singapore. to the most advanced and trusted students” Head” which is a person in an overly large Dance Troupe, Mok-yi Chow, “. . .most of It is also practiced in Hawaii, and all over (Zarilli). In paralleling the kung fu schools’ mask which plays with the crowd as well the global [troupes] are hok san now, the the United States, especially in San Fran- thinking, lion dance is often kept secret. as the lion. He would usually carry a wine contemporary version. The traditional fut cisco, New York, and the Washington, DC Many traditional troupes refuse to share jug, fan, or pearl in his hand, which can be san isn’t too popular in these [lion dance] metropolitan area. Troupes in Malaysia have information about how their troupe dances used as a prop in the performance. There are competitions due to the length of the tail . . even introduced a new style of lion dancing, and routines and moves they prepare for. eight basic aspects to a performance routine: . harder to do tricks” (Chow). which fused the southern style lion heads There is a strong in-group feel. sleeping, opening, playing, searching, fight- Hok san is more choreographed, making with the shorter and more acrobatic northern Contemporary troupes are more open ing, eating, closing, and sleeping. Of course, it harder to free style during a routine. Each tails. Grandmaster Ha believed that, “this to sharing information and helping other a performance does not necessarily need to lion movement is supposedly linked to one new design allowed Lion Dancers the best “start up troupes” with learning moves and include all of these aspects. drum beat so that both are coordinated with and most challenging aspects of both regions proper stances. There is not the strict need to Troupes normally have different varia- each other’s movements. Hok san draws . . . [Ha] brought it back to Hong Kong and keep information secretive; to contemporary tions to their performances and their own graceful arcs with the lion head to make the spread it throughout southern China” (Ch- troupes, lion dance is an important cultural styles. Depending on the amount of space rounded mouth look good, whereas fut san ing). Lion dance is constantly evolving to aspect that is meant to be shared with anyone available for the performance, troupes will uses forceful “jerks” to make the lion seem magnify the skills required for this art. There interested. have to coordinate routines to match the fierce. That’s why their lions look so fast are also international competitions that are From personal experience with the East amount of space available for them to ma- and powerful. Fut san stances are all from held where teams from around the world Rising Lion Dance Troupe, lion dance is neuver in. The head and the tail coordinate kung fu; different kung fu schools usually gather to proclaim their skills. not about publicity or money or territory to have synchronized movements as well have different styles and stances. However, Changes in Lion Dance anymore. Lion dance is fun, and a way to as do acrobatic balances and tricks. Some hok san is not as strict on stances and make Lion dance today has branched from the learn more about cultural roots and share examples are 2 leg (head stands on tail’s the movements seem more relaxed and traditional lion dance immensely. Besides them. The experience from performing in 2 legs), 1 leg (head stands on tail’s 1 leg), natural. The lion heads are also different fro the loss of the religious aspects, lion dance public is satisfying in itself; monetary gain head sitter (head sits on tail’s head), shoulder hok san and fut san. Hok san lion heads are has also distanced from the social aspects is not necessary. The funds that are gained stack (head stands on tail’s shoulders), and usually smaller than fut san, have a rounded associated with the traditional troupes. Ac- from performances are used to pay for new oracle (head wraps legs around tail’s torso mouth, and the horn on the lion’s forehead is cording to Wen Haur Choo, being in a lion equipment and lion heads; none of it goes to and tail swings the head down in an arc). rounded like a fist, where as fut san horns are dance troupe is not the same as it was in the individual group members. This way of run- Such acrobatics require that both the head sharp and the mouth is more squared. “old days.” This is not referring to the “old ning the troupe puts a lot less pressure and and tail be in good physical condition as Structure and Styles of Lions days” as in ancient China; this is more like strain on the group as a whole because there well as balance. A lion head is traditionally made of the 1950s and 1960s. is no stress about earning money and being During celebrations and competitions, bamboo and papier-mâché. Now lion heads Before, people who joined lion dance the best in order to drive off competition for lion dance troupes must show both sports- can be made of aluminum or PVC instead. troupes were “gangster-like” and there was performances and business opportunities. manship and respect for other teams. There There are strings attached to its ears and a lot of fighting amongst lion dance troupes Without those factors, East Rising Dragon are certain “rules” that all teams must fol- eyes so that when pulled, the ears wiggle and and kung fu schools. Parents were afraid of is able to enjoy learning and performing low, including lion dance etiquette: the eyes blink. The lion also has a hinged letting their children join lion dance troupes lion dance a lot more. However, traditional 1. When a team comes across an associa- mouth which can open and close, and even because of the “gangster” association of teams often hold the misconception against tion or temple, they must apply the greeting a furry tail which has a stick attached to it, the members. During festivals and perfor- start up contemporary groups that they are drum beat as a respect for each other so that the tail can be wagged, making the mances, when lion dance troupes meet, there performing without necessarily believing in 2. When a team meets another on its way, lion even more realistic looking. Despite were “fights” between groups. Some lifts the traditional religious aspects (Le). greetings must be exchanged in a form of a the movements and movable ears and eyes, and acrobatic tricks are designed for the lion For many contemporary troupes, lion greeting card. The lion must not kick their the lion still has little resemblance of a real to “fight” and knock over other rival lions. dance is a sport and form of recreation. legs or swing the head and they should keep lion! The lion has a horn and a mirror on Performers might even hide daggers in their While some do have an understanding of the their mouth closed. its forehead! The myth of Kwan Yin and the shoes, which can be used to injure other lion traditions, a member of a traditional kung fu 3. During Chinese festival seasons, mystical lion may explain why the lion has dancers’ legs, or even attach a metal horn school remarks that they are “nothing more there are always lion dance teams meeting a horn and mirror on its forehead. on their lion’s forehead, which can be used than entertainers putting on a show” (Kong). a dragon dance team. The lion dance team There are many various styles of lion to slash other lion heads. For instance, the From another perspective, the tension and should always show their respect, otherwise heads and bodies too. The northern lion violence got so extreme that at one point, ill feelings from traditional troupes may be when the dragon attacks the lion by sur- has long hair and is usually gold or yellow. the Hong Kong government had to put a spurred by “jealousy of a new team” (Le) rounding it, the dancers would have to be It has much more realistic features than the stop to lion dance completely. Now, lion and the fact that another troupe would mean very skillful to jump clear of the dragon’s southern lion, which is heavier, and so less dance troupes must attain a permit from the hold (Hup). suitable for acrobatics. The southern lion has government in order to do lion dance. Lion Dance continues on Page 15 www.chinainsight.info culture APRIL 2009 > PAGE 11 China’s ethnic HOST FAMILIES NEEDED Host a Chinese student and make a difference… minorities Enrich their experience and enhance your own! We continue our series on China’s 55 ethnic minority groups. This • As a host family you month features the De’ang, Dong, and Dongxiang ethnic minorities shareAmerican culture with a student from China and The De’ang ethnic minority the house. provide them much more Population: 15,500 than could be learned in a Major area of distribution: Yunnan History classroom. De’ang was a name given to this ethnic Language: De’ang • Learn about their culture, Religion: Buddhism group in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Before that time the De’ang along with the explore the differences and Blang and Va ethnic minorities, speaking a develop new connections south Asian language inside Yunnan Prov- ince, were called “Pu people,” according Arriving in July from Hunan Province, China, is a group of 35 to historical records. In those bygone times high school students that have earned a cultural exchange trip to the “Pu people” were distributed mainly in the United States. the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, Global Learning Alliance is finalizing arrangements for their trip which was called Yongchang Prefecture in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). and has incorporated, as part of their program, staying with an Their forefathers settled on the banks of the American host family. They will be given the option of staying with Nujiang River (upper reaches of the Salween the family for their entire 10 day visit or simply for one weekend. that flows across Burma) long before the Since most of their educational programs will be taking place in arrival of the Achang and Jingpo ethnic the south-west suburb of Minneapolis, we are focusing our search minorities. Development of De’ang society has for families that live in that part of the city however will consider all been uneven. Since the De’ang have lived in families regardless of where they reside. widely scattered localities together with the To learn more about becoming a host family, please visit our Han, Dai, Jingpo, Va and other nationalities, website at: www.GlobalLearningAlliance.net. who are at different stages of development, they have been influenced by these ethnic groups politically, economically and cultur- ally. The Dai influence is particularly strong since the De’ang had lived in servitude un- The number of De’ang people in China der Dai headmen in feudal times. However, totals 15,500. Small as their population is, some traces of the ancient clan and village the people of this ethnic group are quite commune of the De’ang ethnic minority are widely distributed throughout Yunnan still to be found in the Zhenkang area. Province. Most of them dwell in Santai The production unit of the De’ang ethnic Township in Luxi County of the Dehong group is the family, and there is marked divi- Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture and in sion of labor according to sex and age. The Junnong Township in Zhenkang County farm tools used are bought from Han and of the Lincang Prefecture. The others live Dai regions. Generally speaking, the De’ang scattered in Yingjiang, Ruili, Longchuan, practice intensive farming on flatland and Baoshan, Lianghe and Gengma counties. on farms near the Han and Dai regions or Some De’ang live together with the Jingpo, in paddy fields. Dry land is not cultivated Han, Lisu and Va nationalities in the moun- meticulously. tainous areas. And a small number of them In De’ang villages in the Dehong area, have their homes in villages on flatland the cultivated land used to be communally peopled by the Dai. The De’ang language owned. The wasteland around each village belongs to the South Asian family of lan- was also communally owned, but people guages. The De’ang have no written script could freely open up the land for cultivat- of their own, and many of them have learned ing crops. If the land was left uncultivated, to speak the Dai, Han or Jingpo languages, it automatically reverted to communal and some can read and write in the Dai lan- ownership again. In later times, the selling guage. An increasing number of them have or mortgaging of paddy fields and gardens learned the Han language in years after the led to the emergence of private ownership. mid-20th century. As a result, most of the paddy fields came The De’ang people have been living in into the possession of Han landlords, rich the mountainous areas of Gaoligong and peasants and Dai headmen. Nushan ranges in western Yunnan Province Without either draught animals or funds, for generations. The climate is subtropical, and burdened down with taxes and debts, the and there is fertile soil, abundant rainfall, De’ang could not open up hillside land and rich mineral resources and dense forests. gradually became the tenants or farmhands The dragon bamboo here grows very long of the landlords, rich peasants and headmen. and has a stem with a diameter of 4 to 5.2 Many cut firewood, burned charcoal and inches. The Zhenkang area has been famed wove in the off-hours to make ends meet. for this kind of bamboo for the past 2,000 In the Zhenkang Prefecture, which had years. It is used to build houses and make plenty of dry land and little paddy land, household utensils and farm implements. private ownership of land and usury had Bamboo shoots are a famed delicacy. been uncommon. Yet feudal ownership The De’ang, who took to farming since and tenancy show such traces of communal very ancient times, grow both wet and up- ownership of land as strict demarcation lines land rice, corn, buckwheat and tuber crops between the land of different villages and as well as walnut and jute. They learned clearly-marked signs between communally to cultivate tea, cotton, coffee, and rubber owned land, woods and small privately after the founding of the People’s Republic owned plots. Communal land in each village in 1949. was managed by headmen. And anyone, The De’ang have been great tea drinkers from other villages who wanted to rent the since very early times, and now every family communal or private plots, had to get the has tea bushes growing among vegetables, permission of village headmen. banana, mango, jack fruit, papaya, pear and pomegranate trees in a garden around Minorities continues on Page 12 PAGE 12 > APRIL 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info

Minorities from Page 11 Buddhist monks. Pestilence and diseases by a crab monster. He fought the crab, houses, built of fir wood, are usually two or due to poor living conditions were rampant, vanquished it, ate it, and made a drum of three stories high. Those located on steep Some De’ang people still retain some and there were no doctors. People had but to its shell. At today’s wedding ceremonies, slopes or riverbanks stand on stilts; people traces of the communal system in the way ask “gods” to cure them when falling sick. water-drum dancing symbolizes true love. live on the upper floors, and the ground they live. A clan commune was formed by Today De’ang children can attend pri- The De’ang bury their dead in public floor is reserved for domestic animals and many small families with blood relations. mary schools established in villages where cemeteries but those who die of long illness firewood. In the old days, landlords and Usually thirty to forty people shared one the De’ang live. Priority is given to enroll- or difficult labor are cremated. rich peasants dwelled in big houses with outsized communal house, but each indi- ing De’ang children in other local schools. The De’ang are Hinayana Buddhists. engraved beams and painted columns. Paths vidual family had its own fireplace and kept Large numbers of illiterate adults have Most villages have a temple. The monks inside a village are paved with gravel, and its own account. Primitive distribution on an learned to read and write, and the De’ang live on the offerings of their followers. Their there are fishponds in most villages. One equal basis was practiced in farming. But ex- people now have even their own college daily needs are provided by the villagers lavish feature of Dong villages is the drum ploitation had appeared with some families students, teachers and doctors. in turn. Formerly the De’ang did not raise towers. Meetings and celebrations are held owning more cows and working less. Smallpox which had a very high inci- pigs or chickens. A rooster was kept in each in front of these towers, and the Dong The De’ang people everywhere used to dence in localities peopled by the De’ang village to herald the break of day. Today people gather there to dance and make live under the sway of the feudal lords of the people has been eradicated with the assis- this old custom has died, and chickens are merry on New Year’s Day. The drum tower Dai ethnic group. De’ang headmen in the tance of medical teams dispatched by the raised. People do not work during religious of Gaozhen Village in Guizhou Province Dehong region were either appointed by Dai government. Malaria, diarrhea and other holidays or sacrificial days. Being Bud- is especially elaborate. Standing 13 stories chieftains or were hereditary. To control and tropical diseases have been controlled. dhists, the De’ang in some localities do not high, it is decorated with carved dragons, exploit the De’ang people, Dai chieftains kill living creatures. This has its down side phoenixes, flowers and birds. granted official titles to De’ang headmen Life Style -- wild boars that come to devour their crops Equally spectacular is folk architecture and let them run the villages, impose levies, Like most people in the sub-tropical are left unmolested. This at times results in that goes into the construction of bridges. and collect tributes. Some De’ang people regions, the De’ang live in houses made of quite serious crop losses Wood, stone arches, stone slabs and bamboo who lived in or near areas under the Jingpo’s bamboo. While some dwell in large com- are all used in erecting bridges. The roofed jurisdiction had to pay “head taxes.” This munal houses, those in the Dehong area The Dong ethnic minority bridges which the Dong have dubbed “wind constituted another burden for the De’ang have a two-story house to every family. The Population: 2.5 million and rain” bridges are best-known for their who paid heavy taxes and rents to Dai chiefs upper floor serves as living quarters, kitchen Major area of distribution: Guizhou, unique architectural style. The Chengyang or the Kuomintang government. and storeroom, and beneath it is a stable for Hunan and Guangxi “Wind and Rain” Bridge in Sanjiang is Landlords and rich peasants of the animals and poultry. There are also sheds in Language: Dong 181.5 yards long, 11 yards across and 11 to De’ang ethnic group made up only two which are stored firewood and foot-pedaled Religion: Polytheism 22 yards above the water. Roofed with tiles percent of the population. Many of them mortars used in husking rice. engraved with flowers, it has on its sides were appointed headmen of Dai chiefs. People dress in traditional costumes five large pagoda-like, multi-tier pavilions Being tenants or farmhands of either Han studded with silver ornaments. Men wear beautifully decorated with carvings. It is a landlords and rich peasants or Dai headmen, turbans. Boys look handsome with their covered walkway with railings and benches most De’ang lived in dire poverty. silver necklaces. Most women wear dark for people to sit on and enjoy the scenes dresses lined with extra large silver buttons around. Post-1949 Development at the front, and skirts with red and black A typical Dong diet consists mainly of A new day dawned for the De’ang flower patterns. Rattan waistbands and sil- rice. In the mountainous areas, glutinous people when Yunnan Province was liberated ver earrings add grace and harm. Nowadays, rice is eaten with peppers and pickled veg- in 1951. The first thing the De’ang did was De’ang boys have the same hairstyle as the etables. Home-woven cloth is used to make to restore social order and develop farm pro- Hans and do not like to burden their bodies traditional Dong clothing; finer cloth and duction after helping the government round with heavy ornaments. Men have the custom silks are used for decoration or for making up remnant KMT troops who had turned of tattooing their bodies with designs of festival costumes. Machine-woven cloth bandits. In 1955 land was distributed to tiger, deer, bird and flower. Nestled among the tree-clad hills dot- printed black and purple or blue is becoming the De’ang people who made up half of the Monogamy is practiced by the De’ang. ting an extensive stretch of territory on more popular. population on the flatland and in the semi- People of the same clan do not marry with the Hunan-Guizhou-Guangxi borders are Men usually wear short jackets with hilly areas of Zhenkang, Gengma, Baoshan one another. Intermarriage is rare with innumerable villages in which dwell the front buttons. In the mountainous localities and Dehong in an agrarian reform in which people of other ethnic groups. Dong people. in the south, they wear collarless skirts and both the De’ang and Dai people partici- Young people have the freedom to The population of this ethnic group in turbans. The females are dressed in skirts or pated. Not long afterwards, the De’ang set choose their own partners, and courtship China is 2.5 million. Situated no more than trousers with beautifully embroidered hems. up agricultural cooperatives. At the same lasts for a long time. When a girl hears a 186 miles north of the Tropic of Cancer, Women wrap their legs and heads in scarves, time, the rest of the De’ang people living love song under her window, she either the area peopled by the Dong has a mild and wear their hair in a coil. in the mountainous areas of Dehong, like ignores it or responds. If she likes the boy climate and an annual rainfall of 48 inches. Many popular legends and poems, cov- the Jingpo dwelling there, formed mutual singer, she tosses a small blanket down to The Dong people grow enormous numbers ering a wide spectrum of themes, have been aid groups to till the land, carried out demo- him. Then she opens the door and lets him of timber trees which are logged and sent handed down by the Dongs from generation cratic reforms and gradually embarked on in. The boy covers his face with the blanket, to markets. Tong-oil and lacquer and oil-tea to generation. Their lyrics tend to be very the socialist road. enters her room, and meets the girl by the camellia trees are also grown for their edible enthusiastic, while narrative poems are The De’ang people, who lived in com- side of the fire. The parents are happy and oil and varnish. subtle and indirect, allusive and profound. pact communities in Santaishan in Luxi do not interfere. The most favorite tree of the people of Songs and dances are important aspects of County and Junnong in Zhenkang County, The lovers often meet and chat until this ethnic group is fir, which is grown very Dong community life. Adults teach tradi- established two ethnic township govern- midnight or dawn. After a few dates, the boy extensively. Whenever a child is born, the tional songs to children, and young men ments. In July 1953, the Dehong Dai-Jingpo gives her a necklace or waistband as a token parents begin to plant some fir saplings for sing them. Autonomous Prefecture was established, of his love. The more waistbands a girl gets, their baby. When the child reaches the age Prior to 1949, the feudal patriarchal and the De’ang had 12 representatives in the more honored she is. To show his devo- of 18 and marries, the fir trees, that have family was the basic social unit. Women the government. Many functionaries of the tion, the boy wears earrings. The number matured too, are felled and used to build were on the lowest rung of the social lad- De’ang people are now serving in govern- she gives him is a mark of her love. houses for the bride and groom. For this der, and they were even forbidden to touch ment offices at various levels. Some De’ang In the courtship goes well, the boy reason, such fir trees are called “18-year- sacrificial objects. Girls lived separately on in Yunnan Province have been elected would offer gifts to the girl’s family and trees.” With the introduction of scientific the upper floors allowing no men to visit deputies to local people’s congresses and send people to propose marriage. Even if the cultivation methods, a fir sapling can now them. After marriage, women were given the National People’s Congress. girl’s parents disagree, the girl can decide for mature in only eight or 10 years, but the a little share of “female land” for private The economy in the De’ang areas has herself and go to live in the boy’s house. term “18-year-trees” is still current among farming. Monogamy was and is practiced. been developing apace. Take Santaishan A De’ang wedding party is gay and in- the Dong people. Childless couples were allowed to adopt in Luxi County for example. People here teresting. Each guest is sent two packages, Farming is another major occupation sons, and only men were entitled to inherit started farmland construction on a big scale one containing tea and the other cigarettes. of the Dong, who grow rice, wheat, mil- family property. with their Han and Jingpo neighbors in the This is an invitation. They bring gifts and let, maize and sweet potatoes. Their most A newlywed woman continued to live wake of agricultural cooperation. Today, firecrackers to the bride and groom. important cash crops are cotton, tobacco, with her own parents. She went to her the land here is studded with reservoirs and The new couple first enters the kitchen rape and soybean. husband’s home only on holidays and on crisscrossed by canals, and hill slopes have and put some money in a wooden rice tub. With no written script of their own special occasions. She would go to live with been transformed into terraced plots. Tea and This means they have been nurtured by the before 1949, many Dong learned to read her husband permanently after giving birth fruit are grown, and large numbers of goats, cereal, and now show their gratitude. Water- and write in Chinese. Philologists sent by to her first child. cows and hogs are raised. The cropped area drum dancing is an important part of the the central government helped work out a Dong funeral rituals are similar to those has increased enormously, and grain produc- wedding ceremony. The drums are made of Dong written language on the basis of the of the Han, but in Congjiang the deceased tion is four times the 1951 level. hollowed trunks into which water is poured Latin alphabet in 1958. is put in a coffin which is put outdoors un- As the people of this minority group to wet the skin and center to determine its buried. Before the founding of the People’s could scarcely make enough to keep body tone. Water-drum dancing has a legend Customs and Habits Republic of China, funeral ceremonies and soul together, no De’ang went to school behind it. In ancient times a young De’ang The Dongs live in villages of 20-30 were very elaborate and wasteful. They in pre-liberation days. Those who could read man’s beautiful fiancée was snatched away households located near streams. There are some Dai words in those days were a few also large villages of 700 households. Their Minorities continues on Page 13 www.chinainsight.info culture APRIL 2009 > PAGE 13 Minorities from Page 12 posts at the county or prefectural levels. and sheep in time of peace. These garrison have been much simplified since 1949. Achievements have also been made in troops later took local women as wives, and The Dong believe in ancestor worship and many other fields in the post-1949 period. their offspring at the beginning were called revere many gods and spirits. They have With the opening of schools, all children “military households” which became “civil- special reverence for a “saint mother” for between 7 and 10 in Longping village, for ian households” with the passage of time. whom altars and temples have been erected example, are attending classes. Malaria and During the early years of the Ming in the villages. other diseases, which used to take a heavy Dynasty (1368-1644), they were offered The Dong have many festivals -- Spring toll of lives, have by and large been elimi- amnesty by the Ming rulers, and they settled Festival, Worshipping Ox Festival, New nated, thanks to improved health care and down permanently in the Dongxiang area. Harvest Festival, Pure Brightness Festival the disappearance of witch doctors. There The Dongxiang people had been groan- and Dragon Boat Festival. was no industry in the Dong areas formerly. ing under national and class oppression Today, small factories are turning out farm throughout the ages. This had driven them History implements, chemical fertilizer, cement, to take up arms against their oppressors At the time of the Qin and Han dynas- paper and other products. Electricity gen- many times. ties (221 B.C.-A.D. 220) there lived many erated by small power installations drives For several decades before the found- tribes in what is present-day Guangdong and irrigation pumps and light homes in many ing of the People’s Republic in 1949, the Guangxi. The Dong people, descendants of Dong villages. Dongxiang people suffered under the op- one of these tribes, lived in a slave society pressive rule of the feudal Hui warlords, at that time. Slavery gradually gave way The Dongxiang ethnic minority Ma Anliang, Ma Qi and Ma Bufang, and to a feudal society in the Tang Dynasty Population: 373,700 Kuomintang warlord Liu Yufen. (618-907). Major areas of distribution: Gansu and What infuriated the Dongxiang most Agriculture developed rapidly during Xinjiang was the pressganging of their young men the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the Dong Language: Dongxiang and Han Chinese into the armed forces by the Kuomintang areas in southeast Guizhou and southwest Religion: Islam and Hui warlords. At one swoop in 1948, cipation of the Dongxiang people. Hunan provinces. Rice production went up the pressgangs rounded up a total of more There are quite a number of popular with improved irrigation facilities. And self- than 3,000 young men. Even the ahungs in narrative poems and folktales in the Dongxi- employed artisans made their appearance in some mosques were not spared. They were ang area. The long poem “Meilagahei and Dong towns. Markets came into existence thrown into the army after their beards were Miss Machenglong” sings the praise of in some bigger towns or county seats, and shaved. Pressganging operations that were the heroism of a young couple who pitted many big feudal landowners also began to carried out time and again had made the themselves against out-moded ethics and do business. After the Opium War of 1840- Dongxiang villages and towns devoid of the feudal marriage system. The folklore 42, the Dong people were further impov- young men. “Green Widow Kills the Boa” depicts the erished due to exploitation by imperialists, courage, wisdom and self-sacrificing spirit Qing officials, landlords and usurers. Religion of Dongxiang women. The Dongxiang are Muslims, and at one The Dong, who had all along fought Historical Changes against their oppressors, started to struggle time there were 595 mosques and 79 other Many changes took place in the Dongxi- more actively for their own emancipation People of the Dongxiang ethnic minority places of worship in the Dongxiang area. ang area after the arrival of the People’s after the founding of the Chinese Commu- live in the part of the Linxia Hui Autono- This gave every 30 Dongxiang households Liberation Army in the autumn of 1949. nist Party in 1921. They served as guides mous Prefecture situated south of the Yellow a place of worship. Apart from the 12 On September 25, 1950, the Dongxiang and supplied grain to the Chinese Red Army River and southwest of Lanzhou, capital imams, there were more than 2,000 full-time Autonomous County was founded to be when it marched through the area during city of the northwest province of Gansu. religious workers. That means every 18 followed by the establishment of many its Long March in the mid-1930s. In 1949, Half of them dwell in the Dongxiang Au- households had to provide for one religious ethnic minority townships in other locali- guerilla units organized by the Dong, Miao, tonomous County, and the rest are scattered worker. And there were 34 different kinds ties. “Solidarity Committees” were set up Han, Zhuang and Yao nationalities fought in Hezheng and Linxia counties, the city of of religious expenses which had to be borne everywhere to eliminate disunity then shoulder to shoulder with regular People’s Lanzhou, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous by the ordinary people. still existing between the Dongxiang and Liberation Army forces to liberate the Region and some other places. The Muslims in the Dongxiang area other ethnic groups. Many Dongxiang were county seat of Longsheng. The Dongxiang ethnic minority received were then divided into three sects -- the its name from the place it lives -- Dongxi- Old, the New and the Emerging sects. Car- trained to be government functionaries at Post-mid-20th Century Period ang. However, this ethnic group was not rying out a “divide and rule” policy, the various levels. A momentous event in Dong history recognized as a minority prior to the found- ruling class sowed dissention among these Trees and grass were and are being took place on August 19, 1951 when the ing of the People’s Republic in 1949. The sects. As a result, the Muslims were at feud planted on barren hills to check erosion Longsheng Autonomous County of the Dongxiang were then called “Dongxiang among themselves. At times there were which had plagued the Dongxiang area for Dong, Zhuang, Miao and Yao peoples was Huis” or “Mongolian Huis.” The Dongxiang armed clashes. ages. Large tracts of farmland on hill slopes founded. This was followed by the setting up language is basically similar to Mongolian, Since the early days of 1950s, the Chi- have been transformed into terraced plots. of the Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County both belonging to the Mongolian branch of nese government has pursued a policy of All this, coupled with the construction of in Guangxi, the Tongdao Dong Autonomous the Altaic language family. It contains quite freedom of religious beliefs in the Dongxi- irrigation facilities, has greatly raised annual County in Hunan, the Miao-Dong Autono- a number of words borrowed from the Han ang area and taken measures to restore unity grain production. mous Prefecture in southeastern Guizhou, Chinese language. Most of the Dongxiang among the Muslims population. In 1958, the A power station and factories turning out and the Xinhuang Dong Autonomous people also speak Chinese, which is ac- Dongxiang people carried out the struggle farm implements, cement, flour, bricks and County in Hunan. cepted as their common written language. against religious and feudal privileges and tiles have made their appearance in the area, The establishment of autonomous coun- Quite a few of them can use Arabic alphabet the system of oppression and exploitation. one of the most under-developed localities ties enhanced relations between various to spell out and write Dongxiang or Chinese This resulted in a further liberation of the in China a few decades ago. Transport and ethnic groups and eliminated misunder- words. productive forces. traveling have been made easier with the standing, mistrust and discord sowed by The Dongxiang are an agricultural arrival of trucks and buses, and with the the ruling class between the Dong and other people who grow potatoes, wheat, maize “Flowers” in Bloom construction of a highway network that ethnic minorities. In Congjiang County, and broad beans as well as hemp, rapeseed There are in the Dongxiang area many links together all the townships, and the Guizhou, the Dong in one village once and other industrial crops. folk songs which the local people have Dongxiang area with the provincial capital warred against the Miao in another for the dubbed “flowers” and were sung in the past of Lanzhou. possession of a brook. The people of the two History by people to express their hopes for a bet- Diseases such as kala-azar and leprosy in villages remained hostile to each other for Historians are divided in their views ter life and to pour out their wrath against the area have, in the main, been stamped out, over a century until the dispute was resolved about the origin of the Dongxiang ethnic mi- oppression. The “flowers,” which had been thanks to improved health care and health through negotiations after the setting up of nority. Some hold that they are descendants ruthlessly trampled down in the old days, education conducted among the people.  the Miao-Dong Autonomous Prefecture. of Mongolian troops posted in the Hezhou began to blossom anew following the eman- Source: People’s Daily Online They have been living in harmony since. area by Genghis Khan (1162-1227) during (http://english.people.com.cn/) Another eventful change in Dong life his march to the west. Other historians say is the carrying out of the agrarian reform, they are a mixture of many races -- Hui, which put an end to feudal oppression under Mongolian, Han and Tibetan groups. Asian Pacific Heritage Month which members of this ethnic group had However, according to legends and been groaning for centuries. historical data, the Dongxiang probably The Dong who were ruled and never originated from the Mongolians. As far back As you know, May is APA Heritage Month. ruled have their own people holding posts as the 13th century, Mongolian garrison If you have a group event announcement or units were stationed in the Dongxiang area. in the governments of the autonomous event recap LET US KNOW! Ch i n a Insight counties. Dong cadres in Guangxi number In these units were Mongols and military 2,950, and those in Hunan 3,040. Many scouts and artisans Genghis Khan brought is happy to include your event in the May is- Dong women, who had no political status from West Asia. In time of war, the military sue. scouts would fight as soldiers on the battle- formerly, now hold responsible government Please submit your events to Greg Hugh @ [email protected] field. And they farmed and raised cattle PAGE 14 > APRIL 2009 business www.chinainsight.info

tasks of improving power supply structure CIEPEC 2009 from 2008. It will promote the planning and SUMMARY: World held June 3-6 construction of six ten-million-kilowatt-grade wind energy base, in the region ample of wind The Commercial Section of the U.S. energy source, including inner-Mongolia, Bank China Embassy in Beijing is pleased to invite Gansu, Xinjiang, Hebei, Jiangsu, etc. Feb. 16, American firms to participate in our U.S. 2009 Pengfei Shi, vice chairman of Chinese Pavilion at the 11th China International Wind Energy Association said, the planning Quarterly Update Environmental Protection Exhibition and and construction of ten million kilowatt grade Conference (CIEPEC 2009) to promote wind energy base, will ensure electric energy China’s real economy has been hit hard and medium term objectives overlapping, American goods and services to the Chi- outputting and consuming of Chinese hundred by the global crisis, but has been holding up. the medium term objectives need to shape nese environmental protection market. million grade wind energy base at 2020, to Although China’s growth is set to slow, it economic policies in 2009. The exposition, with a 21-year track realize the object of National Medium and is still likely to outgrow most other coun- Looking ahead, there may be less record, is one of the most established Long Term Development Plan of Renewable tries. However, the continued global crisis need for investment-oriented stimulus. events of its kind in Asia, showcasing Energy Resources. is bound to contain China’s growth in 2009 Regarding possible and recommended an extensive array of companies dealing Now, the plan of ten million kilowatt and 2010, especially via weaker exports labor market policies to alleviate the labor in environmental protection products, grade wind energy base of Jiuquan of Gansu and market-based investment. The World market consequences of the downturn, the equipment, and services. CIEPEC 2009 province has completed, and has been put Bank projects GDP growth of 6.5 percent report argues that using the social security will be held at the China International in practice at first. To 2015, the equipped in 2009. Nonetheless, China’s economic system has advantages over several other Exhibition Center (CIEC) in Beijing from capacitor will reach 12 million kilowatt up- fundamentals are strong enough to allow labor market policies. Financial sector and June 3-6, 2009. wards. Oct. 16, 2008, State Administration policymakers to consider policies that will capital market reform could help rebalance The U.S. Pavilion at CIEPEC 2009 af- of Energy conformed the plan of ten million affect the economy well beyond 2009. There the growth pattern. fords you a low-cost means of exhibiting at kilowatt grade wind energy base of Hami are useful synergies between China’s short this major international expo with a com- of Xinjiang province, planning to build 20 and medium term policy objectives. Finan- Fiscal policy prehensive package of on-site support. million kilowatt wind energy field at Hami. cial sector reform will help. Fiscal policy in 2009 is likely to lead to a For US$3,600, you will receive:A By now, the plan of other region ten million sizable but manageable increase in the gov- fully furnished, nine square-meter stan- kilowatt grade wind energy base are working Recent Economic Developments ernment deficit. How strongly should fiscal dard booth in a prime location on the The global financial and economic crisis out. The planning equipped capacitor is 50 policy respond if the growth target for 2009 expo floor intensified in the fall of 2008. The adverse million kilowatt in Inner Mongolia; 20 mil- is in danger, and how? The consequences • U.S. Pavilion decoration and impact on output and trade is very large and lion kilowatt at Western Inner Mongolia; 30 of temporary economic dislocation and logistic support geographically broad-based. Against this million kilowatt at Eastern Inner Mongolia; layoffs can also be alleviated by expanding • Pre-show region-wide marketing backdrop, China’s economy decelerated 10 million kilowatt in Hebei province; 10 and using the social safety net, preferably campaign to buyers substantially. The intensification of the million kilowatt in Jiangsu province. (By combined with training. Spending under the • On-site counseling throughout global crisis hit China’s exports hard. Ramrayt Corp) 10 point stimulus plan is taking place. As the show Domestically, with a strong starting Source: China Pulse http://www.export. part of the 10 point plan, the government has • Free market research reports on position providing space, stimulus policies gov/china/chinapulse/ announced 10 sector specific plans. China’s environment market - seem to help dampen the downturn. The Other recent fiscal policy initiatives have water, air and solid waste relaxation of monetary policy is leading to focused on stimulating consumption and • Networking with officials of the more bank lending and support for economic improving people’s livelihood. First, the Ministry of Environmental Pro- China: auto activity. Thus, domestic demand has held government recently announced the outlines tection and up better than foreign demand. of a health care reform plan. Second, steps • Local and international media aftermarket Government-influenced investment are taken to improve the social safety net. support is coming on stream while market-based Third, the government sees great potential For detailed information, visit: investment is decelerating. The unwind- to boost rural consumption and has taken http://www.chinaenvironment.org ing of involuntary stock building has sub- initiatives to achieve this objective. Source: China Pulse http://www. tracted from activity since November, but There are also several tax policy changes. export.gov/china/chinapulse/ the stocks overhang does not appear very Additional tax cuts are also discussed, but it large. Consumption is decelerating to still is unclear whether further tax cuts would be robust rates. Weaker labor demand is creat- desirable. If tax cuts are considered, several ing labor market pressure. The slowdown points are worth noting. Finally, to support Sino-U.S. trade is adding further downward pressure on in- rebalancing, some further tax increases to flation. Profitability in the corporate sector improve the energy efficiency and environ- up 10.5% in 2008, deteriorated in the second half of 2008. mental friendliness of economic activity in China should be considered. Spending of slowest pace n parallel with the country’s economic Economic Prospects and Risks many local governments may be particularly I since China’s growth over the past decade, China’s auto Global financial markets are likely constrained this year. to remain strained during 2009. Global WTO entry aftermarket has experienced rapid growth. According to the China Association of Au- growth prospects are very unfavorable and Monetary policy hina-U.S. bilateral trade expanded tomobile Manufacturers (CAAM), vehicle uncertain. Risks and uncertainty about the With international and domestic growth C 10.5 percent last year to 333.74 billion sales averaged an annual growth rate of 16% international outlook are unusually large. prospects weaker and inflation projections U.S. dollars, the smallest increase since to 20% from 2004 to 2007 and the number of Domestically, on balance the outlook revised down sharply, monetary policy was China joined the World Trade Organiza- vehicles on the road will exceed 80 million by suggests support for activity. Spare capacity rightly loosened. Subdued inflation pros- tion seven years ago, official data showed. 2010. This situation has created an increasing is emerging, and is starting to have several pects imply space for continued expansion- The General Administration of Customs demand for auto aftermarket products and types of effects. With market based invest- ary monetary policy. Deflation is a risk, but said the figure included US$252.3 billion services. ment expected to retreat, government-influ- in China the government has some tools to in exports from China, up 8.4 percent, China’s auto aftermarket is currently very enced investment will be key. The World fight it. Policymakers do not need to worry and US$81.44 billion in imports from the fragmented, under developed, and not well Bank expects private consumption growth to about a somewhat reduced pace of reserves United States, up 17.4 percent. regulated. However, multinationals entering decelerate, but to remain significant. Rural accumulation. In the medium term, China’s Source: China Pulse http://www. this market have prompted Chinese enter- consumption is likely to lag behind. exchange rate will continue to be supported export.gov/china/chinapulse prises to step up to the competition, and af- In all, due to substantial policy stimulus, by the large current account surplus. Also in China Daily, Feb.6, 2009. http://news. termarket consumerism is developing rapidly China’s economy should continue to grow the medium term, reform of monetary and xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/06/ as well. Chinese customers are increasingly significantly in a very challenging external exchange rate policy can contribute to more content_10774287.htm focusing on car care and maintenance, creat- environment. China’s economy is likely to equal access to credit.  receive support from the expected global ing the demand for the auto aftermarket to pick up if and when it occurs late in 2009 or expand and develop. As the world leader in the in 2010. With raw material prices low and auto industry, U.S. auto aftermarket products a significant output gap building up, infla- China start-up and service also enjoy a solid reputation in tionary pressure will be very low in 2009. the plan and the Chinese market. Therefore, opportunities Price pressure resulting from the slowdown for U.S. exporters of aftermarket products drags down profitability. In this scenario, construction of and service are expected to expand in the labor market weakness is set to continue. coming years. Domestically, there are also several risks. large wind For full article go to http://www.buyusainfo.net/ Economic Policies energy base docs/x_1601488.pdf  China has important short, medium, State Administration of Energy looks “If you do not change direction, you may end and long term challenges. With the short to develop wind energy as one of the major up where you are heading.” ...Lao Tzu www.chinainsight.info business APRIL 2009 > PAGE 15

Socialism from Page 1 as a family member in this complex web if with a Q & A session. No r t h Am e r i c a n Translations you gain their trust. Trust is more important Your one-stop source for pre- must be discarded. A new culture should be than law. Future UCBC Breakfast Meetings created. Mao wanted to use this theory to Despite the external changes in China, The April meeting of UCBC will be cise technical translations be- regain this power. The Cultural Revolution relationships and building connections re- held Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The topic tween Chinese and English. brought China to the brink of bankruptcy quire as much or more effort than that spent is Environmental Opportunities in China We specialize in legal, financial, and resulted in a huge loss of educated and on marketing and other business develop- and will be presented by Steve Riedel, Min- engineering and medical trans- talented people in every sector of social and ment activities. This makes investing in nesota Trade Office. lation work. economic life. China a long-term business. The May meeting of UCBC will be After Mao’s death in 1976, the party’s held Wednesday, May 6, 2009. The topic veterans gained the power and arrested will be China Business Travel Tips featur- Our high-quality serice is com- the Gang of Four, including Mao’s wife, ing speaker Melody Zhou and others from petitively priced. Contact us and used them as the scapegoat for Mao’s CIAC Travel. today to get your free quote. crimes The UCBC meetings are held at Min- In 1978, China started to normalize its neapolis Community & Technical College, Phone: 612-799-5415 economic life, colleges started to enroll stu- 1501 Hennepin Avenue, Wheelock Whitney Fax: 612-643-3498 dents in late 1977 and the Communist Party Hall, Room L3000 (3rd Floor), Minneapo- Email: started to adopt a new policy of open-end lis, MN 55403. reform with the new leader, party veteran The fee is US$20 per person. UCBC [email protected] Deng Xiaoping. members and college students are free. http//www.natranslations.com After nearly 10 years of open-end Everyone can bring a guest who can be ad- reform, as well as ideology liberalization, mitted for half price (US$10). To register, meeting to the parking staff. The MCTC many educated people and young college Response to Financial Crisis: A New e-mail [email protected] or call Jim parking ramp is located at 1420 Hennepin students realized that the government should Round of Reform Smith at 612-8656543. Avenue (north side of Hennepin Ave). Ad- initiate compatible political reform to get rid China’s Current Advantage: For free parking at the MCTC Ramp, ditional information on parking: http://www. of growing corruption in the economic life. • Stable fiscal and financial systems please mention your name for the UCBC minneapolis.edu/parking.cfm And this led to the democratic demonstra- • Huge foreign exchange reserves tion of 1989. Deng decided to crack down • On-going industrialization and urban- on the peaceful student demonstration due ization process to his conservative ideology and fear of • Labor cost advantages Ch i n a Insight uncontrollable government. The massacre SEEKS ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE… of June 4, 1989 severely damaged China’s China’s financial system: Must be passionate about our mission: in addition to being success-oriented, image and incurred condemnation from • Develop a financial system regulated must be self-motivated, resourceful, creative, disciplined and community- international society. by the central bank, with state banks as minded. In 1990-1991, China was on the way to the major players. Maintain separation e n e r o u s o m m i s s i o n c h e d u l e reverse the open-door and reform policies of policy-related finance and commercial G C S Contact: Greg Hugh when Deng came up from semi-retirement finance, while encouraging cooperation (952) 472-4757 and pushed the government for further among various financial institutions Email: [email protected] economic reform and being open to foreign • The government plans to remove loan investment. China’s economy has since quotas and ceilings for all lenders, and grown at a double-digit rate. increase bank credit for priority projects, In 2001 China was awarded the chance including rural areas, small businesses, Lion Dance from Page 10 to hold the 2008 summer games in Beijing technology companies, iron and cement more competition, resulting in them losing (Chow). This explains why many troupes by the International Olympic Committee. companies (Pros & Cons). business. only allow girls to be a part of the instru- This event serves as a turning point for On the other hand, the traditional val- mental team, and not take part in the actual the Chinese to regain its long-lost national Growth Pattern Needs to be Changed: ues that kung fu schools hold remain to be lion dancing. Later, girls were allowed to be dignity and political influences. • Move from exports to domestic con- beneficial for lion dancing. For example, in the lions, but only if the pair performing The Chinese have been the victims of sumption because of the kung fu stances and physi- were both women. Contemporary groups are social disturbances caused by the slow tran- • Move from competition using low- cal training, students are better able to learn now allowing girls to be paired with a male sition to modern society due to thousands of cost labor to independent technology in- the proper forms of lion dance. Students are to perform in lion, but this is still considered years of tradition. Foreign interference only novation more motivated to learn the art, and learn it to be taboo in most standards. With the rise partially contributed to this hardship. The • Move from manufacturing to service well because it is a source of income for the of female equality in today’s society, maybe stability and consistent economic growth as industry school, as well as the pride and dignity of one day the female/male pairs will be con- a rising world power will greatly depend on the troupe. Contemporary troupes may not sidered acceptable as well. how China makes serious efforts in the tran- have the same drive to learn the art well, sition from party rule to the rule of law. and individuals’ skill range may depend on Conclusion While China was coping with advances their individual dedication to learning lion When traditional and contemporary in the fields of science and technology, the dance. Traditional troupes value the quality thinking clash, it is difficult for both to co- following events in the areas of politics, of their performance as well. It would shame exist. These are two major trends for troupes humanities would have its effects on China’s the school if they performed incorrectly in these days, but there are non-extremists future development: public, whereas non-traditional troupes are as well. There are traditional lion dance • 1971, Lin Biao crashed in Mongolia after more relaxed about their style and stances troupes with really open minds that offer to a failed power struggle with Mao and movements. This can be a downside, help newly started contemporary troupes, • 1972, Richard Nixon visited China because non-Chinese audiences may be and there are contemporary troupes that only • 1976, Cultural Revolution formally witnessing improper styles of lion dance, perform during Chinese New Year for the ended According to the panel of speakers, but on the other hand, it leaves room for sole purpose of monetary gain. These may • 1979, U.S. and China formally established these changes offer the Chinese govern- individual groups to add in their own unique be just generalizations, but for the most part, diplomatic relations ment policy opportunities which likely were flare in the troupe’s style. It is important to it is often just misunderstandings that cause • 1989, Tiananmen Massacre occurred discussed at the recently concluded National understand that not all lion dance troupes tension between traditional and contempo- • 1997, Hong Kong handover to China People’s Congress meeting. teach kung fu, nor do all kung fu schools rary troupes. Regardless, lion dance is still completed – Only 8% of current stimulus spend- teach lion dance. Some of the top lion dance a highly valued art that is deeply rooted in • 2001, China won bid to host Olympic ing is allocated to social spending—1% troupes in the world are not associated with the Chinese culture. Games for health and education, 7% for public kung fu, but are influenced by it through the People of all ages can relate to the dance • 2008, Beijing Olympic Games held spending – Strengthen social security system stances, footwork, and physical endurance of the lion and feel blessed after watching Communist ideology is gone. to encourage consumption: saving rate of required for lion dance. a performance. Lion dance is much more Nationalism and Confucianism are 25%+ with a minimal safety net for educa- than just a performance put on by two back. tion and medical expenses Women and Lion Dance people under a papier-mâché lion, and much Much like in the real world, lion dance Western societies are based on trade, – Support for the elderly more than an art. There is a complex his- also discriminates against women. A tradi- property rights and equal opportunities pro- – Make benefits available to all regard- tory behind this seemingly straightforward, tional belief is that women are not allowed tected by the rule of law enforcing checks less of place of origin entertaining folk sport. It is a tradition that to take part in lion dance. This is due to the and balances and democratic procedures. – Support small business creation and has been maintained for many centuries, Taoist teachings that women are “yin” while Chinese society instead extends the family job re-training to remediate wide gaps in and with its popularity growing globally, it the lion is “yang,” and so the two cannot order to society. For example, names within human capital can continue being handed down for many intermingle. When women have their men- families are many and very distinctive so – So what does all this mean? In the generations to come.  strual period, they are not allowed to even that members of the family understand the opinion of the panel, Change=opportunity. References and works sited can be seen touch the lion, because they are “unclean” hierarchy of relationships. You are treated The presentation/discussion concluded on line at http://chinainsight.info PAGE 16 > APRIL 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info