ChinaInsight Fostering business and cultural harmony between China and the U.S.

VOL. 18 NO. 10 November-December 2019 What happened to Lucy? Government & Politics, p. 4

People, p. 6

Food & Beverage, p. 8

Hmong women from the U.S. joined with their Changsha sisters circling around Nkauj Hmoob Lucy singing a blessing song for the sister-city relationship.

See page 9.

Community Chinese Senior Citizens Society celebrates 34th Anniversary with banquet Books, p. 12

By Greg Hugh

The Chinese Senior Citizens Society (CSCS) recently held its 34th Anniversary Banquet Celebration at the Peking Garden Restaurant in Saint Paul, Minn., that was attended by more than 200 members/guests. Community, p. 16 The evening began with membership registration and social hour followed by a welcome from President Agnes Fok, annual In This Issue report and introduction of the 2019-2020 CSCS Board of Directors. Then came the Arts & Culture 10-11 2019 CSCS Senior Citizen Awards to Ms. Books 12 Fong Oi Zhu and Mr. Mou Zhi Moy, fol- Business & Economy 14 lowed by the 2019 Mulan Awards to Miss Community 9, 16 Mona Wong and Mrs. Yujie Chen. The 13-course banquet began im- Education 13, 15 mediately following the awards. It was Events 15 accompanied by entertainment and talent Food & Beverage 8 performances by CSCS members through- History 5, 14 out the meal service along with drawings Language 7 for door prizes donated by Peking Garden, News 3, 4 Mandarin Kitchen, Hong Kong Noodle and Keefer Court. The grand prize this year was People 6 an iPad. ♦ Pronouncements 2 Photos: Ben Fok PAGE 2 / November-December 2019 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements ChinaInsight Greetings: Publisher: As the last leaves fall and we put away World War II veterans. As always, thank you for your continued Gregory J. Hugh the patio furniture, we must now prepare for As many of you know, Andrew Yang is support of China Insight. We are pleased to [email protected] our most challenging season of the year… a Chinese American running for president note that China Insight will begin its 18th winter. As hearty Minnesotans, we try to of the United States. At the end of Octo- year of publishing in 2020. Please feel free Manager of convince ourselves that we actually enjoy ber, Eden Prairie resident Jeff Jiang, has to let us know if there are any other topics the change of seasons as we transition with announced he is running for Minnesota you would like us to cover or if there are Operations/Circulation: the arrival of football season and deer hunt- Senator. Although China Insight has a policy any other ways we can better serve the Richard He ing. Soon we will celebrate Thanksgiving not to endorse any political candidates, we community. [email protected] and, despite the many tragic situations in are encouraged to see Chinese Americans Until January 2020, stay warm, stay safe many parts of the world, we hope that you becoming more involved in politics and and good health to all! Staff Writers: will nevertheless have cause to give thanks hope our readers will give these candidates for all that you are able to enjoy. due consideration. Greg Hugh In addition to Thanksgiving being Also, please be aware of the November Sincerely, [email protected] celebrated in November in the U.S., we 17, 2019, deadline for applying to the Chi- also observe Veterans Day, which occurs nese American Association of Minnesota Elaine Dunn on November 11. This is the day we honor (CAAM) for a student scholarship. Details [email protected] our military veterans and let them know on page 15. Gregory J. Hugh that their service to our country is deeply Do note this edition of China Insight President – CEO Intern: appreciated. In other parts of the world, it is a combined November-December issue China Insight, Inc. may be celebrated as Armistice or Remem- and that there will not be a separate edi- Jackson Venjohn brance Day. tion published for December 2019. Thus, [email protected] The Chinese American community is in addition to our best wishes for a great pleased that Chinese American Veterans Thanksgiving holiday, all of us at China Contributors: of World War II are finally going to be Insight wish you a joyous, prosperous and Happy recognized with a Congressional Gold healthy holiday season. Bu Aihua Medal (article on page 14 on the prepara- We will resume our publishing schedule Holidays [email protected] tions for the ceremony that will take place in January and we invite you to submit any in the Spring of 2020). In addition, not to events or announcements you wish to pub- from Bill Chen be missed on page 5 is an article by retired licize. However, because of the holidays, [email protected] Major General Bill Chen, U.S. Army, that deadline for the January 2020 issue will be Chen Na recaps the storyline of the Chinese American Dec. 15, 2019. China Insight [email protected]

Bill Waddington FREE 11_12-2019 [email protected]

FREESUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS Chang Wang Getting to know you . . . [email protected] Who are you? What articles do you enjoy reading? Patrick Welsh [email protected] China Insight would like to ensure our content matches your interests. Please take a few minutes to complete this poll so we can update our reader demographics. For your time, the first 10 respondents each month will receive a free annual subscription to China Insight. Winners will be notified by email. Production Editor: Entry Form  Please send me free China Insight for a year if I am one of the first 10 respondents this month Jennifer Nordin [email protected] The top two articles that interested me the most in this issue are: Page Article title Page Article title About ChinaInsight ChinaInsight is a monthly English I would like to see more articles on language newspaper fostering business Employment Status Student Self-employed Retired Age  19 & under  20 - 40 Gender  Male and cultural harmony between China    Other (please specify) 41 - 60 60 + Female and the U.S. Employment Sector Education Government Private industry Ethnicity Asian Caucasian Hispanic Other (please specify) African American Other ChinaInsight is a Member of The Minnesota Chapter of the Asian Where did you get this issue of China Insight? American Journalists Association Name (AAJA). First Last

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Editor, ChinaInsight 750 Mainstreet, #230 Hopkins, MN 55343 Insight Tel: 612-723-4872 ChinaInsight [email protected] Guaranteed SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Letters to the editor become the property 10 issues - $24 for a domestic subscription and $40 for of ChinaInsight and may be edited for international. length and published. Articles will not be YES you could run to the published without the express consent Please make check payable to ChinaInsight, 750 Mainstreet, store and pick up a copy, but of the author. #230 Hopkins, MN 55343 did you know you can have NOTICE TO READERS: The Name______ChinaInsight delivered directly views expressed in articles are the Address______to your mailbox? author’s and not necessarily those City/State/Zip______A subscription costs a mere of ChinaInsight. Authors may have Phone______$24 and brings a full year (10 a business relationship with the companies or businesses they discuss. Email______issues) of new understanding about today’s China, Company______from language to business Title______opportunities. Copyright 2019 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info news November-December 2019 / PAGE 3 China Briefs Good pay The Shenzhen educational authority How big? in Guangzhou Province offered new teachers an annual salary of US$42,000. As expected, a large number of highly qualified candidates applied. Eighty-six percent of the 35,000 applicants had post-graduate degrees from renowned universities. The authorities said offering higher pay helped meet the growing demand for qualified teachers for the area’s primary The world’s largest hotpot will be at the and middle schools. ♦ second China International Import Expo in Shanghai. The mega hotpot is 30 ft. in diameter and weighs 13 tons. Fifty-six New satellite (representing the 56 ethnic groups of China) On Oct. 17, China launched a new people can sit around the circumference of communication technology experiment the pot at the same time for a meal. The satellite into orbit. The satellite will inside of the pot is shaped like the yin-yang be used for multiband and high-speed symbol, each section containing a broth/ communication technology experiments stock of different flavor. mainly. The satellite was developed by The hotpot is from a restaurant in the China Academy of Space Technology Chongqing and will take five days to as- Corporation. ♦ semble. Speed up

How much? Hong Kong’s fifth-tallest skyscraper commands sky-high prices for parking as well. An unidentified buyer recently paid US$970,000 for a parking spot, which is Fast rail approximately 30 times the average annual salary for Hong Kong workers. Currently, the trip would take more than Even though the current pro-democracy three hours. When the high-speed train protests have put a damper in Hong Kong’s goes into operation at the end of 2019, real estate market, it hasn’t dampened the it would take only 50 minutes, and will spending of the tycoons who own office be an “essential piece of the transporta- space in the skyscraper. A commercial tion system for the 2022 Beijing Winter property manager said to these tycoons, Olympics.” How do Chinese youth make the most US$970,000 for a parking spot is no big This high-speed rail system will have of every second of their days? More than deal! a maximum speed of 217mph and also 76 percent of respondents of a social survey Wonder what car is going into that utilizes smart technology: autopilot and of 1,993 young people between 18-35 who pricey spot? auto-dispatch. It also can start automati- live in China’s first- and second-tier cities cally, adjust its timing according to its speed up video playback when watching How rich? Beijing residents who want to go schedule and stop accurately at the sta- online content. The respondents said their Wang Jianlin, founder of the Dalian skiing will be able to take advantage of tions. Once in the stations, robots will contemporary lives required it. Wanda Group, China’s biggest real estate the 108-mile high speed railway from guide passengers and help them with The information age and higher self- organization, is said to be China’s richest Beijing to Zhangikou, Hebei Province. their luggage. ♦ expectation are two major reasons young person with a net worth of US$33.8 billion. people live a fast-paced life. China’s young The 10th on China’s 2019 “Richest” list is Soccer dreams people have to adapt to the country’s quick- Liu Qiangdong (aka Richard Liu), founder ening lifestyle. The proliferation of smart- Xi Jinping’s dream is for China to of JD.com, with a net worth of US$7.4 phones makes for endless production and become a soccer powerhouse. Young girl billion. Jack Ma, newly retired founder of consumption of online content. ♦ players are the new generation that will Alibaba, was No. 2 on the list with a net help Xi achieve his soccer dream. worth of US$27.9 billion. However, girl soccer players are few Moon probe and far between in China. Women’s soc- How ridiculous! cer in China lags far behind its foreign A doctorate student at a North China counterparts. There are still opposition university was said to have been disquali- for girls to take up soccer. fied from a scholarship because she kept a In July, female soccer received a large doll in her dormitory bed. Weibo users much-needed boost – Alipay put forward criticized the school, saying “Scholarships a US$141 million donation to support should be a recognition and reward for stu- girls and women soccer over the next dents' academic and overall performance," 10 years. ♦ not to be affected by having a doll on her bed! The school issued a statement saying the student was given a verbal reprimand First celebration for not arranging the doll neatly, and was Chinese not punished any other way. communities in China plans to launch the Chang’e-5 Northern Cali- probe in 2020 to bring 2 kg of moon samples How odd! fornia celebrated back to Earth. The probe will include a land- A dog’s life has taken on new meaning the first Chinese er, and orbited, an ascender and a returner. in east China. A dog owner there built his American Day China’s current largest launch vehicle, three dogs a brick canine luxury villa: two- on Oct. 22. A the Long March-5 carrier rocket, will be storied, air-conditioned and a pooch pool! month earlier, the used to send the probe into space. China’s Located several yards away from the California State space engineers have spent more than two owner’s house, the second story of the dog Assembly desig- years figuring out what went wrong with the villa has a futon for each dog and a big win- nated Oct. 23, 2019 as Chinese American Chinese Americans a deep sense of their second Long March-5 launch in July 2017. dow that overlooks the owner’s house. The Day in California. heritage and to appreciate the courage The third Long March-5 rocket is being pooch pool is also several yards away from The chairman of the Greater Shang- and values of their ancestors and will transported to the Wenchang Space Launch the dog villa and comes with a large cabinet hai Alliance of American said Chinese foster unity among the various Chinese Center for the new flight. The success of this that “acts as a doggie dryer.” The dog villa Americans have made prominent contri- communities. ♦ flight will be key to China’s future space cost the dog owner just under US$5,000 to butions to the development of the U.S. missions. ♦ build. Talk about lucky dogs! ♦ and “can never be neglected or forgotten …” The day is meant to instill in young PAGE 4 / November-December 2019 news www.chinainsight.info Jeff Jiang to run Taiwan sovereignty In the “Hong Kong today, Taiwan tomor- Taiwan as a territory of China. It protects for Minnesota row” article (October 2019), Taiwan was human rights and provides independent described as an “independent self-governing judiciary and democratic legislation. But democracy since 1949,” with which a reader when the Nationalists lose China and State Senator for took issue. retreat to Taiwan, they declare martial The article was not meant to be a history law. All rights are suspended, including District 48 of Taiwan, and it also was not focused on the right to reelect legislature. Those its various forms of governance. Taiwan, in office retain their seats for the next By Greg Hugh since the 1940s, had not been under any 40 years. foreign entities. However, to add clarity to 1949-1986: Nationalists establish an that point, we are including the following authoritarian regime that tolerates no At a packed meeting room at the Eden terrorism and fear, he experienced the great- information from PBS.org, which presents freedom of expression and association, Prairie Community Center on Oct. 27, Jeff ness of this nation in a profound way, and Taiwan’s sovereignty issue clearly. and also controls legislature, admin- Jiang officially announced he was running knew he wanted to become part of this great 1946: The Constitution of the Republic istration, and the judiciary with party for Minnesota State Senator of District 48. country and people. Years later, when he of China (ROC) is adopted. It guarantees organization that penetrates all levels Jiang is currently an education counselor was proudly sworn in as a U.S. citizen, he human rights and freedoms and estab- of state and society. A constitution ex- and lives in Eden Prairie with his family put his whole heart in every line of the Oath lishes a centralized government with five ists, but in the name of "taking back the (wife Nan and sons Michael and Daniel) and of Allegiance. branches, or yuans: executive, legisla- mainland," it is merely a skeleton, with will be running as a Republican candidate. “Getting involved and service is always tive, judicial, examination, and control. no life in reality. According to his campaign literature, in my spirit because I believe building a The judicial system has three tiers: the 1987-1990: Martial law is lifted. The Jiang is a first-generation American who has stronger community will benefit everyone Supreme Court, the High Courts, and the National Security Law is put in place. ♦ lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years. in it. I contribute my enthusiasm, vision, District Courts. Attracted by the greatness of the U.S., its care and cross-cultural expertise to each 1947-1948: The ROC constitution is freedoms and democracy, he came to the organization that I have served. I am pas- promulgated on mainland and applies to United States as an international student to sionate about motivating younger people to pursue a graduate degree in political science love our country, plan for their future and at the University of Minnesota. His gradua- build their characters,” Jiang said. tion in 2001 coincided with the devastating To learn more about Jiang, visit September 11 attacks on our country. As he www.Jiangformn.com ♦ witnessed the American people unite against

What is a census and why is it important?

Once a decade, America comes together Businesses to count every resident in the United States, use Census creating national awareness of the impor- Bureau data to tance of the census and its valuable statistics. decide where Eradicating Chinglish The decennial census was first taken in 1790, to build fac- as mandated by the Constitution. It counts tories, offices our population and households, providing and stores, and the basis for reapportioning congressional these create jobs. seats, redistricting, and distributing more Local gov- than $675 billion in federal funds annually ernment of- to support states, counties and communities’ ficials use the vital programs — impacting housing, edu- census to ensure cation, transportation, employment, health public safety care and public policy. and plan new Public signage in China isn’t known for troduced a new English translation standard schools and its usage of proper English. In preparation to clear up ambiguous and, often, embar- hospitals. HOW THE CENSUS BENEFITS for the November International Import rassing signage ahead of the 2022 Winter YOUR COMMUNITY Expo event in Shanghai, 6,500 high school Olympics. The success of this campaign Federal funds, grants and support to students have been recruited to report bad will mean the possible disappearance of a Real estate states, counties and communities are based signage. They have been credited for chang- charming and great source of “entertain- developers on population totals and breakdowns by ing the use of “first last train” to “first and ment” for foreign visitors as evidenced by and city plan- sex, age, race and other factors. Your com- last trains” and switching from “subway” the examples below. What would life be ners use the munity benefits the most when the census to “metro.” without them? ♦ census to plan counts everyone. People in your community In December 2017, the government in- use census data in all kinds of ways, such new homes and as these: improve neigh- Residents borhoods. use the census to support com- The next census is coming in 2020. munity initia- Counting an increasingly diverse and grow- tives involving ing population is a massive undertaking. It legislation, requires years of planning and the support quality-of-life of thousands of people. and consumer Ultimately, the success of the census advocacy. depends on everyone’s participation. The Census Bureau depends on cross-sector collaborations with organizations and indi- viduals to get people to participate. The 2020 Census is important for you and your community, and you can help. Learn more about the 2020 Census at https://2020census.gov/en ♦ www.chinainsight.info history November-December 2019 / PAGE 5 Story arc of Chinese American WWII veterans By Maj. Gen. Bill Chen, U.S. Army, retired

brought wives to the United States based on the War Brides Act, or married women already in the United States, and raised families. They viewed their war experi- ences as seeing a whole new world outside their family traditions - making friends and acquaintances from all walks of life in America. Many took advantage of the G.I. Bill and began businesses or attended col- lege and started their professional careers. They provided a better life for their families and encouraged their sons and daughters to attend and graduate from college – to live the American dream and be an integral part of mainstream America. Indeed, the Chinese 14th Air Service Group Memorial Day Parade 1943, Springfield, Ill. American World War II veterans were part of America’s Greatest Generation, although On May 10, 2019, at Promontory Sum- Chinese and Chinese Americans (hereafter • John C. YOUNG, designed and helped no book on the Greatest Generation captured mit, Utah, the recognition and honoring of referred to as Chinese Americans), about to implement a plan to tunnel, install, and their lives and stories. Chinese railroad workers at the 150th An- 20,000 volunteered or were drafted and detonate U.S.-supplied TNT beneath the Currently, the U.S. Mint has completed niversary of the Transcontinental Railroad served in the U.S. Armed Services. Of the Japanese garrison in the Battle of Mt. Song its design of the Congressional Gold Medal completed the story arc of Chinese railroad approximately 20,000 who served, about -- resulted in opening the Burma Road; for Chinese American World War II Veter- workers. Along the way, Chinese railroad 40 percent were not U.S. citizens - at that returned from war as a major. ans. The obverse side of the medal will have workers endured hard work, danger, risk of time, Chinese immigrants had been denied • Clarence YOUNG, lead navigator, Luzon images of servicemen in all branches of the life, and sacrifices while also being ignored, U.S. citizenship. raid. services. Also, a female nurse is included to forgotten, excluded and snubbed. Progress Chinese American World War II veter- • Leo SOO HOO, P-51A Mustang fighter represent the service of Chinese American in recognition has been slow - the completed ans served in every theater of war and in pilot, 14th Air Force. women in the armed services. “Proudly arc gave closure to the first major contribu- every branch of the services: Army, Army • Hazel Yang LEE & Maggie GEE, first Served as Americans” is also inscribed on tion of Chinese in America - the building of Air Forces, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast and second Chinese American Women the obverse side. The reverse side shows the First Transcontinental Railroad. Guard and Merchant Marines. In contrast Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) who tested how Chinese Americans fought in World While not a historian, I would say that to other minority groups such as Japanese aircraft, ferried aircraft, and trained pilots. War II -- on land, sea, and air with images the second major contribution of Chinese in Americans and African Americans, Chinese • Jesse Yi LEE, Women’s Army Corps, be- of a Sherman tank, battleship USS Missouri, America and Chinese Americans was their Americans were predominately integrated lieved to be one of the first to enlist in the and the P-40 fighter of “Flying Tigers” fame; service in World War II. Here I distinguish into the U.S. Armed Services. The only San Francisco bay area. with a 48-star American flag serving as a between Chinese in America and Chinese all-Chinese American units were the 14th • Moon F. CHIN, distinguished civilian backdrop. The official award ceremony to Americans, where the former were Chinese, Air Service Group and the 987th Signal Hump pilot who flew Jimmy Doolittle out be presided by the Speaker of the House on not American citizens in America; and the Company assigned to the China Burma from China to India; was granted U.S. Capitol Hill for presentation of the Congres- latter predominately are native or natural- India theater. veteran status. sional Gold Medal is projected to be held born Americans of Chinese origin. While there were Chinese Americans But the real heroes were the Chinese in the spring of 2020. Subsequently there Using some poetic license on what a who earned every type of award for valor Americans in the U.S. Armed Services will be regional award ceremonies held in story arc is – this article recaps the story- up to the Congressional Medal of Honor, who made the ultimate sacrifice and were major cities for living veterans and/or their line of the Chinese American World War the basis for the award of the Congressional killed in action in World War II. It is highly next-of-kin for those who cannot attend the II veterans. Gold Medal to Chinese American World noteworthy that St. Mary’s Square in San Washington, D.C. ceremony. The story begins in the pre-World War War II Veterans was not for bravery or Francisco has a memorial plaque saluting Similar to Chinese railroad workers, II period, before Pearl Harbor, with Chinese valor. The basis for the award was that they Americans of Chinese ancestry who gave progress in the recognition of Chinese Americans who performed with distinction served and fought for America as Americans their lives for America in World War I and American World War II Veterans has been even before America entered the war, such in spite of the discriminatory aspects of the II. Likewise, in New York City, the Kimlau slow and late, as many veterans have passed as Arthur T. Chin, from Portland, Ore., par- 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, in-place until American Legion Post has an arch that is away, or are aging. September 2, 2020, will ticipated in the Second Sino-Japanese War. December 1943. in memory of the Americans of Chinese mark the 75th anniversary of the surrender He was part of the first group of U.S. vol- Along the trajectory of the story arc, ancestry who lost their lives in defense of of Imperial Japan and the end of World War unteer combat aviators. He gained U.S. vet- many Chinese Americans distinguished freedom and democracy. II. Hopefully, we can say by then that the eran status and is recognized as America’s themselves. Some notables: Collectively, what did these Chinese award of the Congressional Gold Medal first flying ace in World War II. During the • Francis B. WAI, awarded the Congres- American World War II Veterans do? They: to Chinese American World War II Veter- Sino-Japanese War, Chinese American com- sional Medal of Honor for actions during • Made known to the American public who ans finally gives recognition and honor to munities, as in San Francisco, raised funds the recapture of the Philippines. Chinese Americans were and their abilities. these veterans -- and completes the arc for for China relief and also organized Chinese • Gordon Pai’ea CHUNG-HOON, award- • Demonstrated their skills, competencies, Chinese American World War II Veterans. ♦ American volunteers to fight against the ed the Silver Star and Navy Cross, later loyalty, and patriotism. Japanese. Among those was Bill King from promoted to Rear Admiral, the first Asian • “… demonstrated highly uncommon and Locke, Calif., who went to China in 1939. American flag officer in the U.S. Navy. commendable sense of patriotism and honor Maj. Gen. Bill Chen, U.S. He flew for the Chinese Air Force and was a • Dewey LOWE, pilot in China Burma in face of discrimination,” as stated in PL Army, retired, is a veteran of 32 highly decorated fighter pilot in the Chinese India theater, later promoted to Major Gen- 115-337. years active duty service. He American Composite Wing of the 14th Air eral, the first Chinese American general in • Were proud to serve and served with pride served as the commanding gen- Force under Gen. Claire Chennault of the the U.S. Air Force. as Americans. eral, U.S. Army Missile Command, legendary Flying Tigers. • Wau Kai KONG, the first Chinese Ameri- • Paved the way for future generations to and program executive for Missile At the time of World War II, the total can fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces. serve in the U.S. Armed Services. Defense. He is a descendant of a population of Chinese in America and • Randall CHING, the only Chinese/Asian • Opened up opportunities for Asian and Chinese railroad worker, as well Chinese Americans was about 100,000. American in the Rangers in WWII; fought Chinese Americans to be in Mainstream as a descendant of a World War They were largely in major cities, mostly from Normandy, June 6, 1944 until the end America post-World War II. II veteran. in Chinatowns across the country though of the war in 1945. • Continued the Legacy of Progress of some were in rural areas. For the most part, • Loren L. LOW, awarded Silver Star in Chinese Americans in the United States, as they were isolated and largely interacted the of invasion of Saipan. initially established by the Chinese railroad with other Chinese and Chinese Ameri- • Pak On LEE, member of American Volun- workers, and they enabled follow-on genera- Editor’s note: Go to www.caww2.org cans. Chinese and Chinese Americans in teer Group, the original Flying Tigers, later tions to live the American dream. to register known Chinese American veter- the territory of Hawaii probably were more integrated into the U.S. Army Air Forces. The storyline of Chinese American vet- ans of WWII and to establish eligibility for integrated with the general population than • K. J. LUKE, achieved rank of Major dur- erans continues after their separation and a free replica of the Congressional Gold on the U.S. Mainland. ing WWII; highest ranked Chinese Ameri- honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Medal that is now estimated to be awarded Of the 100,000-plus population of can officer in the U.S. Army during WWII. Services. They continued to work hard; in the spring of 2020. PAGE 6 / November-December 2019 people www.chinainsight.info The whistleblower who truly made a difference By Elaine Dunn

farmers were recruited to sell blood for a few but twice: first by refusing to cover up the In 1991, shortly after graduating medical dollars, which contributed to the spread of AIDS epidemic in the 1990s and then, in school, she began work at a plasma collec- hepatitis C and HIV. Dr. WANG Shuping 2019, exposed the pressure tactics used to tion center in Henan. (王淑平) was the Chinese whistleblower. intimidate her throughout. In 1997, Wang moved to Beijing where She collected evidence and exposed efforts In a statement published Sept. 3, 2019, she found others as alarmed by the AIDS to conceal an AIDS epidemic in rural China. Wang said, "They pressured me to close the epidemic in rural Henan Province as she. Wang was one of the earliest medical clinical testing center but I wouldn't give in, In 2001, she moved to the U.S. by herself, professionals engaged in the war against and then Zhoukou health bureau sent people leaving behind her young daughter and AIDS in China. She became aware of cross- to cut off the electricity and water supply to husband, and eventually became a U.S. contamination of plasma bought from poor my lab, forcing it to discard thousands of citizen and continued her medical research farmers at a plasma collection station ran by blood samples from blood donors. Even- work. She remarried in 2005. She never Zhoukou city’s epidemic prevention center. tually, they collaborated with the Henan returned to China because she said she “did The stations’ equipment was often not steril- provincial health bureau to close the clinical not feel safe.” ized properly. “Leftover” blood was often testing center. “I ran into huge troubles, which involved mixed in tubs and transfused back into the “I am an America now, and am a U.S. the power and money against the lives of the blood sellers so they can sell more blood citizen. I tell myself that I protected vulner- poor and the powerless. I made the decision more quickly. able and helpless people and that I have to to stand up for innocent people who were in- Dr. Wang Shuping, Oct. 20, 1959-Sept. 21, Realizing the gravity of the situation, be strong against evil powers. I hope the fected by the severe HCV and HIV viruses. 2019 Wang reported the issue to officials at the play helps expose and stop the kinds of I didn’t concern myself with my own fate. On Sept. 12, following a performance local health bureau. That drew no response corruption and bullying Chinese doctors, This is the first rule as a doctor,” Wang said of “The King of Hell’s Palace” at London’s from the local authorities. She then reported health officials and AIDS activists like Dr. in a recent interview. Hempstead Theatre, the Chinese whistle- it to the Ministry of Health in Beijing, but Gao Yaojie, Wan Yanhai and myself endured On Sept. 21, she died of a heart attack blower received a standing ovation from was asked to falsify her data about the during our efforts to draw attention to the while hiking in Utah with friends and second the audience. HIV epidemic among plasma donors. She Henan AIDS epidemic of the 1990s.” husband Gary Christensen. She was 59. The play, one the Chinese government refused because she knew, if unchecked, The Chinese government quietly closed An anonymous, partisan federal employ- pressured the whistleblower to cancel, is the contaminated plasma would enable the the plasma collection stations in 1996 and ee in Washington, D.C., blew the whistle on based on the whistleblower’s life and tells HIV virus to decimate poverty-stricken rural introduced HIV- screening tests, as recom- a presidential diplomatic phone call in 2019 of the spread of the HIV epidemic in eastern communities. mended by Wang originally. Unfortunately, resulted in a namby-pamby impeachment Henan Province in the 1990s. According to Her refusal to keep quiet brought on by then, countless (the BBC estimates more “inquiry.” A doctor in central China blew the a statement posted by the whistleblower on unspeakable hardships for her and her fam- than half a million) people had already whistle on shoddy government practices and the theater’s website, the Chinese govern- ily. It cost her marriage. Her parents were been infected; many families were affected. saved thousands of lives. Whistleblowers ment feared the play would “cause embar- forced to don dunce caps on a stage in front And it is believed an underground trade in are not created equal! ♦ rassment” to the government “and damage of thousands of people. She was physically tainted blood continued to flourish. In 2001, the reputation of specific officials.” attacked. She lost her job. the Chinese government admit- In the early1990s, Henan Province had Despite all that, Wang stayed the course ted there was a serious AIDS a thriving commercial blood harvesting in- in her quest to stem the bad blood issue. She outbreak in central China, and dustry where hundreds of thousands of poor defied the Chinese government not once, established a special health clinic to treat AIDS-related illnesses. Wang was born in Henan Province in 1959. When Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution began, her parents (mother was a village doctor, father was a math teacher) were attacked for their backgrounds. At 8, her educa- tion was cut short because of the persecution. Five years later, an uncle took her away from her home village, adopted her so Wang, center, taking a bow on the Hempstead Theatre she could resume her education. stage on the play’s opening night.

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If you would like to contribute an article, please contact Greg Hugh at 612-723-4872 or email [email protected]. www.chinainsight.info language November-December 2019 / PAGE 7 Chinese Language Corner (漢語角落) By Pat Welsh, contributor Since language is fluid and regional variations do creep in to daily use and can be heard in English Chinese characters Mandarin Pinyin many Chinese movies, I will try to include these as well, especially those Beijing variations. A door 一扇门 Yì -shàn mén Some of the words used for this month are called “measure words.” In Chinese, measure A window 一扇窗户 Yì -shàn chuāng-hù words follow numbers and demonstrative pronouns. An interior wall 一堵墙 Yì -dŭ qiáng Occasionally the number “one” (yī “一”) is omitted before the measure word when the meaning of the expression is “a” or “an.” A few examples follow: A sofa 一张沙发 Yì -zhāng shā-fā A floor 一个地板 Yì -ge dì-băn Chinese Mandarin A rug 一张地毯 Yì -zhāng dì-tăn English characters Pinyin A telephone 一部电话 Yì -bù diànhuà A measure word for books and pamphlets 本 bĕn A cell phone 一部手机 Yì -bù shŏujī An email 一封电子邮件 Yì -fēng diàn-zi yóu-jiàn (Concrete or solid) thing, object, article 东西 dōng-xi An email address 一个电子邮件地址 Yì -ge diàn-zi yóu-jiàn dì-zhĭ A measure word for newspapers 份 fèn A CD player 一台CD播放机 Yì -tái bò-fàng-jī 一张CD A measure word for people and many common A CD Yì -zhāng xī-dì 个 ge objects A DVD 一张DVD Yì -zhāng dī-wĕi-dì A notepad 一本笔记本 Yì-bĕn bĭ-jì-bĕn A measure word for the words meaning “thing” 件 jiàn A dictionary 一本字典 Yì-bĕn cí-diăn nà (In Beijing, you That 那 Ways to verify the identity of something might hear nèi instead.) English Chinese characters Mandarin Pinyin Nă (In Beijing, you Which 哪 这是一本书吗？ Zhè shì yì-bĕn shū ma? might hear nĕi Is this a book? 这是一本书不是？ Zhè shì yì-bĕn shū bu-shi? instead.) 这是不是一本书？ Zhè shì bú-shi yì-bĕn shū? What (This word is a common, but less formal, 啥 sà 是,这是一本书。 Shì, zhè shì yì-bĕn shū. expression than shén-me.) 啥子 sà-zi Yes, this is a book. 对,这是一本书。 Duì, zhè shì yì-bĕn shū. What? (This word might sound like shém-me 什么 shén-me 不是, 这不是一本书。 Bú duì, zhè shì yì-bĕn shū. in rapid speech.) No, this is not a book. 不对, 这不是一本书。 Bú-duì, zhè bú-shì yì-bĕn shū. A measure word for computers and television 台 tái sets Pronunciation reminders A measure word for many furniture items and This system follows Chinese Pinyin with the exception that the letter “u,” which has 张 zhāng flat objects two pronunciations. Sometimes it has the value of ü (“ee” as in see with rounded lips). At those times we use the symbol “ü” instead of Pinyin “u.” In making this sound, it is Zhè most important that the vowel more resembles an “ee” sound and definitely not sounding This 这 (In Beijing, you might like a “oo” sound as in “moon.” hear zhèi instead.) a, an, ang The “a” in these syllables sounds like the “a” in “father.” A measure word for stick-like objects such as ao Sounds like the “ow” in “cow.” 支 zhī pens and pencils. de, ge Here the “e” sounds much like the “a” in “above” or the “u” in “under.” ei Sounds like the “ay” in “say” or “day.” A measure word for clocks, watches, body parts, 只 zhī en, eng Sounds like the “un” in “fun” or the “ung” in “lung.” suitcases and other objects. ian Sounds like “ee-ehn” or “yen” (Here “ehn” and “en” almost sounds like the word “yen.”) Ways to ask what something is ong The “o” here sounds much like the “oo” in “ooze” or “spoon.” qian Sounds “tchee-ehn” (ehn rhymes with “hen”) English Chinese characters Mandarin Pinyin qǜ Sounds like “tchee” but said with rounded lips. shi Sounds almost like the “shir” in “shirt.” The tongue is retracted and lightly curled. What is this? 这是什么? Zhè shì shén-me? si Sounds somewhat like sz, the vowel short, it is between “i” in “it” and “u” in “mut.” What is that? 那是什么? Nà shì shen-me? ü Sounds much like the “ee” in “see” but the vowel must be uttered with rounded lips. x Sounds like a weak “sh”; xing sounds like “sheeng.” What is this thing? 这个是什么? Zhè-ge shì shén-me? you Sounds somewhat like the “yo” in “yodel.” 这件东西是什么? Zhè-jiàn dōng-xi shì shén-me? z Sounds like a “tz” without any aspiration. Pronouncing this as ‘dz’ betrays Ameri- What is that thing? can accent which will still be understood by the listener. 那个是什么? Nà-ge shì shén-me? This is an unaspirated “ch” with the tongue retracted and lightly curled. For 那件东西是什么? zh Nà-jiàn dōng-xi shì shén-me? example, “zhu” almost sounds like “drew.” zhi Sounds almost like “djir.” It almost rhymes with “fur.” Ways to tell what something is Tones English Chinese characters Mandarin Pinyin Using numbers: 5 = your normal high 4 = mid-high 3 = your normal mid pitch 2 = mid low pitch 1 = your normal low pitch This is a book. 这是一本书。 Zhè shì yì-bĕn shū. Tone Description Notes That is a book. 那是一本书。 Nà shì yì-bĕn shū. ā High level pitch (55) Regarding Tone ă This is a ballpoint pen. 这是一支圆珠笔。 Zhè shì yì-zhī yuan-zhū-bĭ. á Mid-Rising Tone (35) 1. when occurring directly before another That is a ballpoint pen. 那是一支圆珠笔。 Nà shì yì-zhī yuan-zhū-bĭ. ă Dipping (213) dipping tone, tone ă becomes tone á. Thus à High falling pitch (51) “hĕn hăo” (very good) changes to “hén hăo” Ways to tell what something is a An unstressed neutral tone. Following 2. occurring directly before any other other syllables, syllables in this tone tone, Tone ă will change to a mid-falling English Chinese characters Mandarin Pinyin tend to be slightly lower that of the tone previous syllable. The lone exception Regarding Tone à A piece of paper 一张纸 Yì-zhāng zhĭ is when it occurs after tone ă when the When occurring before another à tone A pencil 一支铅笔 Yì-zhī qiān-bĭ neutral tone is often slightly higher. The first tone à reduces its fall to 53 A watch 一只手表 Yì -zhī shŏu-biăo Next month, we will deal with identifying places in the home and city. ♦ A table 一张桌子 Yì -zhāng zhuō-zi A chair 一把椅子 Yì -bă yĭ-zi About Pat Welsh A bed 一张床 Yì -zhāng chuáng In 2009 while teaching English at Sichuan University, Welsh was asked to give a speech where he was A desk 一张书桌 Yì -zhāng shū-zhuō introduced to the audience as a “pioneer of Chinese American relations” as a result of his cooperative work in international banking during the Deng Xiaoping era. For more than 65 years, Welsh has been learning A clock 一个钟,…一个时钟 Yì -ge zhōng. yí-ge shí-zhōng Chinese and has used this knowledge both professionally and personally to enhance his understanding of A newspaper 一份报纸 Yì -fèn bào-zhĭ Chinese and Asian affairs. He uses Beijing Mandarin most frequently when meeting with senior Chinese A computer 一台电脑 Yì -tái diàn-năo government officials when conducting business in China. For 17 years, Welsh taught Chinese, German and Spanish in two local high schools. Now fully retired, A television set 一台电视 Yì -tái diàn-shì he currently resides in Georgia where he used to lecture on China to a number of classes at Dunwoody A radio 一台收音机 Yì -tái shōu-yīn-jī High School. PAGE 8 / November-December 2019 food & beverage www.chinainsight.info Hot tea … cold winds Yale students’ fast- By Bill Waddington, contributor casual restaurants Jasmine, cinnamon, gin- ger, chrysanthemum, orange redefine Chinese peel, cardamom, anise, hibiscus, brown sugar, and strong tea are but a few of the tweaks people food in NYC make to their tea-drinking as winter approaches. Source: Xinhua, October 14, 2019 Tea is loved in many cultures throughout the world, and as the weather turns cold, there seems to be two ways tea-making habits change: • Make it stronger Fresh chai is the best antidote to a cold winter’s day • Add something to it In China, particularly in the northern-most provinces of Heilongjiang Indian Chai recipes. TeaSource masala chai and Harbin, jasmine is the addition of combines tea, milk sweetener, cardamom, choice for tea drinkers. Jasmine green tea nutmeg, ginger, clove and pepper. But there consumption goes up but they will also drink are wonderful new tweaks on traditional jasmine oolong tea. The addition of jasmine chai such as chocolate chai (teaser photo on blossoms and scent makes for a wonderfully page 1), decaf chai, and green tea apple chai. potent cup of tea. Two other wonderful additions to a hot By increasing the water temperature cup of black tea when the cold winds blow with any white, green, or oolong tea, you are chocolate and vanilla. Of course, there will automatically make a stronger, more are those who would argue that chocolate aromatic cup that will rejuvenate you on a and vanilla are wonderful additions anytime cold blustery day. of the year! But particularly in the winter A Yale University doctorate environ- way of cooking is also simplified, with most In other parts of China, tea drinkers months, they can cheer up a dark cold day. mental science student from northeastern ingredients prepared beforehand and laid out may add chrysanthemum, citrus peel, even Other great winter options when talk- China learned many of the Chinese res- for customers to create their own combina- yak butter to bring more aroma, body and ing about herbal teas are peppermint and taurants he frequented will not be around tions – much like in their own kitchens. oomph to their tea. hibiscus. Peppermint is one of the strongest, much longer because the older generations The Yale-educated entrepreneurs share Another strategy for helping tea ward bracing herbs out there. Adding a bit of who ran them do not have kids who want an ambitious goal of making their brand the off wintery weather is to shift to more full- peppermint to a tea base can be wonderful. to follow in their footsteps. So, driven by world's largest modern Chinese food chain bodied varieties; particularly toward darker Hibiscus steeps up a brilliant ruby red with a craving for the taste of home, he gathered with over 1,000 locations, and are quite oolongs, shu puers, and stronger black teas. a tart, full body that can counter any wind six other Chinese college friends and started confident about Junzi's prospect. Some folks may simply make their tea chill. And when hibiscus is blended with Junzi Kitchen. "The Chinese immigrants who came stronger; steeping longer, use hotter water, dried fruit, as in red berries, it is similar to The first of these fast-casual restaurants here some 30 years ago didn't have the or using more tea leaves. drinking hot cider, and just as restorative. opened in 2015 across from the Yale cam- resources or support to do this. But we are In the U.S., this same tendency toward Tea sales tend to jump during the colder pus. Its menu mainly consisted of chun born in an era of entrepreneurship in China a stronger cup of tea with additional ingre- months. This is true in America, Europe and bing (flour wraps, photo above) and bowls and many investors are optimistic about our dients in the winter months occurs, with a even in Asia, particularly in China. Tea is of noodles, which are easily customized by business potential," said one of the founders. nod to the traditional holiday tastes (think naturally warming (with a good nutritive customers by choice of meats, vegetables "I think we are not just running a restaurant Christmas cookies). Cinnamon/spice tea is profile), which is essential in colder climes. and sauces. The chain now has five res- brand, we are actually building a new cul- one of the most popular winter blends, with And there are so many options in the world taurants, three of which are in Manhattan.¬ tural symbol of China through food. I think or without caffeine. Teas like TeaSource of tea that during the winter months, you Junzi keeps its flavours simple while this could be quite meaningful.” ♦ Spice or Montana Gold fit this bill. will never get tired of a particular winter staying authentic to Chinese taste buds. Its When talking about cold weather teas, tea, or run out of choices. ♦ we have to talk about chai. Chai is a tradi- tional Indian way of preparing and drinking tea that combines strong black tea, milk, a Bill Waddington is the founder sweetener and some mysterious combina- of TeaSource, Minnesota’s own tea tion of Indian spices (cardamom being the importer. He is a frequent guest on common denominator in most chai recipes). National Public Radio’s “The Splendid There are few drinks more invigorating Table” and has served on the board of when the cold winds blow than a hot cup of the American Premium Tea Institute. chai. Masala chai is the most traditional of

Junzi Kitchen staff prepare food at Manhattan, New York, location Some Confucian food basics:

• Food should be served in small or chopped pieces • The taste of any dish depends on proper mixing of all of its ingredients and condiments • Taste of individual elements does not have great importance in food, but fine blending of ingredients results in great taste and dishes in meals must be compatible • Blending of food also results in harmony and is an important part of the philosophy; without harmony foods cannot taste good www.chinainsight.info community November-December 2019 / PAGE 9 Saint Paul delegation visits sister city MINIMUM Changsha, China 50¢ PER HAND By Greg Hugh To commemorate the 31-year sister- rate the 31 years sister-city relation. city relationship and the completion of The delegation included members led the first phase of the Saint Paul-Changsha by MN China Friendship Garden Society Sister-city China Friendship Garden of Board members along with Ramsey County Whispering Willows and Flowing Wa- Commissioner Trista Matascastillo, Saint ters, a 41-member delegation traveled to Paul Ward 1 Councilman Dai Thao (co- Changsha to celebrate the occasion in early chair), U of M Regent Board Ilean Her, October. representatives from other organziations, city staff, educational and cultural leaders. U.S. Counsel General J. Fouss also attended the event. "We are committed to strengthening our sister-city relationship for the long 5 CARD DRAW POKER haul and are hopeful our partnership in the various endeavors continue to thrive," Senator Hawj told members of Changsha's People Congress. JACKS OR BETTER Hmong women from the U.S. joined Presentation of the St. Paul City Flag with their Changsha sisters circling around Nkauj Hmoob Lucy singing a blessing Minnesota Senator Foung Hawj pre- song for the sister-city relation. The statue DEUCES WILD sented to Chinese Deputy Director Liming is one of five Peanut statues Saint Paul Yuan of the Standing Committee of the gifted Changsha in return for the pavilion ROYAL FLUSH WINS UP TO $24,000 Changsha People's Congress the city flag Changsha provided as a gift for the Chinese of Saint Paul as a gesture of friendship on garden.♦ behalf of Mayor Mel Carter to commemo- RunAces.com

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nwhealth.edu/ChinaInsight 952-885-5409 Pavilion gifted by Changsha to Saint Paul for the Saint Paul-Changsha Sister-city China Friendship Garden of Whispering Willows and Flowing Waters nwhealth.edu PAGE 10 / November-December 2019 arts & culture www.chinainsight.info Chinese calligrapher Wang Dongling’s chaos script on exhibit By Elaine Dunn

De Jing Chapter I & II” (written by philosopher Laozhi during the Warring States Period, 475-221 B.C.), was created specifi- cally for Asia Society as part of a special perfor- mance given by the artist at the Museum on March 2, 2018. The first chapter, “Embodying the Dao,” serves as an introduction of the Dao’s meaning and purpose. Chapter two, “The Nourishment of the Person,” outlines the concept that all expe- Wang was born in 1945 in Rudong, rience is relative and that one must have a Jiangsu Province, China. The artist studied holistic perspective to gain enlightenment. traditional calligraphy under Master Lin Wang’s work is an excellent example of Sanzhi (1898–1989) and later under Mas- contemporary experiments in Chinese cal- ter Sha Menghai (1900–1992) at Zhejiang ligraphy techniques and the lasting intercon- Academy of Art (now China National Chinese calligraphy, the stylized writing Depending on the purpose of the text, nectedness between text, calligraphy, and Academy of Arts) in Hangzhou. He cur- of characters, is often regarded as an art form calligraphers select the script style they painting. This exceptional piece is now part rently serves as the director of the Modern and prized above all others by the Chinese prefer and add their own flourishing touches. of the Asia Society Museum Collection of Calligraphy Study Center at China National elite. It also was one of the criteria for can- Some of the highly acclaimed calligraphers text- and calligraphy-based artworks. Academy of Arts in Hangzhou.♦ didates applying for civil service in the past. in Chinese history are Wang Xizhi (王羲之) Each Chinese character is represented and his youngest son Wang Xianzhi (王獻 by a unique set of visually balanced strokes. 之), Ouyang Xun (歐陽詢), Su Shi (蘇軾), Chinese calligraphy is based on stroke order Zhao Mengfu (趙孟頫) and Zhu Yunming “Calligraphy by those good in brush strength has much bone; that and placement. The calligrapher controls the (祝允明). by those not good in brush strength has much flesh. Calligraphy width of strokes by varying the amount of Currently on exhibit at the Asia Society that has much bone but slight flesh is called sinew-writing; that pressure applied to the brush as well as the Museum (725 Park Ave.) in New York is with much flesh but slight bone is called ink-pig. Calligraphy thickness of the ink. Wang Dongling’s “Ink in Motion.” The The Chinese written language was exhibit runs through Jan. 5, 2020. with much strength and rich in sinew is of sage like quality; that developed approximately 3,000 years ago. Wang is widely recognized as one of the with neither strength nor sinew is sick. Every writer proceeds in There are three formal and two informal most celebrated living calligraphers from accordance with the manifestation of his digestion and respira- scripts commonly used in the Chinese writ- China. The artist is best known for his large- tion of energy.” ten language. scale compositions, which are created on the The three formal ones are: floor with oversized brushes through highly -Bizhentu, “Illustrations of Brush Stroke Strategies,” 7th • Seal script (zhuanshu 篆書), known as physical movements. Wang’s experimental such because it was mainly used on per- approach to calligraphy, featuring his chaos century sonal seals; script style (luanshu 亂書) renders the texts • Clerical script (lishu 隸書) was mainly almost completely indecipherable. Wang’s used by government clerks beginning in the expressive movements create a field of late Han Dynasty in the second century; and abstract gestures that prioritize the formal • Standard script (kaishu 楷書), where each aesthetics of his script over its legibility. brush stroke is clearly articulated. Language becomes a formalistic tool rather The informal ones are semicursive script than the primary subject in traditional cal- (xingshu 行書) and cursive script (caoshu ligraphy. The resulting controlled chaos, 草書), which developed around the time in a nod to western gestural abstraction, when flexible-hair brushes were invented. alters the distinction between calligraphy These brushes allowed the calligrapher to and painting as well as the conventional produce wave-like diagonal strokes. “Oracle relationship between reading and looking in bone” form (甲骨文) was the earliest set of relation to traditional Chinese calligraphy. pictograms, usually found carved onto jade, Presented publicly for the first time and oracle bones and bronze vessels. meant to be read from right to left, “Dao

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Wang at work with a giant brush and ink in a plastic tub. www.chinainsight.info arts & culture November-December 2019 / PAGE 11 Goddess Sa worship in Dong ethnic groups in China, Part II By Chen Na and Bu Aihua, The Center for Hunan Cultural Heritage at Huaihua University, contributors

Note: This is the second article of two on Goddess Sa worship by Dong ethnic groups submitted by The Center for Hunan Cul- tural Heritage as U.S.-China cultural and educational exchange and research. The Center for Hunan Cultural Heritage is located in Huaihua University, southwest Hunan Province, China. It is a provincial translation institute dedicated to the preservation and development of Hunan’s diverse ethnic communities and shared with the global community. This month’s article features folk beliefs of Shamanism---the practice of Goddess Sa worship in Dong ethnic groups in China. Chen Na is a lecturer at Foreign Language School of Huaihua University. Her research interests cover comparative educa- tion and cross-culture study. Living in the minority area, she has strong affection and various chances to experience the minority cultures in the local area. Professor Bu Aihua is the head of International office, Centre for Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan Exchange as well as the dean of International School of Huaihua University. Her major research interests cover comparative education, biculturalism and bicultural active living lifestyle with a special focus on the Hmong youth in western part of Hunan Province and the state of Minnesota. She is also the vice director of the Center for Hunan Cultural Heritage. This article is also supported by the 2018 key project of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Fund Project of Huaihua Municipality.

Pray to Goddess Sa for having eng players in the village would head up emony during the first three days of Chinese children the parade, playing Lusheng in high spirit. lunar new year. In this period, their augur Dong people believe that Goddess Sa After Goddess Sa is seated at Sax dungh, would select the most auspicious day to of- is omniscient and in charge of everything, they will sing songs to welcome her and fer sacrifice to Goddess Sa. When the day including childbirth. In order to fulfill a wish offer her several cups of Youcha. At first, comes, they open up the doors of the God- of having children and being able to have one cup for Goddess Sa, then one cup for dess Sa house (some Dong villages build safe deliveries, Dong people usually wor- themselves. Once again, three more cups a house) and clean it up very early. They ship Goddess Sa and pray for her protection for Goddess Sa, and three more cups for set up chairs in the middle of the house for of the birth. Customarily, Dong women who themselves as well, which means they are the chief elders of each village. And most suffered from infertility for a long time were worshiping Goddess Sa and praying for her importantly, they prepared a vacant seat in bathed by Dong witches at the local well protection and prosperity. The Caigetang event --- photo from www. the middle for Goddess Sa, so she can with and to pray to Goddess Sa for having chil- Baidu.com them for joyful harvest. After being seated, the elders would sing songs to express their dren. They put a bench by the well, wound (When Dong people are dancing Doye, gratitude to Goddess Sa for a safe harvest a colorful silk thread above the bench and the men and women are separated or mixed, year, a flourishing population under her hung three ears of grains under the bench, hand in hand or hand to shoulder in a circle protection and blessing. In addition, on that which symbolized a colored bridge to lead to move in neat and rhythmic steps, sing- day, all the villagers would dress up to par- them to pick up children sent from Goddess ing for Goddess Sa for her help and bless- ticipate in this big event. They get together Sa. The children born to those women were ing, interspersed with some words such as in the square of Goddess Sa house, singing regarded as special gifts from Goddess Sa. “Yahya,” “Jericho,” “Jeronme” and the like and dancing, expressing their gratitude to Even nowadays, Dong mothers often say with very high spirit and warm atmosphere.) that babies were sent from the well, prob- Goddess Sa for her blessing and making the best wishes for the coming year. ably because of the custom of praying to Well-prepared Youcha in the event----photo Goddess Sa at the well for having children. from www.baidu.com They usually carry their babies to the local well to burn incenses and paper money3 to worship Goddess Sa to express their heart- Caigetang event - felt gratitude and pray to her to bless them Duoye moonlight ceremony for for happiness and prosperity. Goddess Sa When flowers blossom every February, Youcha sacrificial event the Dongs in Sanbao Dong village, Rongji- Dong men are playing Lusheng in the Caige- In Longsheng Dong villages, Guangxi ang County of Guizhou Province, would tang Event --- photo from Wu Dingyong Province, there is a very famous Youcha hold Caigetang event. A Dong man would sacrificial event to offer Youcha to Goddess disguise as Goddess Sa to guide the villag- Sa. (Youcha is a porridge made with tea ers to invite Goddess Sa spirit out for the Spring sacrificial ceremony Well-dressed Dong women in the Goddess leaves, sticky rice and lard.) spring outing, and all Dong women in the In Linxi Dong village, Sanjiang County, Sa worship Event---photo from www. Baidu. villages would dress up with splendid tradi- Guangxi Province, around the Chinese com tional attire, while some men in the village 2 Grain Rain season from April 19- 21 In Dong culture, the worship of Goddess would dress like ancient warriors playing each year, villagers would gather to hold Sa has a long history and a great influence gongs and drums and Lusheng. At noon, a ceremony to worship Goddess Sa before on the lives of Dong ethnic groups. Although all villagers would gather in front of Sax the spring seeding time, which is called there exist differences in the ways Goddess dungh. When the three cone-drum salutes the Spring Sacrifice. Before the event, the Sa is worshiped by different Dong ethnic go off, they will begin to set off firecrack- augur in the village would select the most groups in different regions, their aim is ers, play gongs,drums and Lusheng. The auspicious day. On that day, the head and the same -to worship her and pray for her man disguised as Goddess Sa starts to light elders of the village would come to Sax protection and blessing. ♦ a lantern, burns incenses and paper money1, dungh for a special offering to Goddess Sa pours brown sugar water for Goddess Sa, Dong women are preparing Youcha for - a few seedlings taken from the main fields Notes: Goddess Sa in the event---photo from www. would walk around the ground three times, surrounding the village. After the sacrificial 1. paper money: made to resemble money. Baidu.com carrying an ancestral basket with some ceremony, these seedlings would be sowed Customarily, Chinese people usually burn in- ancient Dong costumes inside, praying for in their own fields. They believe Goddess censes and paper money as offerings to the dead On a selected auspicious day in Febru- the blessing of Goddess Sa. After that, with Sa would bless the growth of the seedlings and the gods on special occasions. ary, all women in the event would put on a half-opened black umbrella in hand, he and bring a bumper harvest in the coming 2. Grain Rain season, as “谷雨” in Chinese, their traditional fine costumes, wear tingling would lead all Dong women to walk out autumn. is from April 19-21 every year, when the sun and glittering silver jewelries, and go on of the village to enjoy the beautiful spring reaches 30 degrees in longitude. Chinese people have creatively divided a year into 24 solar terms a village parade at an auspicious time to scenery with Goddess Sa with the gong and Goddess Sa worship event in welcome Goddess Sa to Sax dungh in their drum players walking at the front and the to guide agricultural production since the ancient village, where they have already placed a Lusheng players behind. What they say, sing Liping and Congjiang counties times. The Grain Rain season is the sixth of the Unlike other Dong regions in China, in solar term of a year, and the last solar term of chair for her. Customarily, only the women and dance in the event are all about Goddess Liping, and Congjiang counties Guizhou the Spring as well, which signals the end of cold in the village have the honor to guide God- Sa and for her protection and blessing, and Province don’t burn incenses and paper weather and a rapid rise in temperature. It is a dess Sa to Sax dungh. When they welcome all enjoy singing and dancing, wishing this money as offerings to worship Goddess Sa. critical period for the growth of crops and also Goddess Sa to Sax dungh, the female Lush- wonderful time would not end. Instead, they hold Goddess Sa worship cer- the best seeding time for farmers. PAGE 12 / November-December 2019 books www.chinainsight.info “Betwixt and Between” by Margaret Sun & “Shanghai Daisy” by Daisy Kwok By Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books, July 1, 2019

There always comes a time when, as people age, events move from being “within living memory” to “history.” There is even more urgency to capture these voices in Author: Margaret Sun a place like China where, for reasons of Publisher: Earnshaw Books war and turmoil, fewer voices were, on the whole, captured at the time. Publication date: August 2019 Earnshaw Books has released the mem- Softcover: 276 pages oirs of two women, each remarkable in her own way, and similar in others, that lived Sun was born in Shanghai in 1935. She wit- through these times and who, atypically, nessed, first-hand, China’s changes from the have set down their memories in English. They share some commonalities: although communist takeover at the most basic levels spent their formative years (and in Kwok’s of society. Her memoir captured how the lives case, the rest of her life) in Shanghai, both of ordinary people were affected by “New” were Cantonese. Kowk was a bit older, China’s policies. but both knew pre-War Shanghai and the Japanese occupation as well as, of course, She is now retired and lives in Urumqi. She the periods following. has two children and two grandchildren. Margaret Sun’s “Betwixt and Between” is the more substantial of the two. Sun was born into a what sounds like a middle-class family — her father worked for Siemens — but the War and her father being accidentally caught up in a foiled embezzlement reduced them to near penury; Sun herself sold Daisy Kwok (dec.) cigarettes and snacks on the street outside Author: the building where three generations of the Edited by: Tess Johnston and Graham family lived in one room. The company her Earnshaw family kept, however, remained reasonably cosmopolitan and, somehow through all Publisher: Earnshaw Books this, Sun grew up with considerably fluency Publication date: July 2019 in English. In 1956, Sun volunteered to go work in Softcover: 108 pagess Xinjiang. The next two decades are a time of a few highs (the melons) but mostly Kwok experienced old and modern Shanghai, considerable hardship. Sun, it appears, China and “New” China. For three decades, was (and presumably still is) a woman of she was labeled and criticized as a “capitalist.” considerable intellect: not only did she speak Cantonese, Shanghainese, Mandarin, Earnshaw is a writer and publisher who has read and write English (she would seek out long lived in the China world. Johnston has English-language books, which were as rare served abroad for more than half a centur in as hens teeth in Xinjiang), she also picked Asia. Johnston moved to Shanghai in 1981 up Uyghur and Kazakh. These sections of the book are filled with a wealth of anecdote to work at the U.S. Consulate General and in and observation. 1996, after more than 30 years in the Foreign I have milked cows, collected cow- Service, retired and stayed on until her 2016 pads, taken in knitting and worked as a repatriation. She now writes, researches, and day laborer. I have taught, done inter- lectures in Washington, D.C. pretation and translation. I have done whatever I had to do. Despite having little formal education, Sun ended up teaching English at Xinjiang University. ing details, such as continuing to celebrate However immensely valuable both Daisy Kwok was what would have Christmas through the War. The good life books are as first-person accounts, both About the reviewer been in other circumstances an heiress to seeped away only slowly. “The changes to suffer from a certain lack of narrative. the Wing On retail empire. But 1949 put life in Shanghai didn’t take place immedi- We are fortunate to have either, and given Peter Gordon is the editor of The Asian paid to that. Born in Australia in 1908, she ately after the communists arrived in 1949. the circumstances under which they were Review of Books and founder of Hong moved to Shanghai as a young girl when It was a more gradual process … ” notes written, any literary shortcomings can and Kong’s online bookseller Paddyfield. her father went to Shanghai to set up Wing publisher Graham Earnshaw in his preface. should be forgiven. Nevertheless, if one He set up and was the inaugural On Department store on Nanking Road. Al- “Life continued remarkably unchanged for were to review the books rather than their Chair of the Man Asian Literary Prize though almost all her relatives left Shanghai many years for many people in many ways, authors, one might feel obliged to point out and was one of the founders and by 1949, and despite having had a number of through to the end of the 1950s.” Kwok both suffer from a certain amount of repeti- organizers of the original Hong Kong opportunities to leave herself, Daisy Kwok mentions the “Park Hotel’s new restaurant tion, digression and chronological jumping International Literary Festival. stayed on, and was slowly swallowed up by in the penthouse” in the 1950s, which im- about. Kwok’s is more a series of vignettes He has also been involved in China’s turbulent history. plies, notes Earnshaw, that “people other than a narrative. international trade and investment While Kwok’s pre-War life was evi- than the lumpen proletariat were around to Either, however, could catalyze a very development, and set up the Russian dently both glamorous and exciting — her dine there.” And Kwok somehow managed good novel. Both are thought-provoking, Trade Association (a chamber of account contains equal parts of parties and to keep a maid until 1966. individually and jointly: were the various commerce) in Hong Kong in 1994. He run-ins with gangsters — the appeal of the The book is however very short, with Chinese political campaigns harder to en- wrote regular editorial columns for work lies in its scope as her life traces out a fewer than 100 pages from Kwok, book- dure if one started off affluent? Sun, friendly Hong Kong's English-language dailies trajectory from effective princess to effec- ended by the lengthy preamble from with Uyghurs and Kazakhs, tolerant of for several years and is co-author of the tive peon: there is a Dr Zhivago aura to this publisher Earnshaw and similarly lengthy Muslim beliefs and practices, observant to recently published “The Silver Way: story, of someone trying to maintain some epilogue by the former American diplomat a fault, is still in Xinjiang. She effectively China, Spanish America and the Birth sort of normality, concern for family, even Tess Johnston, both evidently close friends ends her story in 1978; the years to her of Globalisatiion, 1565-1815.” keeping what she felt were standards up, in of the author. Kwok died in 1998; why these retirement in 2002 are covered at a gallop. the harshest of circumstances. memoirs remained in the drawer, as it were, Regarding conditions today, Sun keeps her Her account also has numerous surpris- for two decades is unclear. own counsel. ♦ www.chinainsight.info education November-December 2019 / PAGE 13 Teaching Chinese law in 25450

Brazil 5 x 7 By Chang Wang, contributor 4C Last month, at the invitation of FGV I discussed at length the formation of “Rule Enjoy the season! Escola de Direito de São Paulo (FGV Law by Law” as a “grand narrative” in its his- School in São Paulo), I taught a weeklong torical context and the controversy around condensed course on the development of the different interpretations of individual rights. modern Chinese legal system titled “Rule The course began with a study of legal by Law in China.” It was attended by 26 traditions and core assumptions underly- graduate, undergraduate, and international ing the role of law in China, followed by exchange students. a comparative analysis of respective legal conventions and beliefs in China and West- ern countries. One full session was devoted to the legal system of the People's Republic of China, looking at the law promulgated in the 1950s, the abolition of the legal system during the Cultural Revolution, the renewed emphasis on codification of law since 1979, new areas and issues after China’s acces- sion to the WTO, the recent Constitutional Fundação Getúlio Vargas (Getulio Amendments, and the upcoming Civil Code Vargas Foundation, or FGV) is a Brazilian in 2020. The course introduced contem- higher education institution and think tank porary legal and political institutions, the founded in 1944. It is considered by the law-making process, interpretation and Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program implementation of law, dispute resolution, of the University of Pennsylvania as the top extralegal practices, and public awareness think tank in Latin America, best-managed of, and attitudes toward the law. The course Wishing you all the joy and peace of the holidays. think tank worldwide, and seventh-best also included a detailed examination of con- think tank in the world. FGV Law School temporary China’s approach to individual in São Paulo’s “Global Law Program” con- rights, with a focus on the ways in which sists of a set of courses taught in English. Chinese authorities and academics interpret The purpose of the program is to prepare key doctrines of public international law, lawyers to work in an international scenario including 1) the traditional relationship of since Brazil has been increasingly present the individual to the state; 2) rule by law vs. wellsfargo.com as a global player. the rule of law; 3) judicial independence and © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The “Rule by Law” in China course judicial integrity; and 4) due process. All rights reserved. IHA-25450 provided a comprehensive overview of law The course examined Western, espe- and politics of 20th and 21st-century China cially German and American, influences in in their historical and cultural contexts. It specific areas of Chinese society and what introduced Brazilian students to distinctive role German and American jurisprudence and Equal Treaty System (1939-1949); understand the philosophical underpinnings paradigms and discursive patterns of law and the concept of rights have played in the Extraterritoriality; the Cultural Revolu- of the Chinese legal and political system; and politics in China, with the intention of “modernization” of China. Attention was tion (1966-1976); the trial of the Gang of they were aware of the differing viewpoints fostering comparative analysis and critical given to cross-cultural misunderstanding Four (1981), the course utilized traditional regarding universal values (justice, liberty, thinking. Initially, the course focused on and misinterpretation, and the interaction Oxford-style debate format for class discus- freedom, democracy, individual rights) modern Chinese history since 1840, paying between culture and law. sions, with one side proposing and the other in China and the western world; and they particular attention to traditional Chinese Brazilian students looked at China’s side opposing a sharply-framed motion. were able to compare competing arguments, views of the role of law in society, as well place in the world, evaluated general as- Before the debate begins, the entire class and analyze the evidence supporting these as to the legal and political aspects of early sumptions of universal values, described the (except the debaters) registered their pre- arguments, basing their analyses on those Sino-Western interaction. The second part dominant ideology and its development and debate opinion (for, against, or undecided) differing viewpoints. of the course focused on substantive laws, variations, and compared the legal conven- by a vote. Each panel/team consists of On the final debate on the motion that high profile legal cases and major political tions and beliefs of different cultures. The one-to-two students, arguing for or against “Western-style liberal democracy has failed, events in the People’s Republic of China course helped students develop a better a particular motion. Firstly, alternating be- ’Beijing Consensus’ (China Model) is win- in modern times. The course concluded by understanding of the political system and tween panels, each team gives a five-minute ning.” The debate reached a tie, and we con- examining current issues in Chinese law culture of China from a comparative per- opening statement. Secondly, the floor was cluded by declaring that both western-style from both sides, and by looking into China’s spective, and it will help them predict legal opened for questions from the entire class liberal democracy and Beijing Consensus argument for the “Beijing Consensus,” or actions and outcomes across cultures. and inter-panel challenges. Thirdly, the are winning. ♦ “China Model.” The classes progressed by Course readings included translated debaters had one final opportunity to sway way of interactive discussion and critical laws, regulations and party policies, legal audience opinion through their two- to three- readings of historical documentation and cases, historical documents and commen- minute closing arguments. legal texts. taries. Viewings for the course included The entire class (except the debaters) This course was designed to break selected feature and documentary film clips delivered the final verdict by voting again through the traditional Chinese learning/ relating to the Chinese legal and political after the debate, whether they were for, western learning dichotomy and interpret systems, as well as Chinese artistic expres- against, or undecided on the proposition. legal cases, political events and cultural sions devoted to legal issues. The two sets of results were compared, and phenomena from a comparative perspec- Before the course, all students were the winner was determined by which team tive. It brought to light the hidden rationales required to answer various questions: 1) had swayed more classmates between the underscoring historical and ideological nar- Reasons for taking the class; 2) Expecta- two votes. ratives and explained how frequent misun- tions; 3) Knowledge of China and Chinese Sample topics debated in class and on derstandings could occur when comparing legal system 4) Questions about China and writing assignments included: living in FGV Law School faculty interviews Chang political systems and cultures. Students Chinese legal system; 5) The first individual/ Chinese and Western parallel universes, Wang were encouraged to use critical thinking to person to come to mind when they hear the Confucianism and Maoism, the Communist Chang Wang is a Senior Associate argue, to test whether the incommensurabil- word “China”? 6) Where they obtain infor- Party of China (CPC), whether China should Professor of Law and Academic Adviser ity of paradigms can be reconciled, and to mation about China? And, 7) Whether they adopt Western-style rule of law, whether an to Graduate Students at the College of explore how different political systems and had encountered any miscommunication or ethical Chinese lawyer should place the CPC Comparative Law, China University of cultures can communicate with each other misunderstanding situations with Chinese ahead of client’s interest, etc. Political Science and Law (CUPL), the top and exchange ideas effectively. people? Did they know why that happened? By the end of the course, students were law school in China. He is also an attorney This course took a comparative study In addition to lectures on substantive able not only to locate and critically evalu- with Kingsfield Law Office and a member of the University of Minnesota China Center approach in discussing the development laws (constitutional law, criminal law, ate resources and materials on China’s legal Advisory Board. He holds multiple adjunct of legal and political discourses, and the civil law, commercial laws) and historic and political systems, history and current professorships at law schools and business ever-increasing influence of Western juris- lessons on Confucianism, legalism, “Self- affairs, but also understand the diverse phi- schools in the US, China, Europe, Australia, prudence and political science, in modern Strengthening”/Foreign Affairs Movement losophies and cultures within and across the and Brazil. He is specialized in immigration and contemporary China. The students and (1861-1895); “100 Years of Humiliation” society. Specifically, students were able to law and business law. PAGE 14 / November-December 2019 business & economy www.chinainsight.info MCBC hosted “Global 28 Chinese organizations Trade: Crisis and added to U.S. Commerce Opportunity” presentation Entity List WASHINGTON – The Bureau of In- not used to repress defenseless minority By Jackson Venjohn dustry and Security of the Department of populations.” Commerce announced on Oct. 7 that it will The additions include the XUAR Roughly one week before the United quantum computing and communications add 28 Chinese governmental and com- People’s Government Public Security Bu- States and China introduced a plan to move to a country’s comparatively advantageous mercial organizations to the Entity List for reau, 19 subordinate elements, and eight forward on phase one of a trade deal, Min- extent is going to be of utmost influence engaging in or enabling activities contrary commercial entities. Located in XUAR nesota-China Business Council (MCBC) in the coming decade. There was discus- to the foreign policy interests of the United and throughout China, these entities have held a presentation on Oct. 9 at Fredrikson sion that the United States’ private sector States. This action constricts the export of all been implicated in the implementation & Byron law firm in Minneapolis. This may not be able to compete with China’s items subject to the Export Administration of China’s campaign of repression, mass meeting primarily focused on trade and government-lead and financed influence Regulations (EAR) to entities that have arbitrary detention, and high-technology how U.S. organizations can best position in the development of these technologies. been implicated in human rights violations surveillance. themselves to not only survive, but thrive, Lastly, Hanson discussed that despite dur- and abuses in China’s campaign targeting Pursuant to Section 744.11(b) of the during Sino-U.S. trade frictions. The panel- ing a time of great polarity in U.S. politics, Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim EAR, the Entity List identifies persons or ists included: Edward L. Farmer, professor there is a changing tide and tone by both ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uighur organizations reasonably believed to be emeritus, University of Minnesota, Asian sides of the aisle towards encouraging and Autonomous Region (XUAR). involved, or to pose a significant risk of History; Tom Hanson, former U.S. Foreign pressuring China to make structural changes “The U.S. Government and Department being or becoming involved, in activities Service officer with the Department of toward more reform and opening up, spe- of Commerce cannot and will not tolerate contrary to the national security or foreign State; Bob Oberlies, partner at Fredrikson cifically regarding economic freedom, legal the brutal suppression of ethnic minorities policy interests of the United States. The and Byron, Asia practice lead; Ben Baker, system-related accountability, and technol- within China,” said Secretary of Commerce EAR imposes additional license require- vice president of global sourcing at Blu Dot; ogy transfer rights. Wilbur Ross. “This action will ensure that ments on, and limits the availability of most and Jeff George, principal and firm leader Bob Oberlies, head of Fredrikson and our technologies, fostered in an environment license exceptions for, exports, re-exports, for international services for Baker Tilly. Byron’s Asia practice, discussed ways his of individual liberty and free enterprise, are and transfers (in-country) to listed entities. ♦ MCBC’s fall event was facilitated by Larry firm is helping international companies Mahoney - CEO and founder of Asia Direct build a resilient supply network and navigate Resource. the challenges of the trade war. Oberlies Farmer, who had focused much of his emphasized business abroad developing History career on Asian history and culture, dis- “antifragility,” meaning a capability to cussed elements of Chinese history that are thrive during the midst of shock, stressors, Preparing for the critical to understanding the China-U. S mistakes, or attacks. As our world becomes relationship. He compared the significance more globalized, Oberlies stressed compa- of current developments to the long-term, nies to asses their current areas of risk and Congressional Gold Medal mid-term and contemporary periods of his- improve to better protect against uncertainty tory in China. Farmer mentioned that for and unpredictable conditions. Baker, of Ceremony for Chinese many centuries, China was the world’s larg- Blu Dot, has been in the trenches dealing est economy. In the 18th and 19th centuries, with the trade war for several years. He American Veterans of China’s market share was squeezed as the discussed strategies he and his company United States grew in economic and politi- have taken in dealing with a challenging World War II cal power. Farmer noted that now, as China trade and sourcing environment. George, has and is continuing to develop a larger and by giving examples of how Baker Tilly has While many of us had envisioned a fall • Notifying them of the veteran’s receipt of larger international presence, China -- based been helping their clients navigate the trade 2019 Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) the CGM on history -- is returning to a level of ‘nor- war, was able to provide valuable insight on Ceremony in Washington, D.C., the Rec- • Notifying them of updates and progress malcy’ in terms of its global stance. From the current cross-border economic situation ognition Project team has determined that for activities associated with the Recogni- his perspective, this is a positive trend for from a consulting and advising perspective. this ceremony will be held in spring 2020. tion Project activities, including scheduled those looking to doing business with China; Most participating speakers were opti- The exact date will not be known until the ceremonies. however, the current situation is much more mistic on the long-term international trade process of working with the U.S. Mint on the • The next of kin, receiving the Congres- complex. His mid-term and short-term environment between the United States design, reviews, approval, and manufacture sional Gold Medal on behalf of the veteran views were less optimistic and very similar and China. However, due to the economic of our Chinese American WWII Veterans in their absence. in nature to Hanson’s. frictions, technological growth, complex CGM is completed. Once the U.S. Mint • Acting as the responsible party for the vet- Hanson presented a political overview competitiveness between two different finalizes and approves the design, they send eran for their care and welfare during their of the long-term impact of a rising China. economic and political styles, and societal notification to Congress, which begins the participation at all ceremonies attended. He noted how China is becoming less and developments in China, all were hesitant process of scheduling the medal ceremony. If your application was approved, we less dependent on trade with the U.S., and to regard the short-term future as anything Once Congress sets the date in coordina- need you to assist us in identifying who will the historical paradigm of international but gloomy for those involved in business tion with our Project team, we’ll be able accept the medal. Check the project website economics relating to China is actively with China. to advise. for the Award of Medal Form. changing before our eyes. The tightening Learn more about Minnesota-China A single replica Congressional Gold The Project continues to raise funds of the communist party’s grip on various Business Council at Medal will be presented to each veteran at from individuals, organizations, and com- aspects of China’s domestic economy as www.minnesotachinabusinesscouncil.org.♦ no charge. If the veteran is no longer living, panies who support this recognition of our well as foreign, was also a main topic of the CAWW2 Recognition Project will pres- WWII veterans so that every one of them or discussion for Hanson. Examples raised Jackson Venjohn is a native of ent a single medal to the next of kin at no their next-of-kin family member will receive were China’s toughness on trade, the social- Minnetonka, Minn., where his inter- charge. Friends are not eligible to receive the honor of this unique Congressional Gold credit system in China being developed and est in China was first sparked while the medal. In some instances, a veteran Medal at no cost. Their service to our coun- implemented, and the structural theft of studying Mandarin in middle school. may have more than one approval letter try is priceless. Please visit our donor page intellectual property, among other things. Years later, he found himself gravitating from the Committee because of applications or consider joining our Recognition Circle. He considered American business’ views toward China’s people, culture and rich submitted by siblings, relatives and friends. The Chinese American WWII Veter- toward cultural developments, including ac- history as well. Regardless of the number of letters, only a ans Recognition Project is a program of tivity in the Xinjiang province and frictions Venjohn is currently an undergradu- single no-charge medal will be presented. the Chinese American Citizens Alliance with Taiwan and Hong Kong, as a threat for ate at the University of Minnesota Carl- All Award of Medal forms must include (C.A.C.A.), a 501(c)8, and the National Chi- Sino-U.S. relations going forward. China’s son School of Management, studying a next of kin. Please coordinate internally nese American Citizens Alliance Commu- technological strength and advancement in finance and Chinese. He is a member with your family on who will be the des- nity Involvement Fund, a 501(c)3. Together artificial intelligence and quantum comput- of the University’s highly competitive ignated next of kin. The definition of next we are spearheading a national campaign to ing in relation to U.S. military and security Chinese Flagship Program, a U.S. of kin can be found at the project website. identify, honor and recognize the efforts and are immense, according to him. These as- Department of Defense-backed initia- Duplicate Award of Medal forms submitted accomplishments of all Chinese Americans pects seem to be a way for China to take tive that “trains students from diverse from multiple family members will delay the who served in the United States Armed the lead economically in manufacturing and disciplines to achieve superior-level final award of the medal. Services in World War II. For up-to-date technology, similar to the way the United Mandarin proficiency and promotes The next of kin assumes the role as the information about the project, visit https:// States dominated computing historically. their success as global professionals.” designated best point of contact and will be www.caww2.org. ♦ According to Hanson, quantum computing He has just begun a 12-month intern- responsible to the veteran and their immedi- cannot be hacked and has tremendous capa- ship with China Insight and will par- ate family for: bilities. Hanson believes the race to develop ticipate in all aspects of the publication. www.chinainsight.info events November-December 2019 / PAGE 15

Education

Nov. 17 deadline for

CAAM merit- and need- Chinese Heritage Foundation

based scholarships

Scholarship application deadline for the Application checklist 2019-2020 undergraduate college school 1. Application form must be completed with Fifteenth Annual Open House year is Nov. 17, 2019. Applicants must be: typing (handwriting is not acceptable). 1. of Chinese descent, 2. Applicant needs to provide one Cover Let- 2. a resident of Minnesota and permanent ter, three letters of recommendation: at least Sunday, November 17, 2019 resident of United States one from a teacher of the current academic 12 noon to 2 pm 3. a senior in high school for the 2019-2020 year and a mentor or advisor. year, 3. Applicant needs to provide the transcript 4. have not received this scholarship previ- of the last 12 months from the most recent Gramercy Park Party Room ously, school attended. 6711 Lakeshore Drive, Richfield 5. must have volunteered at least 12 hours in 4. All of the above materials must be sub- different CAAM events, or will commit to at mitted by email or postmarked no later least 12 hours volunteering work in different than November 17, 2019 for the 2019-2020 Featuring CAAM events in the following 12 months school year. after being awarded with the scholarship, Note: Incomplete applications will Ruth Stricker Dayton 6. agree and promote CAAM’s mission, NOT be considered. 7. for need-based applicants, must provide Application Form can be downloaded at: Honorary Chinese-Minnesotan of Note FAFSA or the latest 3-year Federal tax https://www.caam.org/scholarships/ returns. Email application materials to [email protected] (preferred) or by Evaluation criteria mail to: All are welcome 1. Applicants must meet all the eligibility CAAM Scholarship Chinese American requirements listed above. Come celebrate with us and get involved Association of Minnesota 2. Applicants will be evaluated on their aca- P. O. Box 582584 demic records, including extra curriculums; RSVP by November 10 to Minneapolis, MN 55458-2584 leadership qualities; and community service, Scholarship recipients will be notified [email protected] or 612-275-5381 including both CAAM and other community shortly after the application deadline the service experiences. status of their application. 3. Failure to maintain acceptable academic www.chineseheritagefoundation.org Scholarship recipients are encouraged to performance and exemplary behavior attend CAAM’s Recognition Dinner in De- throughout the school year may result in the cember 2019 and will automatically become revocation of the scholarship. a member of CAAM with good standing after reaching 18 years old. ♦

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED Host a Chinese student and make a difference… Enrich their experience and enhance your own ♦ As a host family you share American culture with a student from China and provide them more than they could learn in a classroom. ♦ Learn about their culture, explore the differences and develop new connections.

Global Learning Alliance (GLA) is a Twin Cities based organization that serves as a facilitator to assist students from China that want to study in the United States. To ensure that the students obtain the best experience possible, GLA seeks to place the students with host families. The length of their stay could vary from a few months to a full school year and include high school and college students of both sexes.

Since we recognize that hosting a student from China may place a financial burden on some families, we will provide some financial reimbursement but expect a family to be a host because of the mutual cultural exchange that both will receive and not just the financial aspect.

While we are seeking host families in all parts the Twin Cities area, we are especially seeking families in Eden Prairie.

To learn more about being a host family, contact Richard He at 612-987-6540 or email, [email protected].

Read ChinaInsight online www.chinainsight.info PAGE 16 / November-December 2019 community www.chinainsight.info US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA) holds 27th National Convention in Minnesota By Greg Hugh

USCPFA members from many parts lege of Dupage, who also attended the Con- of the United States recently gathered at vention and provided personal commentary the Hilton Airport Hotel in Bloomington, to those viewing his videos. Minnesota, to attend its 27th National Con- The next day began with an early break- vention that was hosted by the Minnesota fast followed by greetings from visiting Chapter and the Midwest Regions of the dignitaries, Xu Fenghua from the Chinese organization. People’s Association for Friendship with The convention kicked off with a wel- Foreign Countries, and Counselor Xu Min come reception and dinner Friday evening from the Embassy of the PRC in Washington with welcome greetings by Diana Greer, Na- followed by the opening plenary session that tional President and Ralph Beha, Minnesota included the president’s report, roll call and Chapter president. The evening’s program officer nominations. began with Greer bestowing a number of Following a short break that included a awards of recognition to members for their group picture, Professor Emeritus Ted Farm- service to the organization. er of the University of Minnesota presented Greer presented the Koji Ariyoshi Award his talk about “Peoples Friendship Then and to Mel Horowitz, of the Northeast New Now” followed by a talk by Luca Berrone York Chapter. This award is selected by the about “Citizen Diplomacy and Xi Jinping.” National Board and is granted only to one After a quick buffet luncheon, the gath- recipient. Following were Regional Awards ering boarded onto a coach bus that took selected and submitted by Regions. them to visit the St. Paul-Changsha Chinese Following the meal, Beha then asked Friendship Garden and a tour of the Min- Minnesota Chapter Board Member Margaret neapolis Institute of Arts Asian Collection. Wong to introduce the speakers Jim Hark- The weather cooperated by delivering a ness and Hugh Shapiro, who were former perfect day to enjoy the visit to the garden. Chinese language students of hers in the The delegates returned to the hotel and mid-1970s. While Wong did an excellent after a short break, the convention gath- job of presenting their excellent resumes, ered again in the main hall for the evening Harkness and Shapiro took the opportunity events that included a reception, dinner and to show their appreciation to Wong for in- entertainment that featured Jarrelle Barton stilling in them the appreciation of Chinese and Annelise Carlson playing the guzheng. language and culture, which they conveyed In recognition of their efforts, Linda in the presentation on their “China Recol- Mealy-Lohman and Joyce Hsiao, co- lections”. founders of The Minnesota China Friend- The evening ended with the group ship Society, were honored by the USCPFA watching a Chinese comedy/drama film, National Board for their leadership roles “Ermo,” recommended by Prof. Jason and Lifetime Support in making the St. McGrath of the University of Minnesota, Paul-Changsha Chinese Friendship Garden released in 1994 and directed by Zhou a reality. Xiaowen. It is essentially a satire on Western Students from Yinghua Academy ended consumerism and its influence on Chinese the evening with a fashion show that dis- culture. played period Chinese clothing along with In addition, open throughout the conven- a narrative over various historical periods. tion was a separate resource room organized The final day of the convention began by The Center for Teaching About China with breakfast followed by presentations by that contained all kinds of exhibits of books photographer Wing Young Huie, author of and other reference material, many free “Chinese-ness;” attorney Jason Lee, “U.S. for the taking. Three separate videos were v Wong Kim Ark – A case study of Chinese available for view on demand: a collec- Immigrants’ contribution to the Birthright tion of reminiscences by over 40 USCPFA Citizenship Doctrine;” and Tiberiu Weisz, members on “Forty Years and Beyond: “Han-Israelite Friendship.” Friendship, Successes, and Challenges”. In The convention concluded with the clos- addition, two movies about Chinese gardens ing plenary session. ♦ by Professor Raymond Olson from the Col- All photos by Jinjun He