CHINAInsight Fostering Business and Cultural Harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 8 NO. 2 www.chinainsight.info FEBRUARY 2009 from America, if there is such a thing. My hairstyles were never remotely similar the A just placer immaculate coiffures donned on the domes By Albert Leung, Staff Writer of my fellow Hong Kong brethren; during summer visits I like khaki shorts instead of ily. Despite the numerous visits, I’ve never skinny leg jeans; I prefer wearing t-shirts Pages 2 & 16 felt like I fit into the population mix. I felt on 50 degree days rather than bundling up, as if I stood out from the masses like a lost and so on. Though most of all, I preferred wayfayer rather than blending harmoniously speaking English rather than Cantonese. I with the locals. Amongst all those Chinese think you can put me in any city throughout faces, there stands Albert Leung, who is not America and I’d feel more in place amongst so Chinese. my English speaking commoners. Perhaps As an adolescent and teen, it was inexpli- all these observations are just indications of cably important to me that I could seemingly an insecure young man or typical concerns blend into the country where I was born. I everyone tackles when growing up and didn’t want the locals to easily pinpoint me finding a place in the world. Whatever the as an out-of-touch American kid who knows reasons, now, at 24 years old I have stopped nothing about Chinese culture and language. worrying over such things. Yes, I am more I remember instances of my aunt, who lives American than Chinese and if I look pecu- in Hong Kong, telling her friends and strang- liar to the Hong Kong masses then so be it. ers that my sister and I were only visiting I just hope the women notice and find me from the United States I know she meant Albert pleasing. Workplace Diversity well, but it always supremely embarrassed The universe works in odd ways, rowing up in Minnesota has me. Although, I never put in much effort to Page 5 made me accustomed to the though. disprove anyone who might actually think I This past December I spent two weeks frigid weather and Ameri- am an out-of-touch foreigner. I never dedi- can ways. I feel normal in Hong Kong with just my sister. The trip G cated myself to being fluent in Chinese or allowed me to reevaluate my former anxi- here; in place. Throughout my childhood look like I was “Fresh Off the Boat” (FOB) and teenage years my parents regularly eties. It was an adjustment not having our in the United States. mother with us. Typically during visits my brought my sister and I back to Hong Kong In comparing fashion choices, to Hong to retrace our ancestral roots and visit fam- aunt would accompany us also but due to Kong kids I probably looked like an FOB a cold she was stuck at home for most of our visit. For the first time there, we were reliant on each other to get around, sight- Chinese American see and fend for ourselves. We were truly Immigration on our own. It was carte blanche over our Page 6 More Chinese Americans vacation plans. appointed to key positions in Obama White House

There are three Chinese Americans who Chris was a litigation attorney at Sidley Hong Kong have been selected by President Obama to Austin in Washington, D.C. (1992-1997), serve in his Cabinet; besides Steven Chu, after a clerkship with the Honorable Robert With such freedom, our days varied a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was E. Cowen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for from missions to find obscure art galleries Chinese New Year Obama’s pick for Energy Secretary, there is the Third Circuit (1991-1992). to aimlessly wandering outlying cities we Celebrations Christopher Lu and Christina Tchen. had never visited. We chose not to restrict Page 8 Christina M. Tchen, Director of Public ourselves to the regular tourist spots. Instead Chris Lu, Cabinet Secretary Liaison of delegating others to speak on my behalf, Christopher T c h e n h a s I utilized what Cantonese speaking skills I P. Lu has worked broad litigation have. Using the Internet, we sought for the for President-elect experience at all refuges where locals dwell. We also wanted Obama in a num- levels of the state food. Lots of it. ber of roles over and federal courts. Each passing gluttonous day managed the past four years. She has represented to alter my former view of how I might be He was Legislative companies, officers perceived by the local people. I came to re- Director and Act- and directors in alize that maybe I don’t seem like a foolish ing Chief of Staff shareholder class American visitor as I once thought. It was a in Obama’s Senate and derivative ac- strange sensation this visit. I felt like I had Christopher P. Lu office, as well as a tions, and she has more interaction with random locals and ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Photo: Doug Mills/ Christina M. Tchen policy advisor dur- also handled a wide visitors than I ever had. Almost every day I Announcements / 2 & 3 The New York Times ing the presidential range of commercial, intellectual property was there I had someone approach me to ask Education / 4 & 5 and employment-related litigation. Tchen campaign. Chris was the Executive Direc- for directions, to help their charity or try to American-Born Chinese / 6 tor of the Obama-Biden Transition Project, also has represented public agencies in state engage me in conversation in Chinese. & 7 where he managed the day-to-day opera- and federal class actions, including the Il- One day, for example, I was stopped by a Chinese New Year / 8 tions of the transition. From 1997 to 2005, linois Department of Children and Family woman who was toting her husband and two he was Deputy Chief Counsel to Rep. Henry Services, the Illinois Department of Public kids. She asked which direction she should Sports / 9 A. Waxman on the Democratic staff of the Aid and the Chicago Housing Authority. walk to reach Lady’s Market. Unfortunately Culture / 10, 11, 12 & 16 House Government Reform Committee She serves on the board of the Chicago Bar I had wandered aimlessly for a couple hours Business / 14 Foundation; she is also Chair of the Board of (now the House Oversight and Government and wasn’t entirely sure of my own bearings Economy / 13 & 15 Reform Committee). A graduate of Princ- Field Foundation of Illinois and a member of anymore. I politely said that I was uncertain eton University and Harvard Law School, Key Positions continues on Page 7 Placer continues on Page 5 PAGE 2 > FEBRUARY 2009 announcements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements CHINAINSIGHT A Passage to China: Publisher: Gregory J. Hugh Greetings: [email protected]

Ch i n a Insight is pleased to announce that it is again collaborating with the Chinese Heritage Editor: Foundation (CHF) and has finalized plans to holdA Passage to China (APTC) at the Mall of America Jennifer Nordin (MOA). The dates for this year’s APTC is April 4 and 5, so mark your calendars and make plans to [email protected] participate in this free, cultural family-oriented, interactive event. Manager of Operations/ Last year’s inaugural event at Southdale Mall was enthusiastically received and we look forward Circulation: to presenting an even more exciting event at the Best Buy® Rotunda at the MOA where we have Richard He more space to be able to showcase over 40 local Chinese organizations that are presenting hands- [email protected] on activities along 3 travel itineraries through different regions of China. Some of the activities to be included are the making of lanterns, opera masks and harmonicas; Production Editor: learning to do brush calligraphy, paper folding and using chopsticks; also an opportunity to play Dawn Murphy [email protected] games in Chinese trivia, puzzles or riddles. At the end of each itinerary, travelers bring their com- pleted/stamped “passport” to the CHF table to claim a prize: a Chinese hong bao (red envelop) containing an “ancient” coin on a string necklace. Artist/Intern: On Sunday, April 5, there will be continuous cultural performances throughout the day: singing, Lauren Hugh story telling, dances, and fashion shows. There will also be demonstrations of Chinese painting and flower arranging. Children are also invited to participate in lion dances and also an opportunity Staff Writers: to make their own jianzi (an ancient Chinese shuttlecock game) and butterflies. These activities Greg Hugh will take place at Rotunda and the nearby Sears Court which provide a much quieter venue for the [email protected] performances and seating for the audience. Albert Leung In our effort to reach school students throughout the metropolitan area, we are launching a But- [email protected] terfly Project for schools. We are contacting schools and suggesting that their art/Chinese classes make butterflies (out of any materials they wish), within a prescribed size range, to represent dis- Jennifer Nordin tinctive species native to specific regions of China, attach them all to a string, and bring the string [email protected] to the MOA for public display on our butterfly tree. This simple project integrates several important areas of a student’s learning: art, science, geography and cultural diversity. More information is Mike Xiong [email protected] forthcoming in the March issue of Ch i n a Insight and at the CHF Web site. Promoting cross cultural understanding and harmony is one of the main missions of CHF and Ch i n a Insight is pleased to be part of this cultural journey at the MOA. While this is a great opportu- About Ch i n a Insight nity for the Chinese community to share its rich culture, history and geography, it is a tremendous Ch i n a Insight is a monthly English undertaking and we invite other members of the community to participate by volunteering and language newspaper fostering business consider providing financial support. For information on how you can be involved, contact either and cultural harmony between China [email protected] or [email protected]. Photos of last year’s event may and the U.S. be viewed at http://chineseheritagefoundation.org/news/pastevents2008.php Ch i n a Insight is a Member of The In closing, we invite you to make plans to attend the event and recommend that you even con- Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American sider organizing this as an event to be enjoyed by your family, business, organization or school. A Journalists Association (AAJA).

Passage to China is a rare opportunity to experience the many facets of China that is conveniently Submissions & Correspondence presented at the MOA and there is no cost to attend! Sincerely, Ch i n a Insight welcomes guest articles and mail for the Letters to the Editor Gregory J. Hugh column. Correspondence should be Gregory J. Hugh addressed to: Publisher Editor, Ch i n a Insight 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 Fax: 952 472-6665 [email protected]

Letters to the Editor become the In s i g h t property of Ch i n a Insight and may be edited for length and published. Articles will not be published without Guaranteed the express consent of the author.

YES you could run to the NOTICE TO READERS: The views store and pick up a copy, but did epressed in articles are the author’s and not neccesarily those of ChinaInsight. you know you can have Ch i n a Authors may have a business Insight delivered directly to your relationship with the companies or mailbox? businesses they discuss. A subscription costs a mere $24 and brings a full year (11 issues) of new understanding about today’s China, from lan- guage to business opportuni- ties. Copyright 2008 Ch i n a Insight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info announcements FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 3 A Moment to Remember By Barbara Harbin Cobb It was one of those days when you can development and policies. and, in his remarks, he said: “Normalization remember where you were when you heard From 1972 through 1978, USCPFA orga- of relations is a common victory for our two something, Barbara Harrison said. “On that nized tours that took 5,000 people to China, peoples-a victory which is inseparable from day in December 1978, I was standing in to enable them to see China for themselves. the many years of work you yourselves have my kitchen when I heard on the television Many of these travelers were teachers, who done. I wish to express to you our heartfelt news that formal relations were to be re- multiplied the effect of the experience in thanks . . . many moving deeds showing established between China and the United their classrooms. In 1977, USCPFA cre- Sino-U.S. peoples’ friendship will always States. Then President Carter spoke. I ated its Center for Teaching about China live in our memory. Now is the time for us don’t remember his exact words, but I re- (CTAC) as a distribution point for teaching to develop this bond of friendship.” member how happy and excited they made materials, created by those teachers. In May Barbara Harrison reflects: What did we me feel. Many years later (in the 1990s), I 1978, USCPFA opened an office (the Center expect from this new relationship? This met President Carter at the U.S. Embassy in for US-China Relations) in Washington DC, announcement signaled an opportunity Beijing, and I was able to tell him personally and was honored to have four members of for more frequent and more open relations that I still remembered the day he made the the Liaison Office of the People’s Republic between our countries in the future. I have announcement. It was a moment that still of China attend this opening-their first op- never been disappointed, only pleased, sticks in my mind.” portunity to “have a chat.” with the results of normalization. Changes Claire Hirsch recalled that people-to- In December 1978, the Chinese and in China over the past 30 years have been people friendship was practiced by founding U.S. governments announced the impend- so vast and so great that no one then could ship Ambassador by the Chinese People’s members of the US-China Peoples Friend- ing normalization of relations. In response, have imagined present-day China. Some of Association for Friendship with Foreign ship Association as a forerunner to the es- USCPFA co-chairpersons Frank Pestana and us have been fortunate to see these changes Countries. Barbara Harbin Cobb is an edi- tablishment of diplomatic relations between Unita Blackwell held a press conference and as they developed. Our hope for the future tor of USCPFA’s journal, US-China Review. our two countries. “Although USCPFA did issued a statement, excerpted below: is that our two countries will maintain close For more information, see not create this momentous event in 1979, “The members of the US-China Peoples relations and good will toward each other. www.uscpfa.org. we helped to create a climate that made it Friendship Association rejoice in the re- possible.” alization of the goal of normalization of This article draws on USCPFA archives The Web site for the USCPFA-Minnesota relations between the United States and the and recent comments. Frank Pestana was a Chapter is www.uscpfa-mn.org. USCPFA and the Struggle for People’s Republic of China. Now, with this founder of USCPFA and an untiring worker This article was included in the spe- Normalization handicap removed, we are free to develop a for US-China relations. cial supplement to the Houston Chronicle After both countries’ leaders signed the full program of cultural, artistic, scientific, Claire Hirsch was an early USCPFA newspaper, published January 1, 2009 Shanghai Communiqué during President technological, trade, student, and other member and continues to work for US- marking the 30th anniversary of the nor- Nixon’s 1972 visit to China, we expected exchanges . . . We have never before been China friendship. Barbara J. Harrison from malization of China-US relations, and that China and the U.S. would soon have able to invite delegations from the Chinese Minnesota served as USCPFA National was prepared by the PRC Consulate in open and free relations. We were disap- People’s Association for Friendship with President for 14 years (1991-2005) and, as Houston. You can see the entire supple- pointed when the years dragged on without Foreign Countries to visit the United States one of her first acts, re-instituted USCPFA’s ment with articles and historical photos normalization. even though they have hosted many Ameri- Washington Seminar on US-China Rela- at http://chron.travidia.com/SS/Page. The US-China Peoples Friendship Asso- can delegations through the USCPFA . . . tions; in 2004, she was honored as Friend- aspx?secid=58680&pagenum=1 ciation (USCPFA) had begun as clusters of “We will continue with the enormous people in the U.S. came together in the late task of bringing information about China 1960s and early 1970s to promote friendship to the American people in fulfillment of our and understanding between the people of the primary objective of expanding friendship USPAACC-EF/Wells Fargo Asian U.S. and China. Although our governments between our two peoples . . . The achieve- Business Leadership Award did not officially recognize each other, ment of normalization is a historic step in Application deadline is strength and diversity within USCPFA as a nonpolitical organization was establishing peace and friendship not only February 9, 2009. the Asian-owned business seg- able to maintain contact and relationships between our two peoples and countries, but The US Pan Asian American ment,” said Susan Au Allen, with people and organizations in China. on a world scale.” Chamber of Commerce Educa- national president and CEO of Few others could do this. Claire Hirsch, a member of USCPFA’s Carry Forward Hope for the Future tion Foundation (USPAACC- USPAACC -EF. “Asian-owned first delegation to China in late 1972, re- In late January 1979, after normaliza- EF) and Wells Fargo share the businesses continue to prosper ported: “We spent five weeks traveling the tion, Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping made an mutual goal of supporting Asian across the country, and we’re country, enjoying great hospitality and being official visit to the U.S. He was met at the business owners. The USPAACC-EF/Wells excited and honored to continue the tradi- impressed by all we learned. We met with Washington DC airport by about 400 people Fargo Asian Business Leadership Award tion of recognizing and celebrating their old people who talked about the past and waving banners and flags. President Jimmy celebrates the vision, success and commu- tremendous achievements.” young enthusiastic cadre who talked about Carter held a state dinner in his honor, fol- nity contributions of Asian entrepreneurs in The 2008 USPAACC-EF/Wells Fargo present accomplishments. We now had lowed by a special performance at the Ken- the U.S. Three winners will each receive Asian Business Leadership Award winners the ability to give firsthand reports. When nedy Center. The two leaders held a series a cash grant of US$5,000, trophy and na- were: we returned home, we spoke in churches, of meetings, and President Carter accepted tional recognition at the 2009 CelebrASIAN Jimmy Au’s For Men 5’8” and Under, schools, and community groups to share this an invitation to visit China. Deng went on Conference in New York. Note: Applicants Inc., based in Beverly Hills, designs custom information about New China.” To inform to visit Atlanta, Houston, and Seattle. do not need to be Wells Fargo customers men’s clothing for men 5’8’ and under. the American public, USCPFA published The USCPFA and the National Associa- to apply. teamCFO, Inc., based in Los Angeles, pro- pamphlets and newsletters, established a tion of Chinese Americans jointly sponsored “USPAACC-EF is honored, with Wells vides onsite financial solutions, including speakers’ bureau, held press conferences, a gala banquet in Washington DC on January Fargo, to recognize these outstanding Asian customized CFO/Controller services for and reported accurate accounts of China’s 30. Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping attended business owners, as they truly reflect the small and mid-sized businesses. Grand Aire, Inc., based in Swanton, Ohio, is one of the top freight and passenger air charter providers in North America. In order to be eligible to win the award, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, at least 51% Asian ownership, own the business for at least 3 years, be the active principal of the business, be a legal resident of the U.S., be in compliance with all ap- plicablelaws/regulations. Apply or nominate an Asian business owner for the 2009 USPAACC/Wells Fargo Asian Business Leadership Award and to learn more about the winners and download the application, visit www.wellsfargo.com/ biz/asian or www.uspaacc.com. Application deadline is Feb. 9, 2009. For more information about the Asian Business Services, visit www.wellsfargo. com/biz/Asian  PAGE 4 > FEBRUARY 2009 education www.chinainsight.info Technology as an accelerator for language learning in immersion classrooms Chinese Immersion in the Minnetonka, MN School District When the Minnetonka, MN schools Smartboard to teach present content. Field Solution can help students hear clearly began Mandarin Immersion in the schools her new Chinese The Minnetonka no matter where they sit. The better hearing in 2007 they knew there were many chal- learners the names Schools uses an in- enables student to develop more native like lenges ahead in starting a new language of fruit as well as ternal web system speaking of the language. It is also a great program. What they didn’t know was just the sentence pattern called Blackboard to help for those students who have hearing how fortunate they were to have a variety “I like and I don’t communicate with problems.” of rich technology tools already in place in like.” Students took parents as well as The extent of technologies impact came all Kindergarten through grade five class- turns walking to the to store Smartboard as somewhat of a surprise to those who had rooms. Smartboards and other innovative Smartboard to say materials. The abil- been using Smartboards in regular class- technologies in the immersion classrooms the name of the fruit. ity to place materi- rooms for a number of years. Because stu- are proving to be an incredible tool for ac- They then touched a als on the web site dents were new to Chinese, the opportunity celerating student learning of their second digitized image that allows teachers to to use the tool to bring an abundance of im- language. was synched to the teacher’s recording of easily prepare lessons from home to be used ages into the classroom deepened their abil- The Smartboard is a touch sensitive the correct pronunciation of the word. They the next day. ity to quickly grasp ideas. No longer would whiteboard connected to a projector and a immediately heard that they were correct in Materials can be placed on the teacher’s a teacher need to copy or cut and paste to computer. Smartboards, or interactive white naming the object. Later students used the web page for parents to use to support learn- place visuals in front of students to enhance boards, are essentially a giant mouse pad. Smartboard to drag fruits to the matching ing at home. Jie Gao, Excelsior Kindergarten understanding. Teachers have access to an It allows teachers to create and view im- characters in a small group learning station. teacher, appreciates that with “Blackboard, unlimited number of resources from the web ages but also allows students and teachers Students working in a math lesson used the parents can get announcements and view at their fingertips. They are indeed able to to interact with them. They are a powerful Smartboard to move images of strawber- photos about school life. They also can bring the world into the classroom. addition to the immersion classroom for ries, bananas and apples to create addition download the podcasts and learn Chinese a number of reasons. Because the Smart- problems using visuals. together with their child at home. The up- Contributors: board is used with only one computer it Smartboards enhance collaboration loaded newsletters and calendar can help Lee Drolet, Principal, Excelsior El- uses technology efficiently and essentially with colleagues as well. Teachers using parents have a better understanding about ementary makes one computer serve all the students Smartboard technologies are able to create the immersion learning school. Teachers Joe Wacker, Principal, Scenic Heights in the classroom. lessons, store them and call them up for have also provided podcasts for parents to Elementary Inherent in immersion teaching is the classroom use. Because lessons are stored use for their child to practice at home.” Jie Gao, Tingting Wang, Ming Yan, Qin- need to present ideas using TPR or total digitally, teachers down the hall or across Another tool being utilized by the Min- gling Yang, Chinese Immersion Teacher physical response. The Smartboard creates the school district are able to share materials netonka School District is Sound Field Minnetonka Public Schools opportunities for higher levels of engage- simultaneously. New teachers are able to tap Solution Technology. This tool is used by Minnetonka hosts a Tech Site Visit for ment in particular for whole group instruc- into materials that were created by veteran many teachers is used in classrooms for its educators and technology staff. Go to http:// tion. For example, in a recent visit to a Kin- teachers. Teachers can work collaboratively even distribution of sound around the room. www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/administra- dergarten classroom ideas were presented to share and improve materials which are in- Each classroom is equipped with a small tion/technology/visit/pages/default.aspx for using sound, visuals and actions. These were credibly efficient compared with needing to teacher microphone and a sound system more information.  paired with spoken language and characters work face to face. Teachers have been using that broadcasts the teacher’s voice evenly Source: http://www.caisinstitute.org/en/ to build understanding. The teacher used the the Smartboard to find innovative ways to anywhere in the room. Jie Gao says “Sound content/minnetonka0809

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system takes additional steps to recruit more underrepresented students In light of Minnesota’s rapidly diver- have a skilled workforce when the economy are spoken on some campuses. cantly lower high school graduation rates sifying population, the Minnesota State rebounds here and abroad.” “By reaching out more vigorously to than white and Asian students. In 2006, Colleges and Universities system is taking School counselors are being encouraged potential students and their families in for example, high school graduation rates additional steps to encourage more students to distribute brochures and hang posters to their native languages, we hope they will for Minnesota’s American Indian, black of color and low-income students to attend attract attention. And advertisements featur- understand that they are welcome on our and Hispanic students were from 19 to 29 college. ing Minnesota State Colleges and Universi- campuses and that they can succeed in col- percentage points lower than for whites and A new brochure, Make college a part of ties students are being posted in buses and lege programs,” Harris said. “Although Asians, according to the Minnesota State your future, a related wall poster and Web light rail cars in the Twin Cities metropolitan classes are conducted in English, college Department of Education. These groups also site, yesyoucan.mnscu.edu, are intended to area and in various news outlets. and university staffs can help students find have lower rates of college participation. answer common questions about college. The materials and Web site are intended English language resources.” At the same time, the shrinking pool of The materials and Web site are available in primarily to help students in 8th through The system’s Access and Opportunity high school graduates and the aging popula- English and eight other languages - Dakota, 10th grades, along with their parents and Centers, based at St. Cloud State University, tion point to a shortage of qualified workers French, Hmong, Ojibwe, Russian, Somali, mentors, learn more about the benefits of Minnesota State Community and Technical for the state’s employers, according to State Spanish and Vietnamese. attending college and encourage them to College, Century College and Inver Hills Demographer Tom Gillaspy. Already, more “We cannot afford to leave anyone on prepare for college. Community College, also are at work on than a fifth of many important occupation the sidelines,” said Chancellor James H. Students from non-English speaking improving students’ college readiness by groups, such as registered nurses, pharma- McCormick. “We must raise the educational backgrounds often are uncertain about developing college-preparatory programs cists, secondary teachers, materials and attainment of groups that traditionally have whether they can afford college and will fit and college-level courses, advising students biomedical engineers, truck drivers, and tool not attended college in large numbers. into college life because they are the first in and their parents on education and career and die makers, are over age 55, he said. Many of them are new immigrants whose their families to go to college in this country, paths and providing professional develop- Improving educational attainment in under- families haven’t fully mastered the English said Whitney Harris, the system’s executive ment for K-12 teachers. represented groups can help fill that gap. language. Minnesota’s employers - even director of diversity and multiculturalism. Historically, American Indian, black with the current economic downturn - must He noted that up to 70 different languages and Hispanic students have had signifi- www.chinainsight.info education FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 5 University of Minnesota announces recipients of new awards for outstanding diverse students of backgrounds, identities, interests, and accomplishments,” said Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, the university’s vice president and vice provost for equity and diversity, “and this year’s recipients are a truly outstand- ing group, both in their academic strength and their collective passion for community service and social justice.” This year’s SEED graduate school scholars are: Trecia Pottinger is a Ph.D. candidate in Liberal Arts. American studies and holds a 2008-09 Ford Dionne Dillard is a junior majoring in Foundation Dissertation Fellowship. political science and African American and Aeleah Soine is a Ph.D. candidate in African studies in the College of Liberal history and holds a 2008-09 University of Arts. Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellow- Angela Haeny is a junior majoring in ship. psychology in the College of Liberal Arts. Daniel Martig is a senior double- U of M SEED Scholars are (left to right): Dionne Dillard, Jasmine Omorogbe, Aeleah SEED undergraduate scholars are: majoring in biochemistry in the College of Soine, Angela Haeny, Sarah Choy, Daniel Martig, Anh Tran, Jesus-Estrada-Perez, An- Jesus-Estrada-Perez is a second semes- Biological Sciences and Asian languages gelina Nguyen, Desiree Abu-Odeh, Judith Chan, Eikoku Ikeno. Not present was Trecia ter senior majoring in cultural studies in the and literatures in the College of Liberal Pottinger. College of Liberal Arts. Arts. The Office for Equity and Diversity at the sity of Minnesota. SEED Award recipients Eikoku Ikeno is a first semester senior Angelina Nguyen is a senior majoring University of Minnesota has announced the must demonstrate impressive academic double majoring in Asian Languages and in political science and economics in the recipients of the 2008 Scholarly Excellence achievement and leadership in community Literature and History in the College of College of Liberal Arts. in Equity and Diversity (SEED) awards to outreach and activism, in addition to a deep Liberal Arts. Jasmine Omorogbe is a junior in the 11 undergraduate and two graduate students. understanding of and commitment to issues Desiree Abu-Odeh is a junior in the University Honors Program majoring in The 13 students received their awards at the of equity, diversity and social justice. The College of Biological Sciences’ honors communication studies in the College of recent first annual University of Minnesota recipients’ awards range from US$1,000 to program majoring in neuroscience. Liberal Arts. Equity and Diversity Breakfast. US$2,500. Judith Chan is a senior in School of Anh Tran is a senior double-majoring in This is the first year of the SEED Award “We created the SEED Award program Nursing. neuroscience and psychology in the College program, which is designed to honor high- to honor the achievements of outstand- Sarah Choy is a senior majoring in of Biological Sciences and College of Lib- achieving diverse students at the Univer- ing diverse students with a wide range Philosophy and English in the College of eral Arts with the goal of becoming a medi- cal doctor and public health advocate. 

Salvation Army recognizes 21st Annual Northwestern Health Sciences Multicultural Forum University with Medal of Honor Award The efforts of interns from the Minne- chief operating officer at the Harbor Light sota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Center. Medicine at Northwestern Health Sciences Sher Demeter, MAc, LAc, assistant pro- on Workplace University were recognized with an award fessor at Northwestern, says, “It’s an honor from the Salvation Army Harbor Light to receive the award, but it’s also an honor Center of Minneapolis, Minn. The interns and privilege to serve the people who very Diversity offer their services to the residents of the much need our services.” The MCAOM Diversity’s Challenge:Achieving True Inclusion Harbor Light Center free of charge. The students began working in the Harbor Light Medal of Honor Award was presented to the Center in May 2007, and have since treated University in November 2008. more than 2,000 patients. According to the Salvation Army, the The Salvation Army believes each per- award is given to those who have made son deserves to be treated with compassion, significant contributions to the Harbor patience and respect, and that every person Light Center. “We couldn’t be happier about is of value. “It has been a blessing to have how we are able to work together. It is a our students involved with Harbor Light,” The mission of the Multicultural Forum The Multicultural Forum on Workplace great collaboration,” says Steve Horsfield, notes Demeter.  is to advance diversity in the workplace Diversity will be held Mar. 3-4 at the St. by enhancing awareness and understand- Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul, Placer from Page 1 ing to bring about an inclusive workplace Minnesota. The Tables of Content Dinner environment. Discussion held on Mar. 3 will take place where she should go. She then responded and decide that my past worries were fool- The Forum is designed for professionals at the St. Paul Hotel, also in downtown St. surprisingly with, “Huuuuhh? YOU don’t ish. It forced me to break out socially and who manage a diverse workforce, work in a Paul. know?” become more comfortable thriving within diverse environment or are responsible for The Multicultural Forum on Workplace These chance interactions may only unaccustomed surroundings. Perhaps I diversity within organizations of all sizes. Diversity is co-hosted by the University of mean that I look like a knowledgeable tour never had a problem melding with my native It is also recommended for anyone dealing St. Thomas Opus College of Business and guide, an approachable young man, a skillful countrymen and those uneasy feelings were with a diverse clientele. the National Black MBA Association Twin conversationalist and a sucker for volunteer- indeed just foolishness. My mind was only The National Multicultural Institute Cities Chapter. It is presented by General ing and donating to charities. I understand tricking me during vulnerable situations or (NMCI), based in Washington, D.C., has Mills and the national media sponsor is that these are only insignificant encounters because of culture shock. All it took was a recognized the Multicultural Forum on DiversityInc. but they still made me feel more accepted little push to engage myself with the people Workplace Diversity for its pioneering work For more information about this event, and less of an outsider. It was reassuring. and the city to find that perhaps I am not so in the area of diversity. visit http://www.stthomas.edu/mcf/.  This last visit has made me reconsider odd after all.  PAGE 6 > FEBRUARY 2009 american-born chinese www.chinainsight.info Chinese American immigration timeline scent. case rules that U.S.-born Chinese cannot be The Magnuson Act of 1943, better The Chinese American population rep- divested of their citizenship. known as the Chinese Exclusion Repeal resents 63,199 out of a total U.S. population 1904 Act, rescinds the Chinese Exclusion Act of of 38.5 million. They represent close to half Congress makes the Chinese Exclusion 1882 for geopolitical and military reasons, of the male labor force in California. acts indefinite. Law enforcement officials thereby allowing Chinese immigrants to 1875 arrest 250 allegedly illegal Chinese immi- obtain citizenship status. An immigration Congress passes the Page Law, which grants without search warrants. cap of 105 Chinese are allowed to immigrate bars Chinese, Japanese, and “Mongolian” 1905 annually. prostitutes, felons, and contract laborer California’s Civil Code forbids intermar- China and the United States become immigration. riage between Whites and “Mongolians.” World War II allies against Japan. The U.S. Immigrants Leaving China for California 1878 1906 Army drafts over 20 percent of Chinese men In In re Ah Yup, a federal district court San Francisco earthquake destroys im- living in the United States. 1785 in California rules Chinese ineligible for migration records. This opens the opportu- 1945 Three Chinese seamen arrive in the naturalized citizenship. nity for a new surge of Chinese immigrants. War Brides Act permits immigration continental United States aboard the ship 1880 These “paper sons” could now claim with of foreign wives, husbands, fiancés, and Pallas in Baltimore, MD. The United States and China sign a the loss of official records that they were children of U.S. Army personnel. 1790 treaty that allows the United States to limit U.S. citizens and had the right to bring fam- World War II ends after the United The Naturalization Act of 1790 restricts Chinese immigration. ily members to America. States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima citizenship to “free white persons” of 1882 The U.S. government creates the Bureau and Nagasaki, Japan. “good moral character.” The law would be The Chinese Exclusion Act halts Chi- of Immigration. 1947 enforced until 1952. In effect the Nation is nese laborer immigration for 10 years and 1910 Due to the 1945 War Brides Act, 6,000 divided between White and racial minor- denies Chinese from becoming naturalized The 1870 Naturalization Act is expanded Chinese women enter into the United States ity populations, each of whom would be U.S. citizens. to apply to other Asians. as wives of Chinese American service- accorded different and unequal rights and 1886 Angel Island Detention Center opens. men. treatment. Racial minorities would be lim- The U.S. Supreme Court decision, Yick The Center, located off California, examines 1949 ited in their citizenship, voting, residency, Wo v. Hopkins, rules that laws that are en- potential Asian immigrants. Many of them The United States grants refugee status jury, property, and family rights. Asian forced with racial discrimination violates are Chinese immigrants. to 5,000 highly educated Chinese after Americans, including Chinese Americans, the 14th Amendment. China launches a Communist government. would be directly affected by this legislation 1888 This Central Intelligence Agency Act until it was rescinded by the passage of the The Scott Act declares over 20,000 (CIA Act) encourages Chinese scientists, Walter-McCarran Act of 1952. Chinese laborers’ re-entry permits null and engineers, and physicists to enter into the 1830 void. United States in furtherance of U.S. national The first U.S. Census notation of Chi- 1889 security interests. nese in America records three Chinese living The U.S. Supreme Court decision, Chae 1950 in the United States. Chan Ping v. United States, upholds Chinese Chinese American population represents 1840 Exclusion laws’ constitutionality. 150,005 out of a total U.S. population of There is record of four Chinese living in 1890 151.3 million. the United States. The Chinese American population repre- 1952 1848 sents 107,488 out of a total U.S. population The Walter-McCarran Immigration and Gold found at Sutter’s Mill, California, of 62.9 million. Chinese immigrants are examined by doc- Naturalization Act revokes the Asian Exclu- attracts Chinese immigrants to mine gold. 1892 tors at Angel Island sion Act of 1924. A small number of Asians 1850 The Geary Act extends the Chinese Ex- are also allowed to immigrate to the United Chinese American population represents clusion Act for another 10 years and requires The Chinese American population rep- States and are given citizenship status. 4,000 out of a total U.S. population of 23.2 all Chinese residents to carry permits. resents 94,414 out of a total U.S. population The Immigration and Nationality Act million. 1893 of 92.2 million. allows individuals of all races to apply for 1854 In Fong Yue Ting v. United States, the 1917 naturalization, stints immigration from the The California Supreme Court decision, U.S. Supreme Court rules that Congress has The Immigration Act of 1917 restricts Eastern hemisphere, and establishes prefer- People v. Hall, rules that Chinese cannot the power to expel the Chinese. immigration of Asian persons and denies ences for family members of U.S. citizens testify in court. 1894 entry of natives from the “barred zone.” and skilled workers. 1858 Sun Yat Sen, founder of modern China 1918 1953 California legally prohibits Chinese and and political activist, helps bring down the World War I Asian veterans receive right The Refugee Relief Act offers unlimited “Mongolian” immigration. Qing dynasty. He establishes home-base of naturalization. immigrant visas to Chinese refugees. 1860 operations for the liberation of China among 1924 1959 Chinese American population represents Chinese American communities in Hawaii, The Asian Exclusion Act, which is part The U.S. government implements the 34,933 out of a total U.S. population of 31.4 San Francisco, and in New York. of the Immigration Act of 1924, excludes eight-year “Confession Program” to encour- million. all Asian laborer immigrants from entering age illegal Chinese immigrants to reveal 1862 into the United States. identities of illegal residents. The United States prohibits the impor- The U.S. Border Patrol is created, as an 1962 tation of Chinese “coolies” on American agency under the Department of Labor, to The Kennedy Emergency Immigration vessels. regulate Chinese immigration to the United Act (KEIA Act) permits 5,000 Chinese im- 1864 States across the U.S.-Mexico border. migrants to enter the United States during The Central Pacific Railroad Company The National Origins Act establishes the period of China’s “Great Leap Forward” recruits thousands of Chinese men to work discriminatory immigration quotas that se- movement. on the first transcontinental railroad. verely limit the number of Asians entering 1965 1868 into the United States. Immigration and Nationality Act of The United States and China ratify the 1925 1965 rejects “national origins” as a basis Burlingame-Seward Treaty, which sanc- Chinese wives of American citizens are for distributing immigration quotas among tions mutual emigration between the two denied entry. countries, creates a new quota of 20,000 im- countries. 1929 migrants from any country, gives preference 1869 Annual immigration quotas are declared to skilled workers, and encourages family The first transcontinental railroad is permanent. reunification for individuals with family completed with significant Chinese im- 1934 members who reside outside the United migrant labor. The Tydings-McDuffe Act grants the States. A surge of immigrants from Hong 1870 Philippines independence, but denies Kong and Taiwan enter into the United Congress approves the Naturalization Filipinos U.S. citizenship and limits Filipino States subsequent to the passage of this law, Act, barring Chinese from obtaining U.S. Sun Yat Sen immigration. signaling a mass migration from Asia. citizenship. The Act also prevents immigra- 1940 1968 tion of Chinese women who have marital 1898 The U.S. government closes the Angel San Francisco State College and the partners in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court admits Wong Island Detention Center. University of California at Berkeley stu- Chinese and Japanese men must show Kim Ark, a Chinese American born and 1941 dents successfully strike for more minority evidence in support of a woman’s moral raised in the United States, back into the The United States declares war against studies programs. The demonstration leads character in the case of prospective and United States. Ark was initially denied en- Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack. to the historic School of Ethnic Studies at actual wives of Chinese and Japanese de- try due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. The 1943 Timeline continues on Page 7 www.chinainsight.info american-born chinese FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 7

Timeline from Page 6 San Francisco State College and the creation 1989 of Black Studies at the University of Cali- Tiananmen Square protests occur. Presi- fornia at Berkeley. In following years, Asian dent George H.W. Bush issues an execu- American Studies, Chicano Studies, Native tive order that permits mainland Chinese American Studies, and comparative Ethnic scholars, students, and their families to Studies programs start at U.C. Berkeley and permanently stay in the United States. University of California at Los Angeles. 1990 These programs address the immigration The 1990 Immigration Act modifies history and ethnic experiences of Asian and expands the 1965 Immigration Act and Americans and Chinese Americans. significantly increases the total immigration 1970 to the United States to 700,000 per annum New Chinese immigrants settle in the and increases visas by 40 percent. Although peripheries of Los Angeles’ Chinatown. family reunification continues as a main New communities of Chinese Americans immigration focus there are significant become increasingly located in the suburbs, increases in the provisions for employment- such as at Monterey Park and Walnut. based immigration. Chinese American population represents Chinese American population represents 237,292 out of a total U.S. population of 1,645,472 out of a total U.S. population of 179.3 million. 248.7 million. 1973 Chinese American communities experi- ence a surge of new immigrants from Fu- jian province in China who settle in ethnic enclaves in New York City, Los Angeles, Key Positions from Page 1 and Boston. the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Pub- ran unsuccessfully for a City Council 1992 lic Library and the Board of the Chinese seat in Ann Arbor, MI in 2005 at the age The Chinese Student Protection Act American Service League. She has served of 21. He worked for Amy Klobuchar’s (CSPA Act) grants permanent resident sta- on the Judicial Nominations Commission 2006 campaign. During the Obama cam- tus to nationals of the People’s Republic of for the Northern District of Illinois and she paign Kang worked on Obama’s outreach China who were in the United States after has been appointed to several leadership programs to Asian Americans and Pacific June 4, 1989 and before April 11, 1990. This positions with the American Bar Associa- Islanders. United States begins a cease-fire in Act gains passage partly as a reaction to the tion Section of Litigation. Semonti Mustaphi, a Minnesota na- Vietnam. Tiananmen Square incident of 1989. Tchen is the recipient of many awards, tive and graduate of Gustavus Adolphus 1974 1996 including the Leadership Award from College in St. Peter, Minnesota, has been The U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lau The Illegal Immigration Reform and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois selected Deputy Press Secretary for the v. Nichols, rules that non-English speaking Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA (1999); “Women of Achievement” award First Lady. She worked with Michelle students must be provided bilingual-bicul- Act) increases INS enforcement operations, from the Anti-Defamation League (1996); Obama during the campaign and transi- tural education. constricts basic rightsof due process for and Chicago Lawyer “Person of the Year” tion. Mustaphi has also worked with 1975 immigrants, and reduces avenues for im- (1994). She was selected for inclusion Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and the More than 130,000 refugees from Viet- migrants to legalize their status. Specifically, in Chambers USA: America’s Leading late Sen. Paul Wellstone. nam, Kampuchea, Laos, and China enter the this law denies aliens not lawfully present Lawyers for Business 2008 and The Best Pete Rouse, a Japanese American United States through the Indochina Migra- social security benefits. Lawyers in America 2009. She also was who was Obama’s Senate chief of staff, tion and Refugee Assistance Act (IMRA 1999 selected as one of the top three women will be a Senior Advisor in the Obama Act), fleeing their native countries’ Com- Dr. Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwan-born U.S. business lawyers in Illinois by the Leading White House. Rouse was formerly Sen. munist governments. Many of them are of citizen physicist, is arrested for allegedly Lawyers Network 2007. Tom Daschle’s (D-SD) chief of staff and ethnic Chinese origin. spying for China. Law enforcement offi- served as co-chair of the Obama-Biden 1979 cials imprison him for 278 days before the Other Asian Americans in the Obama Transition Project. Long-separated Chinese American fam- U.S. District Judge releases Lee with an Administration Eric Shinseki, a Japanese American, ily members reunite as the People’s Repub- apology. For a time, his treatment dampens President Obama has also selected four-star general and 38-year army vet- lic of China and the United States resume the enthusiasm of people from China and other Asian Americans to serve in his eran, as Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs. diplomatic dialogues. Taiwan with scientific skills to immigrate administration. Shinseki served as the Chief of Staff of The Taiwanese Relations Act gives to the United States. Eugene Kang, a Korean American, is the Army. Taiwan a separate immigration quota from 2000 Special Assistant to the President. Kang mainland China, resulting in greater num- The Chinese American population bers of Taiwanese immigrants to the United represents 2,879,636 out of a total U.S. States. population of 281.4 million. The Asian 1982 Pacific American population is about 12.5 Two White men beat Vincent Chin, a million. Chinese American in Detroit, to death, mis- 2003 BOOKS taking Chin as Japanese. The murder occurs The U.S. Immigration and Naturaliza- A Feeling of Belonging: Asian American on the 100th anniversary of the Chinese tion Service (INS) becomes part of the Exclusion Act of 1882. His death signals Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Women’s Public Culture, 1930-1960 the birth of the modern day Asian American and is renamed the U.S. Citizenship and by Shirley Lim civil rights movement. Immigration Services (USCIS). Immigra- Congress provided that children born tion and customs enforcement becomes Synopsis presence felt in the United States. Though overseas of American fathers, who held U.S. the purview of the DHS’s Immigration and When we imag- they were distinguished from previous citizenship after 1950, could come to the Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization. ine the activities generations by their American citizen- United States as immediate relatives. 2005 of Asian American ship, it was only through these seemingly 1986 The Real ID Act of 2005 severely cur- women in the mid- mundane “American” activities that they The Immigration Reform and Control tails habeas corpus relief for immigrants, re- twentieth century, were able to overcome two-dimensional Act (IRCA Act) legalizes 300,000 undocu- duces and amends judicial review, imposes our first thoughts stereotypes of themselves as kimono-clad mented aliens who have been living in the federal restrictions on the issuance of state are not of skiing, “Orientals.” Lim traces the diverse ways in United States since 1982 and imposes civil drivers’ licenses, and increases immigration beauty pageants, which these young women sought claim to and criminal penalties on employers who enforcement provisions while limiting op- magazine reading, cultural citizenship, exploring such topics intentionally employ illegal immigrants. portunities for political asylum. and sororities. Yet, as the nation’s first Asian American soror- 1987 2006 Shirley Jennifer Lim ity, Chi Alpha Delta; the cultural work of Amerasian Homecoming Act provides The Chinese American population repre- argues, these are precisely the sorts of leisure Chinese American actress Anna May Wong; for the admission of children born in Viet- sents 3,565,458 out of a total U.S. population practices many second generation Chinese, Asian American youth culture and beauty nam to Vietnamese mothers and American of 299 million. The Asian Pacific American Filipina, and Japanese American women pageants; and the achievement of fame of fathers, together with their immediate rela- population is about 14.9 million. engaged in during this time. In A Feeling of three foreign-born Asian women in the late tives. These individuals would be admitted Belonging, Lim highlights the cultural ac- 1950s. By wearing poodle skirts, going as nonquota immigrants and be able to Source: A Portrait of Chinese Americans tivities of young, predominantly unmarried to the beach, and producing magazines, receive refugee program benefits. Some of Asian American women from 1930 to 1960. she argues, they asserted not just their these individuals were of ethnic Chinese This period marks a crucial generation—the American-ness, but their humanity: a feel- background. first in which American-born Asians formed ing of belonging.  a critical mass and began to make their PAGE 8 > FEBRUARY 2009 chinese new year www.chinainsight.info UCBC celebrates Chinese New Year By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer he Year of the Ox was cel- ebrated by U.S.-China Busi- ness Connections (UCBC) Trecently at a special network- ing event held at Grand City Buffet in St. Louis Park, MN. The guests were treated to an evening that included talks, entertain- ment, a Chinese buffet and, naturally, plenty of networking time. The evening’s program began with Jim Smith, UCBC Board Member, introducing Brenda Fong, Community Bank Manager for Wells Fargo, which was a sponsor of Dance of Happiness Together by Kristine Pan & Grace Chang the event. Also, as is customary at most UCBC functions, the guests were then asked to introduce themselves to the rest of the group. Smith then introduced the speaker for the evening, Ping Yao, a System Engineer for Wells Fargo and UCBC Board Mem- ber, whose talk recounted her life in China through different periods of her life and her observations of the changes during these periods. Yao began her talk by noting that al- though many in attendance may have traveled to China recently, they do not know how life was in China 10-15 years ago. Although she was experiencing what she Ping Yao perceived as a normal life Above, Kristine Pan performs Rain of Bliss, in China, her outlook changed In 1989 as a below, Zhang Ying playing wind instru- result of her horrible experience in Tianan- ment men Square. Because of this experience Yao recognized that she did not wish to live under such conditions and in 1990 earned a scholarship to the University of Minnesota from which she graduated with a Master Degree in Engineering and has worked here since. Although she returned to visited China in 1997, this was not a good experience at all, according to Yao “there are not many changes, and people are losing jobs. Last a couple of years, even though there are a lot of talks about changes in China, but I was very skeptical.” This past summer, Yao’s 16-year-old son wanted to see the Olympics and China, Carrying the Bride Dance by Clara Wong so she visited Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shuzhou, and met some her relatives and college friends. Her reaction after this trip was that there were “fantastic and dramatic China Center begins year-long changes.” To her surprise, she could not find her way around any more...the places had changed and so had the people. 30th Anniversary Celebration Yao then concluded her talk by com- menting on her experience of how her By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer friends’ lives have dramatically changed he China Center at the ture of a Rising Power which was the topic their industrial revolution along with having and shared photos documenting her journey University of Minnesota of his lecture that and based on a series he to adapt to the technological era. The people focusing especially on living conditions, began the yearlong cel- produced for NPR: On the Road in China. are experiencing an identity crisis so it is dif- transportation, food, education, jobs and ebration of its 30th anni- As Gifford began his talk, he stated that ficult to determine what their destiny might communications. T versary by holding the eight in its series of by traveling China’s Route 312 from its be. He offered an analogy that the people After the talk, the group was invited to Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China start in Shanghai to the Kazakhstan border, may need to slowly let themselves out of help themselves to the buffet while the room Bridges Lectures.The event also marked the he had hoped to get to the heart of the new their birdcages and for now seek refuge was being set up for the entertainment por- celebration of Chinese New Year. China. On these travels, since he speaks in an aviary. He also discussed a number tion of the program. As the group enjoyed Prior to the lecture, held at the Ted Mann fluent Mandarin Chinese, he befriended ev- fault lines and concluded that it would be their buffet, several dances were performed Concert Hall, the gathering was welcomed eryone from truckers to traveling salesmen, very difficult to navigate the 21st Century by dancers Clara Wong, Kristine Pan and by Yongwei Zhang, China Center Director, prostitutes to politicians, in an attempt to following a 1950’s system. Grace Chang from Twin City Chinese Dance who in turn introduced Bob Griffin. At the answer one big question: “Which is it going Gifford concluded his talk with a Center lead by Zhang Huan-Ru, Artistic conclusion of his opening remarks, Griffin to be for China, greatness or implosion?” question and answer session but was un- Director. Zhang Ying also performed and then invited Meredith McQuaid, Associ- Gifford stated that he sought to intro- fortunately limited to the time he was able demonstrated several wind instruments. ate Vice President and Dean, International duce the people of China and not just let it to participate since the talk was behind Programs, University of Minnesota, to in- be “a faceless place” and make China a bit schedule and needed to adjourn to allow troduce the speaker, Rob Gifford. more real. During his talk, he read several for reception and book signing that was Thank you for Rob Gifford served as National Public passages from his book that revealed the also part of the event. Since more than 600 Radio’s (NPR) China correspondent from complicated nature of modern Chinese life people attended the lecture, it obviously is reading 1999-2005 and now serves as London Bu- with all its contradictions affecting the social a topic that reflects much interest.  reau Chief. He recently published his first and political lives of its citizens. Ch i n a Insight novel, China Road: A Journey into the Fu- China is simultaneously experiencing www.chinainsight.info sports FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 9 PAGE 10 > FEBRUARY 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info

children are at schools. In those areas, epidemics used to run China’s ethnic minorities rampant. After 1950, epidemic prevention China has a population of 1.3 billion black jackets which button down the front, ties. During the Ming and Qing dynasties stations and clinics have been established, people and 56 ethnic groups. Over 90 per- although on the Lasa plain many men wear (1368-1911), the Achangs were ruled by and medical workers of Achang origin cent of the Chinese population belongs to jackets with buttons toward the left side. Achang hereditary chiefs appointed by have been trained. Epidemics such as the the Han ethnic group. The 55 ethnic minor- Achang women like to wear silver objects -- and accountable to -- the imperial court. plague, cholera and typhoid fever have been ity groups in China have distinct languages, on festive occasions. Their clothes vary After the Revolution of 1911, warlords eliminated. customs and identities that are also part of somewhat depending on where they live, in Yunnan established an administrative Chinese culture. In this, and upcoming but in general married women wear skirts bureau in the Achang area, installing the The Bai ethnic minority issues, we will present information about and jackets with tight sleeves and wrap their Bao-Jia system (an administrative system Population: 1.59 million China’s ethnic minorities. heads with black or blue cloth that may go as organized on the basis of households, each Major area of distribution: Yunnan high as three decimeters. Unmarried women Jia being made up of 10 households, and and Guizhou The Achang ethnic minority wear trousers and tie their pigtails on top of each Bao of 10 Jia, by which the warlords Language: Bai Population: 27,700 their heads. Although the habit is disappear- enforced their rule at the primary level), op- Religion: Buddhism Major area of distribution: Yunnan ing, young men and women used to chew pressing and exploiting the Achang people Language: Achang areca, blackening their teeth. For food, in collaboration with local chiefs. Religion: Buddhism Achangs eat rice as their staple and prefer Before 1949, feudalism was the domi- sour dishes. They live in courtyard houses nant economic form in the areas in which the of brick or stone with wood beam supports. Achangs lived. Farming was done according Achang villages are connected by gravel to the landlord system. Dai chiefs were the paths or roads paved with stone slabs. feudal lords; most landlords were Hans. The basic unit of the Achang society is Achang landlords were few. the patriarchal, monogamous family. Young Where they ruled, chiefs owned all men and women are free to choose their the land. Aside from collecting taxes to spouses. Courting rituals are quite specific. enrich themselves, they used their political When dusk falls, young men go to bamboo privileges to extort “gifts” from peasants groves near the homes of the young women on such occasions as holidays, weddings they desire and play the sheng to win their and funerals. The ruling classes, including favor. In some places, groups of young men Achang landlords, prospered through usury and women gather around a bonfire, where and the exploitation of labor. couples flirt by singing alternate verses. Under the rule of chiefs, the Achang This can go on until dawn. Before 1949, social structure was destroyed. Achangs marriages were arranged by parents, which were organized into the “gang” (township) often led to forced marriage and misery for and the “zuo” (district), through which the unlucky young lovers. The Achangs have chiefs ruled them and levied tax upon them. Of the 1,598,100 Bai people, 80 percent a strict incest taboo: people with the same “Official tax,” “tax on opium,” “tax on land” live in concentrated communities in the Dali surname do not marry each other. But in- -- these and other taxes and levies squeezed Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Prov- termarriage with Hans and Dais has always the people, draining them of whatever com- ince, southwest China. The rest are scattered been permitted. forts they could accumulate. In addition, in Xichang and Bijie in neighboring Sichuan Under the Han influence, Achangs many Achang villages were burdened with and Guizhou provinces respectively. generally practice ancestor worship. Most a fixed amount of required, unpaid labor. The Bais speak a language related to the More than 90 percent of the 27,700 Achangs on the Fusa plain believe in Hi- Yi branch of the Tibetan-Myanmese group Achangs live in Longchuan, Lianghe and nayana, a branch of Buddhism. Post-liberation Life of the Chinese-Tibetan language family. The Luxi counties in the Dehong Dai-Jingpo Achangs generally bury their dead. In Liberation came for the Achangs in early language contains a large number of Chinese Autonomous Prefecture in southwestern Buddhist areas, funerals are scheduled on 1950. Two years later, an Achang autono- words due to the Bais’ long contact with the Yunnan Province. The rest live in Longling holy days and follow the chanting of scrip- mous district was established in Longchuan majority Chinese ethnic group--Han. County in the neighboring Baoshan Pre- ture by monks. One monk leads the funeral County’s Fusa area, where the Achangs Situated on the Yunnan-Guizhou Pla- fecture. procession. As he walks, he holds a long were concentrated. This was followed by teau, the Bai area is crisscrossed with rivers, These areas are on the southern tip of the strand of white cloth tied to the coffin, as if the establishment of three more Achang of which the major ones are the Lancang, the Gaoligong Mountains. The climate is warm; he were guiding the dead into the “Heavenly autonomous districts in the counties of Luxi Nujiang and the Jinsha. The river valleys, the land fertile, crisscrossed by the Daying Kingdom.” The coffin is to be carried above and Lianghe in 1953 and 1954. When the dense forests and vast tracts of land form a and Longchuan rivers and their numerous the heads of the close relatives of the dead, Dehong Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefec- beautiful landscape and provide an abun- tributaries. The river valleys contain many figuratively providing the deceased with ture was created, the Achangs were amply dance of crops and fruits. The area round plains, the Fusa and Lasa being the largest of a “bridge” to cross the river to the nether- represented in the prefectural people’s Lake Erhai in the autonomous prefecture them. Dense forests populated by deer, musk world. The dead are buried without their congress. is blessed with a mild climate and fertile deer and bears cover the mountain slopes. metal ornaments; even the gold coatings on Beginning in the autumn of 1955, a land yielding two crops a year. Here, the Natural resources, such as coal, iron, copper, false teeth must be removed to make sure gradual land reform abolished feudal land main crops are rice, winter wheat, beans, lead, mica and graphite, abound. nothing will contaminate their reincarna- ownership in the Achang area. Also abol- millet, cotton, rape, sugar-cane and tobacco. Achangs speak a language belonging to tion. Those who die of infectious diseases ished were feudal privileges, taxes and The forests have valuable stocks of timber, the Tibetan-Myanmese language family of or childbirth are cremated. usury. Farmers were organized into coop- herbs of medicinal value and rare animals. the Chinese-Tibetan system. Most Achangs eratives in 1958. Mt. Diancang by Lake Erhai contains a also can speak Chinese and the language of Past Socio-economic Conditions Achangs are famous for their rice culti- rich deposit of the famous Yunnan marble, Dais. Their written language is Chinese. Before 1949 Achangs in the Lianghe vation. Before 1950, Achangs were kept so which is basically pure white with veins of Achangs treasure their oral culture area lived within a familial organization poor by the feudal system that they could red, light blue, green and milky yellow. It of ballads, stories and folk tales. Singing called the “Jiahui” (family meeting). Similar not afford to eat rice. But since liberation, is treasured as building material as well as alternating duets is a favorite evening rec- to the patriarchal clan system, the Jiahui had Achangs have been able to build irrigation for carving. reation of young men and women. Musical written family rules and chose patriarchs to systems that have transformed arid land instruments used by Achangs include the maintain the feudal order of exploitation. into fertile paddy fields, ensuring steady Origins and History bamboo qin (a stringed plucked instru- Regarded as inferiors to the men in the rice harvests. They also have built small Archaeological finds from Canger and ment), the bamboo flute, the gourd-shaped Jiahui, women had few rights. They had hydroelectric stations, and have bought farm Haimenkou show that the Erhai area was sheng (a wind instrument), the sanxian (a no right of inheritance. After 1949 these machinery such as tractors, rice mills, diesel inhabited as early as the Neolithic Age, and three-stringed plucked instrument), the practices were gradually eliminated. engines, threshers and winnowers. artifacts of that period indicate that the peo- elephant-leg drum and the gong. Drum and The Achangs’ ancestors once lived in Local industries, built up from nothing, ple of the region used stone tools, engaged monkey dances are among the most popular. the Jinsha, Lancang and Nujiang river val- are centered around Lianghe. They now in farming, livestock rearing, fishing and Handicrafts include embroidery, lacquering, leys in northwestern Yunnan. Some of them include ironwork, oil pressing, dyeing, and hunting, and dwelt in caves. Possibly, they dyeing, weaving, engraving and silverware moved west of the Nujiang River where they farm tool, soap and rosin production. In began to use bronze knives and swords and making and are known for their elaborate gradually evolved from hunters to farmers. Lasa, an ironworks produces water-powered other metal tools about 2,000 years ago. patterns and detail. Achang engraving is According to legends, Achang forbears in fire blowers, replacing the manual ones that The people in the Erhai area developed extraordinary and can best be seen on fur- those days lived in a matriarchal society were in common use. closer ties with the Han majority in inland niture, buildings and Buddhist shrines, on with women having a dominant familial and Development of education has been a provinces in the Qin (221-207 B.C.) and which workers have etched vivid forms of social position and lovers living in group priority. Before 1950, there was only one Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) dynasties. In 109 animals and plants. marriages. school, in Lasa, and that one mainly enrolled B.C. the Western Han Dynasty set up county During the Tang and Song dynasties the children of chiefs. Today, however, sev- administrations and moved a large number Customs (618-1279), the Achang area was controlled eral dozens of primary and middle schools of Han people to this border area. These Achang men tend to wear blue, white or by Yunnan’s Nanzhao and Dali principali- have been set up and almost all Achang Minorities continues on Page 11 www.chinainsight.info culture FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 11

Minorities from Page 10 zhao regime, they began the cultivation of people brought more advanced production rice, wheat, broomcorn, millet and several techniques and iron tools, contributing to other crops, and built the Cangshan water- the economic development of the area. Dur- conservancy project which could bring wa- ing the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) ter to tens of thousands of hectares of land. dynasties, the farming there had reached a To their credit are inventions and advances level close to that of the central plains. in meteorology, astronomy, calendar, archi- Bai aristocrats backed by the Tang tecture, medical science, literature, music, court unified the people of the Erhai area dancing, carving and painting. Among the and established the Nanzhao regime of representative works of the Bai people are Yis and Bais. Its first chief, Piluoge, was Transit Star Catalogue for Time Determi- granted the title of King of Yunnan by a nation by the Ming Dynasty scholar Zhou Tang emperor. Silian, Collection of Secret Prescriptions Slaves were used to do heavy labor, by Chen Dongtian and Tested Prescriptions while “free” peasants were subject to heavy by Li Xingwei. These classics recorded and taxation and forced to render various ser- summarized in detail the valuable experi- vices including conscription into the army. ence of the Bai people in astronomy and Some of them, who lost their land, were medicine. made slaves. The superb architectural skill of the Bai The Nanzhao regime lasted for 250 people is represented by the three pagodas years. During that period of time, while at the Chongsheng Temple in Dali. Built maintaining a good relationship with the during the Tang Dynasty, the 16-story main central government, the rulers cruelly op- tower is 60 meters high and still stands erect pressed the slaves and mercilessly plundered after more than 1,000 years. It bears a resem- other ethnic nationalities through warfare. blance to the Dayan Pagoda (Wild Goose) Productivity was thus seriously harmed. in Xi’an, an ancient Chinese capital city in This caused slave rebellions and uprisings. today’s Shaanxi Province. Figurines in the Nanzhao’s power came to an end in the year Shibaoshan Grottoes in Jianchuan County 902. Then a regime based on a feudal lord are lifelike, possessing both the common system, known as the Kingdom of Dali, features of figure creation in China and the was established. The kingdom adopted a unique features of the Bai artists. The archi- series of measures such as abolishing ex- tectural group in the Jizushan Temple, with orbitant taxes and removing conservative bow-shaped crossbeams, bracket-inserted ministers. As a result, social productivity columns, and gargoyles representing people, was restored. flowers and birds created with the open carv- The kingdom lasted for over 300 years ing method, shows the excellent workman- (937-1253) as a tributary to the Song Dy- ship of the Bai people. The Bais also have nasty (960-1279) court. It sent war-horses, high attainments in lacquerware. handicrafts and precious medicines to the They have created a wealth of literary court, and in return received science and works reflecting their life, work, and strug- technology, as well as books in the Han gles against nature and oppression. The epic, language. Economic and cultural exchanges Genesis, sings the praises of the communal with the Hans contributed greatly to the life of Bai primitive society. Some poems development of this border area. by Bai poets have been included in the many poor families to fall into debt. Women The kingdom was conquered by the Complete Poems of Tang Dynasty. The His- also was practiced on a small scale. There were discriminated against, and only men Mongols in the 13th century, and Yuan tory of the Bais, Anecdotes of Nanzhao and were also land sales and leasing. had the right to inherit family property. Dynasty (1206-1368) rule was established Kingdoms of Southwest China are among Commercial capitalism found its way But all such feudal practices and customs there. The Mongols designated Yunnan a the best historical works written by Bai his- into some Bai areas at the beginning of the have been fading away since 1949. Young province while establishing Dali and Heqing torians. They provide important data for the modern times. Trading companies owned people now enjoy the freedom to choose as prefectures. In order to strengthen their study of the history of the Erhai area. by bureaucrat landlords emerged, shipped in their lovers. control over Dali, the Yuan rulers offered The Bai people are good singers and commodities such as yarns and cloth from The “March Fair,” which falls between former chieftains official posts and granted dancers. The “Lion Dance,” created during the United States, Britain and France via In- March 15 and 20 of the lunar calendar, is a their families hereditary privileges. Though the Nanzhao regime, was appreciated in the dia, Burma and Vietnam, and exported gold, grand festival of the Bais. It is celebrated land was mainly concentrated in the hands central plains during the Tang Dynasty. Bai silver, and farm and sideline produce. every year at the foot of the Diancang Hill of the local aristocracy at that time, the opera, known as chuichui, is an art form The Bai people had staged numerous to the west of Dali city. It is a fair and an feudal lord system began to give way to a combining folk music and dancing. It has uprisings against the Qing rulers and for- occasion for sporting contests and theatrical landlord system. also absorbed some of the characteristics eign imperialists. In one of these uprisings, performances. People gather there to enjoy The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) took of Han operas. which took place in the mid-19th century, dances, horse racing and other games. June power from the Yuan rulers in 1381. The The famous painting depicting the Re- they set up their own political power, the 25 is the “Torch Festival.” On that day, Ming court removed local chieftains and surgence of the Nanzhao was created in 899 Dali Administration. The new government torches are lit everywhere to usher in a replaced them with court officials. This A.D. by Bai painters Zhang Shun and Wang adopted measures to promote industrial and bumper harvest and to bless the people with kind of reform resulted in the weakening of Fengzong. This masterpiece was stolen by agricultural production, reduce land taxation good health and fortune. Streamers bearing the political and economic privileges of the foreign imperialists in 900 from Beijing. and stamp out discrimination against the auspicious words are hung in doorways and local lords, brought freedom to the slaves Customs and Habits various nationalities. at village entrances alongside the flaming and raised the enthusiasm of the peasants The Bais are Buddhists and worshippers torches. Villagers, holding aloft torches, New Life for farming. Those Bais and Hans who had of “communal god.” Dotted with monaster- walk around in the fields to drive insects Democratic reform and socialist trans- emigrated were encouraged to return, while ies and temples, Dali has been known as a away. formation proceeded in the Bai areas in Hans from other areas were persuaded to “Scented Wonderland.” Abbots who held much the same way as in the Han inhabited settle there. This measure accelerated the huge amount of land and other property in Economy areas, but the reforms were carried out in development of the landlord economy of the past were big landlords and usurers. The Before 1949, the feudal landlord econo- a more gradual manner in those areas with Bai society. ordinary people were heavily burdened by my was dominant in most Bai areas. Incipi- vestiges of pre-capitalist economic organi- In addition to the continuation of the this caste and by religious activities which ent capitalism had developed in a few cities zation. Cooperatives were set up to boost Ming policy of dispatching officials from required sacrifices of cattle and other valu- and towns, while vestiges of the primitive production on the basis of abolishing class the central government, the Qing (1644- ables. communalism and remnants of the slave exploitation and the remnants of primitive 1911) court also appointed local officials Monogamous families have been the system were still in existence. communalism. and chieftains to rule over the Bais. basic social cells of the Bais, with a very About 90 percent of the people were The Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Some Bai people in remote areas still few people who practiced polygamy. Parents farmers who possessed only 20 percent of was founded in November 1956 after the suffered feudal exploitation and oppression live with their unmarried children, but only the arable land. completion of the democratic reform and at the time of liberation. in big landlord families did four genera- In areas where the lord system prevailed, socialist transformation. tions live together. Before the founding of peasants were all serfs, who owned neither Culture and Folklore the People’s Republic of China in 1949, land nor personal freedom. The Blang ethnic minority Over the centuries, the Bais have created matches between young men and young In the communal setup in Bijiang and Population: 82,400 a science and culture of their own. Agricul- women of the same surname or clan were Fugong areas, class distinctions were not Major area of distribution: Yunnan ture was dominant in the Erhai area as early not permitted, while marriages between clear. There was land which was tilled col- Language: Blang as the Neolithic Age. People then knew how cousins were encouraged, and were arranged lectively and the harvest distributed equally to dig ditches for irrigation. During the Nan- by the parents. High bride prices caused among the people. Private ownership of land Minorities continures on Page 12 PAGE 12 > FEBRUARY 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info

Minorities from Page 11 fluence of their Dai neighbors. Elephant-leg belonged to individual households, land, In light of the actual conditions in the drums, cymbals and three-stringed plucked forests and water sources were the village’s Blang area, the government conducted a Religion: Buddhism instruments provide musical accompani- common property. The different clans took series of social reforms aimed at gradually ment for dancing. People in the Blang permanent possession of different parts of eliminating feudal exploitation and vestiges Mountain area revel in their energetic “knife the public land and allocated their share to of primitive backwardness hampering social dance.” Young people like a courting dance small families under them on a regular basis development. Between 1952 and 1953, a called the “circle dance.” For the Blangs in to enable farming on a household basis. The land reform similar to that in the Han areas the Mujiang area, New Year’s Day and wed- households were entitled to the harvest. Just was carried out in Zhenkang, Lincang, dings are occasions for dancing and singing, as each small family depended on its clan Yanxian, Jingdong, Jinggu, Mujiang and often lasting the whole night. membership for the use of land, each clan other areas. In 1955-56, land reform of a The Blangs seek spouses outside their relied on its affiliation to the village for its more moderate nature was conducted in own clans and practice monogamy. With right to use the village land. Once a clan Gengma, Shuangjiang and some parts of a few exceptions, mainly parental interfer- moved elsewhere, its land reverted to the Lancang, followed by the setting up of The Blang people, numbering 82,400, ence, young Blangs are fairly free to choose village. When a newcomer applied for land, production cooperatives. In Xishuangbanna live mainly in Mt. Blang, Xiding and Bada marriage partners. a meeting of headmen would decide how and Lancang’s Nuofu area, where vestiges areas of Menghai County in the Xish- The death of a person is followed by much to allocate. of primitive communism still existed, social uangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in scripture chanting by Buddhist monks or Members of a village commune were reform progressed more slowly. It was not southwestern Yunnan Province. There are shamans to “dispel the devil,” and the fu- engaged in the same kind of political and until 1958 that some cooperatives were set also scattered Blang communities in the neral is held within three days. Each village religious activities. Public officials of the up there on a trial basis. neighboring Lincang and Simao prefec- generally has a common cemetery divided commune, namely the headmen, were Since 1949, with the help of their Han tures. All the Blangs inhabit mountainous according to clans or people having the same elected. and Dai neighbors, but mainly relying on areas 1,500-2,000 meters above sea level. surnames. The dead are buried in the ground Gradually, however, private ownership themselves, the Blang people have made The Blangs in Xishuangbanna have always except for those dying a violent death, who of land emerged. Many village commune much progress in adopting more advanced lived harmoniously with their neighbors of are cremated. members lost their land, becoming tenants farming methods. They have created paddy both the other minority nationalities and the of headmen or rich households. Their land fields, built water-conservancy projects, be- majority Han. Past Social Conditions henceforth assumed a completely private gun using fertilizers and advanced farming The Blang people inhabit an area with a Before liberation in 1950, social de- nature: it could be sold or bought, mortgaged tools, and adopted efficient management warm climate, plentiful rainfall, fertile soil velopment was uneven in different Blang or rented. Patriarchs or the elected headman methods. As a result, the grain harvest has and rich natural resources. The main cash localities. The Blang communities in the of a village commune, taking advantage of kept going up every year, as has the produc- crops are cotton, sugar-cane and the world Lincang and Simao prefectures were fairly their position, often took permanent posses- tion of tea and cotton. famous Pu’er tea. In the dense virgin forests developed socially and economically, as sion of large amounts of good land. Commerce, education and health care grow various valuable trees, and valued their members lived together with Hans Production was at an extremely low have also developed rapidly. An ethnic mi- medicinal herbs such as pseudoginseng, and other more socially advanced peoples. level before liberation in Xishuangbanna’s norities trading corporation has been set up rauwolfia verticillata (used for lowering Except for cemeteries and forests, which Blang area. Agriculture was the economic in every prefecture; in some villages there high blood pressure) and lemongrass, from remained common property, land had be- mainstay of Blang society, with dry rice as are shops with a fairly complete stock of which a high-grade fragrance can be ex- come privately owned. A landlord economy the dominant crop, followed by tea and cot- farm tools and daily-use items. State trad- tracted. The area abounds in copper, iron, had long been established, with landlords ton. At the beginning of the spring plough- ing organizations purchase local produce sulfur and rock crystal. and rich peasants taking possession of the ing season, patriarchs would organize clan in large quantities, resulting in increased The Blangs speak a language belonging best land through exorbitant interest rates, members to clear forest land and allocate income for the Blang people. to the South Asian language family. The mortgages, pawning and political privileges. it among individual households for farm- There were almost no schools in the language does not have a written form, but Poor Blang peasants, aside from being at ing. Harvests were poor. The Blangs’ low Blang areas before 1949. In some places, Blangs often know the Dai, Va and Han the mercy of landlords and rich peasants of income contrasted sharply with their heavy young men were able to learn a little of the languages. Blang origin, were exploited by propertied economic burden, which included tribute, Dai language through chanting Dai Buddhist According to historical records, an an- classes of Han and other ethnic minorities. high interest to money lenders, different scriptures as trainee monks. Now all Blang cient tribe called the “Pu” were the earliest The Bao-Jia system (an administrative sys- kinds of taxes and corvee. children attend primary schools, which are inhabitants of the Lancang and Nujiang river tem organized on the basis of households, evenly distributed in Blang villages. valleys. These people may have been the instituted by the Kuomintang government Post-liberation Life The absence of any medical facilities in ancestors of today’s Blangs. in 1932) tightened political control over all In the spring of 1950, the Chinese the Blang area before 1949 used to compel the Blang areas. The Kuomintang govern- People’s Liberation Army entered the Pre-1949 Life sick people to seek help from shamans and ment, in collaboration with local landlords Blang area. By driving out bandits and local other charlatans. In the early post-1949 Before China’s national liberation, and tyrants, caused great suffering to the tyrants, and taking measures to protect the days, the government sent medical teams the Blang people were very superstitious. Blang people by excessive levying of taxes lives and property of the people of differ- to the area, providing free medical care. Ancestor worship was a part of their way and forced conscription. ent nationalities, the army soon stabilized Later, clinics were set up, local medical of life. The Blangs in Xishuangbanna area The Blang communities in Xishuang- social order in this frontier region. This was teams formed, and medical workers of believed in Hinayana Buddhism, as a result banna’s Mt. Blang, Xiding and Bada areas followed by the people’s government send- Blang origin trained. Epidemics such as of the influence of the Dai tribe. The Blangs’ were less socially developed and more ing work teams to help the Blangs develop dysentery, smallpox and malaria were ba- Buddhist temples and social systems were poverty-stricken. The Blangs had long been production and establish grassroots organs sically brought under control. As a result, similar to those of the Dais. subjected to the rule of Dai feudal lords, of power. Blangs sent their representatives the general health conditions of the Blang Blang men wear collarless jackets with who exacted from them an annual tribute of to the prefectural and county people’s con- people have greatly improved. buttons down the front and loose black  money and farm produce. The Dai landlords gresses, where they exercised their rights as Source: People’s Daily Online trousers. They wear turbans of black or appointed a number of hereditary headmen masters of their own affairs. (http://english.people.com.cn/) white cloth. Men have the tradition of tat- called “Ba” from among the Blangs. Each tooing their limbs, chests and bellies. Blang “Ba” had several Blang villages under women, like their Dai sisters, wear tight his rule and collected tributes for the Dai collarless jackets and tight striped or black masters. China plans US$120 skirts. They tie their hair into a bun and Blang society in Xishuangbanna re- cover it with layers of cloth. tained varying degrees of public ownership Their staple diet consists of rice, maize of land by the clan or the village, aside billion revamp of and beans. They prefer their food sour from private ownership. A small number of and hot. Drinking home-brewed wine and villages had retained characteristics of the smoking tobacco are their main pastimes. healthcare system primitive commune, which was composed “China said [Jan. 21] it planned to in- services to be reduced and quality improved. Blang women like chewing betel nut and of 20-30 small families who had a common regard teeth dyed black with betel-nut juice vest 850 billion Yuan (US$120 billion) in ...” [BBC News (UK)] ancestor. Commune farmland, forests and the reform of its healthcare system in the China Knowledge Press reports that as beautiful. pastures belonged to all the members. Fami- The Blangs live in two-storied balus- next three years. Premier Wen Jiabao put currently, “...There are about 400 million lies and individuals had the right to utilize forward a series of targets for the reform of people who do not enjoy any kind of health- traded bamboo houses. The ground floor is this kind of land, but could not buy or sell for keeping domestic animals and storing the nation’s struggling healthcare system at care coverage across the country, said the it. As productivity developed, however, the a meeting of the State Council, or cabinet, Ministry of Health. Since 2005, the present stone mortars used for hulling rice. The patriarchs took advantage of their positions upper floor is the living quarters, and in the according to a statement posted on the healthcare system has been provoking an to gradually grab property for themselves, government’s Web site. ...” [Dow Jones/ increasing number of complaints about surg- middle of the main room is a fireplace for and began to exploit clan members. cooking, heating and light. When a family Factiva] ing medical fees, lack of access to affordable Most Blang villages in Xishuangbanna BBC adds that, “...The money will be medical services, the poor doctor-patient builds a house, nearly all the grown-ups in had primitive commune features. Each the village offer help, completing the project spent on improving health insurance ... and relationship and low medical insurance cov- village consisted of some 100 households also on raising standards in public hospitals. erage. The government has been developing in two or three days. belonging to several or a dozen clans of The Blang ethnic group has a rich store ... By 2011, it stated, the government’s target this medical reform since 2006. ...” [China different blood relationships. While farm is for most of the population to be covered Knowledge Press (Singapore)/Factiva] of folk tales and ballads transmitted orally. implements, houses and farm animals Their songs and dances show the strong in- by basic health insurance, for the cost of Source: World Bank www.chinainsight.info economy FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 13 areas. Recommendations for emergency planning and preparation include not only China’s rural-urban the seismic retrofitting of buildings and in- frastructure, but also recommendations for transport system management, coordination gap widens again of emergency response systems, and local “The income gap between urban and sensitive wealth gap between the cities that empowerment in disaster response. rural areas in China continued to widen last have prospered since economic reforms “It was clear during [World Bank Presi- year as the economic slowdown left millions began 30 years ago, and the villages that dent] Zoellick’s recent visit to the devastated of migrant workers jobless, Chinese media have lagged behind. area that Chinese officials dealing with the reported [Jan. 16]. Deteriorating purchasing power in the aftermath of the earthquake greatly value The average city dweller’s income in rural areas could also hinder efforts to Bank work and technical support,” wrote 2008 was 3.36 times more than that of boost domestic consumer spending to help East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice Presi- someone living in the countryside, the compensate for declining exports - a crucial dent James Adams in a message to staff. China Business News reported, citing an part of the government’s anti-recession strat- As China continues to grow and de- agriculture ministry report. egy...” [Associated Press/ Factiva] velop, appropriate planning for catastrophic The gap is wider than the 3.33 times Aljazeera notes that “...City dwellers events is vital to long-lasting infrastructure recorded in 2007...The average income earned an average annual income of $2,300 and for sustained growth. China has the of both rural and urban residents rose, but a year in 2008, Chen Xiwen, a senior rural opportunity to build back better in these

the growth in city dwellers’ earning power planning official, reported at a recent confer- provinces, supporting lifeline systems for outpaced that of those living in the country- ence in Beijing. The average rural income a stronger, more robust China, even in the side, the report said...” [Dow Jones/ Agence was about $690.Incomes in Shanghai and face of natural disasters. France Presse] some other big cities are about a third higher Source: World Bank AP adds that “...the trend suggests the than the national average...” [Aljazeera]  economic slowdown is foiling efforts by Source: World Bank China’s ...leaders to close the long-standing, China to renew Recovering transport grain exports after systems following the record harvest “China will soon issue corn, wheat The lower corn export will help U.S. Sichuan-Wenchuan and rice export quotas for next year after a grain suppliers to strengthen their market record domestic harvest and falling prices positions in the Asian markets...China encouraged Beijing to renew shipments mainly exports corn to South Korea and Ja- earthquake following a one-year hiatus, sources said pan. Corn exports tumbled 95% to 235,379 2008 has been a challenging year for sasters, and to aid in response and recovery on [Jan. 30]. tons in the first 11 months of this year, ac- China. Apart from the global financial following future events. The export limits were ... small for a cording to the customs’ statistics. [China crisis, which took a toll on China’s national country that once ranked as the world’s Knowledge] economy, the Sichuan-Wenchuan Earth- Reconstruction second-largest supplier of corn, and traders Beijing has already agreed to buy 30 quake had tremendous and devastating im- Rebuilding earthquake-affected China said it was unclear why grains merchants million tonnes of corn in the northeast prov- pacts to China – its people and its growth. is important to putting life back on track in would rush to foreign markets given higher inces for state reserves, about a fifth of the The 7.9 magnitude earthquake of May Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces. The domestic prices already buoyed by Beijing’s domestic harvest, to support domestic prices 12 resulted in the deaths of more than World Bank has been working with local scheme to build up government stocks. [The that are under pressure amid weak demand 69,000 people and injured some 374,000 leaders to establish a reconstruction program Guardian] from feed makers and processors. people, nearly decimating entire towns such in Sichuan and Gansu provinces, which will China...will allow 500,000 metric tons China last month had also scrapped an as Beichuan, which lost about 74 percent be financed by a US$710 million IBRD of the grain to be exported next year, about export tax on corn and starch while reducing of its population (approximately 12,000 loan. This loan will support reconstruction 10 percent of levels seen in previous years, the duties on wheat and rice, reversing mea- people). Overall, it is estimated that the investments in the transport, urban, health, as the government seeks to ensure domestic sures imposed earlier in the year as Beijing Sichuan-Wenchuan Earthquake caused and education sectors, and it is China’s hope supplies. sought to lock in more supplies at home approximately US$123 billion in losses that this reconstruction will be achieved in Cofco Ltd., Jilin Grain Group Co. and amid global tightness in grain supply. in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, a relatively short period of time. three smaller companies received export China exported 2.33 million tonnes of destroying 34,000 km of highway and more In support of China’s rebuilding effort, permits... That amount is worth about wheat, mainly to southeast Asia, in 2007, than 4 million rural and urban homes. the World Bank offers technical assistance US$73 million at current prices. More per- and 4.9 million tonnes of corn as well as The level of destruction of both homes and guidance based on international experi- mits may be issued later in the year if the 1.325 million tonnes of rice. [Reuters] and infrastructure put the spotlight on ence. “The Chinese government is interested government deems it necessary, they said. Source: World Bank China’s development practices. Rather than to have international organizations involved [Bloomberg] merely recovering lost resources, the onus in order to learn from international good is on China to build back better. practice in disaster recovery and mitigation, Hong Kong: US$13 billion new In terms of transportation networks, build local government capacity to manage quality infrastructure support not only the reconstruction program, and put in place railway projects presents sound development but lifelines to aid in robust fiduciary and safeguards controls,” emergency response and recovery. As stated says Senior Urban Environmental Specialist opportunities for U.S. technology & in the note Re-Establishment of Transport Mara Warwick. Systems after an Earthquake and Establish- engineering services ment of Lifeline Systems, prepared by Senior Redevelopment More than a quick recovery, China needs Summary Transport Specialist John Scales, “Social The MTR Corporation, which currently to rebuild with an eye towards sustainability order relies on a complex network of infra- provides 9 main commuter railway lines in and durability, considering how new infra- structure lifeline systems. When disaster Hong Kong, initiated 6 large new railway structure will stand up to future catastrophic strikes, restoring lifeline systems is at the projects worth US$13.63 billion to increase events. heart of restoring social organization.” its coverage by approximately 60 kilometers By improving planning and develop- Currently, China is faced with two throughout Hong Kong and into Southern ment methods, China has the ability to priorities in re-establishing their transport Mainland China. The details of these 6 prevent direct and secondary losses during systems: railway projects which are in various stages natural disasters. Planning to build back * Reconstruction: building back to of planning and construction in Hong Kong better will further limit devastation and basic are listed below. reduce recovery time allowing quick return This involves installing base-level in- There are opportunities for U.S. com- Canton Railway (KCR) trains ▫ platform to business as usual. frastructure to quickly put provinces and panies to tender for contracts and supplies work ▫ power supply system ▫ track works ▫ In addition to its contribution to recon- people back on track. of equipment and trains and these include: overhead wires ▫ escalator and lifts ▫ build- struction, the World Bank has the opportu- * Redevelopment: building back better ▫ electrical, civil and mechanical engineer- ing services ▫ signaling systems. nity to provide technical assistance in the Planning and constructing sustainable ing contracts ▫ trains for the Shatin Central For full article please contact Cannes. redevelopment of these earthquake-affected infrastructure to better withstand natural di- Line ▫ trains to replace the old Kowloon [email protected] PAGE 14 > FEBRUARY 2009 business www.chinainsight.info China’s top 10 How the Chinese economic news customer is stories of 2008 different than the announced U.S. customer China’s top 10 economic news stories on Major Issues Concerning the Advance- The 2009 UCBC breakfast meeting So how can one fulfill the real needs of the of 2008, selected by the editors-in-chief ment of Rural Reform and Development was series was kicked off by new member customers in China? The process of the layer and deputy editors-in-chief from 16 news approved and passed by the Third Plenary Dr. Xiang Sheng Yin from Cargill. Based cycle calls for “learn – develop – delivery”. outlets in Beijing together with famous Session of the 17th Central Committee of on his personal studies and 17 years of Learn is to explore and discover what the economists in China, were announced on the CPC; experience at Cargill, he has focused customer needs. Develop is to build our offer Dec. 30 in Beijing. 7) The stock market continuously on the effective establishment of trust to solve customers issues. Deliver is to present The top 10 economic news stories se- declined with the benchmark Shanghai and credibility with customers in China. the value proposition. Following such a cyclic lected, in chronological order, are: Composite Index hitting a record low, and The presentation included many of his progress, one can accelerate the effective 1) The implementation of the Labor multiple measures were taken to promote the personal stories describing the business establishment of credibility, leading to major Contract Law of People’s Republic of steady development of the capital market; environment in China. A UCBC member successes with customers in China. China which attracted much attention from 8) The international financial crisis commented afterwards that Xiang’s “sense Cargill places a high cultural value on all circles; caused strong impact on the Chinese of humor definitely [added] color to the its operations. Here is the vision for Cargill 2) Economic losses of more than 150 economy, forcing the central government already well prepared material”. in China: billion yuan were suffered, as a result of of China to make major adjustments to its Dr. Yin started the presentation by •Our purpose is to promote sustainable ag- serious ice and snow storms in some areas macroeconomic policies; briefly introducing Cargill’s business in riculture and a secure food supply for China of South China; 9) The reform scheme regarding fuel China. Cargill started trading with China •Our mission is to improve efficiency 3) After a strong 8-magnitude earth- taxation and the oil pricing mechanism was in the 1970s, and it made its first invest- and add value in the production, processing, quake hit Wenchuan of Sichuan, China released to solicit public opinion and will be ment in China in 1987. Due to more than distribution and trade of food and agriculture carried out the largest-scale rescue mission implemented from January 1 of next year; 20 years dedication in the country, Cargill products in China and reconstruction program; 10) The “three direct links of trade, mail, now operates 34 wholly owned companies •Our approach: 4) The successful staging of the Beijing air and shipping services across the Taiwan and joint ventures in 20 provinces. These -Add value to our customers and 2008 Olympic Games demonstrated China’s Straits” were basically realized and had a investments include the production of rural communities by training farmers, con- comprehensive national strength; far-reaching effect on the economic relations many food ingredients, as well as products tinuing investments and providing jobs and 5) The Sanlu infant formula milk powder between Chinese mainland and Taiwan. for farmers such as feed and fertilizers. opportunities incident initiated comprehensive clean-up of By People’s Daily Online The total investment of Cargill and joint -Improve the efficiency of distribution the dairy industry; http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2008- venture partners in China is over US$700 systems for food and agricultural products 6) CPC Central Committee’s Decisions 12/31/content_168130.htm million, employing over 4,400 people. -Share our worldwide agriculture The company’s annual trade with China and food expertise with the Chinese govern- is approximately US$5 billion. Due to ment and customers Optimism in face of slowing market the fast pace of growth, China is a target -Enrich the communities where we market for many of Cargill’s customers work and live worldwide. Being trustworthy, creative It is evident that Cargill is closely aligning he chill from the world financial crisis such a move by the government, the spend- T and enterprising is Cargill’s approach in to support local customers and communities has begun to take its toll on China’s own ing plan did not result in any significant working with customers in China. in China. still robust growth, with the worst damage upward revisions in growth forecasts, which People in different cultures value trust In exploring and discovering opportunities seen in export-oriented industries most had already taken it into account. differently. Dr. Yin used a simple analogy and customer’s needs in China, Xiang shared vulnerable to collapsing demand overseas. Most of the foreign companies we in- to describe the types of personal relation- his insights in the following areas: space for Many Western economists are revising their terviewed are naturally trying to boost sales ships. The first type follows the peach harmony, the role of an agent/distributor, economic growth forecasts for China down in China to compensate for lost sales in model, i.e. easy to enter a relationship customer’s maturity in international practice, to around 8 percent in 2009 and 2010, al- Europe and the United States - the markets but hard to get into the personal core. The and your opportunity space (as demonstrated though opinions regarding the likely scope at the center of the epicenter of the global second is the ping pong ball scenario, hard through the example of the introduction of and duration of the slowdown vary. financial upheavals. Managers are under to break-in but wide open once inside. The premium light beer in 1990’s). This learning InterChina recently surveyed more than pressure from parent companies to cut costs third is like a head of onion, one layer at stage is a strategic step to enter the market. 30 CEOs and China managers of multina- while expanding sales. So far, none of the a time. These models of relationship very The importance is reflected by the well-known tional companies and found that, depend- companies we surveyed said they planned much represent those of American, Japa- statement of Sun Tzu’s Art of War: “ … ele- ing on the industry, most expect the China layoffs in China thanks to the need to build nese and Chinese respectively. In China, ments of the art of the war are first, measure- market to continue to grow and outperform up strength in this growth market. each time one fulfills the needs of the ment of space; second, estimates of quantities; other major world economies. Most say they Still, given the uncertainties prevailing customer, she gains a layer deeper into a third, calculations; fourth, comparisons; and believe the impact of the global financial in the world and the difficulties of gauging relationship. Therefore, building trust and fifth, chances of victory…”. To the customer, crisis on their China operations will be how recessions elsewhere will affect China, credibility is a constant investment. devoting effort to develop understanding is limited. “I expect that China’s economic companies have become more cautious in growth will slow down a bit in 2009 but their spending. “Even small, daily expenses the China market still continues to grow can influence annual profits and losses,” faster than others in the world,” a CEO of a said Marco Rampichini, general manager multinational company said. of SCM Group China, a woodworking ma- Much of that optimism is pinned to the chinery company. “We now use normal mail Chinese government’s aggressive moves in instead of express couriers, choose cheaper recent weeks to help prop up domestic de- hotels and book flights in advance to get dis- mand with massive spending. The 4 trillion counts on our traveling expenses,” he said. RMB (US$586 billion) fiscal stimulus plan Rampichini is so cautious because he announced on Nov. 9 calls for substantial thinks the recession will have a profound investments in public housing, rural infra- impact given China’s own heavy reliance structure, transportation, health care and on exports for growth. “China still consid- education - exactly the areas economists ers itself the factory to the world. It is too say must be addressed to help entice frugal export-oriented and too low-price oriented. Chinese consumers to spend more. The This is the first major economic crisis in the plan, the largest undertaken by Beijing so Chinese capitalist adventure and managers far, amounts to about 16 percent of China’s and entrepreneurs are pretty scared and economic output last year. It is still too don’t know clearly how to face the new early to predict what impact it will have on situation.” he says.  domestic demand overall, but it is a much Please go to http://www.interchinacon- stronger response than that offered by China sulting.com for full article during the Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s. Since economists had anticipated Customer continues on Page 15 www.chinainsight.info economy FEBRUARY 2009 > PAGE 15

No r t h Am e r i c a n Translations Minnesota exports show Your one-stop source for pre- cise technical translations be- tween Chinese and English. steady growth of 8.6 percent We specialize in legal, financial, engineering and medical trans- in the third quarter lation work. In the face of economic weakness, gains. Exports of medical products such as Our high-quality serice is com- manufactured exports continue their record The Philippines was largely respon- orthopedic/artificial body parts make up the petitively priced. Contact us growth. Minnesota’s exports from manu- sible for the overall increase in the state’s state’s largest product group (as defined by facturing industries were valued at US$4.5 exports of computer and electronics prod- four-digit Harmonized Tariff System prod- today to get your free quote. billion in the third quarter of 2008 – a record ucts; exports of these goods to this country ucts) and were valued at US$277 million. Phone: 612-799-5415 high, representing an increase of 8.6 percent jumped 109 percent to US$182 million in Carried or worn medical devices exported Fax: 612-643-3498 (or US$356 million) since the third quarter the third quarter. Canada (up US$31 million to Ireland primarily accounted for the gains of 2007. For the year-to-date, Minnesota to US$139 million) and China (up US$21 in the third quarter. Email: exports increased 9.5 percent, while U.S. million to US$105 million) – the second and [email protected] exports increased 14.8 percent. third largest markets for these goods – were Minnesota Quarterly Export Statistics http//www.natranslations.com Despite difficult economic times, the the next strongest performers in exports in is the most current resource available for continued growth in Minnesota’s exports is this industry. tracking the state’s manufactured export and enjoy the experience in person, with a welcome news. Exports to Canada and the Plummeting sales of transportation trends and is prepared for the Minnesota positive outlook. Philippines gained the most in value, while goods to Russia (down by US$139 million Trade Office (MTO) by the Department of machinery and computers and electronics or 99 percent) largely influenced the overall Employment and Economic Development’s Cargill recognized by the U.S. State products fueled the state’s export growth export drop in these goods of 24 percent. (DEED) Analysis and Evaluation Office Department trend from the industry perspective. Most of that decline, however, was related (Thu-Mai Ho-Kim, 651-259-7180). Past In November 2008, Cargill won the Minnesota ranked second in value to an unusual increase of US$139 million issues may be viewed at www.exportmin- U.S. State Department’s 2008 Award for among Midwest states, after Wisconsin in Minnesota-made aircraft-related products nesota.com/itradestats.htm and results Corporate Excellence for being the leading (US$5.0 billion) in the third quarter of that were sold to Russia in the third quarter from manufacturing conditions surveys international business in corporate citizen- 2008. last year. are located at www.deed.state.mn.us/facts/ ship. Cargill won the award because of manufacturing.htm on DEED’s Web site. their work in China which includes a free Industry-level export data based on training program for farmers called Cargill North American Industry Classification Animal Nutrition (CAN). Two million System industries (NAICS) are collected Chinese farmers have gone through the by the U.S. Department of Commerce CAN program. (USDOC) and are distributed by the World Cargill is also working on China food- Institute of Social and Economic Research safety education, has rebuilt over 40 schools (WISER). Product-level export data based through the Cargill Cares Rural Educa- on the Harmonized Tariff System (Schedule tion program, and has donated over US$1 B) are collected by the USDOC and are million for earthquake relief in Sichuan distributed by the Global Trade Information Province. Strong Growth from Top Five Markets Services. Product-level export data provide Exports grew strongly to the state’s top additional information and insights on the Upcoming UCBC monthly meetings five markets and Belgium (ranked ninth) in industry-level export data. The February meeting of UCBC will be the third quarter of 2008. Feb. 4. The topic will be “China Resources Increased exports of computers and and Services at the University of Minne- electronics, and machinery to Canada helped Customer from Page 14 sota”. The presenters will be Dr. Yongwei offset decreases in sales of transportation Zhang, Director, and Joan Brzezinski, As- a sign of the long-term commitment to the equipment products. Exports of refined sistant Director, of the China Center at the market. petroleum/oil products and food products University of Minnesota. In developing solutions to meet custom- also grew. The March meeting of UCBC will be er’s needs, Xiang introduced the concept of Mexico was Minnesota’s fourth largest Mar. 4. The topic will be “Culture Clashes “glocalization” in managing regional versus market, based on strong export perfor- - United States vs. China”. This will be a Integrated Circuits, Refined Petroleum national demands. For the delivery, the 3S mances in machinery (up 67 percent to and Medical Devices Contributed the panel presentation featuring Mike Xiong factors, speed, scale, and supply chain man- US$32 million) and food (up 19 percent to Most to Growth of Thomson Reuters (also cofounder of agement are significantly different in China US$68 million). Gains in sales of integrated circuits (up UCBC) as well as Hong Cia and Sam Wils than in the United States. For example, the State exports to Belgium – ranked ninth 105 percent to US$236 million) contributed of US Bank. beer output of China has been tripled over among the state’s top 10 markets – jumped significantly to the state’s overall export To register e-mail ucbcevent@gmail. the last 15 years, making China the largest 38 percent to US$162 million based on growth. The Philippines accounted for com or call Jim Smith at 612-865-6543. beer producer of the world. In contrast, the strong sales of machinery (mainly liquid- almost three-quarters of exports of these The fee is US$20 to attend. The meetings production in United States has virtually dispersing equipment and liquid pumps). products. are free for UCBC members and for college remained the same (See graph on Page 10). Increased demand in Canada accounted students. In 2007, China’s beer production grew at 14  for much of the growth in Minnesota’s ex- Xiang Yin is the Global Technology percent, i.e. an additional 40 million barrels, ports of refined petroleum (non-crude) oil Director for Cargill Malt. His 22 years which is equal to two times Canada’s total products (such as fuel oils and lubricating- of working experience covers a number of annual output. Being a part of that growth is hydraulic-transmission oils). geographies including China, UK, Canada exhilarating, but one also needs to prepare and the United States. He was instrumental to invest the resources and energy to take in setting up one of the Cargill operations the ride. As one of Xiang’s expat colleagues in China in the early 1990s, and served on in Shanghai puts it “what happens here in the Board of Directors of the joint venture China in one year would normally take five as well as offering technical services to the years to achieve in the USA.” customers. Xiang has traveled extensively to By delivering one’s solutions in a mutu- work with customers worldwide in leading ally beneficial manner, one gains a higher the technical services for Cargill Malt. level of trust from the customer. This will Xiang holds his first degree from China speed up the fostering of a strategic partner- and a PhD from the UK. He is the Presi- ship with the customer in China. Each time dent of the American Society of Brewing one completes a cycle, he is one step closer Chemists (ASBC), and recently served as towards the core of the relationship. Dr. Yin the Chairman of the Board of Directors for concluded the presentation by reinforcing Most Industries Experienced Export the Brewing and Malting Barley Research that the progress of developing trust and Growth Institute, Canada. Xiang is the author or credibility in China is cyclic, but can be ac- Machinery turned in the strongest per- coauthor of over 40 patents and scientific celerated. Establishing trust and credibility formance among manufacturing industries, and technical papers for international con- is a journey, and the ultimate partnership is posting a gain of US$110 million between ventions and publications. He is an editor for the long term. He encouraged everyone the third quarters of 2007 and 2008. Bel- of the Journal of ASBC. gium and Canada contributed most of these to pursue his/her dream in the China market PAGE 16 > FEBRUARY 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info