Ch i n a In s i g h t Fostering Business and Cultural Harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 8 NO. 10 www.chinainsight.info NOVEMBER 2009 People’s Republic of Fifth annual open house Cinema Page 8 held by Chinese Heritage Foundation n a brilliant Sunday after- This list included Arts Midwest, Minnesota noon on Oct.18 the Chinese Center Chorale and Minhua Chorus. A fel- Heritage Foundation (CHF) low of the CHF Fellowship, established in Oheld its fifth annual open perpetuity in the History Department of the house at Gramercy Park. It was a landmark University of Minnesota, also spoke. CHF celebration for this new organization. In five Committee members then presented a brief short years the Foundation has built a solid summary of CHF activities, including the reputation as a creditable and responsive highly successful second presentation of A organization in the Chinese community Passage to China at the Mall of America. and beyond. Its grant making has gone to Stephanie Hall, events coordinator at Mall outstate locations such as Hutchinson, St. of America, was present to announce Cloud and Alexandria, fulfilling its funding David B. Lam is presented the first an- next year’s date for this exciting outreach mission to bring Chinese arts and culture nual Volunteer of the Year Award from event. Travel in China to all of Minnesota. Likewise its volunteer Ming Tschou, founder of Chinese Heritage To acknowledge the importance volun- Page 16 calligraphy team is traveling throughout the Foundation teers play in its activities CHF, an entirely metropolitan area, doing name translations complemented by an inviting fresh fruit volunteer-run organization, instituted an an- and presenting lecture/demonstrations in salad and cashew nuts. Special brewed nual Volunteer of the Year Award this year. settings as varied as schools, corporate teas, compliments of TeaSource, made for The first award went to David B. Lam, the campuses, and multicultural festivals. a satisfying midafternoon high tea. leader of the calligraphy team. In addition to A bustling team of volunteers prepared Master of ceremonies, Ida Lano, intro- name translations and lecture presentations, delicious snacks such as crispy peanut duced organizations that had received grant David has also been the resident fortune- triangles, char sui, fresh crab sandwiches, awards from the Foundation in the past year. teller. Many a hare-brained scheme has been curry potato cakes, and almond cookies, Open House continues on Page 9 Minnesota manufactured More on James Hong exports drop 19% in second Page 5 quarter innesota’s manufactured Top 10 Markets * Strong gains in sales of computer and exports totaled US$3.6 * Among the state’s top 10 country electronics products to Malaysia, Saudi Ara- billion in the second quar- markets, only China and Korea experienced bia and Ireland helped to offset substantially Mter of 2009. The state’s an increase in Minnesota exports during weaker demand in the Philippines (down 65 exports decreased 19 percent between the this period. percent to US$53 million), multiple coun- second quarters of 2008 and 2009. U.S. * Malaysia (Minnesota’s 11th largest ex- tries in the European Union and Canada. exports fell by 26 percent in the same port market) and Saudi Arabia (19th largest) * Demand for Minnesota’s machinery period. posted the largest gains in value during this products increased strongly in Korea, China, period. Exports to Malaysia jumped US$44 Malaysia and Taiwan. In contrast, sales million to US$93 million, while those to of these products to Canada and Belgium Saudi Arabia jumped US$16 million to (two of the top three markets) dropped US$36 million. significantly. * Strong sales of machinery, food and * Petroleum and coal products was Min- fabricated metals to China helped to miti- nesota’s only manufacturing industry that gate declines in computers and electronics, had increased exports during this period. chemicals and primary metals. Exports grew 184 percent to almost US$23 * Exports to Korea increased by 9 million and were virtually all shipped to percent, driven by strong demand for Canada. (See Figures 3 & 4 on Page 11) Exports from most Minnesota manu- machinery (up 102 percent to US$50 mil- facturing industries declined significantly, Machinery, Electrical Machinery and lion). Machinery was the dominant export Transportation Products Suffer Large ALSO IN THIS ISSUE with three of the top four largest industries and accounted for 35 percent of the state’s Export Declines suffering the largest declines: computers exports to this market. (See Figures 1 & 2 * Machinery: In Belgium, sales of the and electronics, transportation equipment Opinion / 2 on Page 11) state’s machinery products (notably, cen- and machinery. Exports to all regions de- Events / 3 trifuges and filters; and liquid- and sand- clined. Export Growth Was Limited to dispersing equipment) plunged 52 percent Education / 4 & 8 The most severe declines were to North Selected Industries and Countries to US$42 million. Sales to Canada and the American-born Chinese / 5 America (down 25 percent to US$1.1 bil- * Although exports from three of Min- U.K. were also down (by about US$33 Arts / 6 & 7 lion) and the European Union (down 24 nesota’s top four manufacturing industries million each), mainly for lifting equipment percent to US$961 million). computers and electronics (down US$188 Business / 9-11 (Canada), spark-ignition engines (Canada) During the first six months of 2009, million), transportation equipment (down Culture / 12-15 and computer-related parts (U.K.). (See Minnesota exports dropped 19.2 percent US$187 million) and machinery (down Travel / 16 Figure 5 on Page 11) compared to 24.1 percent nationally. US$89 million) – fell sharply between the * Optics, Medical Instruments: Strong second quarters of 2008 and 2009, some Exports Increase to Two of the State’s markets for these industries grew strongly. Exports continues on Page 11 PAGE 2 > NOVEMBER 2009 opinion www.chinainsight.info China Celebrates 60th Ch i n a In s i g h t Publisher: Gregory J. Hugh Anniversary of Modern State’s [email protected] Founding Editor: Jennifer Nordin By Stephanie Ho began working with the Chinese Commu- from Mao’s period.” [email protected] nists before they took power in 1949. He Mao Zedong is the iconic founder of spent more than three decades in China. modern China. His forceful personality led Manager of Operations/ Although he was jailed for nearly half of the country through decades of chaos and up- that time, he still thinks China is moving in heaval. Under Mao, the government exerted Circulation: the right direction. great control Richard He “Whatever we have now is ‘socialism over people’s [email protected] with Chinese characteristics.’ It also means lives - from that it can’t be copied from somewhere else. what books Production Editor: That’s very important. They can’t copy the could be read Dawn Murphy political democracy from anywhere else to what jobs [email protected] Beijing either,” Rittenberg said. people could 28 September 2009 China’s economic development has been take. And they Marketing: As China marks the 60th anniversary breathtaking, lifting hundreds of millions had almost no Connie Mei Ledford of the communist state on October 1, it out of poverty in the past 30 years. Health say in govern- Mao Zedong [email protected] celebrates the realization of some significant Minister Chen Zhu says the country also ment actions. goals, such as improved living standards has made huge health care advances in the Since his death more than 30 years ago, for many of the country’s more than one past 60 years. ordinary Chinese have gained more personal Artist/Intern: billion people. But challenges remain, such freedom than they ever had before - able, for Lauren Hugh as the Chinese Communists’ early vision of instance, to start a small business or take a democracy. vacation abroad. But they still have little say Staff Writers: China has reason to celebrate. The in what the government does and continue Greg Hugh country still basks in the glow of last year’s to face restrictions on religious activity and [email protected] successful Olympic Games. And, in a global political dissent. economic slump, China remains one of the Albert Leung world’s bright spots. [email protected]

Students Run 120-240km For China’s 60th Jennifer Nordin Anniversary [email protected]

Chen says China now has a health care Mike Xiong system that covers both urban and rural ar- [email protected] eas. He says the country also has raised its capacity to prevent and control diseases. The official says China’s major health About Ch i n a In s i g h t Families take part in National Day celebra- indicators, such as life expectancy and infant tions Photograph: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/ mortality, have improved dramatically, and Ch i n a In s i g h t is a monthly English Getty Images now make it one of the leading countries in language newspaper fostering business Chinese media expert Rebecca MacKin- the developing world. Human rights advocate Wu Qing and cultural harmony between China non says the People’s Republic of China has Yet political change has come more and the U.S. helped raise the country’s global stature. slowly. Human rights advocate Wu Qing is an “If you look at the goals of the [Com- Bao Tong formerly was in charge of the elected district representative in Beijing. Ch i n a In s i g h t is a Member of The munist] revolution as ‘China will stand up, Communist Party’s political reform efforts. Wu says she thinks Chinese people still Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American China will be respected by the international He was jailed in 1989 for sympathizing have to work hard. She says there is still a Journalists Association (AAJA). community, China will become a powerful with the students who massed in Beijing’s long road, and that everyone must do his force in the world, it will throw off foreign Tiananmen Square to demand political or her part. Submissions & Correspondence domination’ - it succeeded in that,” she liberalization. Wu says China has to fight the influence Ch i n a In s i g h t welcomes guest articles said. Bao says when he was in prison, he of thousands of years of feudalism and des- and mail for the Letters to the Editor thought about what he calls his “biggest potism. She adds that the People’s Republic China’s Communist government follows column. Correspondence should be disappointment” - which was that he did not of China - a country with only 60 years of what it calls “socialism with Chinese charac- addressed to: teristics,” which includes a market economy, successfully complete his job as a political history - will not be able to get rid of those with considerable state control. reformer. He says China’s current political legacies instantly.  Editor, Ch i n a In s i g h t Sidney Rittenberg is an American who situation is, in his words, “still the same Source: voanews.com 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 Fax: 952 472-6665 In s i g h t [email protected] Letters to the Editor become the Guaranteed property of Ch i n a In s i g h t and may be edited for length and published. YES you could run to the Articles will not be published without store and pick up a copy, but the express consent of the author. did you know you can have NOTICE TO READERS: The views Ch i n a In s i g h t delivered directly epressed in articles are the author’s and to your mailbox? not neccesarily those of Ch i n a In s i g h t . A subscription costs a mere Authors may have a business relationship with the companies or $24 and brings a full year (11 businesses they discuss. issues) of new understand- ing about today’s China, from language to business oppor- tunities. Copyright 2008 Ch i n a In s i g h t , Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info events NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 3 News anchor, ASIAN BLOOD DONORS Richard Lui talks Individuals of multi-ethnic descent (Asian, Pacific Island- about overcoming er, Hispanic/Latino, African American, Mixed Race) are desperately needed to register adversity as potential marrow/stem cell Join the National Association for years in business, most recently serving at donors. Asian American Professionals - Minnesota Blink Mobile, where he and his co-founders Yo u c o u l d b e t h e o n e (NAAAP-MN) for Overcoming Adversity: developed a patented process for the launch Stories from the headlines and stories from of the first bank-centric payment routing t o s a v e a l i f e b y the field, a timely and exciting conversation network. Since 1985, Lui has volunteered registering a s a with HLN (formerly CNN) news anchor, at community organizations including the Richard Lui, and local community leaders. American Indian Family Healing Center, the p o t e n t i a l d o n o r . In these challenging times, examples Red Cross and the YMCA. He is also a pro of past perseverance inspire hope for bono management consultant to non-profits Call 1-800-59-DONOR toll free CERTIFICATE OF overcoming adversity. HLN news anchor, through an organization called Community for more information. ASSUMED NAME Richard Lui, will share about his personal Consulting. Lui received his bachelor degree STATE OF MINNESOTA No r t h Am e r i c a n Translations ______and professional leadership journey, which in rhetoric from the University of California- Minnesota Statues Chapter 333: spans several sectors and continents. The Berkeley and holds an MBA from the Ross Your one-stop source for pre- 1. The assumed name under which the business is or panel of community leaders to follow will School of Business at the University of cise technical translations be- will be conducted is Simply Perfect speak about local stories of leadership and Michigan. tween Chinese and English. 2. The street address of the principal place of business overcoming adversity in the midst of this is or will be: We specialize in legal, financial, 6043 Halifax Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 challenging economy. engineering and medical trans- 3. The name and street address of all persons conduct- Overcoming Adversity: Stories from the ing business under the above Assumed Name. lation work. Name Street Address headlines and stories from the field will be Lawrence Nietz, 6043 Halifax Ave N, Brooklyn Center, held Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 6 MN 55429 p.m. at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Cam- 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate Our high-quality serice is com- and I further certify that I understand that by signing pus, 2701 Wells Fargo Way, Minneapolis, petitively priced. Contact us this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury MN 55408. This event is free and open to as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this today to get your free quote. certificate under oath. the general public. RSVPs are requested DATED: October 1, 2009 and can be sent to [email protected] by (Signed) Lawrence Nietz, Owner Phone: 612-799-5415 (November, 1, 2009; December 1, 2009) Friday, Nov. 13. 00091112 This event is sponsored by the Council Fax: 612-643-3498 on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and Wells Email: Fargo Asian Connection. [email protected] About Richard Lui Richard Lui is a news anchor for HLN, serving as an anchor for the network’s late morning programming and as a news USCPFA-MN and correspondent for “Morning Express with Robin Meade.” Based in HLN’s world headquarters in Atlanta, Lui joined CNN in China Center at 2005 as an anchor for CNN.com. Prior to CNN, Lui worked at Channel NewsAsia, an English-only news network reaching the U of M present 21 Asian countries and territories. Before joining Channel NewsAsia, Lui spent 15 Richard Lui Chicago Consul General Huang Ping The US-China Peoples Friendship As- Locations sociation of Minnesota (USCPFA-MN) Reception and the China Center at the University of The China Center at the University of China Center Minnesota are co-sponsoring a special an- Minnesota niversary event: China Celebrates 60 Years 331-17th Avenue SE of Change, 30 Years of Friendship. Minneapolis, MN 55414 celebrates 30th This event will take place on Tuesday, (Shuttle to Pagoda Restaurant available Nov. 17 and will include a reception at the upon request with reservation.) China Center beginning at 4 p.m. and a anniversary banquet at Pagoda Restaurant beginning Banquet & Speech at 6 p.m. Guest of honor, Chicago Consul Pagoda Restaurant This year, China Center celebrates 30 President Prof. Mahmood Zaidi, and com- General, Huang Ping will give a speech at 417-4th Street SE years since its establishment at the Univer- munity leader Weiming Lu. the restaurant as well. (Dinkytown) sity of Minnesota. To mark three decades This milestone celebration will be held Reservations are required for this event. Minneapolis, MN 55414 of building U.S.-China bridges, the China at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Coff- The cost to attend is US$25 for USCPFA- Center invites supporters to a festive eve- man Memorial Union (300 Washington Ave. MN members and US$30 for non-members. Parking ning of dinner and celebration. This event is S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455-0110). The Reservations made after Nov. 10 will be -Limited behind Pagoda Restaurant being held in conjunction with International cost is US$40 per person payable by check US$5 more. -Limited in Dinkytown pay lot on 5th Education Week. made out to “University of Minnesota”. Sponsor a table of 10 for US$500. To Street between 13th and 14th Avenue— The keynote speech, “America and Those interested in attending should RSVP reserve a place at the celebration, send guest bring ticket to Pagoda to stamp China Working Together” will be presented by Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. names along with and check(s) payable to -U of MN ramp on 17th Avenue between by former United States congressman Mark For more information, contact the China USCPFA-MN, c/o Wen Li, 10119 Portland 4th and 5th Street SE Kennedy. Other honored guest speakers Center at 612-624-1002 or chinactr@umn. Ave. South, Bloomington, MN 55420. -U of MN lot on 5th Street SE near 18th include former China Center Director Dr. M edu. For directions to Coffman Memorial Questions can be e-mailed to wenli2@ Avenue SE  Patricia Needle, Regent Professor (retired) Union, visit www.coffman.umn.edu/about/ deloitte.com. and former China Center Advisory Council directions.php  (CCAC) President Paul Quie, former CCAC Thank you for reading Ch i n a In s i g h t PAGE 4 > NOVEMBER 2009 education www.chinainsight.info School of Journalism Yinghua Academy at U of M hosts visiting awarded over Asian journalists US$800,000 for The University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) recently hosted ten journalists from middle school East Asia and the Pacific Rim as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Mur- row Program for Journalists. program The Murrow Program is an innova- YinghuaAcademy, the first Chinese and language-based instruction in Chinese. tive public-private partnership between the Kathleen A. Hansen (c) Director and Profes- immersion charter school in the Midwest, Currently there are five total immersion Department of State, the Aspen Institute, sor, Minnesota Journalism Center, School has been awarded an US$811,765 Foreign Chinese elementary programs in the state. and ten leading U.S. schools of journalism. of Journalism and Mass Communication Language Assistance Program (FLAP) Yinghua Academy will be the first Chinese The program brought approximately 160 University of Minnesota, with visiting Grant from the U.S. Department of Educa- middle school that builds on an elementary journalists from independent media outlets journalists tion. The grant comes the same year the immersion program. Statewide, about 600 around the world to the United States to schools’ charter moved from a K-5 to a K-8 students are enrolled in these immersion examine journalistic principles and prac- and hold positions in television and print in school, and the school moved into a new, programs and that number is projected to tices, both in the United States and around their home countries. The SJMC designed larger location (the former Putnam School increase to 1300 by 2012. the world, and interact with professional a specialized agenda for the group’s visit, located in Northeast Minneapolis). “All Notes Dr. Luyi Lien, Yinghua Acad- journalists and experts in the field. including seminars led by SJMC faculty on three of these things come together to allow emy’s Academic Director, “There will be a “The Murrow Program is a wonderful international relations and press freedom, a us to continue our strong program, right up growing need for this type of middle school opportunity for us to engage and contribute visit to the Star Tribune to observe profes- through the 8th grade. The entire school programming. As the first Chinese immer- to an international discussion about press sional working journalists, a visit to 3M and community has been very excited about our sion elementary in the state, we’ve been freedoms and responsibilities in a changing General Mills to learn about international move into the new building, and by receiv- involved in educating the larger community world,” said SJMC director Albert Tims. business innovation, and a trip to the Federal ing the FLAP grant, we are really positioned and helping other MN Chinese programs “We are thrilled to participate in the fourth Reserve Bank of Minneapolis where they well to continue our outstanding program develop their teachers and content. We annual program and are excited to exchange were able to learn about monetary policy through middle school,” notes Betsy Lueth, have also hosted tours of visiting teachers ideas with our visitors about how we can and international trade. The journalists also Yinghua Academy’s director. from around the country and presented our help promote vigorous and responsible participated in a roundtable discussion about The grant will be paid out over a findings at national conferences. This grant journalism around the world.” U.S. foreign policy with local journalists three-year period and will support the de- will allow us to continue those efforts into After a four-day orientation in Washing- and participated in a discussion with the velopment of two different middle school the middle school area.” ton, D.C., the international journalists were China Center and Humphrey Institute of curricular tracks at the school. One will be Students in the middle school program divided into groups and traveled to one of Public Affairs. for the continuing, immersion students and will notice many additions from the grant the ten partner institutions, including the Following their visit to the SJMC, the the other will be for new students entering as well. There will be added technology in University of Minnesota. The other nine ten journalists traveled to Little Rock, AR middle school at Yinghua Academy. The the classrooms, using laptops, interactive institutions include Jackson State Univer- where they would examine the roles and incoming students will receive Chinese as a whiteboards and various software programs sity, Marquette University, University of responsibilities of state and local govern- foreign language while the majority of their to create multimedia research projects. A Maryland, University of North Carolina ments, learn about the importance of the school day is in English. The ongoing im- sister-school in China will be established at Chapel Hill, University of Oklahoma, civil rights movement in U.S. history, and mersion students will further their language and video and pod casting will be used to University of Southern California, Syracuse observe media coverage of politics, gover- learning at appropriate levels, which will in- foster friendships and learning between the University, University of Tennessee, and nance, and civic engagement first hand. The clude some core subjects taught in Chinese. schools. This will also set the groundwork Texas Christian University. program concluded in New York City, with Both programs will offer an increased use of for a capstone 8th grade class trip to China The ten journalists who visited the visits to major media outlets and a sympo- technology to do research and communicate to meet the sister-school students in person. SJMC hail from the People’s Republic of sium on the future of journalism globally. with peers around the world. The middle “The students will really develop and feel China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan,  school program will continued the school’s the global citizen part of this program,” focus on rigorous academics, particularly says Lueth, “Using technology to establish in math and science, with the overall goal direct relationships with students in China of developing students into global citizens, and then to go and visit them, to shake Critical Language complete with bilingual ability in Chinese, hands and speak to them in Chinese will critical thinking and 21st century skills. be powerful. They’ll leave MN, yet feel at The grant also encourages professional home and connected to a place and people Scholarships for development and allows Yinghua Academy that’s around the world.” to share the best practices, creating replicable Visit http://yinghuaacademy.org for and sustainable programs for middle schools more information about Yinghua Acad- Intensive Summer that bridge the gap between content-based emy. 

government interagency effort to expand The U.S. Department of State and Institutes (CLS) dramatically the number of Americans CAORC welcome all eligible applications studying and mastering critical need foreign and do not discriminate on the basis of The United States Department of State is approved by the U.S. Department of State, languages. Students of diverse disciplines race, color, national origin, gender, age, or pleased to announce the upcoming scholar- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. and majors are encouraged to apply. Par- handicap condition. ship competition for overseas intensive sum- The CLS Program will be administered by ticipants are expected to continue their lan- Grant Benefits: All CLS Program costs mer language institutes in thirteen critical CAORC and the American Councils for guage study beyond the scholarship period, are covered for participants including: travel need foreign languages for summer 2010. International Education. and later apply their critical language skills to and from the student’s U.S. home city and The critical languages are Arabic, Azerbai- Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) in their future professional careers. program location, a mandatory Washington, jani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indo- provide group-based intensive language Eligibility: All applicants must be U.S. D.C. pre-departure orientation, applicable nesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, instruction and structured cultural enrich- citizens. Applicants must be currently en- visa fees, room, board, group-based inten- Russian, Turkish and Urdu. Countries may ment experiences for seven to ten weeks. rolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at sive language instruction, program-spon- include: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Levels available for each language are as the undergraduate* or graduate level. All sored travel within country, and all entrance Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, follows: candidates must have completed at least fees for CLS Program cultural enhancement Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, * Arabic: Advanced beginning, interme- their first year of university-level study by activities. Note: U.S. passport fees will Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, or others where diate or advanced level; the summer of 2010. Students in all dis- not be paid by the scholarship. Selected the target languages are spoken. * Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian, ciplines including business, engineering, applicants must have a U.S. passport valid The on-line application for CLS Pro- Korean, Punjabi, Turkish, or Urdu: Begin- sciences, social sciences and humanities through 2011 with at least two blank visa gram awards will be available Nov. 9, 2009, ning, intermediate or advanced level; are encouraged to apply. (*Only graduate pages by early March 2010. Please plan in and the deadline to apply will be Dec. 18, * Azerbaijani, Chinese, Japanese, Per- students and graduating seniors are eligible advance to avoid visa delays. 2009. The selection process will be admin- sian, or Russian: Intermediate or advanced to apply to the summer 2010 Persian pro- istered by the Council of American Overseas level. gram.) Source: Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) with awards The CLS Program is part of a U.S. Research Centers www.chinainsight.info american-born chinese NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 5 Home from Hollywood: James Hong’s nostalgic return to Minnesota By Albert Leung, Staff Writer The author and friend Stephanie Lau him was less subtle and broke into loud to Minnesota, I became a very shy child,” sota. This was his dwelling throughout his spent time with legendary actor James Hong chuckles and walked in a few circles while James recalled. college days at the University of Minnesota when he returned to Minnesota for his 62nd in disbelief. They knew it. A Hollywood star Rather than let the fear overbear him, and the place he called home before fulfill- high school reunion. This is the second was in their presence. James decided to try to overcome his fear ing his dreams in California. installment of a three-part series on James “You’re that guy. I know you,” the by enrolling in Bryant Junior High School’s Hong. The final installment will appear in gentleman manning the front desk said as he drama club. It was with his drama coach Intervention the December issue of Ch i n a In s i g h t . drew his index finger up to point at James. Miss Bess where James realized his knack James began to develop into a young The lady next to us changed from for acting and broke out of his shell. man during his years at his home off of Life never seems to sail the course you chuckles to uncontrollable squeals of delight “Miss Bess taught me a lot when I Pillsbury Avenue in South Minneapolis. In expect it to, but no matter the route it takes, which filled the first floor hall with echoed joined the drama club. For some reason she the garage he developed a love for tinker- you will reach your destiny in the end. Al- shrills. Her shrieks resonated in the halls decided to take me under her wing,” James ing with carpentry and also restored an old though born in Minnesota, James was not so loudly that the front desk man could reminisced. “On stage, I began to realize I Chrysler. These hobbies eventually led to allowed to stay during his entire childhood. barely hear James ask for permission to could express my emotions that I was feel- his decision to study civil engineering when Fearing that American culture was overtak- walk around the building and film his old ing at the time.” he enrolled at the University of Minnesota. ing the household, James’s father sent him junior high. Nearing the end of his junior high days, Many changes came about in this home. back to Hong Kong for elementary school. With permission, we took off to stroll James was cast as one of the leads in the “This was the home where I lived with After a few years of studying the Cantonese around the building formerly Bryant Ju- graduating class’ play. He was to play a my mother and younger sisters. A lot of my dialect and Chinese culture, James was al- nior High School. Making our way to the villain in his first major role. other siblings started to move away during lowed to return to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. building’s second floor, it felt eerie to me “I remember I got to play this villain this time as they went off to live their own It was a difficult transition for young James to see many of the school’s old remnants with a huge fake mustache. It was a melo- adult lives. This was the home I returned to since he did not speak English anymore. still affixed in the strangely quiet hallways. drama where I twirled the giant fake mus- after my services during the Korean War,” He became a shy student when he returned Old classroom numbers still hung above the tache and said the line, ‘I’m here to collect James said. “This is where I tried to revamp mainly because of the teasing he received doors and dark gray steel lockers lined the the mortgage! Hahahahaha,” James said. my life after the war.” from fellow American students. James was sides of the halls. These remaining artifacts It was remarkable how clearly James re- Attending college at the University of determined and ambitious even at that young are the only signs left that a bustling school membered the play he acted in over 60 years Minnesota was an important goal to James age. He would not remain that reserved boy filled with rambunctious children used to ago. Not the details nor the lines escaped his and he did his best to ensure it would hap- after he made a life changing decision at exist there. memories. James recalled his first seamless pen. He tried some creative means to earn Bryant Junior High School. We strolled through the hushed halls ad-lib he delivered while on stage after a money to pay for his courses at the college Following the high school reunion, as James carefully examined the surround- prop had fallen while he was sawing one of such as raking lawns for 25 cents and shin- James, Stephanie and I made our way to ings in search for a something to spark his the characters in half. Rather than pausing ing shoes at a local barber shop. Not finding Minneapolis in search of James’s most memory. What were once classrooms have the play and picking up the prop awkwardly, much financial luck, James entered into the favorite childhood haunts. We weaved now become offices of small businesses and James extemporaneously recited a brilliant Minnesota National Guard while attending around the neighborhood streets of South non-profits who serve the local community; line where he blamed his assistant for not the University of Minnesota to earn some Minneapolis looking for his former junior though the second floor seemed completely fixing the saw. Then he put the prop back income for school. high school and two homes he and his family empty. James stopped suddenly during our in place and continued on with the play “Once or twice every week I’d go down used to live in. tour and turned towards Stephanie and me without a hitch. His mentor was impressed to the armory in Minneapolis where they’d with an inspired expression. by James’s creative ad-lib. train and prepare us for war if that was to Bryant Junior High School “This is actually where my acting career “After the graduation play, Miss Bess ever occur. Then sure enough one summer, First we headed to Bryant Junior High began,” James said smiling. “It was here that came up to me and said ‘That was brilliant the Korean War hit and we were activated,” School, which was described to us, by I learned I had some talent. We should go James! You are really meant for showbiz. James said. James’s former high school classmates, as a down to the auditorium and I can tell you That little ad-lib you did and putting the He and his fellow Minnesota National large industrial looking brick building. The how it all started.” prop back after it fell while the play was Guard comrades were sent down to Alabama school has since closed and now operating As we turned around to wrap up our running saved the day,’” James said with a for combat training at the famous Camp out of the brick and mortar structure is Sa- tour and downstairs where I thought I saw smile. “It was all here at Bryant Junior High Rucker before being sent to the Korea to bathani Community Center. the auditorium door, James reached out School where I began to find my expression battle. Unexpectedly, fate intervened and The building stood gallantly among compulsively to open one of the dozens of in life.” James never left that camp to fight. the small rambler houses surrounding it. closed doors throughout the hallway. He “After a full day of learning to fire artil- The brickwork’s condition was nearly im- was hoping for the auditorium but instead The Purple Home lery and running through obstacle courses, maculate and showed no wear. The squared he found another gem. A few blocks away from James’s former I would go to the special services group at shaped building looked almost like an insti- “Hey, this is the gymnasium! I used to junior high school on Quentin Ave. S. is night where you could socialize and see tution. It brick design and large windows play basketball here,” he said as he waved where one of the three Minneapolis homes entertainers who came from all over the made the building resemble some of the us into the room. he and his family lived in during their time country,” James said. “I began working University of Minnesota’s older classroom The wooden gymnasium floors remained here. From this house James walked to Bry- with the army’s social club on the camp buildings. The structure looked ominous but missing were the basketball hoops. That, ant Junior High School everyday. to organize shows. I would appear in the especially compared to the small homes though, was merely a small matter to James. As we pulled up to his old home, James shows myself and one night the general surrounding it. As a child, I would have He strutted onto the court, took a deep breath immediately noticed some significant happened to see me perform while I was found it to be an intimidating building to and started to mimic his old basketball skills. changes had been made. doing an impersonation of Al Jolson’s song attend school in. It was a full repertoire that included cross- “This is not my old house. Boy have they ‘My Mammy’.” “When was the last time you’ve visited overs, spin moves and a hook shot. repainted and refurbished it,” James said. “It After witnessing James’s entertaining here?” I asked James as we walked along the “We would be very lucky if we have wasn’t purple!” prowess, the camp general asked him to sidewalk and towards the front door. even half of James’s energy when we reach The formerly stark white home had been stay at Camp Rucker and be in charge of “Well let’s see,” James muttered. “I 80 years old,” I whispered to Stephanie made over. The house had since gotten a bit the camp’s live shows division. It was a haven’t been back here since I attended while watching the veteran actor in dis- of color and is now dark green with purple lucky break for the actor that may have junior high, so that must have been when belief. trim. The front lawn that once had a large saved his life. I was 13 or 14 years old. Nearly 66 years Following the basketball display, we tree that James would climb regularly with “I don’t know if I would have liked to go or so.” ventured back to the first floor where the au- his siblings had been overhauled also and to war in Korea but let’s admit it that with a The inside of the building was well kept ditorium was housed. It had undergone some redesigned with a collage of budding flower G.I. cap and this face charging at the Korean just like its exterior. The walls were colored updates and renovations since James’s days beds. army, the Koreans would try to kill me. But neutral and only adorned with a few pictures but the general layout was similar enough “Our first house in Minneapolis was a then if we were to retreat and I turned around and posters. At first it seemed the building for him to recognize immediately. small place we bought in downtown Min- and ran back the Americans would try to kill was unoccupied except for the few people The three of us sat down in the audito- neapolis for around $2,000. This was our me too because they’d think I’m an enemy conversing at the front desk. rium chairs while waiting for the folks at second home that we upgraded to for around in disguise,” James said. “I definitely think James approached the counter and the the Sabathani Community Center to turn on $3,000. Can you imagine owning a house for I would have been shot from one side and gentleman and woman who were chatting the stage lights. It was on that stage where around $3,000 now,” James said chuckling the other.” stopped their conversation immediately. A James the actor was born. at the thought. After reminiscing over his army experi- long drawn out silence and a double take “Because after attending school in Hong After surveying the neighbor, we hopped ence and looking back at the neighborhood, later, the gentleman at the front etched a Kong for a number of years, I could not back into my car and took off for the third we decided to take off again. Before return- sly smirk across his face. The gal next to speak English very well when I returned and final home his family owned in Minne- Hong continues on Page 12 PAGE 6 > NOVEMBER 2009 arts www.chinainsight.info Walker Art Center and University of Minnesota present the People’s Republic of Cinema Series of Rarely Seen Films Celebrates 60 Years of China on Film Following the Country’s 1949 Communist Revolution From Nov. 4–23, the Walker Art Center Screenings on November 4, 9, 11 (6 film adaptation of the ballet that premiered 1990—a time when Deng Xiaoping’s Open and the University of Minnesota present p.m.), 16, 18, and 23 take place in the Bell in 1964—and was performed for President Door policy elicited sweeping economic The People’s Republic of Cinema, organized Museum Auditorium on the University of Richard Nixon upon his visit to China— and cultural change. As foreign pop culture by Sheryl Mousley, Walker film curator, Minnesota campus, 10 Church Street SE, captured international attention at the 1971 gradually permeates every aspect of life, a and Jason McGrath, associate professor of Minneapolis. Venice and San Francisco film festivals. nomadic theater troupe changes its name to modern Chinese literature and film. The The U of M films are free and open to Featuring Ching Ching-hua, Lo Sing Siang, the “All-Star Rock and Breakdance Elec- series celebrates 60 years of China on film, the public. and members of the China Ballet Troupe. tronic Band” and trades propaganda theater featuring 14 films, many of them rarely seen, 1970, 35mm, 105 minutes. for improvised pop songs and Western which trace the evolution of China through Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m. (Bell Au- dance. In revealing the erosion of Maoist the eyes of its filmmakers. Screenings take ditorium) Monday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m. (Bell Audi- orthodoxy and the arrival of Western influ- place at the Walker Cinema and the Bell New Year’s Sacrifice (Zhufu) torium) ence, Platform charts the mood of a country Museum Auditorium. Directed by Sang Hu Red Detachment of Women (Hongse in permanent transition. 2000, 35mm, 154 Marking the 60th anniversary of “New A fine example of revolutionary real- niangzi jun) minutes. China,” this timely series tracks the decades ism, this film is creatively adapted from Directed by Xie Jin of political tumult and massive cultural and the 1924 short story by Lu Xun, the father An all-time classic of Chinese revolu- Monday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m. (Bell Audi- economic change that followed 1949’s Com- of modern Chinese literature. In this tragic tionary cinema by legendary director Xie, torium) munist revolution. The People’s Republic of tale of a woman (portrayed by veteran film this film follows the exploits of fighting One and Eight (Yi ge he ba ge) Cinema charts the unprecedented propulsive star Bai Yang), Lu attempted to show that women’s detachment within the Commu- Directed by Zhang Junzhao energies at work through years of radical “the oppressive weight of tradition . . . only nist revolution. Loosely based on a true Based on an epic poem, this film follows transformation and looks to the future of a increases the burden on widows while offer- story, the action focuses in particular on nine captives led by a group of Communist country still in flux—one responding both ing little comfort” (Film Society of Lincoln Wu Qionghua, a slave girl who escapes and Eighth Route Army soldiers in World War to its past and its relatively new prominence Center). Winner of a special jury prize at the seeks revenge against her oppressors. 1961, II. When nearly all of the regular soldiers in the larger world. The series is organized Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. video, 120 minutes. are killed, the prisoners—including army chronologically by content, from films cre- 1956, video, 100 minutes. deserters and an officer falsely accused ated or set during the establishment of the of treason—must wage battle against the People’s Republic of China to those of the Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. (Walker Japanese in order to survive. Due in part to present day. Cinema) Zhang Yimou’s cinematography, this is one Among the films being screened are his- Crows and Sparrows (Wuya yu maque) of the early examples of Chinese cinema’s torical works culled from archives all over Directed by Zheng Junli move toward artistic experimentation in the the world, as well as area premieres showing “Undeniably comic. Surprisingly ebul- 1980s. 1984, video, 90 minutes. contemporary views of China. Also included lient.” —Village Voice are several 1960s- and ‘70s-era adaptations This neorealist gem of Chinese cinema, of “the model works,” unique in the history completed just before the revolution, shows of film. Mixing revolutionary ideology with the country’s transformation through the the symbolism and highly stylized conven- prism of a Shanghai boarding house. The tions of traditional Peking Opera, the result tenants must work together to save their Red Detachment of Women (Hongse is an utterly stunning cinematic hybrid. living space as the owner, a Chiang Kai- niangzi jun) Directed by Xie Jin, 1961 All films are in Mandarin Chinese with shek sympathizer, is fleeing the country English subtitles. and the Red Army is set to take over. Dur- Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. (Bell ing production, Zheng provided the studio Auditorium) Films in the Walker Cinema with a fake script and made daily updates to Red Lantern (Hong deng ji) Screenings on November 6, 7, 8, 11 (10 the real screenplay hidden in the ceiling as Directed by Cheng Yin a.m.), 13, 14, 19, and 21 take place in the the situation in the country changed. 1949, Another of the eight “model perfor- Cinema at the Walker Art Center. 35mm, 108 minutes. mances” of the Cultural Revolution, this Unless otherwise noted, Walker films are modern Peking opera film showcases the US$8 (US$6 Walker members). Saturday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. & Wednes- highly stylized revolutionary aesthetics typi- Cinephile’s Special: Receive five tickets day, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. (Walker Cinema) cal of the era. 1970, video, 112 minutes. for the price of three: US$24 (US$18 Walker Little Red Flowers (Kan shang qu hen members) mei) Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. (Walker Directed by Zhang Yuan Cinema) Films in the Bell Museum Auditorium Area Premiere Yellow Earth (Huang tudi) Ermo, directed by Zhou Xiaowen, 1994 Four-year-old Qiang is sent to a kinder- Directed by Chen Kaige garten boarding school not long after the “Ravishingly beautiful.” —Village Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. (Bell 1949 liberation. After failed attempts to Voice Auditorium) win the coveted red flowers doled out for Beginning in 1939, this poignant story Ermo good behavior, he turns to rebellion. With focuses on impoverished farmers in the Directed by Zhou Xiaowen Qiang’s trials and tribulations serving as a Shaanxi province. A communist soldier Area Premiere microcosm of the confusion and conformity promotes the People’s Liberation Army “Vivacious, enthralling. . . . A lyri- in post-revolution Chinese life, this heart- to a rural girl on the brink of an arranged cally drawn glimpse of transcendent human rending, beautiful film features a first-rate marriage, and characters burst into inspired spirit that too often is missing from the big performance by its diminutive star, who ach- song throughout. Chen’s first feature, which screen.” —San Francisco Chronicle ingly displays a loss of childhood innocence. showcased the exquisite cinematography A captivating and sensual tale about 2006, 35mm, 92 minutes. of a young Zhang Yimou, announced the a strong-willed rural woman’s obsessive arrival of China’s Fifth Generation filmmak- pursuit of the biggest television in her Sunday, Nov. 8, 3 p.m. (Walker Cin- ers, who challenged the style and stories of county, Ermo is a cinematic meditation on ema) Mao-era films. “Unquestionably a milestone post-socialist consumerism in China. 1994, The Red Detachment of Women (Hongse in Chinese film history” (Film Society of video, 98 minutes. niangzi jun) Lincoln Center). 1984, 35mm, 89 minutes. Collectively directed Thursday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., FREE One of eight “model works” permitted Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. (Walker (Walker Cinema) during the Cultural Revolution, the story of Cinema) Beijing Bastards (Beijing zazhong) The Red Detachment of Women has been Platform (Zhantai) Directed by Zhang Yuan New Year’s Sacrifice (Zhufu), directed by adapted to several artistic disciplines: film Directed by Jia Zhangke “A vibrant testimony to a seething Sang Hu, 1956 (screening at the University on Nov. 9), This epic road movie from acclaimed subculture in a tumultuous era.” —San literature, opera, and ballet. This stunning filmmaker Jia spans the years 1979 through Cinema continues on Page 12 www.chinainsight.info arts NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 7 PAGE 8 > NOVEMBER 2009 education www.chinainsight.info Goodbye, My Dear American Friends By Manlin Yu I am not a person who is easy to fall Su Shi, a poet in Song dynasty of China, tears. But today and at this time, I am re- said: People may have sorrow or joy, be ally [choked] with my emotions, and tears near or far apart; The moon may be dim or moisten my eyes many times. bright, wax or wane; This has been going We got on the bus, still waving hands on since the beginning of time, May we all continuously. Yes, everyone wanted to cry, be blessed with longevity though far apart, but we couldn’t cry! We should show them we are still able to share the beauty of the the most beautiful us, we must survey them moon together. again! Regardless of whether we can meet them in [the] future or not. About the author: Manlin Yu is a senior Mom held little Henry to say goodbye from Loudi No.1 Middle School in Hunan, to me. My tears can’t help falling down my China. During her stay in Minnesota, Laurie cheeks. Nearly every photo Mom took for D’Alessio and her family hosted Manlin. me [has] little Henry in it. He often said to The hospitality and friendship made her me: “I love you!” Facing the love of Mom stay just like her own home, as shown on and Henry, the scene that Mom [woke] me her article. up every morning appeared in my brain again. During the ten days, I could not get up on time. However, the school required [us to be] at school at 8:30 [a.m.]. Mom has spent a lot of time in waking me up. On the first (L-R) Richard He, the D’Alessios (Manlin’s host parents), Melissa Krull and Conn Mc- day, she came to my bed, gently speaking to Cartan me and hoping to wake me up, but I didn’t Manlin and her host family at the gradua- tion dinner at the Grand City Buffet ow time flies. Our ex- Dear friends, how unwilling I am to have any response to her efforts. So she change group from Loudi part with you! Blonde hair and black hair [shook] me. I was still motionless. Then she [said] good bye to American embrace tightly or take photos with each raised my hand and let it fall down. Out of About the exchange program: Loudi friends very soon. Facing other. This scene, a year ago, also appeared her expectation, I only turned around, still No. 1 Middle School has been the sister H sleeping. At last, I woke up by her constantly school of Eden Prairie High School since the vast grassland extending as far as the eye at the gate of Loudi No.1 high school, when can see and elegantly winding road, a variety our teachers, parents and us said goodbye and lovingly caressing my back. No doubt, I 2006. China Insight and Global Learning of sweet memories rush to my mind. to the friends from Minnesota. A year later, was very, very late. A good idea occurred to Alliance along with CIAC helped arrange [U]pon getting off the plane landed in we came to Minnesota, feeling the strong Mom. On the second day, when I was still the trip for the Loudi delegation lead by Minnesota, we were attracted by a large love between Chinese and American. Oh, sleeping, I felt there was a thing pressing my Principal Yingmin Deng. The delegation sheet of colors. Immediately, we dragged what happened on the day we went to stomach and moving around my stomach. consisted of 3 teachers and 16 students. our luggage bags, excitedly running to the Mall of America with the children of our Then a feeling of suffocation became stron- Originally 35 students signed up for this colored welcoming board prepared by our host families was just like [it] took place ger and stronger. I immediately opened my trip, but only 16 students made the trip due host families. yesterday! eyes, seeing a thing hopping over my body, to concerns on H1N1. The delegation did “Welcome, Manlin!” blue-eyed Dad said and Mom was looking at me at the other the exchange program with EPHS from to me enthusiastically, and then introduced end of my bed, laughing. Actually, Mom July 14 to 27; then went to the East Coast his other family members who came to the sent her dog, a pet, to wake me up! Ah, how to visit Boston, New York, Philadelphia and airport. naughty Mom is! Washington, D.C. from July 27 to Aug. 2. “Then what do you want to eat at home Thinking of this, I am immersed in Visit the China Insight Web site for more during these ten days?” happiness again. Lifting up my head and details on the exchange and a photo gallery I pieced together the English sentences looking out of the window, I see the sun from this exchange.  and said “I want to eat what you eat.” At shining, and I become much happier. As once, they all laughed. “I knew you would say that, great!” Mom, who is very tall, vigorous and grace- ful, said. Manlin (front) got a certificate from (back Major grant enables From then on, a seemingly perfect life L-R) Eden Prairie High School Principal began: no homework, no test, every day Conn McCartan, Ch i n a In s i g h t President we traveled a lot and enjoyed the delicious Richard He, and Eden Prairie School Dis- Hopkins to develop meals prepared for us with great care. trict Superintendent Melissa Krull. Moreover, with a view to building up the emotion between me and my brothers and At that day, I really got up early for go- innovative Chinese sisters, Mom and Dad particularly took me ing to the amusement park. In the park, we to their vegetable garden, which was care- tried many exciting games, experienced the fully looked after by them. The vegetable happiness that the heart seems to miss a beat. Immersion curriculum garden isn’t very big and just next to the I followed the American friends to the next Hopkins, working in collaboration administration of the grant. Molly Wieland, road. There are green beans, tomatoes, plot of games with my legs trembling. But, with two other Minnesota school districts, who currently is Hopkins’ world language carrots and many other vegetables in the my friends please [remember] that I was the received a major Foreign Language Assis- coordinator and high school French teacher, garden. When I saw these vegetables I had only Chinese student who didn’t yell when tance (FLAP) grant from the United States will be the project director for the grant. eaten in China for many years, I felt as if I trying the Pirate Boat! Department of Education. The five-year, just had seen my relatives! Although there Ah, ah, remembering these, I begin to US$1.4 million, FLAP grant will enable The Program was plenty of dust upon the leaves, I can’t laugh. Suddenly, my friends push me, I just Hopkins to develop a well-articulated, All three school districts have Chinese help going into the garden. find that the bus is coming, we should leave! kindergarten through 12th grade, Manda- language immersion programs. Hopkins’ In that vegetable garden, I carried water Dad and Mom lead me to a quiet place, rin Chinese immersion program that has a program—XinXing Academy—started in and watered the vegetables with my broth- giving me a red envelope which contains a science, technology, engineering, and math 2007 with full-day kindergarten. A grade ers and sisters. We knew each other and letter to my parents. (STEM) curricular focus. level has been added each year, and it gradually got on well with each other. In that “You must remember to come back to currently serves children in kindergarten flying yellow dust, the sweat we dropped see us!” Immersion collaborative through 2nd grade. XinXing will continue and the laugh we made indicated the fact “When we are old, you will come to see Hopkins is part of the Minnesota Man- to expand through 6th grade. that in Minnesota, not only have I known us, right!” darin Immersion Collaborative (MMIC), vegetables, but also many relatives who “Remember, we love you. You are wel- which includes the Minnetonka and St. Focus areas for grant Focus areas of the grant include: love me and care about me. Also, I had a comed to America at any time, so are your Cloud school districts. The MMIC also * developing innovative and standards- good time there. parents!” will be working with the University of based Chinese immersion curriculum; What a sweet time! But now, I am drag- Tears fall from Mom’s eyes, Dad’s eyes Minnesota and some of its agencies, includ- * offering extensive professional de- ging luggage bags which were filled with [are] also misty. Then they turn back to help ing the Confucius Institute, the Center for velopment and support to immersion lots of souvenirs and blessings from my host me drag [and] push my luggage. They went Advanced Research on Language Acquisi- teachers; family, waiting for the school bus taking us along at the front; I thought it was probably tion (CARLA), and the Center for Applied to leave from at the gate of the restaurant. that they didn’t want me to see their tears! Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI). Hopkins is the lead agency for Immersion continues on Page 11 www.chinainsight.info business NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 9 Shaw-Lundquist Associates celebrates its 35th anniversary By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer espite a gloomy and rainy retired. But during the 10 years that Fred and into a leading con- day, friends, relatives, em- Lyle worked together, they knew the impor- struction and build- ployees and business as- tance of having good people as part of the ing organization on Dsociates of Shaw-Lundquist company. Their choices included individu- a national scale. It Associates (SLA) gathered at its corporate als, who are key people today... including: means that we will headquarters, located in Eagan, MN, to Paul Rosendale, General Superintendent, continue to be com- joyfully celebrate the 35th anniversary of Thomas Meyers, Vice President and John mitted to our values the company at an open house held for the Sjoberg, Controller. Marlys Genung, Larry of: Professional- community. Ho, and Joe Krieglmeier are also individuals ism, Respect, In- Shaw-Lundquist is a leading general who all worked with Fred and Lyle. novation, Diversity contractor in the Metro Area. It is also the From 1984 to today, stated Hoyt, “we and Ethics. We will largest minority-owned contractor in the have been fortunate and we have worked need to continue, Midwest and the largest Asian-owned con- hard to continue to grow and build the develop, build and tractor in the nation. They provide general company. We have had the opportunity to maintain strong re- construction, construction management at work with a variety of clients and worked lationships with our risk, agency construction management, on many projects including: airport termi- clients. And provide and design-build construction services, nals, apartments, condominiums, dentists’ a level of service and are proven performers on large and offices, grocery/co-op stores, laboratories, and value, where we The Hsaio Family: Holden, Yu Wen, Fred, Jennie, Zhen Zhen and complex projects. Started in 1974 by Fred offices, retail stores, recreation facilities, are the client’s first Hoyt Shaw (Hsiao), the company has grown to schools, and others choice with whom over US$75 million in revenue in fiscal “Thanks to a few of the companies and to work. Year, Construction Partnering Program and year 2008. organizations that have provided opportuni- “I will need the support of my family, Chinese Minnesotan of Note by the Chinese ties to Shaw-Lundquist including: General the Shaw-Lundquist team, our advisors, Heritage Foundation. Mills, Home Depot, Legacy Development, our clients, and our construction team of Receiving recognition of his own, Hoyt Mississippi Market, Minneapolis Public architects/subcontractors/suppliers in order Hsiao was honored as a Minority Business Housing, Mount Olivet, Oliver Companies, to help achieve that dream. I look forward Executive in 2008 by the Minneapolis-St. Super Valu, SPARC, 3M, Wal-Mart, Xcel and will greatly appreciate that support.” Paul Business Journal. Energy, and the University of Minnesota.” At the conclusion of his remarks, Hoyt A few years earlier, the Shaw family was And, as Hoyt continued, “2009 has invited the guests to enjoy themselves and profiled in the Oct. 20, 2006 Minneapolis-St. been a milestone year for our family, as we partake of the food and beverages and stay Paul Special Report: Power Families. The celebrated Fred’s 90th Birthday, my mar- for a traditional Chinese Lion Dance that full-page article entitled “Patriarch of Shaw riage, the birth of Holden and his wife’s would be performed shortly. family is role model for many, including first son…and now the 35th anniversary of It should be noted that in addition to sons” appeared on page 23 of the issue in Shaw-Lundquist Associates, Inc.” creating a successful contracting business, the company of such notable Twin Cities Hoyt also took this occasion to make the company and Hsiao family have been families as the Pohlads, Carlsons, Hub- the following announcement: “It is with recognized by many industry organizations bards, Andersons, Rauenhorsts, Daytons, great honor and that I would like to pub- and other groups for their social and vol- and Cargills. Hoyt Hsiao licly announce that I am named President unteer work. The most recent recognitions Visit www.shawlundquist.com for infor- & CEO of Shaw-Lundquist Associates and include 2009 General Contractor of the mation on other awards.  Hoyt Hsiao, one of Fred Shaw’s three that Fred will be become the Chairman of sons, formally welcomed the gathering on the Board.” behalf of Fred, his family and all the em- “I have had the opportunity to work full Open House from Page 1 ployees of Shaw-Lundquist Associates. He time for the company for over 20 years. And warned off by David’s grave admonition calligraphy by Moon Fong, a well-loved expressed his appreciation and gratitude to prior to that, I was able to work during the that anything not thoroughly planned is not nonagenarian member of the Foundation. everyone for coming to celebrate their 35th summers at the company and I can even worth the risk involved. Moon also was on hand to sign her new anniversary. remember going back to elementary school book, Reflections, giving all the proceeds Continuing with his remarks, Hoyt summers when I would occasionally tag to benefit activities of the Foundation. Af- briefly recounted some of the company’s along with my father to work” remarked ter many cheerful conversations everyone history. According to Hoyt, the start of Hoyt.. started to leave, laden with warm feelings Shaw-Lundquist began with a story of Fred Following this announcement Hoyt for the Foundation’s achievements and look- Shaw and Lyle Lundquist who had worked continued with his remarks. “In looking ing forward to more good things to come. together for over 20 years (that’s prior to back through those years, I appreciate the  1954) and had developed a strong level of dedication, risk, challenges and hard work Editor’s note: For additional information trust and mutual respect while they worked that Fred had gone through to reach this about the Chinese Heritage Foundation, for another company. In July of 1974, due point. I also appreciate his support, trust making donations or volunteering, visit to the decision of their employer to move the and belief in me. And I look forward to his www.chineseheritagefoundation.org. offices to Wisconsin, Fred and Lyle decided continued support, guidance and presence. Charles James (elder son of Leonard James, to form Shaw-Lundquist Associates, Inc. Thank you, Dad. nephew of Walter James), his wife, Jodi According to Hoyt, at that time, the “As we move forward and into the James accepting the Chinese Minnesotan economy was not that great and the con- future, I feel that our mission of ‘Improv- of Note Award from Ming Tschou, founder struction industry was very competitive ing Lives by Building with Integrity and of the Chinese Heritage Foundation (funny how sometimes things do not change PRIDE’ will continue to differentiate us that much) but they knew each other’s abili- from other companies. Following its by-now well-established ties and skills and they both were commit- “In our mission statement, I feel it tradition, CHF honored outstanding Minne- ted to work hard and work with integrity. speaks to each one of us at different levels. sotans with its Chinese Minnesotan of Note Through luck and dedication, they were able It speaks to the need of our client, and un- Award. The award, posthumously this year, to build on their reputations and grow the derstanding their building and how we are went to Walter James. The full essay had company. For the first fiscal year, which was going to improve the lives of their users and already been published in both China Insight 9 months, the company earned revenues of themselves. It speaks to the need to work and Minnesota China Tribune. On hand just over US$630,000. In the second fiscal with the building/design team of architects, to receive the award were Walter James’ year, they were able to grow the company to engineers, subcontractors and suppliers grandnephew and niece. Both Charles and US$2.3 million in revenues. And in the third in order to achieve each party’s goals and Linda James spoke movingly about the fiscal year, the company achieved US$2.9 improve their lives. And it speaks to each tremendous influence Walter James had on million in revenues. For the first 10 years, one of us at Shaw-Lundquist. Where we their lives and the lives of so many others. Fred and Lyle helped grow the company want to improve our lives by having a safe The audience, made up of founding and navigate through some good times and work environment, learning opportunities, and annual members, and also many new Yin Simpson, daughter of Moon Lan Fong, some difficult times. the ability to use our talents and skills, and young professionals, mingled freely and comment on her book, Reflections (All pho- In 1984, Lyle Lundquist chose to spend to build a strong community around us. enjoyed studying the special exhibition of tos by Bob Bergad) more time “up north” at the cabin and he “It is my dream, to build our company PAGE 10 > NOVEMBER 2009 business www.chinainsight.info Selling to Topic for November China - Marketing UCBC meeting The topic for the November 4, 2009, inform you what you need to do to protect UCBC meeting will be Developments in your company. Strategies for China’s Legal System. and will be presented UCBC meetings are held at Minneapolis by the following panel of speakers: Community & Technical College, 1501 Seymour J. Mansfield, Mansfield, Hennepin Avenue, Wheelock Whitney Hall, Today’s Economy Tanick & Cohen, P.A.: Employment Law; Room L3000 (3rd Floor), Minneapolis, MN Helen Yanhang Hu, Fulbright and Jaworski, 55403. This opportunity focuses on L.L.P.: Product Liability and Ruilin Li, The fee is US$20 per person. UCBC provinces where industries that Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.: Dispute Reso- members and college students are free. produce for domestic consump- lutiong Everyone can bring a guest who can be ad- tion did better than those prov- mitted for half price (US$10). To register, inces that focused on exports. Details of the meeting: e-mail [email protected] or call Jim Provinces with fewer exports China’s legal system is rapidly devel- Smith at 612-8656543. and manufacturing for domestic oping. Major changes have been enacted For free parking at the MCTC Ramp, consumption continue to realize recently in several areas impacting interna- please mention your name for the UCBC double digit GDP growth with tional business. In addition, implementa- meeting to the parking staff. The MCTC strong economies. Looking tion of new laws does not always match parking ramp is located at 1420 Hennepin closely at these provinces can Westerners’ expectations. Our panel of Avenue (north side of Hennepin Ave). Ad- reveal opportunities and some experts will introduce the China legal topics ditional information on parking: even have lower entry costs. where their firms are most active today, and http://www.minneapolis.edu/parking.cfm After identifying the growth  opportunities, Mr. Hiel provided the insight to how to find new customers. He applied the location of these growth oppor- China faces big tunities to direct the audiences’ Rodney Hiel at UCBC presentation attention to their target markets; he said, “By finding your target within the uncertainties: Over 65 local business people and geographic areas of the stimulus, this will students attended the US China Business provide a strong indicator as to the location Connections (UCBC) monthly meeting held of your most desired customer.” World Bank Chief at the Metropolitan Community and Tech- After finding the customer, Mr. Hiel nical College on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. “China faces major uncertainties even of China and other emerging economies then presented some ways to access your though it rebounded strongly from the latest on export-led growth....” [Agence France Rodney Hiel, Managing Director of Asia customer today. He recommended using Business Consulting, delivered “Selling to financial crisis aided by its huge treasure Presse/Factiva] internet technologies and leveraging part- chest, World Bank President Robert Zoellick Kyodo adds that “...Zoellick indicated China - Marketing Strategies for Today’s nership opportunities. He presented several Economy”. said in a speech on [Sept. 28]....Noting that that Japan should boost domestic demand- ideas in how a company might use search China’s rapid recovery was fueled by an driven growth going forward as its export- engines and social Web sites for branding expansion of credit, he said ‘this flood is led growth model may not be sustainable. The program agenda included: opportunities to market one’s products to * Today’s China Market now easing, and authorities are likely to ‘It is not clear that the old export model of the China customer. He then described a * Where’s the Growth limit it further for fear of effects on asset growth will be sustainable in a more ‘bal- method Asia Business Consulting success- * Where’s My Customer prices, asset quality, and eventually general anced’ global economy that does not rely so fully uses to enter the China market. Lever- * How Do I Get To Them Today? inflation.’... He said Chinese leaders recog- heavily on the U.S. consumer,’ he said....” aging Partnership Opportunities is a 2 step The presentation began with a current nized the risks of the continued dependence [Kyodo/Factiva] process: 1) Find companies already selling description of the China business landscape to your prospective customers in China, 2) and the success U.S. businesses are having Partner with them for a mutual benefit. This in China through a recent survey of over can reduce the time to market and avoid 7,000 U.S. companies in China published many barriers to getting into the China mar- Xuan Wu signs letter by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce office in ket. Successful partnerships he described China. A variety of statistics were revealed included the General Mills and Nestle joint such as 2008 profitability levels, revenue of intent with Guo venture of Cereal Partners Worldwide, the and operating margin changes from 2007 to Polaris and Bobcat Long Term Strategic 2008, and 2009 revenue forecast of which 71 Alliance, and a few others. percent of the firms believe their 2009 rev- Fa Jiangsu Venture Mr. Hiel concluded the presentation de- enues will range from unchanged to up over scribing the services of Asia Business Con- 50 percent. The China market description sulting. This consulting firm specializes in left a favorable impression on the audience Capital Group the strategic planning process to efficiently wishing to do business in China. enter the China market. It has a large net- Xuan Wu Group International Holding and its hotel property. Mr. Hiel then presented the growth work of experts that are China based Fortune Company, Inc., (XNWU.PK), a processor The deal is expected to close after the opportunities available in China. He cat- 500 executives, multi level government of- of ballast and limestone, [announced] that it Harvest Moon Chinese Holiday (Zhong egorized them into 3 areas: 1) Government ficials, and administrators, professors, and has signed a letter of intent with the National Qiu Jie). Stimulus Spending, 2) Consumer Spending, students/alumni networks of 2 of the top Development Venture Capital Co., Ltd. of About Xuan Wu Group International and 3) Domestic Oriented Provinces. Next, MBA programs in China from which it gath- Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of Holding Company, Inc. he compared the U.S. stimulus package ers, processes, and formulates its research. China, to provide equity financing of 25.08 The Company’s subsidiary is engaged in and the China stimulus package in relation This combines a multiple expert perspective million Rmb or approximately US$3.7 the exploration, processing, and selling of to its GDP and the affect on its respective in their research and provides a unique, on million. basalt slip-resistant stones, railway ballasts, economies. He stated the impact of spend- the ground, up to date information for their The use of proceeds will be for the pur- and limestone within the People’s Republic ing on China’s economy was approximately clients to make sound business decisions. chase of an additional ballast mine that is of China. 13 percent of its GDP whereas the United The research then incorporates a thorough estimated to possess over 300 million tons The Company States’ spending was less than one percent. analysis of all possible business activities of ballast. The mine’s ballast will be used in has 20 year rights to The US$580 billion Government Stimulus in China such as sourcing, manufacturing, either road construction in Hebei Province two mines located Package was broken down to the amount and selling to China in order to obtain the or railway construction for the new Beijing/ near Wulizhuang spent in each category and he outlined which full value of the investment a company will Shanghai Express train. Village in Hubei, businesses would benefit from the stimulus make to sell their products in China. Current spot rate on ballast is approxi- Province. The an- spending. The Consumer Spending was For more information on this presenta- mately $8.00 per ton, equating the mine to nual output of each partly helped by government rebate incen- tion or their services, see their company Web be valued at $24 million over its 10-year mine is approximate- tives for various electronics purchases as site at www.asiabusinessconsult.com. For lifespan. ly 300,000 tons. well as the Sales Tax Reduction for automo- information on upcoming UCBC events, The Venture Capital group also has an For further infor- biles purchases. The last category he stated visit www.ucbcgroup.org.  option to increase its funding in Xuan Wu’s mation, please visit was Domestic Oriented Provinces. This has two other projects, the Quartz Diorite Mine their website www.xuanwu.cn.  not been very prevalent in the U.S. media. www.chinainsight.info business NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 11

Exports from Page 1

Figure 1

Figure 2 growth in sales of optic fiber products to Ko- rea (up 652 percent to US$28 million) and Japan (up 107 percent to US$27 million), and of navigational products to the United Arab Emirates (from US$34,600 to US$10 million) and the United Kingdom (up 332 percent to US$5 million) helped offset lower sales of orthopedic/artificial body parts and calibration instruments. * Electrical Machinery: The fall in exports of integrated circuits by 58 percent to US$83 million largely contributed to the drop in exports of electrical machinery. The Philippines accounted for most of that drop. Minnesota Quarterly Export Statistics is the most current resource available for Figure 3 tracking the state’s manufactured export trends and is prepared for the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) by the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Analysis and Evaluation Office (Thu-Mai Ho-Kim, 651-259-7180). Past issues may be viewed at www.exportmin- Figure 4 nesota.com/itradestats.htm and results from manufacturing conditions surveys are located at www.deed.state.mn.us/facts/ manufacturing.htm on DEED’s Web site. Industry-level export data based on North American Industry Classification System industries (NAICS) are collected by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) and are distributed by the World Institute of Social and Economic Research (WISER). Product-level export data based Figure 5 on the Harmonized Tariff System (Schedule B) are collected by the USDOC and are distributed by the Global Trade Information Services. Product-level export data provide additional information and insights on the industry-level export data. 

those efforts through an Engineering is El- for a secondary-level Chinese immersion ementary grant from the Cargill Foundation program. with curriculum support from the Science The MMIC plans to develop connections Museum of Minnesota. Last spring, the Car- with local businesses that work in STEM gill Foundation donated nearly US$2.5 mil- fields and who may have employees that lion over four years to the Science Museum speak Chinese. of Minnesota to facilitate the introduction of the Engineering is Elementary (EiE) cur- Equipping students with global literacy riculum in all of Hopkins’ and Minneapolis’ “Our goal is for our students to complete elementary schools. high school with advanced proficiency in Chinese and highly developed skills in Interdisciplinary curriculum STEM, but with an interdisciplinary ap- Immersion from Page 8 In addition to developing a STEM- proach including social studies, language * building strong and lasting collabora- STEM focus focused curriculum in Mandarin Chinese, arts, and the arts,” said Wieland. “We want the new FLAP grant will enable Hopkins them to really be able to use their Chinese tions with local, national, and international The FLAP grant dovetails with the to develop an interdisciplinary curriculum in the workplace. A goal is to equip students partners; and Hopkins Public Schools’ focus on science, that also incorporates language and literacy with global literacy for effective participa- * supporting the articulation of Chinese technology, engineering, and math (STEM). development, social studies, and the arts. tion in the world community.” immersion programming across all grade Hopkins is piloting STEM curriculum in its  The grant also will enable Hopkins to plan levels from elementary to secondary. elementary schools and will be enhancing PAGE 12 > NOVEMBER 2009 culture www.chinainsight.info

Hong from Page 5 tainer once again brought on our laughs with while in character. He raised his finger to she said excitedly. She walked up to James, his contagious energy for shenanigans. It felt point into the camera and then with a deadly casually grabbed his hand and kissed it. She ing back to James’s hotel, we decided to as if he was getting loose and accustomed to gaze he laughed sinisterly to end his live was thrilled to meet the man who she had stop at Powderhorn Park nearby the home Stephanie and I being around him. We were monologue. admired in the television show Charlie Chan where James and his childhood friends went starting to see a very personable and rather It was amazing to watch James’s dedica- and in movies such as Chinatown. sledding during the winter days. funny side of James. tion to entertain even if his audience con- The two talked about their neighborhood Lo Pan’s Return sisted of only Stephanie and me. His knack that they shared and grew up in. Although of drawing laughs was masterful. she was much younger than James, the two Following the impromptu David Lo Pan had similar sledding memories at Powder- appearance, memories of that movie flooded horn Park and she was especially happy to back into my mind. I decided then I had learn that she had zoomed down the same to share with him how fearful I was of the hill that James had before her. Despite their ghostly white Lo Pan when I first saw the generation gap and having never met before, film Big Trouble In Little China. their stories were so similar that it was as “I remember watching that movie when if they had played in the snow together I was a child and you gave me nightmares long ago. as your Lo Pan character,” I said nervously Curiosity struck James and he asked his as James listened intently. I was unsure of dedicated fan about her background. She how he would react. was happy to share even though life had “It gave you nightmares,” James asked been rather difficult for her lately. In their In an unexpected turn, James Hong brings sounding surprised. conversation, she told us that her ailing back to life the intensely villainous char- “Yeah, that movie is ingrained in...” I health had forced her into early retirement. acter David Lo Pan, who James portrayed said but then was interrupted when James Her health was difficult to predict as her in the movie Big Trouble in Little China, unexpectedly lunged for my throat and fake moods and condition changed daily. and sends one final terrifying message to choked me on camera. He shook me around “I have good days and I have bad days. the world a few times and I feebly tried to contain My doctor says that when I’m up and my laughter. It was undoubtedly one of the feeling good I should get out,” she said to After a few more strides around the field, best moments of my life even though it was James with her hands clutching closely to he jogged back to us and joked. “That was startling at first. her heart. fun. When I come back at 90 I’ll do some “I am being choked by James Hong James responded with a kind and touch- James Hong displays his powerful football running again,” he said jokingly. “I’ll be in right now. How Awesome,” I thought at ing remark. moves while visiting Powderhorn Park in a walker, though. I’ll really be David Lo that moment. “Well today’s a good day now that South Minneapolis Pan then!” you’ve met me. Tomorrow’s going to be a James then peered into camera lens and A Good Day good day too,” he said then followed it with with a sneering look on his face he was im- After the dust settled and the three of us a hug and a smile. “It’s a sign. The great god We approached the park and could see mediately in character. David Lo Pan, the got our fill of laughs, we made our way back has sent me to your life and I say ‘heal’”. a large hill near the middle of Powderhorn soulless villain who crept into my night- to the car to call it a day. Before reaching With a swift flick of his arm in the air, Park that dove straight into a large clear mares as a child, had returned. the vehicle, an older woman wearing a light he blessed the woman. Maybe not a blessing pasture and a baseball field. We walked up to “I’m still looking for the girl with green blue t-shirt with the word “senior” printed that will make her illness miraculously dis- the top edge of large hill and stood looking eyes,” he said fearsomely. on the front walked by us and recognized appear but he blessed her with a wonderfully over the steep decline. Toying with Stephanie and the video James immediately. unexpected encounter. One she can always “This park has really gotten big now. It’s camera, he scowled at the lens and described Her hands clapped in excitement and remember as a very good day. large enough to play a game a football. You his eternal search for the girl with green with a pricelessly infectious smile she She cheerfully smiled at James and guys want to throw me a pass?” He asked eyes: the search which had led him to scour asked James, “What are you doing in Min- gazed upon him with deep admiration. then took off into the open field with his arm the universe. neapolis?” “I am so blessed. Thank you,” she said. stretched out as if calling for a pass. “When I have found her, I will marry “This is where I used to come and play,” Her hands unclasped and she blew a sweet Stephanie and I watched as he ran routes, her. I just want to make myself mortal James answered politely. goodbye kiss to James. called for passes and even stiff-armed some again. Do you have green eyes,” he said “This is where I used to come and play,” imaginary tacklers. The consummate enter-

Cinema from Page 6 Walker Art Center and University of Minnesota present the People’s Republic of Cinema Francisco Film Festival Boss Peng, a shady real estate developer. Related Screenings with 50 years of global sounds. 2002, video, While searching for his pregnant girl- Interspersed with rock music interludes Film Screenings in the Walker Lecture 93 minutes. friend, rock singer Cui Jian drinks, smokes, and upbeat commercials for the impending Room does drugs, and carouses aimlessly. A bleak Olympics, Ying’s inventive third film is a Nov. 3, 2009– Jan. 3, 2010 In January at the Walker treatise on youth, cast with actual rock razor-sharp satire of the moral consequences Underground Rock and Roll in China Petition—The Court of the Complain- musicians and artists, Beijing Bastards is of China’s rise to economic power. “[Ying’s] Directed by Zhang Bo and Zhang ants considered one of the first “independent” apocalyptic visions derive from a scrupu- Yang Directed by Zhao Liang films in China, and was partly financed lous, brave realism” (New Yorker). 2009, Screens at 1 and 3 p.m. during gallery In this unique testimony made over 12 by Zhang’s income from directing music video, 103 minutes. hours; additional screenings at 5 and 7 p.m. years, the director films petitioners who videos. Called “the Sixth Generation’s first on Thursdays come to Beijing to redress legal wrongs suf- major film” (Time), it sparked controversy Cry Me a River (Heshang aiquing) Through imitation and amalgamation, a fered during China’s economic expansion. in China, but won special jury awards at the Directed by Jia Zhang-ke vibrant new music scene emerged in Beijing Zhao’s documentary premiered in May at Locarno and Singapore film festivals. 1993, Ten years after graduation, four far-flung early in this decade. The film documents the Cannes Film Festival. 2009, video, 120 35mm, 95 minutes. college students are reunited and take up the the challenges of making music in a once- minutes. same arguments from their youth. “An elegy repressive culture that was suddenly flooded Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. (Walker to the generation born in the 1970s” (Inter- national Short Film Festival Oberhausen). 2009, video, 19 minutes.

Monday, Nov. 23, 6 p.m. (Bell Audi- torium) Pirated Copy (Man yan) Directed by He Jianjun Set against the backdrop of the contem- porary black market for pirated DVDs in Cry Me a River (Heshang aiquing), Beijing, Pirated Copy is a character-driven directed by Jia Zhang-ke, 2009 drama about the passion two couples have Cinema-double feature) for each other and for film. It “demonstrates Good Cats (Hao mao) that [He is] one of the most interesting and Directed by Ying Liang versatile directors among China’s ‘Sixth Area Premiere Generation’” (Variety). With music by fa- In the fast-growing city of Zigong, 29- mous Chinese female punk rocker Bao Luo. year-old Luo Liang becomes a driver for 2004, video, 90 minutes. www.chinainsight.info culture NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 13 China’s ethnic minorities We continue our series on China’s 55 ethnic minority groups. This month features the Lahu, Lhoba, Li and Lisu ethnic minorities. The Lahu ethnic minority peoples, they turned to agriculture. With meated with life. There are many melodies ling, Medog, Lhunze and Nangxian counties Population: 411,500 economic development, they gradually and songs. Traditional musical instruments in southeastern Tibet. Additionally, a small Major area of distribution: Yunnan passed into a feudal system, and their life include the lusheng (a reed pipe wind in- number live in Luoyu, southern Tibet. Language: Lahu style and customs were more or less influ- strument) and three-stringed guitar. Their The Lhobas speak a distinctive language Religion: Buddhism enced by the Hans and Dais. dances, numbering about 40, are character- belonging to the Tibetan-Myanmese lan- ized by foot tapping and swinging to the guage family, Chinese-Tibetan language Customs and Habits left. The Lahus have a rich stock of oral system. Few of them know the Tibetan Lahu men wear a collarless jacket but- literature, most of which is related to physi- language. Having no written script, Lhoba toned on the right side, baggy long trousers, cal labor. The most popular form of poetry people used to keep records by notching and a black turban. The women wear a long is called “Tuopuke” or puzzle. wood or tying knots. robe with slits along the legs. Around the People of this ethnic group were op- collar and slits are sewn broad strips of color Socio-economic Forms pressed, bullied and discriminated against cloth with beautiful patterns and studded The social economy in the Lahu areas by the Tibetan local government, manorial with silver ornaments. Women’s headdress... had remained stagnant for a long time. Be- lords and monasteries under feudal serfdom hangs down the back and reaches the waist. fore 1949, it fell into two categories: -- Feu- in Tibet. Being considered inferior and Where the Lahus come into frequent contact dal landlord economy, which was prevalent “wild,” some were expelled and forced to with the Hans and Dais, they also are fond of among the Lahus in Lancang County as well live in forests and mountains. They were the garments of those two ethnic groups. as among those in Shuangjiang, Lincang, not allowed to leave their areas without Their houses are built on stilts, with Jinggu, Zhenyuan, Yuanjiang and Mojiang permission and were forbidden to do busi- the space below reserved for domestic counties, who accounted for one half of the ness with other ethnic groups. Intermarriage animals. The style of building is similar to total Lahu population in these areas. Com- with Tibetans was banned. They had to make the Dais’. pared with the other Lahu areas, economic their living by gathering food, hunting and Monogamy was practiced. In some ar- development in these areas was faster. As a fishing because of low grain yields in the eas such as Bakanai Township in Lancang result of the influence by the Hans, a feudal region. County and Menghai County in Xishuang- landlord economy was formed between the The Lahu ethnic minority has a popu- Life in the Past lation of 411,500, mainly distributed in banna, young people were free to choose 1880s and 1920s. The Lahus used the same Largely farmers, Lhoba men and women the Lancang Lahu Autonomous County their marriage partners, and only a few farm tools as the Hans, but due to their […] are skilled at making bamboo objects and in Simao Prefecture, Southern Lincang marriages were arranged by parents. Women farming technique, yields were low. other crafts. They bartered such objects and Prefecture and Menghai County in western played the dominant part in marital rela- Handicrafts included ironwork, weav- animal hides, musk, bear paws, dye and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province. Others tions. After the wedding, the husband stayed ing and bamboo handiwork, but few of captured game for farm tools, salt, wool, live in counties along the Lancang River. permanently in the wife’s home, and kinship the products were sold on the market. In clothing, grain and tea from Tibetan traders. The subtropical hilly areas along the was traced through the mother’s side. In agriculture, land ownership was rather con- Their pilgrimages to monasteries were good Lancang River where the Lahu people live other areas, men played the dominant part in centrated. Besides Han landlords, there were opportunities for bartering. in compact communities are fertile, suitable marriage. Betrothal gifts were sent through a few Lahu landlords. Land rent came to Hunting is essential to the Lhobas. for planting rice paddy, dry rice, maize, a matchmaker before the wedding. On the 50 percent of the crop yield. Han landlords Young boys start early [joining] adults on buckwheat as well as tea, tobacco, and sisal evening of the wedding day the husband was and merchants exploited the Lahu peasants hunting trips. Upon reaching manhood they hemp. There are China fir and pine, cam- required to stay in the bride’s home with through usurious interest. tracked animals in deep forests either collec- phor and nanmu trees in the dense forests, his production tools. After 1949, with the Dai chieftain-dominated feudal mano- tively or alone. The game they caught was which are the habitat of such animals as red implementation of the marriage law, the old rial economy [had] remnants of primitive partly distributed among villagers, partly deer, muntjacs, wild oxen, bears, peacocks custom of sending betrothal gifts had been communes, which was prevalent in south- used for bartering and some was extorted and parrots. Found here are also valuable less strictly observed. western Lancang, Menglian, Gengma, from them by the manorial lords. medicinal herbs like pseudo-ginseng and Traditionally, the dead were cremated. Ximeng, Cangyuan and Xishuangbanna, There were essentially two classes devil pepper. During the burial, mourners were led to the where another half of the Lahu population -- “maide” and “nieba” -- within Lhoba Mineral resources in the area include common cremation ground by women, who lived. The Lahus led a poor life and their society before Tibet’s liberation in 1950. iron, copper, lead, aluminum, coal, silver, carried on their backs articles used by the production was backward under the rule of The “maides” considered themselves as mica and tungsten. deceased people during their life time. In Dai chieftains and the exploitation by Han nobles, while regarding the “niebas” as The Lahu language belongs to the Chi- some places, the dead person was buried, landlords and merchants. inferior people who should be at their dis- nese-Tibetan language family. Most of the and the tomb piled with stones. The whole One of the ways in which the Dai chief- posal. The descendants of this latter class Lahus also speak Chinese and the language village stopped working in mourning on tains ruled and exploited the Lahu peasants of people could not become “maides” even of the Dais. In the past the custom of passing the burial day. was through establishing the tribute-paying if they became wealthy and owned slaves. messages by wood-carving was prevalent. In system. This made the peasants subordinate Religion They could only become “wubus” -- a group some parts the alphabetic script invented by to them. Dai lords also reduced Lahu peas- The Lahu people used to worship many of people having a slightly higher position Western priests was in use. After liberation, ants to the status of serfs who were required gods. Their super god was “Exia,” who was than the “niebas.” Young men and women the script was reformed and became their to do such jobs for the chieftains as husking believed to have created the Universe and of these different groups could not marry formal written language. grain and clearing night soil and manure. mankind, and had the power to decide the Remnants of the primitive communal due to strict class distinctions. The “niebas,” History good or bad fortune of people. Exia was system included mutual aid in production, who were slaves to “maide” owners, had Legend says that the forbearers of the placed in a forbidden place in the depth of common ownership of land and matriarchal no means of production. They were beaten, Lahu people, who were hunters, began mi- mountainous forests, unapproachable by clan system. jailed or even executed if they were caught grating southward to lush grassland which non-Lahu peoples. They also worshipped running away or stealing. they discovered while pursuing a red deer. the deities of earth and revenge The Lhoba ethnic minority Women’s status in their families, as well Some scholars hold that during the Bakanai Township in Lancang County Population: 2,300 as in society, was particularly low, and they Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 has retained Lahu people’s traditional fa- Major area of distribution: Tibet had no inheritance rights. cilities for making offerings -- erect poles Language: Lhoba years ago, the “Kunmings,” the nomadic Lifestyle tribe pasturing in the Erhai area in western carved with geometric designs. Religion: Lamaism Customs, habits and dress of differ- Yunnan, might be the forbears of certain In the early Qing Dynasty, Mahayana (a ent clan members vary. Men in northern ethnic groups, including the Lahus. Then, sect of Buddhism) was introduced into the Luoyu wear sleeveless, buttonless, knee- the “Kunming” people still lived in a primi- Lahu areas from Dali by Buddhist monks. length black jackets of sheep’s wool. They tive society “without common rulers.” They These Han and Bai monks obviously were wear helmet-like hats either made from belonged to different clans engaged in hunt- opposed to the Qing regime, and in the peas- bear skin or woven from bamboo stripes ing. The Lahu people once were known for ants’ wars that followed Buddhism played or rattan laced with bear skin. [Barefoot], their skill at hunting tigers. They roved over an important part in mobilizing the people. they wear bamboo earrings, necklaces and the lush slopes of the towering Ailao and In Shuangjiang and Lancang counties, carry bows and arrows or wear swords at Wuliang mountains. religion had come to merge with politics. their side. Women have narrow-sleeved In the 8th century, after the rise of the Military suppression by the Qing govern- blouses and skirts of sheep’s wool. They Nanzhao regime in Yunnan, the Lahu people ment and defeat of the peasant uprisings also go [barefoot]. Apart from their silver or were compelled to move south. By no later led to the disintegration of local Buddhist brass earrings, bracelets and necklaces, the than the beginning of the 18th century they bodies. However, as a religion Mahayana women wear a variety of waist ornaments already had settled in their present-day still prevailed among the people. such as shells, silver coins, iron chains and places. Influenced by the feudal produc- The music and dances of the Lahu The 2,300 people of the Lhoba ethnic people have their unique styles and are per- minority have their homes mainly in Main- tion methods of neighboring Han and Dai Minorities continues on Page 14 PAGE 14 > NOVEMBER 2009 business www.chinainsight.info

Minorities from Page 13 rice a year and grow maize and sweet pota- number of landlords, and peasants were They keep a primitive calendar and cal- ells. Heavy ornaments are considered a toes all the year round. The area is the coun- exploited by usury and land rent. Large culate according to a 12-day cycle, with each symbol of wealth. try’s major producer of tropical crops such tracts of land were seized by the govern- day named after an animal, similar to the 12 Diets also vary in different localities. as coconut, arica, sisal hemp, lemon grass, ment for official use. Only in the Wuzhi earthly branches used by the Han people. cocoa, coffee, rubber, oil palm, cashew, Mountains did people still work the land Staple foods are dumplings made of maize Socio-economic Conditions or millet flour, rice or buckwheat. In places pineapple, casava, mango and banana. collectively, but even this remnant of the […Before liberation in 1949, over] 94 near Tibetan communities people have The island is abundant in minerals like communal system was used by feudal percent of the Li area was in semi-colonial, zamba, potatoes, buttered tea and spicy copper, tin, crystal quarts, phosphorus, iron landlords as a means of exploitation. semi-feudal society and the landlord economy food. Being heavy drinkers and smokers, and tungsten. There are numerous salt pans Heavy oppression of the Li people was fairly developed. In general, the level of at celebrations the Lhobas enjoy wine and and many fine harbors along the coast, and kindled flames of uprising. In the Song development in agriculture and handicraft singing to observe good harvests and good good fishing grounds off the shore. Pearls, and Yuan dynasties, the Lis in Hainan there was lower than that of the Han areas, luck. coral and hawksbill, turtles of commercial staged 18 large-scale uprisings; during so were commerce and animal husbandry. Many [Lhobas] suffered from goiter, value are found in the coastal waters. Black the Ming and Qing dynasties 14 major People were impoverished under feudal ex- an endemic disease caused by lack of salt. gibbons, civets and peacocks live in the pri- rebellions took place. After the Opium ploitation and the Kuomintang government’s Some were undernourished and some were meval forests which abound with valuable War in 1840, Hainan was invaded by heavy taxation. born deaf and mute. Epidemic diseases were timber trees. foreign imperialists who brought untold In the heart of the Wuzhi Mountains, rampant due to the poor living conditions. The Lis had no written script. Their sufferings to the local Li and Han people, 13,000 Lis still lived a primitive communal The population of this ethnic group kept spoken language belongs to the Chinese- who rose repeatedly against feudal lords life of collective farming by the time of libera- declining before liberation in 1951. Tibetan language family. But many of them and foreign invaders. tion. A communal farm consisted of several Conditions improved for the Lhoba now speak [Mandarin Chinese]. A new ro- The first worker-peasant democratic families related by blood. They worked col- people after the liberation of Tibet in 1951. manized script was created for the Li ethnic county government in Hainan was found- lectively and shared the harvests. This area Production was boosted and people’s living group in 1957 with government help. ed there, and revolutionary base areas were was more backward than the rest of the island standards and general health improved with set up in the rural areas. Soon afterwards, History economically. The communal farms -- the loans and relief extended by the govern- the Qiongya Worker-Peasant Revolution- According to historical records, the “Hemus” -- fell into two major categories: ment. The Lhobas, who previously were ary Army was formed. term “Li” first appeared in the Tang Dy- smaller farms based on maternal or paternal serfs, got land, farm implements and draught The Japanese invaded Hainan Island nasty (618-907). The Lis are believed to blood relations and larger farms which admit- animals. They began a new life since the in February 1939. People of various na- be descendants of the ancient Yue ethnic ted “outsiders” who had no blood ties with the democratic reform carried out in Tibet after tionalities in Hainan rose in resistance. group, with especially close relations with original member families. 1959 when the central government put down In the spring of 1944, an anti-Japanese the Luoyues -- a branch of the Yues -- who Each commune had a headman who was an armed rebellion launched by the reaction- guerrilla force -- the Qiongya Column migrated from Guangdong and Guangxi in charge of production and distribution and ary elements of the upper stratum of Tibet. -- was formed. It grew into an army of on the mainland to Hainan Island long officiated at religious ceremonies with his For the first time they were treated as equals 7,000 towards the end of the war, liberat- before the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.). wife’s assistance. He was also a social leader by society. Now they are well represented ing three-fifths of the island. Archaeological finds on the island show who mediated disputes and was empowered in government at regional, county, district that Li ancestors settled there some 3,000 Customs to admit “outsiders” as communal members. and township levels. years ago during the late Shang Dynasty or Li women wear buttonless blouses and Headmen and members were equals in the old With the help of their Han and Tibet early Zhou Dynasty when they led a primi- tight-fitting long skirts. Women in some days but, under the influence of feudalism, neighbors, they have adopted advanced, tive matriarchal communal life. Ethnically, places wear pullovers. They do their hair some headmen began to seize public grain intensive farming methods. They opened the Lis are closely related to the Zhuang, in a coil at the back and pin it with bone reserves as their own and exploit “outsiders.” up land on hills and began cultivation of Bouyei, Shui, Dong and Dai ethnic groups, hairpins and wear embroidered kerchiefs. Some later became government officials and new areas. Hunting, handicrafts and other and their languages bear resemblance in They like silver jewelry, and some still degenerated into local tyrants. sideline businesses developed at the same pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. tattoo their faces. Men wear collarless While farm cattle remained public prop- time. Farming has been further improved People of the Han ethnic group began to jackets, and those in Dongfang County erty, farm tools, hunting and fishing gear and as more capital construction projects have settle on the island also before the Qin Dy- wear much the same kind of jackets as work tools were privately owned by families. been completed, improved animal and crop nasty as farmers, fishermen and merchants. women. With the inception of private ownership of strains adopted and scientific farming meth- Together, people of the two ethnic groups The Li people like roast meat and cattle and land, the practice of selling and ods popularized. contributed to the development of Hainan. pickled sour meat mixed with rice meal pawning land became popular, as did the Before liberation, most of the Lhobas Later, the Han Dynasty sent troops under and wild herbs. Arica is a favorite with leasing of cattle and land. Rent was paid in were illiterate. Some elderly people could Lu Bode and Ma Yuan to set up prefectures women, who chew it with shell ashes kind. The exploitation of hired labor began not count. Now children attend day schools and strengthen government control there wrapped in green leaves; the juice dyes to appear, and the primitive communal sys- while adults learn at evening classes. A few and enhance relations between the mainland their lips red. The Lis are also heavy smok- tem gave way to serfdom and slavery. The young people are studying in institutions and the island. ers and drinkers. establishment of prefectures and counties of higher learning in the cities of Beijing, In the 6th century, Madame Xian, a Several families related by blood live accelerated class differentiation among the Nanjing and Lhasa. political leader of the Yues in southwest together, pooling their labor and sharing Li people. People see films shown by film projec- Guangdong, Hainan and the Leizhou Penin- the harvest. They dwell in boat-shaped A social unit called “kom” existed for a tion teams sent by government or army sula, pledged allegiance to the Sui Dynasty. thatched bamboo houses with woven bam- long time in the Li areas. Koms were different units. Trained doctors and other medical Her effort in promoting national unity and boo or rattan floors half a meter above the in size, and had strict territorial boundaries personnel have replaced the witch doctors unification of the country not only enhanced ground. These houses have mud plastered between each other. A big kom consisted of who in the past were invited to cast spells the relationship between Hainan Island and walls. several small ones which in turn were usu- to chase ghosts and demons from the sick, a the central part of China but also helped the The Li people are monogamous, and ally formed by two villages. Most disputes practice that cost many lives. There are clin- development of the primitive Li society by close relatives are not allowed to marry between the koms arose over infringement ics and health centers in Lhoba villages. introducing feudal elements into it. each other. Before liberation in 1949, mar- of each other’s territory for hunting, fishing Transportation and communication have The Tang Dynasty (618-907) further riages were arranged by parents when their or wood-cutting purposes. Like many of the been improved in the rocky areas inhabited strengthened central control over the Li ar- children were still young and bride prices communal farms, the koms were based on by the Lhobas, with newly built roads and eas by setting up five prefectures which con- were as high as several hundred silver blood relations, and each had one or several bridges opening up more of the region. sisted of 22 counties. In the Song Dynasty dollars or several head of cattle. Those headmen chosen for their administrative abil- The Li ethnic minority (960-1279), rice cultivation was introduced who could not afford the bride price were ity or seniority. Headmen chaired meetings, Population: 1.11 million and irrigation developed, and local farmers indentured to the bride’s family for several settled disputes and formulated regulations. Major area of distribution: Hainan were able to grow four crops of ramie annu- years. Shortly after the wedding, the bride With the growth of the feudal economy, the Language: Li ally. Brocade woven by Li women became went back to live with her own parents headmen of the koms gradually came to rep- Religion: Polytheism popular in central China. until she knew she had become pregnant. resent those in power. Hainan, China’s second largest island In the early Yuan Dynasty, Huang Daopo, These old customs have gradually gone Hainan’s liberation in May was followed after Taiwan, is the home of the Li ethnic the legendary weaver in Chinese history, out of practice since liberation. by the campaign to wipe out remaining group with a population of about 1.11 achieved her excellence by learning weav- Death was announced by the firing of bandits and fight local despots. The Hainan million. Most of them live in and around ing techniques from the Lis. Running away guns, and the body was put into a coffin Li-Miao Autonomous Prefecture was founded Tongze, [the] capital of the Hainan Li- as a child bride from her home in Shanghai, hewed out of a single log and was buried in July 1952 and the government provided Miao Autonomous Prefecture, and Baoting, she came to Hainan and lived with the Lis in the village cemetery. Before 1949, ani- the local people with seeds, farm tools, cattle Ledong, Dongfang and other counties under there. Returning to Shanghai, she passed on mism and ancestor worship were common and grain to help them develop production. its jurisdiction; others live among people of the Li techniques to others and invented a among the Lis who also believed in witch- Land reform brought tremendous changes to the Han and Hui ethnic groups in other parts cotton fluffer, a pedal spinning wheel and craft. All this has been abolished since the the Li areas. New water conservancy projects of the island. looms, which were the most advanced in island was liberated in 1950. and improved farming methods have contrib- Lying at the foot of the Wuzhi Moun- the world at the time. The Lis are known for their skill in uted tremendously to the growth of the rural tains, the Li area is a tropical paradise with The feudal mode of production became weaving kapok. They are also famed for economy over the years. fertile land and abundant rainfall. Coconut dominant in Hainan during the Ming and their knowledge of herbal medicine. Their Poor farmers were mostly illiterate in the palms and rubber trees line the beaches and Qing dynasties as elsewhere in China. Most remedies for snakebites and rabies have past. They made knots on ropes or counted of the land was in the hands of a small proved very effective. people in some places reap three crops of Minorities continues on Page 15 www.chinainsight.info business NOVEMBER 2009 > PAGE 15

Minorities from Page 14 and Huaping, areas where the Lisus lived to private ownership. Only a small portion Customs and Habits in compact communities, to replace Naxi of land was publicly owned. beans to keep records and notes. Now school The monogamous family was the basic and Bai hereditary chieftains. This practice As a result of the penetration of landlord age children can go to school. unit of Lisu society. Sons left their parents speeded up the transformation of the feudal economic factors and the instability of the Hospitals, epidemic prevention stations and supported their own families after manorial economy to a landlord economy, small peasant economy, more and better and clinics have been set up in the prefecture getting married. The youngest or only son and tightened up the rule of the Qing court land came under the ownership by some and all the counties. Smallpox and cholera, remained with the parents to take care of over Lisu and other ethnic groups. In the clans, village chieftains or rich households. once rampant here, have been brought under them and inherit property. The daughter had years preceding and following the turn of the An increasing number of poor peasants control while the incidence of malaria which no right of inheritance but could take her 20th century, large numbers of Han, Bai and became landless. They lived on rented land once took the lives of a whole village, has husband into her parents’ home instead of Naxi peoples moved to the Nujiang River or as hired farmhands. been reduced drastically. being married off. Marriages were arranged valleys, taking with them iron farm tools Patriarchal slavery existed in the Nu- by parents, with enormous betrothal gifts. The Lisu ethnic minority and more advanced production techniques, jiang River area in the period between the The dead were buried. Generally the Population: 574,600 giving an impetus to local production. 16th century and the beginning of the 20th village or the clan had its own common Major area of distribution: Yunnan For a long time the Lisus, under op- century. The slaves were generally regarded graveyard. For a man, the cutting knives, and Sichuan pression and exploitation by landlords, as family members or “adopted children.” bows and quivers he had used when alive Language: Lisu chieftains and headmen, as well as the They lived, ate and worked with their mas- were buried with him. For a woman, burial Religion: Polytheism Kuomintang and foreign imperialists, led ters, and some of the slaves could buy back objects were her weaving tools, hemp- a miserable life. In Eduoluo Village of their freedom. The masters could buy and woven bags and cooking utensils, to be Bijiang County alone, 237 peasants out of sell slaves, but had no power over their lives. hung by her grave. When an elderly man the village’s 1,000 population were tortured The slaves were not stratified. All these or woman died, the whole village stopped to death in the 10 years prior to liberation reflected the characteristics of exploitation working for two or three days. People ten- by local officials, chieftains, headmen or under the early slavery system. dered condolences to the bereaved family, landlords. The Lisus also suffered exorbi- In post-1949 days, the remnant of the bringing along wine and meat. Generally tant taxes and levies. The household tax, clan system could still be found among the the mound on the burial ground was piled for example, was [46.2 pounds] of maize Lisus in the Nujiang River valley. There one year after the burial, and respects to the per capita, accounting for 21 percent of the were more than a dozen clans there, each dead were paid three years after the burial, annual grain harvest. Moreover, there were with a different name. They included Tiger, and offerings ended. unscrupulous merchants and usurers. The Bear, Monkey, Snake, Sheep, Chicken, Bird, In most areas the Lisu people wear arrival of imperialist influence at the turn Fish, Mouse, Bee, Buckwheat, Bamboo, home-spun hemp clothes. Women put on of the 20th century put the Lisus in a far Teak, Frost and Fire. The names also served short dresses and long skirts. Their heads worse plight. as their totems. Within each clan, except for are decorated with red and white glass beads During the period between the 18th and a feeling of kinship, individual households and their chests with necklaces formed by 19th century, the Lisus waged many strug- had little economic links with one another. strings of colored beads. Men wear short The Lisu ethnic group numbers 574,600 gles against oppression. From 1941 to 1943, The clan and village commune played an dresses and pants reaching the knee. Some people, and most of them live in concen- together with the Hans, Dais and Jingpos, important part in practical life. The “ka,” or of them wear black turban. A cutting knife trated communities in Bijiang, Fugong, they heroically resisted the Japanese troops village, meant a place where a group of close dangles at a man’s left waist, and a quiver Gongshan and Lushui counties of the invading western Yunnan Province and suc- relatives lived together. Some villages were hangs at his right waist. Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in ceeded in preventing the aggressors from composed of families of different clans. Ev- Their main staple foods are maize and northwestern Yunnan Province. The rest crossing the Nujiang River, contributing to ery village had a commonly acknowledged buckwheat. Hunting yields abundant meat. are scattered in Lijiang, Baoshan, Diqing, the defense of China’s frontier. headman, generally an influential elderly During their major festivals, they slaughter Dehong, Dali, Chuxiong prefectures or man. His job was to settle disputes within oxen and pigs. Both men and women are Socio-economic Conditions Before the clan, give leadership in production, counties in Yunnan Province as well as in 1949 heavy drinkers. preside over sacrificial ceremonies, declare The Lisu people live in two types of Xichang and Yanbian counties in Sichuan The social economy in the various Lisu clan warfare externally, sign alliances with houses. One is of wooden structure, with the Province, living in small communities with areas was at different levels before China’s other villages, and collect tributes for the four sides formed with 12-foot-long pieces the Han, Bai, Yi and Naxi peoples. national liberation in 1949. In Lijiang, Dali, imperial court. Under the rule of a chieftain, of timber, and on top of them is a cover of The Lisu language belongs to the Baoshan, Weixi, Lanping and Xichang, areas such headmen were appointed his assistants. wooden planks. It looks like a wooden box. Chinese-Tibetan language family. In 1957, closer to China’s interior, a feudal landlord When the Kuomintang came, they became The other is of bamboo-wooden structure, a new alphabetic script was created for the economy was prevalent, with productivity the heads of districts, townships or “bao” supported by 20 to 30 wooden stakes and Lisu people. approaching the level in neighboring Han (10 households). When there was a war, the surrounded with bamboo fences, with a and Bai areas. Some medium and small Geography various communal villages might form a thatched or wooden roof. In the center of slave-owners had appeared from among the The Lisus inhabit a mountainous area temporary alliance; when the war was over, the house is a big fireplace. Lisus living around the Greater and Lesser slashed by rivers. It is flanked by Gaoligong the alliance ended. The festivals of the Lisus living closer to Liangshan Mountains, taking up agriculture Mountain on the west and Biluo Mountain Apart from common ownership of land the hinterland are nearly the same as those of or part-agriculture and part-hunting and us- on the east, both over [13,200 feet] above and working on it together, clan members the Han, Bai, Naxi and other peoples around. ing ploughs in farming. sea level. The Nujiang River and the Lan- helped one another in daily life. When there During the Lunar New Year, the first thing As for the Lisus living in Bijiang, cang River flow through the area, form- was wine or pork, they shared it. When a they do is to feed their cattle with salt to Fugong, Gongshan and Lushui, the four ing two big valleys. The average annual girl got married, they shared the betrothal show respect for their labor. They have the counties around the Nujiang River val- temperature along the river basins ranges gifts given to her parents; and when a young Torch Festival in the sixth month of the year, ley, their productivity was comparatively between [62 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit], and man took in a wife, the betrothal gifts for and the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth low. They had to make up for their scanty the annual rainfall averages [100 inches]. the bride’s family were borne by all. Debts month. The Lisus in the Nu River and Weixi agricultural output by collecting fruits and Main farm crops are maize, rice, wheat, too, were to be paid by all. These collective areas enjoy their “Harvest Festival” in the wild vegetables and hunting. Their simple buckwheat, sorghum and beans. Cash crops rights and obligations in production and 10th month, during which people exchange production tools consisted of iron and include ramie, lacquer trees and sugarcane. daily life made it possible for clan relations gifts of wine and pork. They sing and dance bamboo implements. Slash-and-burn was Many parts of the mountains are covered to continue for a long time. till dawn. practiced. The division of social labor was with dense forests, famous for their China not distinct, and handicrafts and commerce firs. In addition to rare animals, the forests Religion Life After Liberation in 1949 had not yet been separated from agriculture. yield many medicinal herbs including the In the past the Lisu people worshipped The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Bartering was in practice. Some primitive rhizome of Chinese gold thread and the bulb many gods, nature and a multitude of other liberated the vast area in northwestern Yun- markets began to appear in Bijiang and of fritillary. The Lisu area also has abundant things. This appeared to be a remnant of nan Province in early 1950, bringing a new Fugong counties. mineral and water resources. totemism. Religious professionals made a life to the Lisu people. Improvement in productivity brought living by offering sacrifices to ghosts and In August 1954 the Nujiang Lisu Au- History about changes in ownership. Prior to fortune-telling. During the religious activi- tonomous District was established, covering According to historical records and folk 1949, private ownership of land had been ties, animals were slaughtered and a large Lushui, Bijiang, Fugong and Gongshan legend, the forbears of the Lisu people lived established in the four counties around the sum of money spent. In the middle of the counties. The autonomous district was along the banks of the Jinsha River and were Nujiang River valley, though landholding 19th century, Christianity and Catholicism changed into an autonomous prefecture in once ruled by “Wudeng” and “Lianglin,” was generally small. The rural population were spread into the area by Western mis- January 1957, and Lanping County, too, was two powerful tribes. After the 12th century, had split up into classes, but the remnants of sionaries. placed under its jurisdiction. the Lisu people came under the rule of the primitive public ownership and patriarchal Lijiang Prefectural Administration of the slavery still existed. Land ownership was Yuan Dynasty, and in the succeeding Ming in three main forms: private ownership by Advertisers individual peasants, ownership by the clan, Dynasty, under the rule of the Lijiang dis- Your potential customers are reading Ch i n a Insight. trict magistrate with the family surname and public ownership by the clan or village. of Mu. Among the three, the first was dominant, Shouldn’t you be bringing them in the door with an During the 1820s, the Qing govern- while the second was a transitional form ad? ment sent officials to Lijiang, Yongsheng from the primitive public ownership of land PAGE 16 > NOVEMBER 2009 travel www.chinainsight.info