ChinaInsight Fostering business and cultural harmony between and the U.S. VOL. 17 NO. 9 October 2018 Funky, pungent voting station?

News, p. 3

Community, p. 5

Government/Politics, p. 13 Current political environment is toxic, no doubt about it. But this image has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with a relatively young agricultural industry in and a key Chinese cooking ingredient. P. 14.

Community Harbin sends delegation to study skyway system, Chinese immersion

A crab-shaped hairpin made with jade, education kingfisher feather and pearls. By Ralph Beha, contributor Arts & Culture, p. 9 ’ Sister City Harbin (Heil- longjiang) sent a delegation to Minneapolis on Sept. 10 to open discussions between the sister cities on the effective use of skyways in In This Issue connecting buildings in cold-zone cities. The Chief Planner of the Harbin Urban and Rural Planning Bureau, Ms. Huang Mingjin, was Arts & Culture 8 - 9 joined by her colleague Mr. Xia Sha, and Mr. Xiao Jinliang, director, Academy of Architec- Books 10-11 ture & Urban Heritages at Tsinghua University, Business / Economics 4,12 to study the potential use of skyways in future Community 5, 12-13, 16 developments in the greater Harbin area. At Events 14 City Hall, the delegation met with Mayor Food 15 Jacob Frey’s Chief of Staff Gia Vitali and Ms. Government/Politics 6 Tou Khamsot, Mayor's Office Associate for Constituent Services, as well as Minneapolis Language 7 City Council member Kevin Reich. The group News 3-4 later met with Downtown Council Chair Steve Pronouncements 2 Cramer and heard a presentation from Michael McLaughlin, president of Urban Works on the Zhao Xiaosong, Robert Song, Bill Deef (Meet Minneapolis), Huang Mingjin, Xia Sha, history and current state of the Minneapolis Xiao Jinliang, Ralph Beha (president, USCPFA-Minnesota skyway system. Chapter) Continues on page 10 PAGE 2 / October 2018 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements ChinaInsight Greetings, As we enter the fall season, it tradition- Minnesota, Jason Lewis, District 2, and Tom local award-winning photographer. (Full Publisher: ally is a time to prepare for winter and enjoy Emmer, District 6, have not agreed yet to disclosure: I was one of his subjects in the Gregory J. Hugh the annual ritual of watching the emergence co-sponsor. If you reside in their districts book.) [email protected] of fall colors as nature does its thing. This or have friends who do, please urge them We also would like your help in secur- being a mid-term election year, this an- to co-sponsor H.R. 2358. See pages 12 and ing a layout editor and cartoonist for China Manager of nual change of seasons will be fraught with 13 for additional information regarding this Insight. See p. 10 for details. China Insight Operations/Circulation: political intrusions along with a barrage of initiative. It would be a grand and fitting would not be possible without the commit- Richard He political television ads that will test our pa- way to celebrate this Veterans Day when ment from a group of dedicated volunteers [email protected] tience and tolerance level to try and win our the House approves this. and we would like to recruit additional votes. In a democratic society as the United September was a busy month in the Twin individuals who believe in our mission to Staff Writers: States of America, we are fortunate to be Cities and we hope you were able to enjoy keep our Chinese American community Greg Hugh able to exercise our constitutional right, some of the events held by various organiza- informed. So please feel free to contact me [email protected] so we encourage all U.S. citizens to make tions. We have provided a recap of a few if you know of any such individuals. sure they vote on Nov. 6, 2018. It should on pages 5 and 16. On p. 14 we have listed As always, the staff of China Insight Elaine Dunn be noted that Election Day is followed by some upcoming events that you might be appreciates your support and welcomes any [email protected] Veterans Day, Nov.12, on which we honor interested in attending, so be sure to mark suggestions as to how we might serve our all our military personnel who have served these dates on your calendars. We espe- readers better. Contributors: to ensure that we have this right to vote. cially direct your attention to the upcoming Again, I encourage you to VOTE in the Bu Aihua We need to thank and honor them for their 33rd Anniversary Banquet for the Chinese upcoming elections. Not only is this your [email protected] service to our country. Seniors Citizens Society and the Chinese right, it is a privilege that has been protected Also, we are pleased to report that on Heritage Foundation’s 14th Open House. by the men and women of our armed ser- Ralph Beha Sept.12, 2018, the U.S. Senate passed its As announced last month, Pat Welsh has vices while people in many other parts of [email protected] bill S.1050 to bestow a Congressional Gold concluded his series on modern Chinese his- the world (Hong Kong, for one, p. 6) have Medal for Chinese American Veterans of tory, which was a very popular and informa- yet to earn or enjoy. William S. Chen World War II. The bill was referred to the tive series for many of our readers. We are [email protected] House committees on Financial Service and glad Pat has agreed to write a series about Sincerely, on House Administration on Sept. 17, 2018. learning Mandarin (p. 7). Please check it out Le Guobin We now need the House to do the same and send us your feedback about this topic. [email protected] with H.R. 2358 that now has 212 of the 290 There are two book reviews in this issue. Gregory J. Hugh co-sponsors needed to ratify the bill. It is On p. 10, you can learn about “Chinese- President – CEO unfortunate that two Representatives from ness” by Wing Young Huie, a celebrated China Insight, Inc. Patrick Welsh [email protected]

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# # Party banned 1 # 8 6 3 The Hong Kong National Party, a # By the numbers # Hong Kong separatist party, was banned 10 4 # # 2 by the government, with blessing from 7 . The Secretary for Security claimed the move was to “safeguard national security, public safety, public Chinese order and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.” advertising The ban meant anyone who associ- ates with the party may be convicted spending and sentenced to jail for two to three years. With a quarter of the world’s population An over-the-top strong-arm ap- dence sentiment. Whatever happened concentrated in China, and with one of the proach to silencing the pro-indepen- to freedom of speech and assembly? ♦ fastest-growing affluent and middle classes, it is no surprise their purchasing power is of keen interest to many companies. As a Entry denied result, advertising spending in China has grown leaps and bounds in the past few In a tit-for-tat move, days after years. Washington sanctioned the Chinese In 2018, mobile advertising will over- military for purchasing Russian fighter take desktop and account for half of all jets, Beijing denied a U.S. amphibious China Briefs internet advertising worldwide, according assault ship, the USS Wasp, entry to Swan grab to an ROI agency under the Publicis Media Hong Kong in October. The ship is group. part of a group of ships based in Japan The media industry in China is a multi- operating in the Indo-Pacific region. billion-dollar industry. As of 2010, it had a Port calls to Hong Kong had been market size worth about US$96 billion, and going on for decades. “We have a long was projected to double by 2016. Its main track record of successful port visits to eignty and in light of specific situation source of revenue? Advertisements placed. Hong Kong, and we expect that will on a case-by-case basis." By 2018, advertising spending in China was continue,” said a spokesperson from the This is not the first time port-call projected to climb as high as US$67 billion. U.S. consulate in Hong Kong. requests have been denied. China em- Obviously, based on figures below, growth In response to the rejection, Chinese ployed similar tactics in 2016, denying a had far surpassed expectations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng U.S. aircraft carrier entry to Hong Kong Mobile ad spending is the leading ad Shuang said that the "Chinese side during a period of heightened tensions spending channel, fueled by increasing reviews and approves such requests in between the U.S. and China over the amount of time spent online by the Chinese. accordance with the principle of sover- South China Sea. ♦ Effects of new, stricter online search adver- A Chinese woman, part of a tourist group tising regulations that went into effect in visiting a Swiss park, was seen grabbing a September 2016 will have an impact. Foreigners welcomed swan by its neck because she felt she had missed a photo op of the swan snatching 10 times growth in mobile spending from a paper napkin from the hand of another 2014 to 2016. Expats in Shanghai interested in traditional Chinese music were invited woman. There was a sign nearby that read to participate in the upcoming Shanghai in English “Please don’t feed us.” 33 percent of total digital ad spending Conservatory of Music’s third Chinese The Swiss media was accused by some around the world in 2017 will be in China Traditional Music Institute program. Chinese of putting Chinese tourists in a bad The program includes courses on light, defending the woman by saying she 3 companies – Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent the guqin (vertical bamboo flute), opera, probably didn’t want the swan to swallow – dominated the mobile ad spending field, shadow puppetry and lectures on silk and the napkin. Others said the woman was taking in approximately 72 percent of all bamboo music. ♦ “Totally shameless!” What’s your take? mobile ad expenditures in 2017 in China. Sober drunk 31.9 percent of total digital ad spending A man driving down an expressway in in 2017 (translates to USD$16.04 billion) is Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, abandoned his Deal negotiated car when he saw cops stopping drivers for expected to go to Alibaba. sobriety tests up ahead. Unable to hail a Bargain hunters negotiate for lower cab, he did the extreme “escape” act – he 9.31 billion USD in digital ad revenue prices every day with street vendors. jumped from the overpass. went to Baidu in 2017, representing a 14.4 However, in this case, the toy vendor He ended up with a broken leg. He con- percent increase over 2016. was a woman, but she did not have to fessed he had been drinking the night before speak. Instead, a robot took over the and did not want to get into trouble with the percent increase over 2016 in digital negotiations! 59.1 sobriety test. (Un)Fortunately, when tested ad revenue (translates to USD$6.02 billion) A video on Sina Weibo showed a at the hospital, he was found to be sober. is projected for Tencent. woman asking the night market vendor about buying toys for her grandson, Brilliant marketing to which the robot swiftly piped up, U.S. dollars). If other vendors' prices are 60 percent of media ad spending and 82 Huawei, China’s smartphone and tele- “I would definitely recommend this cheaper, I will slap myself in the face." percent of digital ad spending will be dedi- communication equipment manufacturer, puzzle game, which can develop the The robot was developed by engi- cated to mobile. overtook Apple in smartphone market share intellect and help your grandson easily neers at Alibaba to facilitate reaching in July, based on the number of devices get into Tsinghua University or Peking deals. Creepy, if you ask me! ♦ 50 billion USD was attributed to digital shipped in the third fiscal quarter that ended University! It costs only 100 yuan (15 spending in 2017, representing an increase June 30. of 27 percent from 2016. Not resting on its laurel, Huawei staff handed out free Huawei power banks (with 35.8 percent increase in video spending “You’ll need it” on the packaging) to people was projected in 2017, amounting to approx- waiting in line for the iPhone XS launch on imately USD$7.8 billion. Better-quality Sept. 20 outside the Singapore Apple Store. video content is credited with the growth. ♦ Happy Huawei also handed out juice (no apple, of course!) in front of the London Apple Store. Staff arrived in vans and T-shirts Veterans’ Day Halloween! with the “Juice that lasts” slogan. Huawei will unveil its next-generation Mate-series November 12, 2018 phones with “advanced artificial intelligence features” in London in October. ♦ PAGE 4 / October 2018 news www.chinainsight.info Chicago Chinese national arrested, accused of helping to recruit spies By Elaine Dunn

The alleged spy was accused of act- considered "vital to the national interest." Kevin Mallory was arrested in Chicago for ing as an "illegal agent" at the direction Ji denied having contacts with a foreign “simultaneously selling secrets to Chinese of a "high-level intelligence officer" of a government and working relationship with intelligence officers for $25,000 and expos- provincial department of China's Ministry a Chinese intelligence officer in his applica- ing those spies to his old colleagues at the of State Security, according to a statement tion to the Army. Central Intelligence Agency.” What makes released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI was able to get copies of Ji’s Chicago so special to the Chinese? Conser- Federal investigators said Ji’s “assignment” text messages, which included one from a vatives speculate that Barack Obama’s lax was to gather information from background Chinese intelligence officer instructing Ji to immigration policies and Chicago’s sanctu- checks on eight naturalized American mail train tickets to an address in Nanjing ary status are conducive to the makings of citizens (seven were U.S. defense contrac- City, which turned out to be the address sleeper spy cells. tors) to Chinese intelligence officials. He where the intelligence officers were based. The official 17-page criminal complaint purchased background reports from online In April, an undercover FBI agent told Ji charges Ji with one count of knowingly biographical search sites of these individuals he, the FBI agent, was asked to contact Ji acting in the U.S. as an agent of a foreign and emailed them to a Chinese intelligence by a Chinese Ministry of State Security government without prior notification to the officer with the subject line “Midterm Test intelligence officer. Later, Ji told this under- Attorney General. A criminal complaint Questions.” cover agent that he had met the intelligence is an accusation only, and the defendant is Born in China, the Illinois Institute of officers on trips to Beijing and Nanjing in presumed innocent until proven guilty. Technology graduate had lived in Chicago 2013 and 2014, and that he believed one was Ji is being held without bond. If con- since 2013 and earned a master’s degree a part of a confidential unit and that another victed, he faces up to 10 years in prison. in electrical engineering in 2015. In May officer told him “stories about espionage.” China has not responded to Ji’s case as Ji Chaoqun, a 27-year old Chinese 2016, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves The FBI says Ji knew “exactly what he was of Sept. 28. ♦ national who entered the U.S. on a student under the Military Accessions Vital to the doing and who he was working for.” visa in 2013 was arrested in Chicago Sept. National Interest program in which foreign According to The Chicago Tribune, 25, 2018, on charges of spying for Beijing. nationals can be recruited if their skills are only weeks ago “freelance triple agent”

Business/Economics Impressive state export growth of 15 percent in second quarter

• Minnesota exports (including agricultural, Markets in Asia and North • Strong demand for optics and medical cent to $158 million, largely driven by China mining and manufactured products) were America Lead with Largest goods persisted in China ($222 million, up ($57 million, up 255 percent), but also due to valued at a record $5.9 billion and grew 15 52 percent), Korea ($107 million, up 44 per- Germany ($11 million, up 181 percent) and percent between the second quarters of 2017 Export Gains cent), Japan ($108 million, up 26 percent) Japan ($9 million, up 166 percent). Blood and 2018. The state’s gain of $780 million • Exports to Asia increased 23 percent to and Germany ($66 million, up 49 percent). products ($91 million, up 110 percent) and was the 11th largest gain in exports among $2.1 billion. Exports increased the most to Optical fibers ($236 million, up 116 percent) bandages ($34 million, up 131 percent) all states for this period. China, Japan, Korea and Thailand. Exports primarily drove growth. performed well. • U.S. exports grew 11 percent during this to the Philippines, India and Singapore also • Germany (up 62 percent), Mexico (up 20 • Minnesota exports of iron and steel ($38 period. performed strongly. percent), Singapore (up 33 percent), Poland million, up 25 percent – particularly to Can- • Some of the surge in exports in this quar- • North American sales were up 15 per- (up 76 percent) and Brazil (up 185 percent) ada); iron and steel products ($87 million, ter may have been timed to occur ahead of cent to $1.9 billion, largely influenced by fueled growth in sales of plastics, and up 9 percent - particularly to Canada and foreign tariffs on U.S. imports, which were exports to Canada (up 20 percent), which particularly for plastic sheets and primary Mexico); and aluminum products ($42 mil- implemented in retaliation to proposed U.S. were driven by increased sales of iron ore, plastic polymers. lion, up 52 percent - particularly to Mexico, tariffs on imported steel, aluminum and China and Canada) also performed well. machinery and vehicles. Figure 3. Major Markets for Electrical other goods. • Mexico (up $15.7 million), Korea (up • Exports to Europe grew 9 percent to $1.3 Machinery Figure 1. Positive Export Growth for billion. Export gains in Germany, France $9.7 million), Ireland (up $4.9 million) and 43 States and Ireland helped offset steep declines in Vietnam (up $4.5 million) fueled growth Belgium and Netherlands. Smaller growth in food by-products. Demand for soybean markets included Turkey and Switzerland. and starch by-products climbed the most. ♦ • Sales increased to Central & South Amer- ica ($295 million, up 8 percent) and the Minnesota Quarterly Export Statistics is the Middle East ($121 million, 25 percent) but most current resource available for tracking dropped 9 percent to each Africa ($41 mil- the state’s manufactured export trends and is prepared for the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) lion) and Australia-Pacific ($149 million). • Increased demand for electrical machin- by the Department of Employment and Economic Figure 2. Exports and Trends Among Min- Development’s (DEED) Economic Analysis ery continued to be strongest in Thailand MN: +15% nesota’s Top 10 Markets, Second Quarter Unit (Thu-Mai Ho-Kim). The quarterly and Decline 0% Growth ($42 million, up 332 percent), China ($105 U.S.: +11% 2018 annual statistics reports primarily cover export million, up 35 percent) and Canada ($88 data based on the Harmonized Tariff System • Minnesota manufactured exports grew Optics/Medical, Electrical million, up 28 percent). Integrated circuits, (Schedule B), collected by the U.S. Department 16 percent to $5.5 billion in the second telecommunications apparatus, electrical of Commerce (USDOC) and distributed by IHS quarter of 2018, compared to U.S. growth Machinery, Machinery and capacitors and electric generators were fast- Maritime & Trade. Reports are available on of 8 percent. Plastics Drive Gains growing segments. DEED’s website at “Export and Trade Statistics” • Canada ($217 million, up 26 percent) (http://mn.gov/deed/data/export-stats/). Figure 2. Exports and Trends Among Minnesota’s Top 10 Markets, Second Quarter Figure 4. Exports and Trends Among Minnesota’s Top 10 Products, Second 2018 Quarter 2018 primarily drove increased global sales of machinery. Smaller markets such as the Philippines (especially parts for machine tools), Kuwait (especially filters), Turkey (especially pumps) and the Czech Republic (especially road construction equipment) also contributed to growth. • Pharmaceutical products surged 89 per- www.chinainsight.info community October 2018 / PAGE 5 Capital Normal University Performance Troupe visits the

The Con- Chinese callig- fucius Institute rapher Ouyan at the Univer- Zhongshi. The sity of Minne- scroll reads, “ sota (CIUMN) 友谊之桥, ” welcomed the which means, Capital Nor- “Friendship mal University bridge.” Performance The troupe Troup from went on- Beijing. The stage again visit coincides at 7:00pm for with the 10th a free public CNU leadership presented CIUMN Executive Director anniversary of Joan Brzezinski with a beautiful work of calligraphy performance, the partnership which many between the Confucius Institute and Capital people attended despite the untimely Normal University. pouring rain, thunderstorms, and tornado Capital Normal University Chair of Uni- warnings. versity Administration Board Zheng E and The show, titled, “Dance of Youth, Director of International Cooperation and Charm of China,” featured Chinese folk Exchange Mei visited the University dance, traditional instruments, and other of Minnesota and spent the day touring the arts, such as the diabolo, paper cutting, and campus and meeting University representa- calligraphy. A surprise Michael Jackson tives. impersonation was an audience favorite. The troupe performed two shows on The group expressed the hope that friend- Sept.20. That morning, the artists appeared ship between Capital Normal University before an auditorium full of more than 600 and the show attendees would continue, K-12 students, teachers, and chaperones. and welcomed the audience to visit them The CNU leadership delivered opening in Beijing. remarks and presented CIUMN Executive The Confucius Institute thanks the per- Director Joan Brzezinski with a beautiful formers and our partners at Capital Normal work of calligraphy by Deputy Director of University for making this collaboration Calligraphy Research Center at CNU Xie possible. We hope to see them again soon! ♦ Xiao Qin, an outstanding student of famous Chongqing delegation in Twin Cities to promote culture and tourism By Greg Hugh

Moon Festival season kicked off when a participate in a cultural show that included a Left: Exchange of memorandums delegation visiting from Chongqing, China, Chongqing photo exhibition, creative paper of understanding between hosted several events at Mall of America to sculptures of dinosaurs, and Chongqing Minnesota and China tourism promote Chongqing culture and tourism. National Intangible Cultural Heritage Art organizations The Parkview Meeting & Event Center Performance. ♦ located at Mall of America served as the setting for several hundred attendees who Editor’s Note: For additional informa- came to hear all about the cultural, tour- tion about Chongqing, China, refer to page ism, economic and social development of 12 of the September edition of China Insight Chongqing, one of four municipality cities at www.chinainsight.info. Below: Attendees mingle and in China that are directly under the admin- enjoy refreshments istration of the central government. Tourism representatives from both Min- nesota and Chongqing preceded the presen- tation with remarks. Those who attended also were provided with refreshments and mooncakes. There were also chances to win many door prizes donated by the sponsor- ing organizations that included organizing committees of Chongqing along with local co-organizers: Mall of America, Alliance of Minnesota Chinese Organizations, Center for Community Services, Hua Xing Arts Group, Chinese American Association of Minnesota and Overseas Chinese Service Center of Minnesota. The presentation ended with an ex- Left: Chongqing change of memorandums of understanding cultural performance between Minnesota and China tourism at the Rotunda in the Mall of America groups followed by dinner with a select group of guests to celebrate this occasion. The following day, the delegation from Right: Organizers and Chongqing did some sightseeing, visiting invited guests meet the State Capital in Saint Paul. They then for dinner after the returned to the rotunda at Mall of America to presentation PAGE 6 / October 2018 government/politics www.chinainsight.info

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Hong Kongers’ Umbrella Revolution spirit alive on fourth anniversary By Elaine Dunn

On Sept. 28, 2018, the fourth anniver- the UK reported that the former British ing the area is subject to mainland law, his release (on bail) for unlawful assembly sary of the Umbrella Revolution, hundreds colony’s future is anything but rosy. which translates to Beijing encroaching on charges related to his 2014 activities. gathered outside the government building in “Over the past five years, the freedoms Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous territory. In Wong said he had “no regrets” about Hong Kong’s Central District. Four years guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong in its late September, a pro-independence political his pro-democracy activities. “I am proud ago, thousands camped out for 79 days in mini-constitution, the Basic Law, have been party was banned. In November, nine 2014 of the Umbrella Movement … that was the key high-traffic intersections of the city to increasingly eroded,” Ashdown wrote in the activist leaders are scheduled to go on trial proudest moment of my life,” he said. He protest Beijing’s heavy-handed approach to report. “The rule of law is under pressure; on charges for inciting others to create a urged those gathered to pass on the “history Hong Kong’s leadership elections. human rights are undermined and the city public nuisance. lesson” of the Umbrella Revolution to the The symbol of those 79 days, the yellow appears no closer to democracy.” Determined not to “roll over,” pro- younger generation who did not experience umbrella, was seen everywhere. A colorful Ashdown said the city’s judiciary independence activists carrying Hong Kong it firsthand. “Although we failed to move banner resembling the collection of Post-it remained objective, but added: “The inde- independence banners and waving the colo- the regime, we succeeded in winning public notes with pro-democracy messages from pendence of officials at the Department for nial flags were present at the rally. hearts,” he said, meaning the 79 days raised those days were draped over the wall where Justice is in doubt.” Several high-profile The marked difference between the 2018 awareness of Hong Kongers’ predicament the actual Post-it notes appeared. prosecutions in the past two years have rally and four years ago is that a lot of the locally and internationally. He told Agence led to activists “fire” of those days seemed missing. The France-Presse, “All we hope to do is to being jailed 2018 rally felt much subdued. Joshua Wong, generate more pressure on China.” and demo- the then 17-year-old student leader of the Attendees at the anniversary rally chant- cratically 2014 protests, noted the difference in mood ed, “Die for Hong Kong independence.” elected law- when he appeared at the rally just hours after They wanted to show that Hong Kongers makers being still believe in the need disqualified. for change. More re- A lady in her mid- cent concerns: 30s said, “… we want The high- to show the others that speed rail there are still some link between people who want to do Hong Kong something.” to China’s Another attendee, Pro-independence activists at the fourth anniversary rally Guangdong who handed out little Province paper yellow umbrellas, The timing cannot be better. Hong Kong opened in mid-September. This brought said, “If we don’t work has come under increasing interference from along Chinese security guards now stationed hard, there is no hope Beijing. In the beginning of the year, Paddy in Hong Kong for the first time, under the for sure.”♦ Ashdown, a former Liberal Democrat from guise of the new “special port area,” mean- Joshua Wong speaking in front of “Post-it” banner www.chinainsight.info language October 2018 / PAGE 7 Chinese language corner (漢語角落) By Pat Welsh, contributor

This language corner is a new ing Mandarin in schools. Its one series designed for people who are weakness has been that tonal dif- interested in learning Mandarin. ferences are usually not indicated In China it is called “Putonghua” except in some dictionaries. This (The “common language”) of has been a problem since one China. Before the 1950s, the does not have to go very far from terms “Kuoyü” and “Guanhua” Beijing to hear significant tonal were used to identify this national changes in the pronunciation of language. the characters along with some Since the early 19th century consonant and vowel differences. Chinese has been classified as Today, most textbooks have one of the many Sino-Tibetan lan- adopted Roman letters to represent guages. My own experience tells Chinese consonants and vowels. me that that this is really a catch-all The purpose of this system was grouping. Tibetan, Burmese and to enable the non-Beijing area related minority languages are Chinese population to learn how nothing at all like any Chinese to speak Putonghua Mandarin and dialect. Not only are there vast communicate more easily with vocabulary differences, there are each other. It was not designed for also significant differences in foreigners trying to speak Chinese. sentence structure and grammar. I will be using this system Before I delve further into the while acknowledging that some of language itself, perhaps a little the letters will confuse foreigners introduction to China’s overall trying to learn the language. I will language situation is in order. In address this confusion in my next 1970 I began to earn a Master’s offering as I explain the sounds of degree in Oriental Languages and the language. Literatures at the University of My planned curriculum from Kansas. My first class was Read- my third article will be one of of- ings in Chinese Political Writings. final “q” at the end of a syllable indicates each dialect has its own pronunciation for fering mini-lessons centered upon I arrived early to the classroom and greeted glottal stop and, by coincidence, the short each Chinese character. Until the 1920s, meeting the needs of the learners in specific my professor Chichou Huang, who was and clipped “entering tone” not heard in all serious writing had to be written in this social situations. One lesson will be on unknown to me. I greeted him with the Standard Mandarin. obscure literary language. I will add here greetings, goodbyes, please, thank you and word “Zao” thinking that it meant “Good In Beijing one might hear: “Zhè shì that several popular romance and adventure a few short phrases. Another lesson will Morning.” He winced and invited me to shénme?” (Djùh shìr shúhm-muh?) (Man- novels had been written in the vernacular deal with asking and identifying oneself and take a seat. I was a little perplexed. What I darin dialect) during the previous four centuries but they others. Other lessons will deal with asking did not realize was that in Beijing Mandarin, In Shanghai one might hear: Dih-guh z were not considered as serious writings until and telling what something is, describing my version of the word “zao” sounded much saah-dz? (Wu dialect) the 1920s. things and people and with asking and tell- like the Beijing version of the F-word. The In Fuzhou one might hear: “Zi-zieq sei In 1917 the scholar Hu Shih began a lit- ing where something is. tones between the Beijing and Chngqing shieh-noq? (Northern Min dialect) erary revolution referred to as the Vernacular From here you can get an idea of how I subdialects were very different. In Xiamen or Taipei one would hear: Literature Movement. Initially the writings will go about these offerings. I will try to When class started, he asked me to read Djit-ey shee sheem-mee? (Southern Min advocating this movement were in Wenli but avoid complicated grammatical explana- aloud the first few lines of the days’ reading dialect) later the writings of this movement were in tions. The best way to master the grammar selection. After reading it, Huang asked me In Changsha one would hear: “Gkou- a more colloquial Mandarin. is by seeing examples of the rules in pattern where I learned my Mandarin. I mentioned gkou sz mo-tsz? (Xiang dialect) After the 1911 Revolution, a society was practice exercises. the people who taught me and Huang then In Nanchang one would hear: “Gkaw- established for unifying the pronunciation Since I cannot offer a disk for hearing asked me if they came from Sichuan Prov- gkaw sz sheet-lee? (Gan dialect) under the Ministry of Education. This effort these sounds, I will also offer the simplified ince. I replied that they did and Huang then In Meixian one would hear: “Gkeh-gkeh was later reorganized under the Ministry Chinese characters involved so that you cut me off and said I will have to learn the heh maak-gkeh? (Hakka dialect) as the Committee on the Unification of the can use Google Translate to hear a Chinese Beijing tones and pronunciation. He was In Guangzhou one would hear: “Nee- National Language. Some dialects such as voice. This is not perfect but it is better mercilessly correcting me that year and I gaw haai mut-yeh? (Cantonese dialect) that of Nanjing Mandarin and Cantonese than nothing. (Simply use my spellings of became very grateful to him later when I Complicating this is the simple fact that were also considered, but in 1919 a semi- the Chinese words - minus the tone signs began to use Beijing Mandarin in China. one does not have to go very far from these formal version of a northeastern Mandarin over the vowels - and choose the Chinese Today’s dialects differ from one another towns to hear subdialects, many of which subdialect was chosen to be the common character that I have offered in my offering in three ways. One difference lies in pro- are different enough to require interpreters. language for all to learn. In 1932 changes when they appear.) ♦ nunciation. Thus the same word meaning This is especially true in the southeast- tightened the use of the Beijing dialect as “to have” or “there is” is “yŏu” (rhymes ern provinces of China. For example, in the basis of the National Language. with ‘row’) in Beijing, “oo” in Xiamen and Guangdong province north of Hong Kong One word of caution is in order: If you About Pat Welsh “yáuh” (“yáuh” almost rhymes with English I realized that the Cantonese of Guangzhou have a Mandarin speaker, you may hear In 2009 while teaching English at ‘how?’) in Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Sec- (Canton), Hong Kong and Macau follows differences from what I am offering. This Sichuan University, Welsh was asked to ondly, the dialects often differ in the choice pretty close to textbook Cantonese; but on is especially true if your speaker was not give a speech where he was introduced of many common words. Thus, the word for a trip from Canton to Hong Kong in 1980, raised in Beijing. Where differences arise, to the audience as a “pioneer of Chi- “What?” is “shénme” in Beijing, “saa-tz” not only did I hear significant variations of follow your speaker’s recommendation. nese American relations” as a result of in Shanghai and “Mut-yeh” in Guangzhou. Cantonese, but I also encountered a weird Depending upon their education, some his cooperative work in international Thirdly, the dialects differ among them- Southern Min dialect in the Lungdu region Mandarin speakers will pronounce words banking during the Deng Xiaoping selves in a few grammatical constructions. and a few Hakka farming villages north of differently. There is a “western Mandarin” era. For more than 65 years, Welsh has The expression for “I am taller than he.” is Hong Kong. In 1967, I even encountered a that includes the dialect of Xian. There is been learning Chinese and has used “Wŏ bĭ tā gāo.” (I – compare – he- tall.) in Hakka farming village in the New Territo- also a south and southwestern Mandarin and this knowledge both professionally and Beijing but in Guangzhou the order changes ries of Hong Kong near the Shenzhen River a southeastern Mandarin that includes the personally to enhance his understand- to “Ngóh gòu-gwo kéuih.” (I - tall-exceed and a Southern Min dialect used by some of Mandarin spoken in such places as Hofei, ing of Chinese and Asian affairs. He he.) This last difference is perhaps the least the boat people. Nanjing and Yangzhou. Nowadays south- uses Beijing Mandarin most frequently important as there is a relative uniformity in To enable people from the various prov- eastern Mandarin has been called Jianghuai when meeting with senior Chinese grammar among the dialects. inces to speak with one another, a common Mandarin. There are significant differences government officials when conducting To make this point clearer, take for language was needed. Before 1950 the vast among these southeastern dialects. The business in China. example the simple question “What is body of Chinese literature was in Wenli, national language that I offer is based on For 17 years, Welsh taught Chinese, this?” Here I have chosen the most popular sometimes referred to as Wenyuan, These the northeast Mandarin of Beijing. German and Spanish in two local high examples. Note that I have heard variations are terms for a literary language that has This National Language was promoted schools. Now fully retired, he currently from what I am offering here. For non- little resemblance to the way people have throughout the country and used in all resides in Georgia where he used to Mandarin dialects, I am not indicating tones been speaking for many centuries in any school textbooks. In 1958 China authorized lecture on China to a number of classes as space is too limited to explain them. A part of China. It is dialect-neutral because the use of Latin (Roman) letters for teach- at Dunwoody High School. PAGE 8 / October 2018 arts & culture www.chinainsight.info Peace, harmony and joy in China’s Dong culture, part II By Le Guobin and Bu Aihua, The Center for Cultural Heritage at Huaihua University, contributors

Note: This is the 10th article in the series on Dong ethnic culture by The Center for Hunan Cultural Heritage as U.S.-China cultural and educa- tional exchange and research. The Center for Hunan Cultural Heritage is located in Huaihua University, southwest Hunan Province, China. It is a provincial translation institute dedicated to the preservation and development of Hunan’s diverse ethnic communities and shared with the global community. This month’s article features the quintessential characteristics of ethnic Dong culture. Le Guobin is a lecturer in the School of Foreign Languages, Huaihua University. His research interests include translation studies and cross- cultural studies. This article is one of the results of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Fund Project of Hunan Province, the Philosophy and Social Sciences Fund Project of Huaihua Municipality, as well as the Scientific Research Project of Huaihua University. Professor Bu is the dean and professor in the Foreign Languages School of Huaihua University. Her major research interests cover comparative education, biculturalism and bicultural active living lifestyle with a special focus on the Hmong youth in the western part of Hunan Province and the state of Minnesota. She is also the vice director of the Hunan Cultural Heritage Center.

The July-August column discussed how gather at the bullfighting site, which is considered a propitious town for witnessing & Forum has been held in Zhijiang Dong peace, harmony and joy manifested themselves in usually a field fenced with bamboo poles the ending the War. The peace comes after Autonomous County annually, targeting ethnic Dong architecture and food. This month, and chicken-feather flags. After the sound the war. The Dongs’ intrinsic peacefulness cultural and agricultural investments from we will discuss how they affect music, entertain- of three firecrackers, two competing bull perfectly fills the bill for the peace culture Taiwan. On 18-20 Nov., 2017, the Sixth ment and other aspect of daily life. owners would lead their bulls into the field in Zhijiang County and across the whole Cross-Straits Zhijiang Peace Culture Tour and each tosses a flaming torch in front of country. & Forum was held in Zhijiang County, at- Joy in Dong music the bull. The two bulls would start to fight Both in memory of the ending of the tracting more than 30 cultural investors from Dong people are good at expressing against each other. War of Resistance Against Japan and in an Taiwan. At the forum, a series of business their happiness and their gratitude to Mother Sometimes the fight would end very effort to tap into the potential of Zhijiang cooperation deals were signed between Nature. They do so through song and dance. quickly as the stronger bull may overwhelm County’s tourism and economic develop- Zhijiang-based companies and Taiwanese Among Dong people’s various forms of folk the other in terms of strength and fighting ment, the Municipal Government of Huai- investors, covering sectors such as tourism, songs, Dong Grand Songs (Dong Dage) is experience. The winning bull would be hua City, together with the International agricultural products processing and trade. the most prominent one. paraded around the field three times and its- Cultural Association of Hunan Province, With the development of cross-cultural As we have presented in detail in the owner would receive congratulations from held the First China Zhijiang International communications both at home and abroad, first article Grand Songs of the Dong Ethnic other people. The defeated bull would be led Peace Culture Festival in November 2003, Dong culture looks set to welcome a brighter Group in the series on Dong ethnic culture back home or may even be killed, its meat inviting veterans of the Flying Tigers and future. in China (June 2017, China Insight), it is cooked to feed the visitors at the bullfight. their family members, researchers of peace known that Dong Grand Songs is a very If the two bulls are well-matched in culture, investors interested in Zhijiang’s popular a cappella chorus among the Dongs strength and fighting experience, the fight tourism, reporters and officials of the local since the Spring-and-Autumn Period. Dong may end in a draw. Should that be the case, and provincial governments. At the festival, people believe that food can nourish the the owners may need to separate the bulls the Dongs’ spirit of being peaceful, harmo- body while songs can nourish the soul. by tying up the bulls’ hind legs with ropes nious and joyful was fully demonstrated Singing, especially group singing, is a joyful and pull their respective bulls backwards. in their artistic performances and cultural tradition of the Dongs. The themes of Dong events. Later in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2015, Grand Songs mainly include the beauty of the International Peace Culture Festival was nature, joyfulness of livelihood and sweet- held in Zhijiang County four more times, Taiwanese investors in front of the publicity ness of love. giving a noticeable boost to the development boards for Zhijiang-based cultural and When entertaining honorable guests or of Zhijiang’s tourism and other economic agricultural projects at the Sixth Cross- at festive events, the Dongs would wear sectors, and the Sixth International Peace Straits Zhijiang Peace Culture Tour & their traditional costumes and sing grand Culture Festival is scheduled for 2020. Forum-- photo from www.zjrednet.cn choruses. During the performance of Dong Grand Songs, a lead singer (cantor) usually Two bulls are locking horns with each other starts the singing, followed by the choir. A -- photo from www.baidu.com well-performed Dong Grand Song is very sonorous and impressive. As Dong people usually live in mountainous regions, such New opportunity: emerging singing can echo throughout the valleys. cultural tourism Hidden in the depths of the remote mountainous areas, Dong people and their culture had suffered from unfavorable transportation networks and struggled to Former U..S President Jimmy Carter make a living. Unlike coastal regions, the unveils the statue of Lieutenant General Taiwanese investors attending a business mountainous areas inhabited by the Dongs Claire Lee Chennault at the Fourth Zhijiang promotion meeting at the Sixth Cross-Straits are less than attractive to industrial investors International Peace Culture Festival-- photo Zhijiang Peace Culture Tour & Forum -- despite China’s opening-up policy. from www.baidu.com photo from www.zjrednet.cn But for the dramatic developments of China’s tourism industry since the late Center for Hunan Peace Culture Singers performing Grand Songs in front of 1990s, Dong people and their culture would a drum tower -- photo from www.baidu.com have remained unknown to the outside Research The Center for Hunan Peace Culture world. China’s tourist industry got a big Research was established jointly by Huaihua boost from the introduction of the five-day Joy in bullfights University and Hunan University of Com- work week system in 1995. The two-day Different from Western bullfighting, in merce in 2010. It is a provincial research weekend allowed people more leisure time the Dongs’ bullfights, bulls fight against institute dedicated to the research into and for tourist travels. The ethnic minority areas bulls in a field instead of bullfighters fight- the development of the peace culture in with their unique cultural charms and natural Veterans of the Flying Tigers and their fam- ing bulls. ily members in front of the Flying Tigers Hunan Province. The key research topics scenery soon become hot spots to tourists The tradition of Dong people’s bull- Memorial Museum during the Fifth Zhijiang include peace culture and education in Zhi- who were tired of their routine urban life. fighting also has a very long history, dating International Peace Culture Festival -- photo jiang Dong Autonomous County, Dong folk Luckily, Dong people and their culture back to the Three-Kingdoms Period (A.D. from www.people.cn culture in Zhijiang County, the processing have not mishandled the opportunities. 220-280). The Dong bullfighting event is a of documents about peace culture, the de- Realizing the economic opportunities for joyous and relaxing time for Dong people. Peace, harmony and joy have been velopment of peace culture-related tourism, local tourism, local governments in Dong The bullfighting event usually takes largely conducive to the birth of the Zhijiang relations between peace and war, and the autonomous areas have been keen on tap- place in spring or winter. In preparation, International Peace Culture Festival which history of Hunan people resisting Japan’s ping into the unique charms of Dong culture. bull owners would feed their bulls with has in turn helped promote Dong culture invasion during World War II. nutritious food such as glutinous rice and beyond China. For example, at the Fourth The Center for Hunan Peace Culture rice liquor. To show the prowess of their Peace culture in Zhijiang Dong International Peace Culture Festival in 2010, Research is dedicated to providing profes- favorite bulls, some owners would wrap the Autonomous County of Hunan Zhijiang County and Pinehurst Municipality sional advice for the development of tourism horns of bulls with iron plates, tie bronze Province of North Carolina (the U.S.) became sister in cities such as Huaihua, , Heng- bells onto the horns, and saddle the bulls up As the place for China’s Accepting cities and were committed to strengthening yang and Changsha, for the development of with decorative chicken feathers. Japan’s Surrender in the War of Resis- their cultural and economic ties. Zhijiang International Peace Town, and for On the day of the bullfighting event, tance Against Japan, Zhijiang County in Additionally, from 2012 onward, the the development of Dong and other ethnic villagers from surrounding areas would southwest Hunan Province has long been Cross-Straits Zhijiang Peace Culture Tour cultures in Hunan Province. ♦ www.chinainsight.info arts & culture October 2018 / PAGE 9 “Empresses of China's Forbidden City" reveals the hidden world of Qing empresses Location: Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970 Date: Now throughFeb. 10, 2019

This exhibit explores the role of em- power only came when they produce a male presses in shaping China’s last dynasty heir to the emperor as he can appoint a son from 1644-1912. Using nearly 200 objects to the throne. The Empress Dowager Cixi on loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing ruled as regent for 37 years. – objects used by Qing empresses such as The emperor-centric Qing imperial court clothes worn, porcelain used, decorative recorded only skeletal outlines of the em- artwork –visitors will see never-before- presses’ lives. None of the empresses kept seen items as the empresses did. It also journals or left personal writings, so using offers a glimpse into how imperial women these portraits, poems by others and items influenced court politics, art and religion. used in their daily lives provide a glimpse The exhibit focuses on three empresses into their world. The exhibition curators who stood out in shaping the Qing Dy- were able to reconstruct their rich and ac- nasty’s long history: Empress Dowager tive lifestyles from the lavish art produced Chongqing (1693-1777), Empress Xiaoxian by the Qing court. (1712-1748) and Empress Dowager Cixi This display is the largest collection of (1835-1908) and centers around six core imperial textiles (embroidered socks and themes: imperial weddings, power and dragon robes worn by the empresses) and status, family roles, lifestyle, religion and jewelry ever gathered in the U.S. Also political influence. displayed is a commanding 16-foot oil

L to R: Empresses Chongqing, Xiaoxian & Cixi

“The study of women in history is portrait of Empress Dowager Cixi. It was exciting, timely and necessary,” says Jan her gift to President Theodore Roosevelt in Stuart, co-curator at the Freer|Sackler. “By 1905. The empress directed the American focusing on the material and spiritual world artist Katharine Carl to create an image of of these women, we begin to fill in details a youthful and benevolent ruler to express absent from previous accounts of women her goodwill to people in America at a time in Chinese history. To the extent that the when U.S. and China experienced chal- empresses’ experience of the expectations lenging relations. A recent conservation and constraints finds echo in our own world, project at the Smithsonian has restored the we hope this exhibition will prompt broader painting to its original splendor and this reflection on the position of women in soci- exhibit marks its first public display in the Silk satin embroidered festive robe with bats, clouds and the character for longevity. ety and fosters a sense of commonality and U.S. since the 1960s. connection across time and cultures.” A leader in preserving and promoting The Qing Dynasty was one of China’s Chinese art and architecture, PEM honors grandest era. It was multiethnic and mul- more than 200 years of U.S.-Chinese com- ticultural. The Qings are of Manchurian mercial and cultural exchange through stock and culturally differed from their Han its renowned collection and exhibition Chinese subjects. Yet much of the items in program. ♦ the exhibit reflect a Han Chinese sensitiv- ity. Examples include the inverted bat (for good fortune) and peaches (for longevity) in their goods, the five-clawed dragon in their robes -- very well-featured in the portrait Gold alloy empress seal with double-headed of Empress Chongqing (1693-1777) where dragon and silk tassels. one such paw seem to leap out of her sleeve. However, these Manchu empresses also upheld their own Manchu culture. Embroi- dered shoes indicated Manchurian women Phoenix ornament on top of a court hat made Read ChinaInsight online did not bind their feet. A painting also out of pearls, tiger’s eye stone, lapis, velvet showed these women rode horses and hunt- www.chinainsight.info A set of tortoiseshell bracelets with bats, ed along their men. But their ascendance to peaches and flowers. PAGE 10 / October 2018 books www.chinainsight.info “Chinese-ness: The Meanings of Identity and the Nature of Belonging”

mannerisms,” wrote Huie. “My Minnesota- ness overwhelmed my Chinese-ness to the point that my own parents often seemed exotic and foreign to me.” Some reviews of “Chinee-ness”: “The stories we tell about ourselves are the persons we become. These narratives Author: Wing Young Huie form our identities, and identity is malleable. Wing Young Huie is an exceptional artist, Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society and anything he puts his heart, mind, and Press hands to is sure to be amazing. His latest Publication date: November 2018 work, “Chinese-ness,” is a gift not only Hardcover: 160 pages to those of us of Chinese ancestry, but to anyone interested in finding new and ex- panded ways of re-creating ourselves and Huie is a celebrated photographer from the understanding others.” Twin Cities. His well-known large-scale Leslie Li, author of “Daughter of exhibits “Lake Street USA” and “University Heaven: A Memoir with Earthly Recipes” Avenue Project” transformed neighbor- “Wing Young Huie is as perceptive with hood storefront windows and buildings his words as he is with his images. Chinese- into photo galleries. His photos explore ness is an essential document for exploring social issues and have been shown inter- cultural identity in the twenty-first century. nationally. Herb Tam, curator and director of ex- He was named 2018 McKnight Foundation hibitions, Museum of Chinese in America Distinguished Artist. “This collection of words and pictures is authentic, compelling, and unique. China and America are the two great powers of our era. Ever the twain shall meet. Here is how. Anyone curious about this collision of cultures will see they can blend together.” Frank H. Wu, author of “Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White” Huie uses photography as a societal mirror and window, seeking to reveal not only what is hidden, but also what is plainly visible and seldom noticed, providing a collective portrait of the them who are re- ally us. As an extension of his public art Is Chinese identity personal, national, made him as visible there as his Chinese- ness reframes today’s conversations about installations that create informal communal cultural, political? Does it migrate, become ness did in Minnesota. race and identity. spaces, in spring 2011 Wing opened The malleable or transmuted? What is authentic, To make sense of his experiences, Huie In “Chinese-ness,” Wing Young Huie Third Place Gallery. Housed in a building sacred, kitsch? Using documentary and con- photographed and interviewed people of examines his own cultural identity. Inspired that previously sat empty for 47 years,Wing ceptual photographic strategies, acclaimed Chinese descent and those influenced by by the culture clash he felt on a visit to Chi- has turned the space into an urban living photographer Wing Young Huie explores Chinese-ness. Their multifaceted perspec- na in 2010, he began asking and wondering room for guest artists, social conversation, the meaning of Chinese-ness in his home tives project humor and irony, as well as what life for him wojld be ike had his parents karaoke, and ping pong. state of Minnesota, throughout the United cultural guilt and uncertainty. In a series of not emigrated from Guangdong Province in A book launch is scheduled for Oct. 30, States, and in China. diptychs, Huie wears the clothes of Chinese southern China to Duluth Minnesota. It led 7 p.m., at the Minnesota Historical Center, Huie, the youngest of six children and men whose lives he could have lived, blur- him to explore experiences of identity in the 345 W. Kellogg Blvc., St. Paul, where Huie the only one born in the United States, grew ring the boundary between photographer United States and the Motherland of China, will share his exploration of issues around up in Duluth, Minnesota, where images of and subject. employing documentary and conceptual identity and his process and inspiration for pop culture fed, formed, and confused him. How does Chinese-ness collide with conceits, and occasionally a chalkboard. the photos in the book. The event is free At times his own parents seemed foreign American-ness? And who gets to define “My American-ness, or non-Chinese- and open to the public. ♦ and exotic. His visit to China in 2010 com- those hyphenated abstract nouns? Part meta- ness, seemed evident to all, not just in lan- pounded the confusion: his American-ness memoir and part actual memoir, Chinese- guage, but also in my gait, attitude, dress,

Community Harbin delegation Continues from page 1 The delegation also included the in- ternational division chief of the Harbin Education Bureau, Mr. Zhao Xiaosong, who led the group’s visit to Yinghua Academy, Minneapolis’ public charter Chinese im- mersion school. Ms. Susan Berg, executive director of Yinghua Academy, together with Academic Director Dr. Luyi Lien, took the delegation through several classrooms where students were actively participating in Yinghua’s Chinese-language-based curricu- lum. Accompanying the delegation were Mr. Robert Song and Ms. Nicole Zhang of the Harbin Foreign Affairs Office. The delegation’s visit was hosted by Meet Minneapolis in collaboration with Susan Berg, Dr. Luyi Lien, and delegation the Minnesota Chapter of the U.S.-China members visit Yinghua Academy classroom Peoples Friendship Association. ♦ www.chinainsight.info books October 2018 / PAGE 11 “Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels” by Claire Chao and Isabel Sun Chao Reviewed by Susan Blumberg-Kason, Asian Review of Books, Sept. 18, 2018

If there is a place and time in China that appeals to English readers more others, it’s pre-1949 Shanghai. The Paris of the East, Queen of the Orient, and the City that Never Sleeps are just a few of its monikers from the 1920s until late 1940s. Because 70 to 80 years has passed since then, fewer and Claire and Isabel Chao fewer people are around to share stories Author: from that era. Publisher: Plum Book Mother and daughter, Isabel Sun Chao Publication date: May 2018 and Claire Chao, have recently penned “Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of So- Hardcover: 308 pages cialites, Scholars and Scoundrels,” a family narrative that spans the late Qing dynasty Claire Chao was born and raised in Hong (turn of the 20th century) until just after Kong and a graduate of Princeton Univer- the (post-1976), with sity. She devoted a decade researching the bulk of the story taking place during her family’s connections to Shanghai and Shanghai’s heyday in the 1930s and 40s. other family stories. Her mother Isabel is Isabel Sun was the third daughter (out the third daughter of six and born in Shang- of six children) of Diedie (Sun Bosheng) hai. Her childhood took place before Mao and Muma (Fei Baoshu). She grew up in came to power and she was one of the last Shanghai during the 1930s and 40s and generations to experience “old Shanghai” her godfather had dealings with legendary in its glory. underworld leaders like Pockmarked Huang and Du Yuesheng. Isabel’s father was the son of a man who embezzled his own fa- ther’s riches before reforming his ways and teaching his son to appreciate education. As a result, Diedie became one of China’s most renowned art collectors before the 1949 revolution, losing it all during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 70s.

too: when her family bound her feet when “husband” claimed her at the inn. The book is written from Isabel’s point she was five, she put up such a fuss that her Muma eventually made her way to Hong of view and every so often Claire provides family let her take the bindings off at the Kong. In 1950, months after the Commu- historical background in passages written age of ten. Although her feet never fully nists declared victory over the Nationalist in italics, whether these are integrated into recovered and gave her trouble her whole government in the civil war, Diedie arranged the story or as one-page stand-alone cultural Claire (left) and Isabel Chao in the life, it was still much better than having for Isabel to visit Muma for a few weeks in essays about something like foot-binding 1960s bound feet for decades like most women Hong Kong. In a clairvoyant move, Diedie or Chinese words inspired by the English. But what stands out isn’t the scandals of her era. (Foot-binding wasn’t abolished and Muma planned for their daughter to The book is also filled with colorful involving the men, but the strength and until after the turn of the century, or when escape China before the real crackdowns illustrations of Shanghai long ago and old independence of Isabel’s mother and Qinpo was in her mid-twenties.) against the bourgeoisie began. The rest of black and white photos. Few pages go by grandmother. Her grandmother, whom she Following in her mother-in-law’s foot- the family, including Diedie, two sisters, and without an illustration, photo, or reproduc- called Qinpo, was born in 1879 and lived steps, Isabel’s Muma (mother) divorced a brother were left behind in China. Isabel tion of an old advertisement or postcard, all with Isabel’s family after Qinpo left her her husband when divorce was possible in went on to work for the US Consulate for of which add to the atmosphere. ♦ husband. Back then, women did not leave China, but still very unusual. Even though more than three decades. their husbands and divorce was all but un- it was the custom for fathers to be awarded Isabel’s and Claire’s stories thus also heard of. It was completely normal—and sole custody of their children after a divorce, shed light into 1950s Hong Kong, par- even expected—for men of means to not Muma couldn’t remain married for the sake ticularly in the new communities settled by only take concubines, but also mistresses. of her children. Shanghai immigrants. Few books in English About the reviewer Wives had no recourse when their husbands During World War II, Muma made a have discussed this change in Hong Kong as brought other women home for good. Isabel daring journey from Shanghai to Chongqing it moved from an agricultural community to Susan Blumberg-Kason is a free- writes about her grandmother’s unhappiness just after the Nationalist government moved an industrial one. Shanghai immigrants are lance writer in Chicago where she in her marriage: to the latter. For reasons of proprietary, a large reason for the latter, bringing their grew up. As a child, she dreamt of the Qinpo may have been the official wife Muma traveled with an older woman, but at expertise in business and manufacturing. neon signs and double-decker buses but, as a woman, she was powerless. Her one point the older woman turned on Muma, The book extends to other members of in Hong Kong. At 19, she moved protests failed to have any effect on her selling her to an older man in the town where the family, notably Isabel’s brother, Sun to Hong Kong where she studied husband. She watched in silent fury as Yeye they took refuge for a night. This transac- Shufen, who died in 2005. In the mid- and met her husband at the Chinese [her husband and Isabel’s grandfather] ac- tion happened in the middle of the night as 1990s, there was a renaissance in China University of Hong Kong. They quired three concubines—of whom the first Muma slept soundly and was unaware her of literature, film, and television series set lived in Hong Kong in the 1990s. and third were sisters—and consorted with traveling companion had left their room. in pre-1949 Shanghai and Sun. was one of Her ex-husband was from Hubei an untold number of mistresses in brothels Money was in short supply and there was the best-known Chinese authors during this Province and their failed marriage and teahouses… Divorce wasn’t an option, a war on, but the callousness is still shock- rebirth. Isabel and Claire devote a consider- was the basis of her memoir, “Good so Qinpo simply refused to have anything ing. As it (fortunately) turned out, Muma able portion of the end of the book to Sun’s Chinese Wife.” further to do with her husband. had a secret connection in Chongqing who work and his part in changing how modern Qinpo was strong-willed as a young girl, arranged for her rescue just before her new Chinese view old Shanghai. PAGE 12 / October 2018 community www.chinainsight.info Continued effort to gain Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American veterans of World War II By Major General William S. Chen, U.S. Army, retired

the completion of the transcontinental rail- advocate and convince our Congress to up to the ground crew signifying -- a-ok, Editor’s Note: Retired Maj. Gen. Wil- road at promontory, Utah. I know all of award the Congressional Gold Medal to or all is well. liam S. Chen is a regular contributor you have seen that memorable photo that Chinese American veterans of World War II. So, for the Chinese American veterans to China Insight and the driving force captured the railroad tracks coming from Let’s not let the latter be our history. of World War II, let’s give them a thumbs- in obtaining the Congressional Gold the eastmeeting the tracks coming from the Let’s make our own history by getting the up --- a-ok! Medal for Chinese American World west. Not a single Chinese railroad worker Congressional Gold Medal approved. For Chinese, thumbs-up has a special War II veterans. Below is his keynote was in the photo. I’d like to close by talking about the meaning. Thumbs-up is ding how -- mean- speech at the Sept. 28 Chinese Ameri- It wasn’t until May 9, 2014 - 145 years thumbs-up symbol, which aviators in World ing the very best. can Citizens Alliance’s gala event in later that the Department of Labor formally War II so frequently used. And so, to all the Chinese American Washington, D.C. honored Chinese railroad workers and in- Pilots of the Flying Tigers or those who World War II veterans, please --- everyone ducted the Chinese railroad workers into flew the hump would sit in their cockpits, join me in shouting out three times – Ding the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor. rev-up their engines, and give the thumbs- how! Ding how! Ding how! ♦ Similarly, we all know that World War Last November I was in San Marino, II ended in 1945, and Chinese Americans Calif., as a speaker for a Veterans Day volunteered or were drafted and served in event. The keynote speaker was Rep. Ed the U.S.Armed Forces - in spite of the Business/Economics Royce, the lead co-sponsor for the House discriminatory aspects of the 1882 Chinese Bill for the Congressional Gold Medal for Exclusion Act, which was not repealed until Chinese American veterans of World War Dec.17, 1943. Taiwan to purchase II. However, the day before the event, Meanwhile, our Congress has had a Rep. Royce had to cancel, so I became the proud tradition of recognizing marginalized Minnesota soybeans keynote speaker. groups who fought in World War II with Coincidentally, the other lead co-spon- award of the Congressional Gold Medal, sor for this House Bill is Rep. Ted Lieu. And such as to Tuskegee Airmen, Native Ameri- estimated pledged yesterday, I got confirmation that I was to can Code Talkers, Japanese American Nisei, maximum of $1.56 stand in for Rep. Lieu as keynote speaker and Filipino veterans. billion. Taiwan at this event. But, of the various marginalized groups, is a growing con- So, here we have history repeating itself. Chinese American veterans of World War sumer of vegetable It’s tough to fill in for a Congressman, II have yet to be fully recognized for their oils. Soybean oil but here goes. struggles and patriotism as they fought in accounts for more First off, I’d like to have a show of hands all theaters of war --- Europe, Africa, and than 50 percent of – do we have any historians in this room, the Pacific. the overall vegeta- particularly on the history of Chinese Amer- On Sept.12, 2018, the Senate passed its ble oil market. icans here in the U.S. any self-acclaimed bill for award of the Congressional Gold "The U.S re- historians? Please raise your hands. Medal to Chinese American veterans, and mains one of Tai- Next, how many here are descendants this bill was sent to the House of Representa- wan's largest trade of Chinese railroad workers? How about a tives on Sept.17. partners for agri- show of hands? Now it’s up to the House to pass their cultural products,” Finally, do we have any World War II bill and for the Congress to send a finalized L to R: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave said Chairman Frederickson; Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation; veterans in the room? bill to the president for signature. Hung. “The Good- Tom Slunecka, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Let’s all give a round of applause for I want to thank all of you who have Council; Yau-Kuen Hung, chairman of the Taiwan Vegetable Oil will Mission plays the World War II veterans. How many here reached out to members of Congress to co- Manufacturers Association; Governor Mark Dayton; Eric Huang, an important role are descendants of World War II veterans? sponsor the House and Senate bills. director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in in strengthening Great! And, in particular, I want to thank all Chicago; Gary Wertish, Minnesota Farmers Union; and members the trade relations I know one of Boston’s own World of you in this room from the New England of the Taiwanese Agricultural Trade Goodwill delegation at the between our coun- War II veterans was a Lieutenant Theodore states, and especially - Wilson and Esther Governor’s residence. tries and ensuring Don, a B-17 bombadier and recipient of the Lee for leading the charge, as we are very Taiwan is able to Distinguished Flying Cross. His son Rob close to 100 percent for all senators and rep- [ST. PAUL, MN], Sept. 27. 2018 – purchase high quality soybeans grown Don and grandson Jason are here. Thank resentatives from the New England states. Hosted by Governor Mark Dayton today in Minnesota.” you for coming. We still need to reach out to more mem- at the Minnesota Governor’s Residence, “We have worked hard to establish I happen to be a descendant of a Chi- bers of the House of Representatives to get Taiwanese trade officials and business relationships with the people of Taiwan,” nese railroad worker and a descendant of more co-sponsors for the House bill so the leaders signed a letter of intent to pur- said Minnesota Department of Agricul- a Chinese American World War II veteran. committee handling the bill can send it for chase millions of metric tons of soybeans ture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. My father was an Army Air Corps pilot in a House vote. from farmers in Minnesota and Iowa “Those relationships are paying off in the 14th Air Force under General Claire Timing is critical to get passage in this over the next two years. The Taiwanese the form of market opportunities for Chennault. session of Congress, which effectively ends Agricultural Trade Goodwill delegation Minnesota’s farmers which are critically Now, let’s go back to history. this calendar year. plans to purchase up to $1.56 billion of important given our current ag economy.” I’m not a historian, but I would say that So, back to the historians in this room Midwestern soybeans in 2018 and 2019. This afternoon’s visit is the result of the first major accomplishment of Chinese -- we are at crossroads. Taiwan is Minnesota's sixth-largest export a recent trade mission by Minnesota ag- Americans in the United States was building How will the historians write up our market, and a key trading partner for the riculture officials to Taiwan last month, the transcontinental railroad. history at the end of this year? state's agricultural products. and meetings with Chairman Mr. Yau- The second major contribution of • If the bill is passed, historians can say "Minnesota's trade relations with Kuen Hung. Chinese Americans in the U.S. was all the that as Chinese Americans, our advocacy countries around the world, including Taiwan and Minnesota have a strong Chinese American veterans who served in efforts have been successful in getting pas- Taiwan, are critical to helping our farmers history of agricultural trade agree- the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II: sage of the act to award the Congressional sell their products in the global market- ments. In January 2013, Commissioner • They demonstrated their skills, competen- Gold Medal to Chinese American veterans place,” said Governor Dayton. “With the Frederickson led a mission to Taiwan to cies, loyalty, and patriotism of World War II; and that this Congres- USDA predicting the largest U.S. soybean personally extend an invitation to the • But above all, they were part of America’s sional Gold Medal Award will make the crop ever, these export opportunities are 2013 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Good- greatest generation. celebration of the 75th anniversary of the vitally important.” will Mission to visit Minnesota and sign • They made themselves known to the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act more The Taiwanese delegation, led by letters of intent to purchase soybeans. American public meaningful. Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers As- Goodwill Missions have been organized • And, they opened up opportunities for all • But, if we fail, historians will say that as sociation Chairman Mr. Yau-Kuen Hung, by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chinese Americans to be a part of main- Chinese Americans we failed to understand plans to purchase between 3.2 million since 1998. ♦ stream America, post-WWII and work the legislative processes of our and 3.9 million metric tons of soybeans We all know that May 10, 1869, marked country and were not able to successfully between 2018 and 2019, valued at an www.chinainsight.info community October 2018 / PAGE 13

Like many minorities, Chinese Americans overcame discrimination to serve bravely and honorably during WWII

Chinese American’s service to our country needs to be recognized

The Senate has recently passed S. 1050 to honor Chinese American Veterans of World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal but we still need the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 2358

Show Your Support Tell your congressional representatives that you want them to recognize the service of Chinese Americans in WWII by honoring them with the Congressional Gold Medal. (They love to see constituents’ response and participation.) 1. Visit https://chinainsight.info/caww2 2. Click on Contact Your Representative ♦ Click Minnesota or All U.S. Senators and Representatives to find the address of your congressional representative. ♦ Click Letters to find a letter template 3. Fill out the letter and send it to your congressional representative

We would like to thank the 212 members The following Minnesota of the House of Representatives who have Representatives have not agreed to already agreed to co-sponsor H.R. 2358 and co-sponsor the bill: with your support, we will get the required • Jason Lewis, District 2 number of votes to make this become a reality. • Tom Emmer, District 6 If you live in these Minnesota Districts, please contact your representative.

For updates, please visit www.chinainisight.info. PAGE 14 / October 2018 events www.chinainsight.info

Chinese Senior Citizens Society of Minnesota 33rd Anniversary Banquet Date: October 21, 2018 (Sunday) Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 地點: Peking Garden, 1488 University Avenue, MN 55104, 651-644-0888 Cost: $30 per person

Deadline to RSVP: October 14, 2018, 6pm Program: musical performance, karaoke, awards for exceptional senior members Menu: 1) Crab meat fish soup 2) Combination plate For reservation, please contact: 3) Seafood bird nest Grace Wong: 763-300-4368 4) Two fresh lobsters with ginger and scallion Donald Ng: 952-215-2857 5) Whole crispy chicken Mei Zhen Cheng: 651-221-9115 6) Crispy fried ribs in sweet and sour sauce Rev. Paul: 612-865-5246 7) Fresh steamed fish Helen Fong: 952-226-1888 Perry Wong: 952-250-1347 8) Tenderloin steak Brenda Fong: 651-675-8446 9) Shredded pork yee mein 10) Walnut shrimp 11) Fresh vegetable with black mushroom & tofu 12) Dessert and fresh fruit

Global Minnesota 2018 SAVE THE DATE: China Town Hall features Grand Opening of the St. Paul-Changsha Condoleeza Rice China Friendship Garden Location: Graduate Minneapolis U.S. issues in the relationship with leading Hotel, 615 Washington Ave. SE., experts. This year’s program will feature an Minneapolis interactive webcast with Condoleeza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and National Saturday, November 3, 2018, 2 p.m. Date: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2918; Security Advisor, and a local presentation 4-7 p.m. by Andy Rothman, Investment Strategist 30-Year St. Paul-Changsha Sister-City at Matthews International Capital Manage- “Local Connections, National Reflec- ment, LLC. Anniversary Event tions” is organized by the National Com- The program is free and open to the mittee on United States-China Relations public and includes complimentary hors and locally hosted in partnership with the d’oeurves. University of Minnesota China Center. To register, call 612-625-1662, This national day of programming email [email protected] or visit Featuring the Xiang Jiang Pavilion, Hmong provides Americans across the U.S. and globalminnesota.org. ♦ Heritage Wall, West Entrance Arch at Phalen beyond the opportunity to discuss Sino- Regional Park

Hosted by the Minnesota Be Your Own Boss! China Friendship Garden China Insight is seeking a self-motivated individual Society to sell advertising space for our newspaper. China Insight has been publishing for 15 years. The ideal individual we seek must be passionate about our Free and Open to the mission, be resourceful, creative and capable of Public | Details to Follow working independently. We offer a very generous commission structure and you get to set your own hours.

Contact Greg Hugh at 612-723-4872 or email [email protected] www.chinainsight.info food October 2018 / PAGE 15 Garlic, key ingredient in Chinese cooking By Elaine Dunn

difference saying all imported garlic (from Ingredients Ingredients China, Central America, India, South Korea, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 head iceberg lettuce etc.) are subjected to USDA regulations to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 teaspoons soy sauce have roots removed to inhibit the spread of 1 tablespoon light soy sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry agricultural pathogens. 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce sherry Online claims: Garlic from China are 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine (or dry 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar supposed to be less dense and less flavorful. sherry) 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil Garlic from China are bleached to achieve 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce (or according to 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced their white appearance. Also, Chinese garlic taste) 1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger is sprayed with pesticide. To the last point, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes a widely circulated online photo showing a 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt farmer spraying pesticide on plantings was 1 tablespoon water 1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil found to be taken in a rice field. Further, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or peanut oil) the leading garlic expert who worked with 3 to 4 medium cloves garlic (finely chopped; Steps both U.S and Chinese growers said in 2007, or 4 teaspoons chopped garlic) 1. Wash the lettuce, drain and separate the “Before the industry makes rash judgmetnts, leaves and dry with paper towel. Cut leaves you need to ask, ’Is there any evidence of Steps into one-inch wide pieces. garlic coming in with high residues or mi- 1. Combine the rice vinegar, sugar, soy 2. Combine the rice wine or dry sherry, soy crobial problems?’ I haven’t heard about it.” sauces, rice wine or sherry, chili sauce and sauce, and sugar in a small bowl, stirring. Russ Swenson (middle) and Les Olson The director of the Center for Food sesame oil in a small bowl, stirring to com- Set aside. (right) of Big Stone Garlic talking with booth Safety at the University of Georgia said bine. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the 3. Heat a wok over medium-high heat and visitor at Minnesota’s Garlic Festival. in 2008 that garlic has natural inhibitors cornstarch in water. add oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, Aug. 11 was a bright, sunny day, a against pesticides. Pesticide residues would 2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in ginger and red pepper flakes. Stir-fry until perfect day for a festival – Minnesota’s be on the exterior skin of the garlic cloves, a saucepan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring aromatic (5 to 10 seconds) and add the let- 13th Garlic Festival held in Hutchinson, which, when peeled and washed, would be until aromatic (around 30 seconds). tuce. Stir-fry the lettuce for 1 to 2 minutes, approximately 57 miles west of the Twin removed. 3. Quickly re-stir the sauce, add it to the sprinkling in salt, until the leaves begin to Cities. OK, so it’s not quite the Garlic U.S. garlic growers may be glad to hear saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring. (This wilt. Festival of Gilroy (aka garlic capital of the that statistics from various garlic institutions will take about a minute). 4. Give the sauce a quick stir and swirl it into world), Calif., there were still enough activi- indicate that Chinese farmers are reducing 4. Re-stir the cornstarch-water mixture and the wok. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 more minutes, ties and foods to entertain the thousands of acreage for planting garlic this fall because add it to the sauce, stirring to thicken. until the lettuce, turns dark green. Remove garlic lovers at the Hutchinson event, not to prices had dropped this summer. Will this from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. mention the pig roast! result in higher prices for Chinese garlic Braised eggplants with garlic Serve immediately. Chinese garlic is mainly grown in Shan- in 2019? sauce dong Province, an eastern coastal province. The fledgling Minnesota garlic industry Garlic ginger chicken Garlic’s pungent odor features prominently is relatively young. It began in the mid- Prep time: 10 mins in Szechuan and northern-style cooking. 1990s and grew in the 2000s. The varieties Cook time: 15 mins Prep time: 10 mins However, less known is the fact that China's suitable for this state’s climate and soil Cook time: 40 mins northern area, where harsh winters make for are considered “premium.” The cloves a short growing season, northerners rely on are larger than the bulbs you find at your the onion family -- especially garlic and average grocery store, most have purple green onions -- for seasoning their food. stripes and also have stronger flavors. And Not only is garlic widely used in Chinese they cost more – some as much as $20 per cooking, its powerful antibacterial property pound.. And, as acknowledged by local Ingredients Ingredients was recognized by Chinese early on, and chef Jennifer Lindblom (formerly with Café 2 long tender Asian eggplants 1 chicken (cut up into small pieces about 16) used to remedy stomach upsets and digestive Alma), the food demonstrator at the festival, pinch of salt for salty water 2 tbsp corn flour ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine, Minnesota garlic is becoming better known 3 tbsp. cooking oil + ½ tbsp. if needed 1/4 cup oil garlic’s medicinal properties were first men- in the industry. 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large onion, sliced tioned in 2000 B.C. and highly regarded as Three varieties of 1 green pepper, cut into small pieces 2 tbsp ginger, grated an antidote for poisoning and for treating Minnesota garlic 1 tbsp. light soy sauce 10 garlic cloves stomach and colon cancers. from Big Stone ½ teaspoon sugar For the Sauce: In fact, on p.119 of “The Healing Cuisine Garlic,Correll, 1 tsp. salt or to taste 2 tsp soy sauce of China: 300 Recipes for Vibrant Health MN, L to R: 1/2 cup water and Longevity,” it states, “In China. garlic Chesnok, 1 tbsp vinegar Belarus, German Steps is considered to be nature’s most effective 1/4 cup tomato puree Red 1. Cut the eggplants into one bite size. stomach and intestinal disinfectant. Many Throw them in a large pot with water, add 1 tsp salt people won’t travel without it. Chewing a Big Stone Garlic in Big Stone County is pinch of salt and marinate with a weight for 1/4 tsp black pepper, powdered clove or two whenever in doubt about local one of Minnesota’s largest garlic producers. 10 minutes. Transfer out and drain slightly 1 tsp corn flour conditions of cleanliness. Garlic’s proven Les Olson and Russ Swenson, joint owners, (do not over dry, just pick the eggplants up). antibiotic effects render it a valid remedy for hand-planted approximately 18,000 plants 2. Meanwhile, heat up wok and 3 table- Steps diarrhea.” It then features a garlic and sugar in a quarter-acre plot. This produces ap- spoons of oil. Add the eggplants in wok and 1. Wash chicken pieces and wipe dry. recipe for combatting chronic diarrhea and proximately 800 pounds of garlic bulbs. fry over middle fire. Stir from time to time 2. Put chicken and corn flour into a paper or intestinal gasses: Three varieties, among others, Big Stone but do not move the eggplants frequently. plastic bag and shake well to coat chicken 1) Steam three cloves of peeled garlic in a Garlic sold at the garlic festival were :Be- When they are softened, transfer the egg- well. ceramic dish for 10 minutes. larus (sweet and mellow when roasted, plants out and keep some oil for frying the 3. Remove and dust off the excess flour and 2) Crush steamed garlic cloves and mix with with a bite when eaten raw), Chesnok (best garlic. keep aside. 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. baking garlic with a creamy texture), and 3. If there is no oil left, add around ½ table- 4. Heat oil in wok. 3) Eat the mixture. German Red (aromatic with strong, spicy spoon of oil. Add garlic, heat over low heat 5. Add chicken pieces over high heat, then Given its near-miracle drug status, no and buttery flavor). until aromatic. lower heat and fry until golden and cooked wonder garlic is one of the “holy trinity” in Before you pay more for garlic, here 4. Add green peppers and return the egg- through. Chinese cooking. (The other two aromat- are a few recipes of popular Chinese dishes plants, add light soy sauce and sugar. 6. Drain well and keep aside. ics are ginger and chiles.) Currently, China where garlic takes center stage. Enjoy! And Sprinkle salt, stir and plate. 7. In the remaining oil, add sliced onion, provides 80 percent of garlic sold in the mark your calendar for the 2019 Minnesota ginger and garlic, and stir fry until onion world, giving California growers a run for Garlic Festival: August 10, 2019. Stir-fry lettuce is transparent. their money. As a result, tsince 2007,here 8. Mix sauce ingredients. have been a dearth of online claims about Chinese hot garlic sauce for Prep time: 10 mins 9. Return chicken to wok, stir thoroughly the inferiority and hazards of garlic from stir fry Cook time: 5 mins a few times and then add the mixed sauce China and how you can tell domestically ingredients. grown ones from Chinese imports – suppos- Prep time: 15 mins 10. Stir fry until the sauce thickens a bit and edly, garlic imported from China lack roots Cook time: 10 mins serve hot. ♦ and stem. Snopes debunked that visual PAGE 16 / October 2018 community www.chinainsight.info “The Greatest Spirit” overseas premiere benefits Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society By Greg Hugh

Prior to the curtain raising at Northrup architecture. Auditorium, a small group of invited guests While the show visually lived up to its gathered at Legendary Spice Chinese Res- advance billing, the full impact may have taurant for a reception with organizers and been lost on those that could not read Chi- performers from “The Greatest Spirit,” nese since most of the 11 different perfor- which would be presenting its overseas mances was accompanied by an explanation premiere. During the reception, representa- in Chinese that was projected onto the stage. tives from various organizations along with It would have been helpful if this were a few political dignitaries, including the also provided in English, as in the program Deputy Consul General from the Consulate booklet. Providing the English translation General of The People's Republic of China would have enabled the entire audience to in Chicago provided some brief remarks understand and appreciate the show much followed by refreshments, including spirits. more while viewing an artistic production

Then it was onward to Northrup Audi- that demonstrated Chinese traditional rituals torium to watch the show. Several speakers and etiquettes of spirits -- spirits and famous welcomed the gathering. individuals, spirits and poetry, and spirits True to its advance billing, “The Great- and philosophy in an artistic, poetic and est Spirit” presented poetry, music and dramatic manner. dance in mural-like story scenes, telling the The enthusiastic audience gave the per- tale of the Chinese spirits (liquor) culture, formers a standing ovation. and highlights the grandeur of traditional The organizers of this event have Chinese operas, the exquisite beauty of pledged to donate all the proceeds to sup- the costumes of past Chinese dynasties port the Minnesota China Friendship Garden and the unique styles of Chinese ancient Society.♦