February 2015 Ming Tchou Is First China Tribune “The Brightest Chinese Minnesotan” Award Recipient by Greg Hugh America’S #2, P

hina nsight C Fostering business and culturalI harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 14 NO. 2 February 2015 Ming Tchou is first China Tribune “The Brightest Chinese Minnesotan” Award recipient By Greg Hugh America’s #2, p. 2 The awards season for the Chinese community in Minnesota started on Jan. 17 when a special group of guests of the China Tribune, a local Chinese language newspaper, gathered at David Fong’s Restaurant in Bloomington to honor and pay respect to Ming Tchou. Tchou was selected to be the first recipient of the China Tribune “The Brightest Chinese Minnesotan” Award. Serving as the master of ceremonies for the evening were Jim Laux, English translator, and Wang Yating, Chinese trans- Business in China, pp.6-7 lator. They both welcomed the group and proceeded to explain how the BCM Award was created. China Tribune started the BCM through a public process at the beginning of January 2014, which had the following candidate selection criteria (reprinted verbatim as provided by China Tribune): 1. He or she must be Chinese or of Chinese ancestry in Minnesota, and have worked, lived or studied in Minnesota. David Cheng (l), president of China Tribune presents award to 2. Has promoted the development of mul- Ming Tchou (r), taken by Jijun He. tiple Chinese-American exchanges 3. Has made an outstanding contribution To be considered as a candidate, an Heritage Foundation that supports the pro- Inventions, p. 10 in this field. individual must receive more than five motion of Chinese culture and arts. 4. Has served the Chinese-American nominations. The nominees of the first-ev- 3. Charles Li, who has been enthusiastical- community. er “Brightest Chinese Minnesotan” are: ly serving the community on a voluntary 5. Has achieved something especially 1. Lauren Li whose major achievement was basis for a few decades. moving. saving the life of a drowning companion on 6. Has been an example and model that Jan. 13, 2014... everyone respects. 2. Ming Tchou established the Chinese continued on page 5

Minneapolis delegation Top News stories, p. 12 visits sister city Harbin By Ralph Beha, US-China People’s Friendship Association – Minnesota Chapter, contributor Mayor Betsy Hodges (c) with other members of the delegation from Minneapolis I accompanied Minneapolis Mayor by Harbin’s 28 sister cities. Other venues USCPFA-MN and Meet Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges, 11th ward City Council visited include the Harbin Planning Ex- with support from the Harbin Foreign Events, pp.14-16 member John Quincy and representatives hibition Hall, an impressive display fea- Affairs Office and numerous private do- of Meet Minneapolis and the US-China turing photographs, artifacts, videos, and nors. Mayor Song set forth the potential Peoples Friendship Association (Min- a gymnasium-sized model of Harbin and for future collaboration between Minne- In This Issue nesota Chapter) to Minneapolis’ sister its environs showcasing Harbin’s past, apolis and Harbin in the fields of trade city Harbin, China, from Jan. 4 - 7. The current and future development; a large and economic development, academic Pronounouncements 2 Mayor of Harbin, Song Xibin, invited Siberian Tiger preserve on Tai Yang Dao cooperation, and possibilities for a mutual News 3 Mayor Hodges, together with the mayors (Sun Island); a Harbin high school; and exchange of representative offices. History 4-5 of several other Harbin sister cities with several buildings and areas of historical At the Cold Zone Expo and Forum, Business 6-7 deathly cold winters, to attend the Harbin and cultural interest. Mayor Hodges and several other Harbin Cold Zone Expo and Forum, held in During a formal reception and lun- sister-city mayors presented their cities’ Food 7 conjunction with the opening of the 31st cheon for Mayor Hodges’ delegation, perspectives on making the most of their Travel 8 annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Mayor Song warmly welcomed the group cities’ winter season. Mayor Hodges Inventions 9 Festival. and reviewed the 22-year sister city described the many activities and events Government 10-11 The Minneapolis delegation also relationship between Harbin and Minne- that serve to attract visitors and energize News 12 visited Harbin’s Sister City Museum, apolis. He recalled the visit last summer local citizens in the wintertime, from the People 13 located in a beautiful old building that of a musical ensemble from the Twin Holidazzle Holiday Market to the wide originally served as the Danish consulate Cities, the St. Anthony Brass Quintet, range of performing arts, spectator and Events 14-16 in Harbin during the early 20th century. to the biennial Harbin Summer Music The museum contains exhibits provided Festival, which was co-sponsored by the continued on page 13 PAGE 2 / February 2015 pronouncements chinainsight.info ChinaInsight Publisher’s Pronouncements Publisher: Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] Greetings! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Production Editor: Teresa Khamlusa [email protected] Manager of Operations/ Circulation: Richard He [email protected] Staff Writers: Greg Hugh [email protected]

Elaine Dunn [email protected]

Contributors: Because of cyclical lunar dating, the As noted on page 1, Ming Tchou thank all of them for their commitment Madeline Christensen first day of the Chinese New Year can is the first recipient of China Tribune’s to China Insight so we can continue to [email protected] fall anywhere between late January and “Brightest Chinese Minnesotan" Award. provide a forum that promotes mutual cul- Raymond Lum the middle of February. On the Chinese We congratulate Ming Tchou for this tural and business understanding between [email protected] calendar, 2015 is Lunar Year 4713. On well-deserved honor. We also encour- China and the United States. the Western calendar, the start of Chinese age you to reserve March 13 and 14 to You are cordially invited to assist us Chang Wang [email protected] New Year in 2015 falls on Thursday, Feb. attend “A Passage to China” held at Mall and promote your own organization by 19, — the Year of the Sheep. of America as noted on page. 14. China letting us know how you recently cele- Patrick Welsh Those of you born in1919, 1931, 1943, Insight is proud to have been a co-sponsor brated Chinese New Year. Submit a brief [email protected] 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 or 2015 are and media partner for this event since its recap of your event along with any photos, born under the sign of the sheep. inception. Even though I have resigned including captions, for our publication. Webmaster: Will Ahern Sheep personality traits are some of from my post as chairman of the board of To be considered for the March issue, we [email protected] the most popular in the zodiac as sheep the Chinese Heritage Foundation Friends must receive this no later than Feb. 14, are generally kindhearted and make the (2010 - 2014), I continue to support the 2015. Send materials to me at ghugh@ Honorary: Editor Emertus most loyal of friends. event and hope you will too. chinainsight.info. Jennifer Nordin, [email protected] Also one of the most creative signs, We also hope you are finding part 2 As always, we appreciate your support sheep are never happier than dreaming of our business article by Chang Wang and wish all of you a healthy and prosper- about their next project or innovative idea. and Joe Pearman on pages 6 & 7 helpful. ous Chinese New Year. In 2015, watch as your efforts pay off Since there are so many nuances of doing About ChinaInsight C h i na Insight is a monthly English as you enter into a prosperous period in business in China, the authors have decid- Sincerely, language newspaper fostering business which you can really shine, either person- ed to add a part 3, which will be in next and cultural harmony between China and the U.S. ally or professionally. month's issue. Famous people born under the sign Another event to put on your calendar C h i n a Insight is a Member of The Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American of the sheep Include actors Jamie Foxx, is the exhibit about the Jewish refugees in Journalists Association (AAJA). Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson; artist Shanghai on page 13. Additional details Gregory J. Hugh Michelangelo; author Mark Twain; TV will be provided next month. Submissions & Publisher-CEO personality Barbara Walters, and inventor We also wish to welcome Teresa Correspondence China Insight, Inc. ChinaInsight welcomes guest articles Orville Wright. Khamlusa to our staff as Production and letters to the editor. Correspondence To see how some local organizations Editor. Putting together this newspaper should be addressed to: are celebrating Chinese New Year, see is only possible because of the dedicated Editor, ChinaInsight pages 15 and 16. efforts of our all-volunteer staff, so we 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 Fax: 952 472-6665 Insight [email protected] ChinaInsight Letters to the editor become the property of ChinaInsight and may be edited for SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Guaranteed length and published. Articles will not be 10 issues - $24 for a domestic subscription and $40 for published without the express consent of the author. international. YES you could run to the store and pick up a copy, NOTICE TO READERS: The views Please make check payable to ChinaInsight, 6520 South but did you know you can expressed in articles are the author’s and Bay Drive, Minnetrista, MN 55331 not neccesarily those of ChinaInsight. have ChinaInsight delivered Authors may have a business relationship Name______directly to your mailbox? with the companies or businesses they Address______A subscription costs a mere discuss. City/State/Zip______$24 and brings a full year (10 Phone______issues) of new understanding Email______about today’s China, from Company______language to business Title______opportunities. Copyright 2015 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. chinainsight.info news February 2015 / PAGE 3 It’s official: America China is now No. 2

Briefs By Brett Arends, MarketWatch, Dec. 4, 2014

gardless of what happens to be going on among foreign-exchange traders. Sheep stamps sold out in two hours- PPP is the real way of comparing Some Chinese queued up overnight in economies. It is one reported by the front of the Shanghai Post Office to buy IMF and was, for example, the one the commemorative Chinese New Year of used by McKinsey & Co. consultants the Sheep stamps. The 102 post offices back in the 1990s when they under- opened at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 6 and the took a study of economic productivity 230,000 1.20-yuan (US 19 cents) stamps on behalf of the British government. were all gone by 9 a.m.! Yes, when you look at mere international exchange rates, the U.S. # # 1 # Reason to upgrade to a Bugatti economy remains bigger than that of 6 A woman totaled a friend’s Porsche 918 China, allegedly by almost 70 percent. 3 8 Spyder in Shanghai after she mistook By the numbers # the gas pedal for the brakes. Instead of But such measures, although they are # widely followed, are largely meaning- 4 # # having a fit, her friend told reporters this 7 2 provided him a perfect excuse for getting less. Does the U.S. economy really shrink if the dollar falls 10 percent on Cost of luckWhen Chinese New a Bugatti as it wasn’t worth his while to Year comes around, lots of people Hang on to your hats, America. get the Porsche fixed! Sign me up for a international currency markets? Does consult their feng shui masters to test drive of his Bugatti! And throw away that big, fat sty- the recent plunge in the yen mean the ensure everything is done correctly rofoam finger while you’re about it. Japanese economy is vanishing before to start the year in an auspicious Yellow umbrellas unfurled, again There’s no easy way to say this, so our eyes? manner. . As Hong Kong’s No. 2 (Chief Secretary I’ll just say it: We’re no longer No. 1. Back in 2012, when I first report- Feng shui literally means “wind, water.” The practice has been used Carrie Lam) began her speech on the sec- Today, we’re No. 2. Yes, it’s official. ed on these figures, the IMF tried to ond round of public reform consultation at in China for thousands of years to The Chinese economy just overtook challenge the importance of PPP. I the Jan. 7 Legislative Council meeting, 27 “harmonize” one’s surroundings and the United States economy to become pro-democracy lawmakers unfurled their was not surprised. It is not in any- to enhance balance in one’s life. Feng yellow umbrellas, marched out of the the largest in the world. For the first one’s interest at the IMF that people shui consultants orient buildings, room chanting, “I want genuine universal time since Ulysses S. Grant was in the Western world start focusing too determine dates of weddings and business openings and mergers, and suffrage.” Some Legco lawmakers also president, America is not the leading much on the sheer extent of China’s economic power on the planet. arrange furniture to optimize the “qi” unfurled their yellow brollies during the power. But the PPP data come from within one’s environments to keep height of the pro-democracy campaign It just happened — and almost the IMF, not from me. And it is note- one happy, healthy and wealthy! last fall. Meanwhile, activists announced nobody noticed. worthy that when the IMF’s official a Feb. 1democracy rally. The International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook compares 10 recently released the latest numbers countries by their share of world out- Hong Kong city officials spent HK$10 Beam me out of here! for the world economy. And when put, it does so using PPP. million in fall of 2014 for feng shui A recent survey by the Hong Kong Fed- you measure national economic Yes, all statistics are open to var- consultation. eration of Youth Groups reported more output in “real” terms of goods and than 60 percent of Hong Kongers between ious quibbles. It is perfectly possible 52 the ages of 15-39 hope to emigrate, a services, China will this year produce China’s latest numbers overstate out- Percent of Chinese officials believe new high since 1997. Furthermore, 65 $17.6 trillion — compared with $17.4 put — or understate them. That may in fortune telling, feng shui and as- percent said they worried about increased trillion for the U.S.A. also be true of U.S. GDP figures. But trology. government corruption. As recently as 2000, we produced the IMF data are the best we have. nearly three times as much as the 16,000 Make no mistake: This is a geopo- Amount in HK dollars charged per iPhones stolen via tunnel into Chinese. litical earthquake with a high reading hour by senior feng shui masters. warehouse To put the numbers slightly dif- on the Richter scale. Throughout Three robbers entered a Beijing ware- ferently, China now accounts for 16.5 history, political and military power 10,000 house via a 2-ft diameter tunnel in percent of the global economy when have always depended on economic Number of feng shui consultants and mid-December and made off with 240 measured in real purchasing-power power. Britain was the workshop of teachers who make a living in Hong iPhone 6 and other Apple products (es- Kong. terms, compared with 16.3 percent the world before she ruled the waves. timated street value of US$838,000). for the U.S. The police tracked down the robbers and And it was Britain’s relative economic 33 phones using the phones’ serial numbers. This latest economic earthquake decline that preceded the collapse of Million Hong Kong dollars was paid follows the development last year her power. to a feng shui master who advised a when China surpassed the U.S. for And it was a similar story with woman to dig 80 holes around Hong Blame it on the bacon Kong island to bury her jewelry, the first time in terms of global trade. previous hegemonic powers such as Head honcho of the Dazhou (Sichuan money and other valuables for “good Province) Environment Protection Bu- I first reported on this looming de- France and Spain. luck.” Feng shui master now serving reau said in January that the residents’ velopment over two years ago, but the This will not change anything a 12-yr sentence for forging the will tradition of smoking pork in preparation moment came sooner than I or anyone tomorrow or next week, but it will of another wealthy client! of Chinese New Year is the cause of the else had predicted. China’s recent de- change almost everything in the lon- city’s smog problems! Street-side bar- cision to bring gross domestic product ger term. We have lived in a world 2 becues were banned a year ago for the Model cannons atop the HKSB build- calculations in line with international dominated by the U.S. since at least same reason. ing that faces the Bank of China to standards has revealed activity that 1945 and, in many ways, since the deflect the bad vibes from the sharp had previously gone uncounted. Some coins for your truck? late 19th century. And we have lived edges of the Chinese bank building. The owner of a bus company paid for These calculations are based on for 200 years — since the Battle of his new truck in Dongguan, Guangdong a well-established and widely used Waterloo in 1815 — in a world dom- 12 economic measure known as pur- inated by two reasonably democratic, Degrees reorientation was made to Province, with 85 bags of coins, each the front gate at the Disney Park containing 85 one-yuan coins! The coins chasing-power parity (or PPP), which constitutional countries in Great entrance to “bring prosperity to the weighed more than 11,000 lbs. (approx. measures the actual output as opposed Britain and the U.S.A. For all their park,” based on the advice of feng 5 tons) . Dealership employees counted to fluctuations in exchange rates. So flaws, the two countries have been in shui masters. out the coins on the showroom floor!! a Starbucks venti Frappucino served the vanguard worldwide in terms of Did he use one of his busses to get the in Beijing counts the same as a venti civil liberties, democratic processes Note: US$1 is worth approximately coins there? Frappucino served in Minneapolis, re- and constitutional rights. ♦ HK$7.76. PAGE 4 / February 2015 history chinainsight.info Historical exhibit of Jewish refugees in Shanghai opens in St. Louis Park in March

[MINNEAPOLIS] – The Confucius Minnesota Center for Holocaust and Geno- Institute at the University of Minnesota and cide Studies, Tolerance Minnesota and the the Jewish Community Relations Council of Jewish Community Center of the Greater Minnesota and the Dakotas proudly present St. Paul Area. “Jewish Refugees in Shanghai (1933-1941): Additional details about this and related A Journey of hope for more than 18,000 events can be found at http://confucius.umn. Jews to China,” an international exhibit edu/jewish-refugees-in-shanghai that tells the stories of European Jews who About the Confucius Institute at the emigrated to Shanghai to escape Nazi per- University of Minnesota secution. The exhibit runs March 19 – May The Confucius Institute was created to 7, 2015, at the Sabes JCC (4330 S. Cedar promote the study of Chinese language and Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN 55416). A culture throughout Minnesota. It is a collab- grand opening reception will take place on orative initiative between the University of Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m. and is free Minnesota, the Hanban/Confucius Institute and open to the public. Headquarters, and Capital Normal Universi- “Jewish Refugees in Shanghai (1933- ty in Beijing. Programming includes cultural 1941)” is a traveling exhibit created by the and language training for the business com- Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, telling munity, professional development training the human story of Jews who escaped Nazi and support for Chinese language teachers, persecution by fleeing to Shanghai, where and language and cultural programming for they lived for many years as stateless refu- the general public throughout the year. Learn gees. From 1933-1941, Shanghai opened its more at confucius.umn.edu. doors to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution and war in Europe, transforming the city into About the Jewish Community Relations an “open city for Jews” at a time when much Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas of the rest of the world was closed to them. As the public affairs voice of the Jew- History is brought to life with photos ish community, the Jewish Community and artifacts from the Shanghai Jewish exhibit has given communities around the during World War II. Additional events, Relations Council of Minnesota and the Refugee Museum and personal stories from world an opportunity to learn about this sig- including an academic lecture and opportu- Dakotas fights anti-Semitism and prejudice, “Shanghailanders,” which is the term given nificant, but little-known story about Jewish nities for K-12 teachers, will be made avail- advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust to this group of Jewish refugees. The Min- immigrants and their settlement in China. able to the community. Additional partners education, promotes tolerance and social nesota exhibit is enhanced with additional The exhibit is a collaborative community for this exhibit include the Sabes Jewish justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish stories from four “Shanghailanders” with effort to share information about the unique Community Center, University of Minnesota and broader communities. Learn more at deep Minnesota connections. The traveling experiences of Jewish refugees in Shanghai Center for Jewish Studies, the University of www.minndakjcrc.org. ♦ Umbrella Revolution inspires new games By Elaine Dunn Some of you may have received new huge manpower and resources, and therefore games in your Christmas stockings, but I very difficult to play against.” bet you didn’t get any of the ones inspired For the non-digital crowd, there is a by the recent Hong Kong protest campaign, board game developed by Hong Kong-based aka the Umbrella Revolution. The good artist Chow Siumuo. Much like “Snakes & news is if you like them, you won’t need to Ladders,” real incidents from the campaign wait for next Christmas because you can get are represented on different squares on the them free online! playing board. Depending on which incident the player lands on, it will either set he player back or move the player forward. Chow takes a tongue-in-cheek approach when creating this game and his sense of hu- mour is quite evident. Squares include such scenarios as “Obeying the law (which will set the player back three spaces!),” “you’ve been pepper sprayed,” and a dismaying “the revolution has not yet succeeded.”

Board game the Chinese God of War, Guan Yu, is up for on the Google Play store who gave the app Online game hire! Other resources available to fend off the maximum 5-star rating. Another player Web-savvy Wong Kuen, member of a the tearing down of barricades include joss said, “If you’re a Hong Konger and love popular Internet forum, developed an online sticks, stacks of money and durian - a fruit democracy, play it.” game titled “Hong Kong’s Unique Umbrella with an extremely strong smell likened to The Hong Kong government may have Revolution.” The game requires the use cat poop and native to Brunei, Indonesia cleared the streets of Hong Kong of pro-de- of strategy by its players who can select and Malaysia. mocracy demonstrators, but they may not to take on any of the 13 roles of students, Yellow Umbrella app However, to emphasize the nonviolent be able to clear the memory and impact bystanders, police or government, including And then there’s the Yellow Umbrella app nature of the protesting students, Yellow of the pro-democracy movement from the prominent figures involved in the protests, from Awesapp, a Hong Kong-based mobile Umbrella app players can only defend and Internet or Hong Kongers’ lives as easily. such as Chief Executive C. Y. Leung and app developer, who created it to increase not attack. “I wanted to make a game not Perhaps one day artist Chow will be able Occupy Movement cofounder Benny Tai. support for the pro-democracy demonstra- only for fun but also to show our support to It even features Cantopop (Hong Kong pop tors. the students and to let others know that they to add a square to his board game that says, music sung in Cantonese) singer Denise Ho This app allows players to get a feel for are very peaceful in asking for real elec- “Democracy achieved, you win!” who will lead singers to attack with songs. what the protesters experienced. Players tions,” said Fung Kamkeung, the 31-year- Until then, these games will help keep Players can stage scenarios based on ac- have to figure out how to defend the pro- old founder of Awesapp the protestors and their cause in the collec- tual incidents during the 79-day democracy testers’ barricades against tear gas-wielding There had been more than 40,000 down- tive memory of concerned pro-democracy campaign or create their own fictional events police, anti-Occupy protesters, Triad thugs loads for this app in the first five days of Hong Kongers. The online and board games of the revolution. Reporters from Hong and C.Y. Leung (The Hong Kong Chief its release in October 2014. “We play this are in Chinese. The mobile app has English Kong’s Apple Daily who played the game Executive is dressed as a wolf)! Players can game in order to keep ourselves reminded directions and can be downloaded free from said it offered “realistic experiences. For buy resources such as bribes, umbrellas and of our struggle for freedom and democracy. Google Play Store. (The writer is not aware example, government units in the game have gold bricks to fend off the attackers. Even Fight for freedom!” commented on player of any iOS version available yet.) ♦ chinainsight.info history February 2015 / PAGE 5 The Collapse of the Taiping Rebellion By Pat Welsh, contributor

What had started out as a small local disorders and banditry. Seizing territory from the Qing had too Nanjing were cut off. In June of that year uprising in south and central Guangxi The Taiping leadership had some good large of a priority over civil administration. a beleaguered Hong Xiuquan committed Province in 1850 had quickly grown into warriors but very few men with any real For example the Taiping idea of public suicide. His son, Hong Fu succeeded him a major threat to the Qing Dynasty. There political talent. Soon the political leadership ownership of land was not tried in most of as the Heavenly King until July 19 of that were times when the Taiping forces suffered fell back into their old habits of corruption, the areas under their control as the rebellion year when he and his protector, General Li setbacks, but they recovered and moved on. nepotism and debauchery. Despite many focused on occupation of a few key cities Xiucheng, fled the capital. In flight, the two Their military campaign strove north and political and economic innovations, the old and towns. In rural areas under Taiping lost track of one another. Li was arrested in east and by 1862 the rebellion had overran Chinese habit of conservatism and adher- control, the farmers became resentful and a village north of Nanjing while Hong made a swatch of territory through large parts of ence to fixed ideas in the face of reality put uncooperative because of the constant war- it to Jiangxi where he, too, was arrested Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, Zhejiang, Anhui severe limits on what was actually carried fare in their districts. Second, the Taiping and executed. For all practical purposes, Provinces, and even briefly into Shanghai. out. After the victory over the Qing dynas- forces failed to take Changsha in 1853, the Heavenly Kingdom of the Taipings had Given the rapid rise of the Taiping Rebellion ty’s Jiangnan forces outside of Nanjing in thereby allowing Zeng Guofan (曾國藩) collapsed. Nonetheless, it required another and growing anti-Qing sentiment within 1856, internal dissension arose among Hong to use most of Hunan province as his head- decade or so before the last of the scattered China, why did this rebellion fail? Xiuchuan (洪秀全), and his higher-level quarters while he organized local militias Taiping holdouts were finally vanquished. For starters, it would appear that the kings and ministers. This rivalry and into his Hunan Army. Zeng also was able During the 1856 to 1860 years of this re- Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace scheming resulted in the murder of two of to establish an internal navy that later forced bellion, China also experienced an invasion was a total rejection of traditional Chinese Hong’s five subordinate kings and a court the Taipings to withdraw from Wuhan in into Beijing by English and French forces. religions, politics and economic thought filled with mistrust that gradually weakened 1854 that enabled him to counter that of This will be the topic of my next offering.♦ in favor of a weird form of Christianity the Taiping movement, draining it of its the surprisingly capable Taiping inland na- coupled with the 19th Century idea of the talent. Then too, there was the growing val forces of captured gunboats in China’s Devine Right of Kings, a concept that itself influence of Hung’s two elder brothers who inland lakes and rivers. This would become About Pat Welsh was experiencing its sunset years in central later proved to be incompetent and heavily especially important after 1862 when Zeng In 2009 while teaching English at and eastern Europe. Unfortunately, this influenced by a treacherous Minister, Meng was able to move more effectively against Sichuan University, Welsh was asked to revolt was not quite in accord with the rev- De-en, who controlled the affairs of the the Taiping military. A third military error give a speech where he was introduced olutionary spirit of the times in China. The Heavenly Court. This internal strife left occurred after the seizure of Nanjing. The to the audience as a “pioneer of Chi- Taiping pro-Chinese anti-Manchu policies Hong surrounded by relatives and a cadre of Taiping forces failed to seize quickly the nese American relations” as a result of were growing within China, but they lost fellow Cantonese and Hakkas in a southeast entire rich province of Jiangsu. As a result, his cooperative work in international their effectiveness when absorbed by the Mandarin- speaking area. the Taiping forces were soon harassed by banking during the Deng Xiaoping already outdated Western and unorthodox Despite the victories in Suzhou, Hang- forces from the Jiangnan and Jiangbei Qing era. For more than 65 years, Welsh has Christian principles. These alien Christian zhou and Shanghai in 1862, there were government troops. A fourth failure was been learning Chinese and has used this principles at that time failed to engage serious tactical military problems that the to secure the support of the populations in knowledge both professionally and per- the majority of the Chinese people. The Taipings had been overlooking. the Taiping-captured areas. Of the Taiping sonally to enhance his understanding of Christianity of the Taiping leader, Hong First, most of the cities that the Taiping leaders, only Li Xiucheng gave thought to Chinese and Asian affairs. He currently Xiuquan, appeared unauthentic and alien forces captured were ransacked and then the needs of the people whose districts he resides in Georgia and occasionally at a time when the time-tested orderliness abandoned. Rarely were there garrisons had captured. lectures on China to classes in World of Confucianism was becoming more pop- left to secure their victories and implement In 1864, the Taiping Rebellion col- History and World Literature. ular among a people devastated by internal promised political and economic reforms. lapsed. Taiping relief forces outside of “The Brightest Chinese Minnesotan” continued from page 1

4. Zigang Dong, executive director of Hormel Institute, a world renowned specialist in cancer prevention and who co-founded the Tumor Research Institute of Henan Province. 5. Yi Li, founder of the Minnesota Senior Service Center, who has served Minnesota seniors with dedication and grace for 10-plus years. 6. Ying Zhang, well-respected compos- er and conductor of the Minhua Chorus, has worked diligently for a few decades... 7. David and Helen Fong, for sponsoring the cause of developing community culture and sports activities for many years. David and Helen Fong, exclusive sponsor They are the sole sponsors of this event. of awards dinnerRum mantris publiciae serving projects in Chinese arts, and created then invited to share their thoughts on Tchou 8. Pearl Bergad, executive director the large-scale annual outreach event “Pas- At the conclusion of the formal presenta- of the Chinese Heritage Foundation, was Cheng also shared some highlights of sage to China” at the Mall of America. (A tion, Cheng thanked everyone for attending the project manager of Bridge of Souls (A Tchou’s “amazing” life now that she will detailed account of her milestone birthday the First China Tribune Brightest Chinese Concert of Remembrance and Reconcilia- turn 90 this year: party can be found at www.chinainsight. Minnesotan Award ceremony. “We hope tion), and was honored in 2002 by President • She received Deng Xiaoping on his info by checking the archive link and click everyone will continue to support the China George W. Bush for her many volunteer groundbreaking visit to the U.S. in 1978 on the September 2013 edition.) Tribune, and support the Brightest Chinese activities. • From 1984 to 1996, she led more than 10 Recently the CHF Friends announced Minnesotan Award.” 9. Kuan Chen, Phalen Park Auto Repair, groups to China, including the first one from that it is underwriting a new, contemporary Tchou received her award with several who has run his business with integrity and the Midwest organized by the U.S. China opera based on the classic Chinese novel, bouquets of flowers. Dinner was then served honesty; and for offering reasonable prices. People’s Friendship Association promoting “Dream of the Red Chamber,” which will and the group made several toasts through- 10. Hong Yang, former director of the Chinese and American exchanges. be premiered by the San Francisco Opera out the evening in Tchou’s honor. ♦ University of Minnesota China Center, who • Tchou and her husband contributed fi- in 2016. The project received a sizable (Editor’s note: Greg Hugh, publisher made active contributions to the cultural nancially to higher education and to schools, donation from Tchou. of China Insight, served as Chairman of exchanges between China and the U.S. year in and year out, helping students from “Mrs. Ming Tchou is an outstanding the CHFF Board from 2010 to 2014 and David Cheng, president of China Tri- China and Vietnam who were studying in the model of a Chinese Minnesotan and is fully China Insight was a co-sponsor and media bune, then thanked the Fongs for sponsoring US. When Tchou was 80, she established deserving and worthy of this award,” stated partner of “Passage” during that same and hosting the award dinner and described the Chinese Heritage Foundation (CHF), Cheng. period.) the formal selection process. which awarded more than 40 grants to de- Members of the local community were PAGE 6 / February 2015 business chinainsight.info Doing business with China and the Chinese people: a conversation on cultural challenges, part 2

By Chang Wang and Joe Pearman, contributors

But instead, the discussions started off on of cheap liquor consumed), you sing along Editor’s note: a very awkward footing, because the cordial to old Red Guard marching songs. This is the second part of the three-part conversation on doing business with message was lost in cultural translation. Pearman: That’s simply grotesque! It’s mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and the Han Chinese Pearman: I’d say that’s true in any cul- like Ted Koppel said in his documentary living within mainland China, describing some of the ins and outs of interacting with Chinese individuals or firms in the contexts of cross-border communications ture. For instance, I’ve studied German for film, “The People’s Republic of Capitalism”: and negotiations. Through this conversation, the authors hope to help the business several years. Suppose someone who did “If some German entrepreneur had opened community become aware of the miscommunication that stems from the “parallel not speak any or only a little German was a beer garden on the outskirts of Münich, universes” the American and the Chinese inhabit, to expose the hidden rationales in charge of a high school group from the dressed an actor up in an old SS uniform, underscoring the official narratives of Chinese history, and to reveal cultural and U.S. touring Germany. A sensible phrase and then had him read excerpts from Hitler’s linguistic misunderstandings that frequently occur during the process of finding “common ground.” to learn would be something like “I am the “Mein Kampf” into a microphone while Last month, the authors discussed the “Parallel Universes” and how that leader,” so you could inform authority fig- a couple of hundred nostalgic Germans clouds cultural behavior and perception. Watch for the third part of the article in ures you were the person to talk to. Now, if chowed down on bratwurst and sauerbraten, next month’s issue. you worked purely out of a dictionary, you if that had happened … well, it wouldn’t! might come up with the phrase “Ich bin der It couldn’t!” Why would the Chinese pay Führer.” This is technically correct. But un- homage to one of the most destructive and They eat puppies, don’t they? Congress, but we truly believe in our- fortunately, the word Führer has been under violent events in their history, when thou- selves and our peers. something of a cloud since 1945, as it was sands were killed and millions persecuted Pearman: When some Americans Wang: Certainly. You see, in the the word that referred to Hitler as leader of for what George Orwell would have called talk about the Chinese, their attitude is 1980s, China was introduced to American Germany. That’s why someone with more “thought-crime?” close to “they eat puppies, don’t they?” culture for the first time, and a large part knowledge of German would say “Ich bin der Wang: Well, my businessman friend had That actually is the title of a political sat- of that was in the form of sitcoms. We Leiter.” They mean the same thing, but one a similar reaction. Indeed, he was at first ire about the U.S.-China relationship by “met” Americans on TV, in a sense. They carries such negative baggage. Sometimes repulsed, and then, as the evening wore on Christopher Buckley, and it does a great were warm-hearted, outgoing, optimistic when we deal with a foreigner speaking our and more drinks were consumed, and the job of expressing ignorance combined and ingenious, and that’s the impression native language, we forget that they might “revolutionary fervor” grew, he began to get with mild, slightly disgusted apprehen- many Chinese still have of them. So not understand all the nuances. distinctly nervous! sion. don’t be surprised if a Chinese business Wang: That brings to mind one more He failed to understand two things. Wang: The novel is very entertaining partner might resent Washington mightily example of cultural miscommunication, and First, China commercializes everything these and I highly recommend it. I can share but still be extremely friendly to you as an I have to say I think it’s the best yet. Once, days, including its own history. Many younger with you several occasions I witnessed, individual. It’s one of the contradictions a Chinese businessman hosted an American people see a “Cultural Revolution restaurant” where the communication broke down, you have to get used to in dealing with businessman I knew in China. . After a long as simply an interesting evening, a day in the message was lost, and the intents mis- the Chinese. Yet again and again, people day of working out commercial agreements, the life of their forefathers. They don’t know interpreted, largely due to the difficulty of from the United States - and the West in the Chinese businessman invited the Ameri- about the vast casualties of the Cultural cultural translation. For instance, once I general, for that matter - assume the worst can out for dinner. And of course, as a good Revolution, of the hardships, because these was at an occasion where a Chinese judge about the Chinese. host, he wanted to do more than simply things have been suppressed. hosted an American judge at a banquet. Pearman: I remember reading an go to a restaurant. He wanted to show his But how can older people who remember The final course was soup - dog soup! account by an American journalist who guest something interesting and uniquely the Cultural Revolution go to these restau- The American judge was appalled, but visited Iran. He was obviously from the Chinese. You may have seen pictures of rants, you may ask? Well, for those Chinese finally tasted it, reluctantly of course. States, and so when he went to observe Deng Xiaoping, China’s leader from the late people in their 60s right now, the Cultural Afterwards, he confided to me that he was an anti-American rally, he was more than 1970s to the early 1990s, attending a rodeo Revolution was the time of their adolescence. sure it was his Chinese host testing his a little nervous. Throughout the rally, in Texas and sporting a cowboy hat with his It was the only time in their lives many commitment to working with the Chinese. people would break off chanting “Death Mao suit. Well, this Chinese businessman of them had complete “freedom,” as Red If he didn’t drink the soup, this American to the Great Satan!” in order to approach sought to give his guest a similarly fascinat- Guards who dropped out of school, roamed judge thought, the Chinese judge would him and enquire solicitously if he was ing experience. So he booked them a table at the countryside, and “fought” for Mao. It have concluded the American was not enjoying his visit to Iran! I think you can a “Cultural Revolution restaurant.” was also “the best years of their lives” - when serious about collaboration. see an innate decency and friendliness in they could first smoke and drink, when they I had to tell the judge that it was defi- most people from any culture that will had their first loves. So, when they look back nitely not a test. Dog soup is very pop- shine through if you let it. on the Cultural Revolution, they see it a little ular, sadly, in the Chinese judge’s home Wang: I agree. But too often people differently than you or I. province of Guizhou; the man was simply assume the worst. Once I was part of But all in all, the poor businessman’s serving him a local delicacy and trying to a group of faculty at a major Chinese attempt to show his partner an interesting please the American dignitary! university that welcomed a group of part of Chinese “culture” was a rather abject This rather grotesque incident under- American professors. The chancellor of failure. lines another one of the cultural challeng- the university, who spoke some English, es in doing business with China and the thoughtfully started his welcome in “Red Classic,” a Cultural Revolution Chinese: the Americans’ prejudice and English. The group of teachers arrived, theme restaurant in Beijing. Cultural Competence stereotypes about the Chinese. Make no and the chancellor moved to greet the mistake, I don’t eat puppies and I con- American dean. Wang: These stories all illustrate certain demn those who do. But during cultural “You are such a pretty dean.” he said aspects of cultural misunderstanding, and communication, it is ill-advised for with a smile. Pearman: Oh dear. I do hope that “Cul- illuminate the need for “cultural translation” Americans to start by assuming bad intent The Americans were, as I’m sure you can tural Revolution restaurants” aren’t at all and contextualization. The lack of under- and being suspicious of the motives of imagine, aghast. The dean, with her poker related to the Cultural Revolution that led standing between Chinese and Americans the Chinese. Some of them, unfortunate- face firmly in place, replied “What?” to a decade of bloodshed and slaughter in continues to frustrate businesspeople on both ly, enter into business expecting enmity, “You are such a pretty dean,” the the name of loyalty to Chairman Mao and sides of the Pacific and is one of the biggest when in fact the reverse is true. Although chancellor repeated. Communist purity? unexpected challenges that faces anyone the Chinese aren’t fond of the American Now I’m sure all of the Americans were Wang: They are, indeed! At a Cultural who attempts to business in China or with government due to the CCP’s propaganda, certain they were witnessing some form of Revolution restaurant, you sit on simple the Chinese. they’re quite enthusiastic about American sexual harassment. But the chancellor had wooden benches and eat a plain, traditional Pearman: We’ve talked cultural chal- culture and individual Americans. no thought of that. What he was trying to Chinese meal. The walls are plastered with lenges in general; would you mind giving Pearman: In that way, I think you say was something along the lines of “It is old-style propaganda posters, and an actor our readers a brief rundown on some of the could say they’re quite like the American my honor and privilege to welcome such an dressed in the uniform of a Red Guard, one more concrete problems they might face in people themselves. Polls indicate that the elegant and accomplished senior professor of Chairman Mao’s teenage supporters, reads attempting to do business in or with China. majority of the American people are not to my school.” And he was trying to say it quotations from Mao’s “Little Red Book.” confident in the administration and the in English, as a courtesy to the Americans. After dinner is served (and a sizeable amount chinainsight.info business February 2015 / PAGE 7

Doing business part 2

Wang: Certainly, and there are plenty. There are small nuances and major dif- as smart as selling cigars to Cubans. An Pearman: Certainly not. It’s a whole First, there are the generic challenges faced ferences, and you have to learn to navigate American firm wouldn’t know anything different culture with a different set of in many countries, such as developing the them all. I would say one of the biggest dif- about the tea market. You have to convince rules-for that matter, it’s a whole different right product and delivering the right mes- ferences is American and Chinese business customers they want something new, rather language! sage. Then there are the more China-spe- culture. I remember hearing a Chinese busi- than break into an existing market. Wang: Absolutely, but many firms don’t cific challenges. nessman once say: “American businesses do Wang: Precisely. What does Starbucks recognize this, and they apply it to their The first challenge is legal and regula- things right. Chinese businesses do the right know about tea? Do they understand how business models. If a certain strategy has tory compliance. This isn’t as simple as thing.” In my experience, many U.S. firms and where teas are made? Do they know been successfully implemented to create and following the printed laws, because Chinese get locked into a very rigid, bureaucratic how many different teas there are? Do they sell a product in Italy, voilà, it’s international society is governed largely by “hidden decision-making structure, and they have know which teas are the “top 10 Chinese and will work in Japan! Or China. But rules,” codes of conduct and behavior trouble innovating – which Americans used teas” – and the cultural connotations asso- you need cultural competence to develop a many would describe as institutionalized to do the best. In Thomas Friedman’s words ciated with each brand? For example, what good business plan, and that competence is corruption. Ignore them at your peril, for when he addressed the innovative Chinese is the difference between Long Jing, Bi Luo tremendously country-specific. if you do not know and follow the hidden economy: “That used to be us.” On the other Chun, Mao Jian, and Wu Long? Why do Pearman: You know, in the mid-1800s rules, you might get your business and or hand, Chinese businesses have to innovate, people drink one kind of tea before dinner, in China, California was viewed as “Gum yourself in trouble, even when your business as their market is constantly shifting and and another kind after? Why do people Shan,” the “Gold Mountain, someplace to is completely legal. changing. And that can produce cultural in Fujian province drink Da Hong Pao, a get rich quickly and easily. No one knew The second challenge is security. To conflicts when you try to work between special black tea, while people in Hangzhou of the hardships and pitfalls waiting in the put it simply, Big Brother is watching organizations. city drink Long Jing, or Dragon Well, a gold fields. And now I feel that China has you and would like to know not only your Pearman: I agree that U.S. companies local green tea? And why can tea leaves become “Gum Shan” to those companies every move, but what’s on your mind and should be mindful of not falling into a picked before the Qing Ming Festival in who approach it confident in their ability on your hard drive. The surveillance state stagnating routine, but I don’t believe we’re early April sell for five times more than tea to make money with an “international” is ever-present in China, and not always consciously counter-innovative here in the leaves picked after the festival? Starbucks strategy. well-disposed to foreign businesses. States. I would say that we have standard could have hired a dozen researchers to Wang: There are so many pitfalls, as The third challenge is corruption. Cor- protocols and procedures because the U.S. is write a dozen treatises apiece on tea, and we both know. For starters, China and the ruption in China is systematic and institu- a very mature market: we have fully defined they still wouldn’t have understood it like United States exist in, as Ford said, “parallel tionalized, as mentioned above, and there commercial and contract laws, an apolitical the Chinese. universes.” We’ve seen there can be mis- are many gray areas which can potentially regulatory system, etc. Of course, you can’t But Starbucks was smart. In its re- communication on both sides, such as when trap you. The Foreign Corrupt Practice Act assume that these things will follow you search, the company found out that the the Chinese are ultra-sensitive of their own of the United States has very strict rules when you do business abroad. Chinese market loves luxury goods and feeling of victimhood, and when Americans about what businesses can do and cannot I’ve often been struck by how much they launched a marketing campaign that are led by prejudice instead of knowledge do when doing business outside the United China’s economy resembles America’s portrayed Starbucks as the epitome of chic. and trust. And we understand that there is States, and it is vital to remind oneself of economy at the turn of the 20th century, the Starbucks was portrayed as “an authentic really no such thing as a uniform “interna- these rules when doing business in China. era between, say, 1880 and 1910. I think representation of American leisure culture.” tional” business model. Doing business Pearman: However, you could say that that’s what Thomas Friedman was alluding It became an upscale venue for informal with China and the Chinese people requires understanding these challenges is simply to. There’s a tremendous amount of cre- executive meetings and friendly get-togeth- cultural competence, which is deceptively part of cultural translation and contextu- ative, freewheeling innovation, but there are ers, in some ways replacing the traditional simple but exquisitely profound. alization. also abysmal safety standards, little worker tea-house. Starbucks was new, trendy, Pearman: If you ask me, cultural com- Wang: Certainly. The last – and protection, and plenty of monopolies and and just a little exotic. Their coffees sold petence starts with two things: awareness probably the most imposing – challenge cronyism. So I might submit to that Chinese like hotcakes. Now, China is Starbucks’ and humility. Specifically, you have to be is the challenge of translation and cultural businessmen you mentioned that Chinese second-largest market, and its coffee is a aware that “you don’t know what you don’t misunderstanding. If you can conquer this firms have to innovate so much because they status symbol in all the major cities. By know” and be open to learning, as well challenge, the other challenges should be can never be sure of the ground under their 2015, there will be 1500 Starbucks stores as a willingness to trust in people’s good easier to deal with. feet: what happens if a local official takes a in China. The people at Starbucks did their intentions. You also have to be humble, If you speak a second language, you dislike to them, or a bigger company wants homework and they innovated in China. to accept that many Western ideas will not understand the difficulty of translating a them crushed? And they succeeded. change China, and must be changed by concept from one language to another. And Wang: Of course there’s plenty of truth Pearman: That reminds me of the story China in order to work properly. However, if you can’t communicate a concept to a to that, but I just wanted to point out that of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. They cater to the cultural competence will mean that you have business partner properly, problems ensue. global operations, international business luxury market, like Starbucks, and they have something valuable to bring to the table. If I feel the important role that culture plays in transactions, and cross-border project special products for the Chinese market. For you remember those two things, humility business in general has been under-appreci- management all require a certain level of those of our readers who don’t know, during and awareness, there’s a good chance that ated – and the cost of this under-appreciation cultural competence. This cultural compe- the Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s traditional to you and the Chinese can achieve success has been underestimated. For instance, in tence not only refers to an ability to interact give moon cake pastries to friends, family, together. China, you should not give people the gift effectively with people of different cultures and business associates. The thing is, many Wang: Indeed. I hope this conversation of a clock, which means “I will attend your and socio-economic backgrounds, but also people disliked the way they taste. Häa- has been illuminating and helpful for our funeral;” nor should you write business a conscious awareness of “we don’t know gen-Dazs now sells a premium ice cream readers. Remember that we Chinese may correspondence in red ink, which means “I what we don’t know” – the existence of version of the moon cake, which is seen live in parallel universes, but we don’t eat am done with you;” and, during a business another universe. And the existence of that as an upscale alternative to the traditional puppies. And if a business develops an meeting, if the Chinese host asks “would other universe means that a company that moon cake. understanding of China and the Chinese you like a cup of tea?” it means “there is can usually work from a formula in devel- Wang: Starbucks and Häagen-Dazs people, it may well find there is some gold nothing more I want to say, and it’s time oping products needs to innovate. both had cultural competence; it showed in the Gum Shan. ♦ for you to leave.” Not understanding the One good example is Starbucks, which in how they could recognize and penetrate import of any one of these seemingly inno- is everywhere in China now. But before the Chinese luxury goods market. And yet cent actions, and countless others, has the Starbucks, coffee in China meant instant this cultural competence is so often under- potential of damaging relationships between coffee. Everyone, especially people with valued. We have long ago recognized that business people irreparably. enough disposable income to afford Star- history did not “end” after Communism fell, About the authors And there are many less obvious cultural bucks, drank tea. A conventional firm, and yet it sometimes seems businesses are nuances which can be vital to the success following the protocol of market research living in Fukuyama’s utopia of a perfectly Chang Wang, a native of China, is or failure of a Western business operation and strategic planning, would have analyzed liberal-capitalist globe. Businesses rely too the chief research and academic officer in China. It’s particularly important, for consumer wants and desires and decided to much on formulas, convinced that in the at Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading example, for an information services com- enter the Chinese tea market, since most of 21st century, countries are more alike than source of intelligent information for busi- pany to understand that, in Chinese culture, the Chinese people drink tea. After all, why different; what has worked in one place must nesses and professionals. knowledge is to be paid for, but information would the Chinese want to give up tea for a work in another. Joe Pearman, a native Minnesotan, is to be shared. So how should a company bitter and overpriced drink? It would make Let me ask you something: if someone is an undergraduate student majoring in identify and position itself in China? Should much more conventional business sense to had done business successfully in Italy, business at the University of Minnesota. it say to the Chinese that it offers informa- be a tea retailer. would they automatically be qualified to do tion, or knowledge? Pearman: Well, but that sounds about business in Japan? PAGE 8 / February 2015 food chinainsight.info Harbin food specialties of charcoal dust over them that gives them Harbin spring rolls (春饼) – Potato the distinct smoke flavor. You can buy them strips, cucumber, sausage and egg in a tasty on a stick from street vendors or use them to wrap and covered with a spicy sauce. Avail- make a sandwich with the khleb. able on the street or in restaurants. They are sold in lots of bread and pastry stores in the city, especially along Central Street. Chuar (串儿) – assorted barbecued meat on sticks and grilled buns. Delicious and re- Shredded chicken stewed with mushrooms ally popular everywhere in Harbin, especially This is a traditional and famous dish of in summer. Harbin, especially popular in winter. You can find this dish in most restaurants. Chicken is Da lie bao (big bread, (大列巴) – It is shredded and stewed with mushroom, ginger, the size of a slightly squashed basketball and scallion and vermicelli (bean or sweet potato weighs about 5.5 lbs. Very popular with the noodles). When the dish is ready, the chicken locals and always seems to be sold mid-day and mushroom taste soft, tender and smooth. on Wednesdays. It is unique as it’s like a It is nutritious and fragrant, and a perfect dish sourdough bread because most Asian breads to warm you up in winter. are sweet and fluffy. Lots of locals also eat on the go, giving rise to a great assortment of street foods: Frozen persimmons and pears – sweet and cold, meant to be gnawed on and eaten gradually. Again cheaper in winter (and somehow people still eat them).

Bowza – delicious bread buns, filled with Fly Dragon Banquet courses meat. They are a popular breakfast food, but can be bought at any time of day.

Although it is not one of the eight princely sum. Insects on sticks – grasshoppers, cock- famous Chinese cuisines, Harbin cuisine The locals also prefer fresh vegetables roaches, silkworm chrysalis and scorpions still has its own distinct specialties, thanks eaten cold with soy sauce or dipped in are just some of the insects that can be bought to its geographical proximity to Korea, sauce. Flour-based foods and rice are their on the street in Harbin. The best place to get Mongolia and Russia. It is mainly a daily staples. Another dominant staple them is in the market beside the beer garden mixture of Manchu, Shandong and exotic is dumplings. There are approximately on Centre street. Russian cuisines. The most popular tradi- 10 kinds of dumplings with different 冰糖葫芦 tional foods of Harbin are braised chicken stuffings: celery and pork; pork only, nut Haws ( ) – Hawthorn berries with fresh mushrooms, braised pork with kernels and corn; fried beef; cabbage and on sticks and sometimes other types of fruit vermicelli, songren xiaodu (pine nuts with pork. as well; covered in syrup that has set solid. tripe), and beef bones with soy sauce. All A winter treat is pickled Chinese cab- These are normally not sold in the height of are hot, hearty and spicy. However, the bage stew. Pickled Chinese cabbage is a summer to avoid the syrup melting. flavor of the main ingredients still comes common condiment for families of north- through well as few spices are used. east China. As winter approaches, locals Harbin hard ice creams – cheap and fill big clay pots with cabbages, adding cool in the summer they are even cheaper in water and salt, before placing a large stone the winter as shop owners don’t have to pay on the top of the jar to compress the cab- electricity to refrigerate them. They just put bage. After about a month, the cabbages them outside. If you grew up on chocolate, ferment and grow sour, and are then eaten vanilla, and mint ice creams, the flavor will throughout the winter. These pickled cab- be a shock to you! It mostly tastes just like bages make for a hearty, delicious meal lightly sweetened milk, but boasts a rich, when stewed with meat. creamy texture that melts in the warmth of Other popular Harbin dishes are shred- your mouth. Nothing complicated here — ded chicken fried with bean curd, stewed just good, simple ice cream on a stick. For pig’s elbow, and vermicelli (bean or sweet the most authentic version, head over to the potato noodles) stewed with fish. Tossed Modern Hotel, where they were first sold in 1906 by the Russian Jews who owned the braised pork with vermicelli dishes (like salad) of potatoes, green pep- pers, dried bean milk cream in tight rolls, hotel. Because the winters there are long, and mushrooms are usually dressed with scorpions on a stick there are less exotic ingredients used and soy sauce and aged vinegar. a heavy reliance on vegetables such as Grilled lamb – Lamb with spices grilled cabbage, potatoes, cucumber and corn. “Must eats” over coals and served with sesame flat bread. Chinese BBQ (shaokao, 烧烤) and hot pot Of course no article about Harbin food are equally popular in Harbin and both are before leaving Harbin: is complete without mentioning the Harbin “must eats.” Beer Festival. Yes, beer’s high caloric value Based on traditional cooking skills Khleb and smoked red sausages qualifies it as “food.” and local ingredients, a series of famous The influence of Russian immigrants banquets was invented by the locals of on the city’s cuisine is the khleb, a kind Beer Festival which the most well known is the Fly of Russian bread weighing around 5.5 lbs. Harbin was the first Chinese city to brew Dragon Banquet. This Heilongjiang spe- each!) and hongchang (Harbin smoked beer, which it had been doing for more than cialty consists of many courses, including red sausage). These are typical fare at 100 years. It ranks as one of the highest stewed bear paws, wolf nose and monkey the Russian cafes and they not only are average per capita beer consumption cities brains, pine nuts, white cloud ear fungus, the delicacies on local people’s table, but in the world. In 2002, it launched the first ginseng and other ingredients that are also make popular gifts for friends and International Beer Festival, which now takes meant to enhance blood flow and health relatives. place every July, drawing top brewers and of those who partake in the feast. Given Khleb, the Russian bread, has a breweries from Denmark, Germany, Japan, the rarity of some of the dishes and the fragrant hard shell but soft inside. The Russia and U.S. Visitors can watch music preparation involved, this banquet is not an ingredients for this bread are flour, salt and concerts, dance and enjoy free beer on the everyday meal. Much like the Emperor’s hops. Khleb is convenient for carrying public square. Most of the beer drunk is Feast -a seven-day event -most restaurants and storage. Hongchang (smoked red the local Harbin brew, but there is a tent for probably require a few days advance no- sausages, 红肠) are made with lean meat. international beers as well. ♦ tice for anyone who is willing to pay the Smoked with wood, there is a thin cover chinainsight.info travel February 2015 / PAGE 9 Harbin: feast for your (frozen) eyes Harbin facts Harbin is the birthplace of the Jin (1115-1234) and Qing (1644- By Elaine Dunn 1911) dynasties. Because of its proximity to Russia, the Russians built a rail terminal for the Middle East Railway there, which resulted hollow “lantern” for inserting in its growth of foreign inhabitants a candle. These days, the art of and its economic development. making ice lanterns has been The foreigners’ influence on the refined to a very creative cityscape is best seen in the wooden art form, taking full advan- Neo-Byzantine St. Sofia Orthodox tage of modern technology. Church, built in 1907 and the largest The resulting multicolored Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far and sound-synchronized ice East. Recognized as a Key Cultural works are the pride of the Relic by the State, it was repaired locals. Ice lantern crafters and renamed by the city government come from China and, also the Harbin Art Gallery in 1997. from Canada, Japan, Russia, The city and suburbs cover ap- Singapore and the U.S. proximately 20,460 square miles and Because of its nutrient-rich soil, the area is divided into seven distinct districts: around Harbin is a major producer of wheat, The Ice and Snow World rice, soybeans, maize, flax, tobacco and fresh Most sane Minnesotans would be Visitors will be able to admire vegetables! It’s also a main hub of light planning their escapes from Minneso- • Nangang, the largest and most populated some of the “largest and most majes- • Daoli, site of the municipal government industries (aerospace, pharmaceutical, auto ta for warmer climes this time of the tic ice-sculpted masterpieces in the parts, etc.). The Harbin Beer Factory has year. But … if you want to feast your offices and the Harbin Railway Station world,” according to a Harbin Web • Daowai, the commercial district with gov- been producing beer for more than 100 years. eyes on one of the finest ice and snow page. “Each of these ice carvings is sculptures collection in the world, ernment offices for people interested in doing Two brands, Harbin and Three Stars, are designed in some way related to the business with the local government consumed throughout the country with sales you’ll have to brave even colder tem- festival’s theme, enabling travelers to • Dongli, the industrial heart of Harbin and of 300,000 tons sold annually. Little surprise peratures. “Colder? Not possible!” you sample a variety of cultural flavors.” say? Check out Harbin, China! home to the Harbin Economic and Techno- Harbin ranks first in beer consumption per Situated in Heilongjiang Province, logical Development Zone capita in China. the most northeastern part of China, • Taiping on the east side, is most rural and Harbin is the center of Heilongjiang’s where the Harbin Port is located Harbin summer activities political, economic, educational and • Kiangfang in the southeast, is the oldest Should you choose to visit in summer, July cultural life. Even though it does have part of the city and where the city’s first and August are its rainy months. Tempera- four distinct seasons, its winter can last incense workshop was established in 1893 tures range from mid-60os to the low-80os for almost six months of the year, with F. There is an Indoor Ice Festival, the largest January being its coldest! Tempera- • Pingfang, the smallest of the seven dis- tures this time of the year can and do tricts, is the hub of China’s aircraft, automo- indoor ice-carving exhibition worldwide with drop down to -36 F, giving it the title bile and aluminium alloy manufacturing. It more than 100 illuminated ice sculptures. of “The coldest city in China.” also is home to a horrific reminder of war, the Also, every July Harbin hosts the Internation- Japanese Germ Warfare Experimental Basel, al Beer Festival where brewers from the world The Harbin International Ice Festi- The highlight, of course, is to visit val, one of the largest in the world, is which is open to the public come together for conferences and visitors can at night to see the sculptures illuminat- enjoy beer drinking and singing competitions, an annual month-long event. The 2015 ed by underground lights. The multi- festival, the 31st, will run through Feb. colored structures set against the dark music and dance performances. 25. Visitors will be rewarded with an night sky offers a magical, fantasyland Other tourist sites include: exhibit of a collection of the finest ice dimension. and snow sculptures ice artists can The Ice and Snow World also • Sun Island Park where visitors can enjoy produce. Works are based on Chinese affords visitors a wide array of recre- white sand, clear blue waters and blooming folk tales, famous global landmarks ational activities: ice maze, ice bar, ice flowers. The Harbin-Niigata Friendship gar- and whatever theme chosen. This rock-climbing, ice golf, ice archery, den is located there features a typical Japanese year, the highlights include an ice cas- a 1,000-ft ice slide and the mundane courtyard with streams, wooden bridge and tle, a 160-ft tall ice and steel tower, a skating and skiing. And for those who full-sized steam train, a replica of Big flowering plants. The Russian Artist Village appreciate something less physical, an in the south of Sun Island contains Russian Ben and more than 2,000 LED-lit ice ice hotel! sculptures, which are exhibited at var- style streets, a Russian restaurant and an art ious venues covering approximately 8 gallery that displays many Russian artworks. million sq. ft. Other winter activities Harbin’s Central Street is built according Visitors also can watch Russian films and Yabuli International Ski Resort. to Russian engineers’ specification, using dances. Just 124 miles east of Harbin is the The Ice Lantern Garden Party, square stones on the street surface. Both sides best ski resort in China. Yabuli used of the approximately mile-long street also • Siberian Tiger Park where five hundred Zhaolin Park to be the resort and hunting ground for boast many European-style buildings ranging beautiful purebred Siberian tigers call home feudal lords of the Qing Dynasty. from the Baroque to Art Nouveau. is next to Sun Island. These days, skiers enjoy a 170-day season at approximately 3,300-ft. alti- After the Russians were defeated in the • Jingpo Hu, an attractive waterway carved tude. It also has a German-built slide Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, Rus- from the Mudan River by volcanic eruptions that runs the course from the top of a sian influence declined, giving rise to more thousands of years ago, giving rise to mane snowy mountain to the bottom. Venue diverse foreign influence. Nationals from lava caves. There’s also a 131-ft wide water- to the Third Winter Asian Games in 33 countries moved in, adding to Harbin’s fall at the northern end of the lake. 1996, this resort is the training ground international flavour. In the late 1920s, the • Zhalong Nature Reserve, China’s largest for many alpine skiers. Communist Party established its first branch wetland reserve is home to almost 300 species Winter swimming is, in my books, there and in 1929, it became the center of of birds. Six of the world’s 15 varieties of This is, without doubt, the best- for watching only and not participat- revolutionary and anti-Japanese struggles. cranes are found here. loved part of the festival and, also, the ing! Harbin winter swimmers dig During the early Mao era, it was one of the forerunner of the festival. During the a swimming pool that’s surrounded major economic cities as well as the base For the foodies reading this, Harbin cui- Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), peasants by ice in the frozen Songhua River. for anti-American activities in the Korean sine is heavily influenced by the Manchus and fishermen who needed light at Swimmers show off their strong phy- War. Renewed Soviet influence in the Cold and Russians. Fresh vegetable eaten cold sique and iron will. They also believe night made windproof lanterns by War era boosted Harbin into one of China’s with soy sauce is common. Dumplings are pouring water into buckets and let the freezing water helps keep them them partially freeze in the open air. healthy and enhance their immune heavy industrial bases. By the late 1990s, it a staple and can be stuffed with a variety of Before the water froze completely, system. Performance time of winter was the largest city in Northeast China with ingredients from celery and pork to nuts and the bucket is warmed to extract the swimming is between 10 a.m. to 2 a population of 9.5 million. corn to beef and cabbage. And you can down chunk of ice from the bucket. Then a p.m. while private swimming is before Nowadays, its population is around 10.6 all that with the local brew. hole is chiseled from the top and any sunrise, from 5-6 a.m. Brrr!! This is million and its grand goal is to be the largest For something more exotic than St. Paul’s unfrozen water poured out, creating a one of Harbin’s 10 winter highlights! city in Northeast Asia! Winter Carnival, Harbin’s the place to go! ♦ PAGE 10 / February 2015 inventions chinainsight.info Chinese Firecrackers

By Elaine Dunn

What is the first image of the New Year Ancient legends most of us see on TV? It’s probably a tossup One legend has it that a cook mistak- between the crystal ball drop in New York’s enly mixed three combustible ingredients Times Square and the brilliant and impres- together: charcoal, sulfur and potassium sive fireworks show from Sydney Harbour, nitrate. When ignited, there was an explo- Australia, which detonates an awesome 20- sion of beautiful colors. ton worth of fireworks with the iconic Opera However, many other stories from the House in the backdrop. Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907) claim true In the U.S., many U.S. towns and cities, credit for this Chinese invention should with Boston leading the pack, celebrate this be attributed to a Chinese monk named country’s independence with July 4 firework Li Tian from the city of Liuyang in Hunan displays. Other national celebrations where Province. Li was struck by the poverty fireworks take center stage include Guy of the people in the eastern part of Hunan Fawkes Night (Nov. 5) in Great Britain, Di- Province, which experienced annual floods wali (autumnal festival) in India, the Falles and periods of drought. He set off bamboo (March 19) in Spain, to name a few. tubes stuffed with gunpowder to ward off How dull life would be without fire- the evil spirits causing the people hardship, works! So … a great “thank you” to China after which the people lived and worked where fireworks originated some 2,000 in peace and prosperity. years ago. Another version of the Li Tian legend involved Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) Emperor Li Shiming’s (李世民) Prime During the Qing dynasty (A.D. 1644- of global production. Besides Liuyang The real story of firecrackers Minister, Wei Zhou. Wei killed an evil 1911), firecrackers were presented to the there are four additional centers for firework The Chinese, in their pursuit of gold, dragon, which then came back to haunt palace as articles of tribute. production in China currently: Beihai longevity and immortality, were experi- him. He was greatly distressed and did not After ascending to the throne in 1723, (Guangxi), Pingxiang (Jiangxi), Jianghu menting with alchemy. In the process, one know what to do. So Li ignited a bamboo Emperor Yongzheng (雍正帝) wanted to (Jiangsu) and Donguan (Guangdong). alchemist mixed 75 parts potassium nitrate tube filled with gunpowder, frightening signify the beginning of the new era of his The Department of Consumer Product with 15 parts charcoal and 10 parts sulfur, the ghostly dragon away forever with the reign. He ordered new varieties of fire- Inspection of China oversees national which exploded with a bright flash when loud bang. After that, the emperor and crackers to be created for the court and to standards for fireworks and firecrackers, exposed to an open flame. Not only was that the people called Li Tian the founder of be set off during the Lantern Festival. The outlining requirements for both safety combination not the “elixir of life” they were firecrackers. after, it would become the tool to end many firecracker specialist given this task hap- and quality. Unfortunately, accidents lives from then on! pened to walk by a blacksmith’s shop. He at fireworks factories still occur with Records indicate the Chinese put this was fascinated by the red and white sparks frequency in China. Perhaps with exports explosive powder combination to good use coming from the blacksmith’s activities. He to the U.S., factories are required to work as early as A.D. 904 in their battles with the collected some of the iron chips and mixed with the American fireworks Standards Mongols. They made and employed fei huo, them in different sizes and proportions with Laboratory and this will further improve flying fire or primitive rockets, and huo pao, the gunpowder. The different combinations safety and quality of the industry. fire cannons as part of their battle weaponry. resulted in various patterns of exploding light, some resembling plum blossoms, and Celebrating Chinese New some resembling chrysanthemums. When Year with firecrackers the new fireworks were shot into the sky of Legend has it that long ago, on every the Forbidden City that Lantern Festival, they Chinese New Year’s Eve, a monster, looked like flowers raining from the heavens. nian, would come out of the mountains to The emperor was greatly impressed. From prey on humans. A god in the guise of a then on, Liuyang became known as the beggar scared the monster away with the “Hometown of Fireworks and Firecrackers”. crackling of burning bamboo. Humans Marco Polo is credited with introducing then followed his example. gunpowder to Europe in the 13th century, A more practical reason presented in which was initially used for military purpos- “Shen Yi Jing,” (神異經, “Book of Gods Primitive bamboo rocket es. However, with their interests in arts and and Spirits”) a classic of the Han Dynasty Statue of Li Tian in the Liuyang entertainment, the Italians became the first (202 B.C.-A.D. 220) goes like this: In Fireworks Museum in Hunan Province. With the invention of gunpowder in the Europeans to use the Chinese black powder ancient times, when camping deep in the 9th century, the Chinese simultaneously to manufacture fireworks for entertainment. mountains, people used bonfires to cook and It matters not which version you figured out that by inserting gunpowder into In the 1800s, Paozhuang, a private Chi- to keep themselves warm. A strange animal choose to believe, only know that in the bamboo tubes and igniting them, they created nese trading company with a main store and often harassed them despite the fire. Since Song Dynasty (A.D. 980-1271 AD), a really loud bangs and powerful explosions – several branches, was the first commercial this animal carried a disease that could temple was erected in Li’s honor. And to perfect to scare away evil spirits. exporter of fireworks. It began trading by cause chills and fever, the campers used this day, Chinese celebrate the invention of This discovery coincided with their land and sea throughout Asia and, eventually bamboo as the firewood of choice because the firecracker every April 18 by offering ability to manufacture cheap paper from to Europe. Initially, fireworks were trans- it crackled loudly while burning, frightening sacrifices to Li. ♦ bamboo. Soon, paper tubes replaced the ported to Guangdong, then to Hong Kong the animal away. (Bamboo has hollow air bamboo nodules, and the Chinese fiery sticks or Macao where they were collected for sale pockets that inflate and burst with a loud became the staple for celebrating special and distribution. By the 1900s, Chinese fire- cracking sound when subjected to heat.) events. Eventually, someone twisted very crackers were sold in 20 countries to as far Starting the New Year with firecrackers will thin paper to form a fuse for setting off the away as Egypt and Sweden! Fireworks ex- ensure good health. Advertisers gunpowder tubes. The first firecrackers, port and sales declined during the 1930s and In the 19th century, pyrotechnicians Your potential customers are reading World War II until the end of the founding were able to develop reds, greens and known as baozhang, were born. ChinaInsight. Shouldn’t you be With the increasing popularity of fire- of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. blues to the fireworks. Gone are the days bringing them in the door with an ad? crackers being used in celebratory occasions, The fireworks industry gradually recovered of shooting off fireworks just to deflect the fuses of firecrackers were plaited together and reached its height of prosperity in the evil. Fireworks displays have become a Contact Greg Hugh to create long stings. This simple develop- late 1970s and 1980s. cherished part of many celebrations and 952-472-4757 ment enabled the entire string of firecrackers To this day, Liuyang County has re- looked forward to by most. [email protected] to go off, creating a long sequence of con- mained the firecracker capital to the world, The explosive experience of firework or visit tinuous explosions by just lighting the fuse with thousands of factories and workshops displays simply excite crowds the world www.chinainsight.info for more advertising information. of the first firecracker on the string. These employing hundreds of thousands of employ- over. Nowadays, not only are fireworks a strings of firecrackers became known as ees. It’s the dominating force globally, taking visual display but many are synchronized bianpao, literally translated to mean “whip approximately 60 percent market share of to music, epitomizing centuries of skilled cannon.” sales and 90 percent craftsmanship, artistry and development. chinainsight.info government February 2015 / PAGE 11 The state of press freedom in Hong Kong and China

By Elaine Dunn

for phrases like beaten with metal bars in the very busy Tsim Morning Post, one of the most respected "Occupy Central" Sha Tsui district in broad daylight. The as- English language dailies in Asia. Since and "Hong Kong sault took place days after an announcement 1993 when Rupert Murdock sold it to a students" also about its plans to start publication in 2014. Malaysian business tycoon who is known were blocked. • November 12, 2014, Jimmy Lai, found- to be pro-Beijing, it’s been a revolving door This is the cen- er and owner of Next Media, which pub- in the office of the chief editor. tral government’s lishes Apple Daily, was the target of thugs In January 2012, SCMP hired its first blatant attempt to who threw offals at him while he was at one mainland-born chief editor, Wang Xiangwei. prevent mainland of the pro-democracy demonstration sites. In June, Wang ordered a story about the Chinese from wit- • And most recently, on January 12, suspicious death of a Tiananmen dissident nessing the exer- coordinated attacks were made on Next changed from being on the front page to a cise of freedoms Media headquarters and its founder’s home. news brief in the back pages. Its senior copy unavailable to Masked assailants threw Molotov cocktails editor, an expat, complained in an email to them. at the front gate of Jimmy Lai’s home and Wang, questioning Wang’s decision and Chinese gov- Next’s headquarters in the middle of the asked whether it was “self censorship,” to ernment com- night, just hours after the mass march for which Wang’s snarky reply was, "I don't puters constantly press freedom took place in Paris. have to explain to you anything. I made the scan Chinese cy- While there may be no concrete proof decision and I stand by it. If you don't like berspace, hunt- linking these attacks, the pattern of inter- it, you know what to do." ing for words and ference and intimidation is palpable. Some When this was leaked to the Hong Kong phrases that are local (Hong Kong) journalists complained press, 25,000 people took to the streets de- deemed inflam- that the police singled them out for pepper manding an investigation into the dissident’s In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo mas- matory or seditious. When those terms are spray or rough treatment during the protests. death. They burned copies of the newspaper sacre in Paris, a Chinese government-con- located, the offending blog or chat can be PEN American Center, a New York- outside the Post’s office. SCMP’s editorial trolled tabloid lashed out at Western media’s blocked within minutes. based organization whose mission is “to staff signed a petition expressing concern use of satire. Its editorial went like this, China has the largest number of arbitrary ensure that people everywhere have the about the paper’s credibility and 23 journal- "Westerners believe that when a small mi- arrests and detention of journalists and ne- freedom to create literature, to convey infor- ists stated in an open letter to its executives, nority of Western media satirize the Islamic tizens in the world, including 2010 Nobel mation and ideas, to express their views, and "The constant changes in the editorship of prophet, that this is 'freedom of the press. peace laureate Liu Xiaobo Activist artist Ai to make it possible for everyone to access the Post suggest that either the owners do Some people even see the protection of this Weiwei was taken into questioning in 2011 the views, ideas, and literatures of others,” not know what they want, or they want freedom a Western value." and held for 81 days in solitary confinement. has been watching the situation in Hong something that no credible senior journalists You bet! But not just a “Western value.” To this day, Ai is not allowed to leave the Kong closely. It issued a report that noted will provide." This Western value is, according to Beijing compound where he lives and create Hong Kong’s position as a media hub for Despite the bad press, the copy editor Wikipedia, “the freedom of communication art without government permission. press freedom “is increasingly insecure.” who challenged Wang lost his job three and expression through mediums including That press freedom is compromised in China’s growing economic weight is months later. Brazen disregard for freedom various electronic media and published communist China comes as no surprise to allowing it to exert influence over Hong of speech. materials.” Freedom of the press ensures most. But what about Hong Kong? Kong media and media owners. Most In addition to self-censorship, HKJA government officials and those in positions China currently ranks 175 out of 180 current Hong Kong print and online media stated that the Beijing government had of power will be held accountable for their countries in the 2014 World Press Freedom owners have strong business ties with the started putting direct pressure on Hong actions. A country cannot be free without Index compiled by Reporters Without Bor- mainland. More than half also hold official Kong media owners. “It was rare to hear press freedom: freedom of the press and ders. Hong Kong ranked 61, down three appointments to various political assemblies of Chinese officials contacting editors and freedom of speech are fundamental human places from 2013, and dropped from spot in the mainland. These owner-businessmen journalists directly, said Shirley Yam, HK- rights. 18 from a decade ago. Sadly, the U.S. rank recognize their advertising revenue depends JA's vice-chairwoman. "Now the gloves A Huffington Post article in June 2014 also slipped a disgraceful 14 spots from 32 largely on Chinese companies and the are off," she said. reported that 99 percent of survey partici- in 2013 to 46in 2014! (Finland tops the list.) government. As a result, many newspaper In April 2013, the Hong Kong gov- pants of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club Most working journalists feel press and broadcast editors have shelved stories ernment passed laws that hinder news of China, which represents 122 news orga- freedom in Hong Kong is increasingly under rather than risk upsetting the central Chinese gathering and reporting. Journalists risk nizations worldwide, “feel that conditions attack. Not only are Hong Kong journalists’ government. jail terms of up to five years or fines of up in China for media personnel do not meet news coverage under threat, they also come This sort of self-censorship has been on to US$129,000 if they reveal information international standards.” Furthermore, 80 under physical attacks. Flashbacks: the rise. A 2013 University of Hong Kong that "causes psychological harm" or "caus- percent felt conditions have gotten worse or • June 3, 2013, Chen Ping, publisher of public opinion survey reported more than es loss." According to The Committee to stayed the same. Respondents also report- iSun Affairs, a weekly magazine with a half of the respondents believed the local Protect Journalists, targets of investigative ed experiencing attempts to preempt their reputation for its outspoken reporting on media practiced self-censorship. Further reporting can request to access personal coverage, restrictions on travel, blocking of sensitive mainland issues (the magazine evidence of restricted press freedom was data collected by journalists. Journalists websites and harassment of news assistants is banned in the mainland), was beaten on presented in a 2012 survey by and of the “may mount a defense that they ‘reasonably and sources. the street outside his office. The magazine Hong Kong Journalists Association, which believed’ they were reporting in the public Another article, “Press freedom under published an exposé in January on the had been tracking censorship trends in interest, but that aspect of the law is vague attack in China,” appeared in The Wash- shady “handling” of illegal structures by Hong Kong since 1968. It reported that 87 and undefined.” When journalists sought ington Free Beacon in September 2014. C.Y. Leung, Hong Kong’s chief executive, percent of respondents said their access to clarification of the term “public interest,” It reported that “China’s government has at his home. information had been limited and obstruc- Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data recently blocked the websites of several • June 19-30, 2013, knife-wielding arson- tion of news coverage had increased since Allan Chiang told CPJ "it is up to judges to leading English-language news organi- ists threatened workers and burnt 26,000 2003. The Hong Kong government is not review complaints on a case-by-case basis." zations—including the New York Times, copies of the Apple Daily, a publication that required to keep old records and can refuse When the British handed Hong Kong the Guardian, Bloomberg, and the Wall is distinctly pro-democracy and an irritant to to disclose any information it deems sensi- over to the Chinese in 1997, Hong Kong Street Journal—after they published stories the Chinese government. There were four tive. Government officials can simply tell was under the “one country, two systems” about the family wealth of top Chinese such incidents within 11 days. journalists that records have been destroyed framework, which guaranteed it freedom of officials. However, state-funded Chinese • February 26, 2014, Kevin Lau, the for- or that certain information cannot be dis- speech, freedom of the press and freedom news organizations take advantage of the mer editor-in-chief of Ming Pao, a Chinese closed. No reasons need to be provided. of assembly. However, 17 years later, this press freedoms in other countries to expand daily that is known for its investigative and The HKJA survey also revealed that certainly does not appear to be the case, their global footprint, such as the American hard-hitting reporting on China, was stabbed nearly 40 percent of its respondents also prompting the United Nations Human versions of China Daily and China Central and severely injured on a residential street. stated they or their supervisors had to play Rights Committee to urge the Hong Kong Television (CCTV).” This attack happened days after Ming Pao down stories that were unfavorable to the government to “take vigorous measures to To prevent coverage of the Hong Kong ran a story exposing the vast, offshore Chinese or Hong Kong governments, ad- repeal any unreasonable direct or indirect pro-democracy protests last fall, China wealth of China’s elite, including President vertisers and media owners. restrictions on freedom of expression, in blocked popular photo-sharing app Ins- Xi Jinping and former Premier Wen Jiabao. The most public and dramatic example particular for the media … tagram on the second day of the protests. • March 19, 2014, two media executives of playing down a headline story played BBC’s Beijing bureau reported that searches of the Hong Kong Morning News were out at the Hong Kong-based South China see following page PAGE 12 / February 2015 news chinainsight.info Top 10 news stories from China in 2014 Reprinted with permission from China Rush Online

Metrics for generating this list: 1) The video surfaced in Chinese media showing and one of the most powerful men in China. significance and impact of the event. 2) The appalling practices in a Shanghai food-pro- 2) It ultimately reshaped how the world amount of publicity it has generated domes- cessing factory that supplies ingredients views China’s growing technology and IT tically and abroad. 3) Relevance to China. to these fast food chains. Video captured industry, searching for the next Alibaba. workers handling food with their bare hands, 3) Alibaba is a giant that has helped lifted picking up meat that had fallen on the floor many Chinese business owners to the next and returning to the processing machines. level by offering them a platform in which Some of the meat were foul and expired. they can reach more customers. 4) Alibaba Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Ad- has effectively employed thousands of Chi- ministration investigated the factory and nese workers either directly or indirectly, found that expired beef and chicken products business owners, packaging businesses, were processed and repackaged with new delivery workers, the whole supply chain expiration dates. Left: Zhou Yongkang Right: Xi Jinping and much more. ♦ 3. Fall of Zhou Yongkang: Known as one 10. RMB globalization: China is the of the tigers of China and a very senior world’s largest exporter and manufacturer elite political figure who was once a former as well as second largest economy (largest member of the Politiburo. Zhou rose to economy in the world if calculated by PPP). prominence in the oil industry, becoming Press The world’s second most used currency in Deputy Minister of Petroleum Industry in trade finance after the dollar, it is only a 1988, then Party Secretary of Sichuan in Freedom matter of time when the RMB becomes an 1999, and Minister of Public Security in international currency. 2002. The combination of Zhou’s time as the top official in Sichuan, oil sector, and in Hong Public Security Minister earned him signif- icant leadership experience and complex Kong and 6. China ebola efforts: China faced a lot professional network. Eventually, Zhou of criticism for her lack of initial response would become the top official responsible to the ebola crisis. However, as the crisis for China’s courts, law enforcement, prose- China unfolded China mounted one of her largest cution agencies, paramilitary forces, and do- continued from page 11 aid operations ever. China set up a mobile mestic intelligence agencies. He was ranked testing lab in the capital of Sierra Leone, sent ninth in the party leadership hierarchy, one an elite army unit and experienced veteran of the Standing Committee’s most important and to implement the right of access to 9. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank staffs who dealt with the SARS outbreak in members and one of China’s most powerful information by public bodies.” (AIIB): International financial institution 2003. Many criticisms against China turned men. He is so powerful that it has earned “We’re ringing an early warning bell proposed by China to provide finance for to good praise after these actions were taken. him the title “Security Tsar,” thought to be to say there are troubling signs,” Suzanne infrastructure projects in Asia-Pacific re- one of the few that is untouchable. Nossel, the executive director of PEN gion. This is often referred to as a rival for American Center, said in an interview in the IMF, World Bank and the Asian Devel- Hong Kong. “When you see the pattern opment Bank. that comes together, it’s pretty disturbing, and there’s a sense of a deliberate hand in all of this.” If nothing else was achieved by the 2014 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, it served to raise awareness of the rapid decline of press freedom in the former British colony. Freedom of the press and democracy are intertwined, as noted in the 5. Occupy Central Hong Kong: A civil Left: Ling Jihua Middle: Xi Jinping following quote: disobedience campaign initiated by Benny 2. Fall of Ling Jihua: Another senior elite “A democracy ceases to be a democ- Tai Yiu-ting, setup to pressure the PRC gov- political figure in China’s political system. racy if its citizens do not participate in its ernment into granting an electoral system Ling Jihua, one-time top aide to former pres- governance. To participate intelligently, 8. Missing Flight MH370: More than half which satisfies the international standards ident Hu Jintao, fell victim to Xi Jinping’s they must know what their government of the plane passengers were Chinese, many in relation to universal suffrage for the 2017 anti-corruption campaign. He was the Chief has done, is doing and plans to do in their of the victim families were in a hotel covered Hong Kong Chief Executive election as of General Office of the Communist Par- name. Whenever any hindrance, no matter by Malaysian Airlines getting fed updates promised according to the Hong Kong Basic ty’s Central Committee and Hu’s personal what its name, is placed in the way of this by authorities and Malaysian Airlines staff. Law Article 45. This movement garnered secretary before 2011. Effectively, placing information, a democracy is weakened, and Chinese relatives of the passengers were international attention, which many focused him at the apex of political power and deci- its future endangered. This is the meaning getting fed up and even held some of the on how the Chinese government would react sion-making. However, in March 2012, his of freedom of press. It is not just important staff captives as tensions increased. Inter- to this massive non violent civil disobedi- son was driving a Ferrari with two female to democracy, it is democracy.” national efforts worked together for months ence that lasted for several months. passengers (1 half-naked the other almost Walter Cronkite,broadcast journalist to try to find the missing plane, which has half-naked) was involved with a high-speed yet to resurface or be found. crash that led to his downfall as he tried to This May 3, World Press Freedom Day, cover it up. After the accident, he was given be sure to remember and celebrate the Hong a less high-profile position in government Kong journalists who have come under that ended his political rise and glory. increasing attacks – economic, physical and cyber – for keeping us informed of the recent political turmoil there. ♦

Read the paper 7. Fast food chain meat scandals: Many 4. Property market slump: Chinese hous- online at fast food chains in China were affected by ing market facing a slump as they struggle 1. Alibaba: Ranked number 1 for our list tainted food scandal in China. Companies to sell, prices continue to fall, interests rate because of a few factors. 1) It claims the title www.chinainsight.info include McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and cuts by central banks, and weak sales are all for the largest global IPO ever recorded. It Taco Bell. Food scare broke out when signs of a industry booming out. sling shot Jack Ma to be China’s richest man chinainsight.info people February 2015 / PAGE 13

Roger Frisch :God Call for Articles… helps those who help Concerned about misconceptions about China?

ChinaInsight is a local newspaper fostering U.S.-China cultural and themselves business harmony. By Hanjin Hedy Jiang, 10th grader, International School of Minnesota We are interested in publishing articles that engage audiences in America. Potential topics range from understanding daily life in China (or for Chinese in America) to discussions of business markets from both an American or Chinese viewpoint.

For example, consider the following: • Chinese movies/entertainment • Book reviews • Minnesota-China ties/relationships • Recommended Chinese restaurants/food • Chinese painting/calligraphy • Chinese impressions of America • Tea • Impressions of China by Americans • Chinese musical instruments • American business people in China • Questions about China • Cartoons • Chinese immigrants that have succeeded in America • Local Chinese businesses • Chinese-owned businesses in Minnesota • Travel tales • Cross-cultural exchanges in education and businesses • Americans who are studying Chinese – why are you learning Chinese? The writer with Frisch • How do Chinese students adapt to America? • Chinese business customs “Whatever you do, try your best. Thank electrodes inside Frisch’s brain, a procedure you.” Enthusiastic applause echoed in Park- known as Deep Brain Stimulation. During If you would like to contribute an article, please contact Greg Hugh er Lake Baptist Church on the night of Jan. the operation, Frisch had to play the violin 17, 2015, following the performer’s closing while the surgeons located the irritant. The at (952) 472-4757 or comment. The audience gave its fervent Mayo Clinic operation was successful. e-mail [email protected]. applauses to a fantastic and tough violinist Frisch’s story was reported by many media, who played with soul - Roger Frisch. including almost all Chinese media since he Frisch is the associate concertmaster and performed in China in 2007-2008, providing violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra. He many master classes. People who have share some stories about himself. of life, from the lyric of music to the music also teaches classes in Northwestern College known that are impressed about it. He said he was so lucky to perform of life, Roger Frisch responded to God by located in Saint Paul. He plays a diverse I was so fortunate to have an opportunity around the world. Not only did he share his active life attitude. At the same time, style of music. His performances are also to meet Frisch and listened to his speech at music with audiences but also his faith. The he is also seeking the value of his own life. very versatile. To be an excellent violinist, the monthly potluck meeting at the Parker bible told him, besides peace and content, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not only did God give him gifts, but also Lake Baptist Church organized by the Twin we are supposed to strive for excellence. confirmed by Roger Frisch totally. After passion and persistence. City Chinese Christian Church West. Roger In my opinion, it is because the power of his speech, I was so lucky to have a short For Roger Frisch, the most impressive Frisch does not look like a very strong man faith and the love of music, he overcame the meeting time with him. From his eyes, I thing was his brain surgery four years ago. physically, but he is always in high spirits. hurt of disease and persists in practicing the can easily find wisdom. In China, there He was diagnosed with essential tremor, And he always smiles passionately. After violin 14 hours every day. What’s more, he is a saying: wise people would never die. a nervous system disorder with no known he played two pieces, he told us he was not also encouraged people to be dedicated to As far as I’m concerned, Roger Frisch’s cause and that causes certain body parts going to talk about his trip and performance their own careers. God will help you in this talent, his spirit and his faith will never to shake, especially the hands. When he tour (on the invitation of famous the Chinese way. Roger Frisch’s speech was quite vivid, disappear. Frisch’s legacy will last forever played the violin, his bow arm couldn’t conductor Timothy Su) in China in a 2-year it made listeners both laugh and captivated. and influence more people who are chasing help shaking. The doctors needed to place period several years ago. Instead, he will From the stage for playing to the stage their dreams. ♦ Minneapolis delegation continued from page 1 participation sports such as ice fishing, skating, pond hockey championships, to the City of Lakes Loppet. Mayors from Edmonton, Canada; Rovaniemi, Finland; Aarhus, Denmark; and Asahikawa, Japan; as well as the United Nations Development Programme Special Advisor for Strategic Partnerships, spoke of their various cold cities’ strategies for enhancing the economic, social and environmental quality of life in cold-zone areas. Mayor Hodges (l) and Songs (r) Mayor Hodges’ delegation also visited the Harbin No. 6 Senior High School, where the city; the New Jewish Synagogue, where administrators and teachers explored ways the history of Harbin’s role as a haven for for the Mayor to help connect that school Eastern European Jews in the early 20th cen- with high schools in the Twin Cities. tury was recalled in placards, photographs The delegation enjoyed numerous and dioramas of Jewish life in Harbin; and Chinese banquets provided by the Harbin the Zhongyang Road (Center St.) “public hosts, and visited historical sites in Harbin architectural arts museum,” where scores including the St. Sofia Cathedral, from the of old buildings are preserved along and early days of Russian cultural influence in around a cobblestone pedestrian mall. ♦ PAGE 14 / February 2015 events chinainsight.info chinainsight.info events February 2015 / PAGE 15 Ring in the Year of the Sheep with community organizations

Chinese New Year 2015 falls on Feb. 19. This is the Year of the Sheep and people born during sheep years possess the following characteristics: mild-manner, shy, stable, sympa- thetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice Many local Chinese organizations will be hosting Chinese New Year events. Following are a few you may wish to attend.

Chinese New Year Celebration Time: 5 p.m., gathering; 5:30 p.m., dinner; 7 p.m., dinner Join a group of fun-loving people for free beer, root beer and Chinese Location: Peking Garden Restaurant (1488 University Avenue, St. Paul) appetizers. Free parking also. Host: Date: Thursday, Feb 5 US-China Peoples Friendship Association, Minnesota Chapter, Time: 6-8 p.m. www.USCPFA.org Location: Summit Brewing Company (910 Montreal Circle, Saint Paul) Costs: $28 members, $32 non-members, $15 under age 12, add $5 after Feb. 1 Host: U.S.-China Business Connection Become an event sponsor and reserve a table for 10 for $400 Contacts: P.O. Box 24492, Edina, MN 55424-0492 RSVP: To reserve your space, send guest names and check payable to Special Thanks: Summit Brewing Co. USCPFA-MN at 6600 Lyndale Avenue South, #1306, Richfield, MN 55423 Contacts: 612-866-8228 and [email protected] XinXing Chinese New Year Festival Families with elementary school-aged children will enjoy games, prizes, Chinese New Year Family Friday food and lion dance. Enjoy live music and Chinese dancers! Free. Date: Saturday Feb. 7 Date: Friday, Feb 13 Time: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Time: 5-8 p.m. Location: Eisenhower/XinXing Elementary (1001 Hwy 7; Hopkins) Location: Midtown Global Market (920 E Lake St., Minneapolis) Host: XinXing Academy of Hopkins Host: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

Multi-organization Celebration Celebrating the Spring Festival; Enjoying the Carnival! Ticketed event for the entire family, includes Food Bazaar and door Lion dance competition, folk song and dance, traditional prizes worth $2,000! See event schedule below. custom experiences, and Spring Festival Carnival Date: Saturday, Feb. 7 Date: Sunday, Feb 15 Time: 3-7 p.m. Time: 1:30-5:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.: Admission Location: Valley View Middle School, Edina (6750 Valley View Rd, Edina) 3 p.m.: Performances: lion dance, Chinese dances, ballet and more Host: Minnesota International Chinese School 明州国际中文学校, Edina 4:30 p.m.: Lucky money for children, door prizes and more Chinese Association 伊黛娜华人协会 5 p.m.: Delicious food from the Food Bazaar Contacts: Melody Zhou; [email protected]; 612-618-0067; Location: North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center, Jerry Zhang, [email protected], 612-226-9502 University of Minnesota ((2017 Buford Ave, St. Paul) Special Thanks: Edina School District, Hongde Lion Dance, Xu Lion Dance, Costs: Adult: $15 in advance ($20 at door), Xu Qian Studio, MN Times, China Tribune, Edina Mayor Office, Student/Senior: $12 in advance ($15 at door), Huanghur Supermarket, TeaSource, Explore MN, Mall of America, Children 5-12 : $8 in advance ($10 at door), children under 5, free. China Center, Confucius Institute. Ticket price includes food coupons equivalent to $7 in value ($6 for child ticket) Advanced tickets are available before Feb. 1, at the Twin Cities Toddler Tuesday Happy Chinese New Year Chinese Language School on Saturdays, or from ticket-sales volunteers. Meet Kai-lan from 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.; view the Kai-lan Contacts: [email protected] (651) 733-9827 or “Happy Chinese New Year!” episode and make a festive craft! [email protected] 763-639-5202. Date: Tuesday, Feb. 17 Organized by: Minnesota Chinese Cultural Services Center (MCCSC), Time: 10 a.m.-noon Chinese American Academic & Professional Association in Location: Mall of America Rotunda, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington Minnesota (CAAPAM), Minnesota Chinese Veterans Association (MCVA), Host: Mall of America Minnesota Chinese Student Association (MCSA), Taiwan Student Association (TSA), Twin Cities Chinese Language School (TCCLS) Chinese Senior Citizens Society Enjoy good selection of food, lion dance and hong bao for children. Celebrating the Year of the Ram A full house is expected, so make your reservation early! Dinner and entertainment. Menu: Appetizers of Chinese pickled vegetables Date: Sunday, Feb. 22 and fried dumplings, Peking Duck with pancakes and steamed buns, Time: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Peking Duck soup, stir-fried pea tips, tenderloin steak, double lobster Location: Habachi Buffet (111 Lake Street, Minneapolis) with ginger and yee-mein, shrimp in pepper and salt, eggplant with Cost: $12.00 per adult, $7.00 for kids aged 1 to 10 garlic sauce, Contacts: Helen Fong, 952-226-1888; Mei Zhen Cheng, 651-221-9115; fillet of sole with Grace Wong, 763-533-1203; Sunthi Paul, 612-865-5246; Jennie Szechuan sauce, dessert of tapioca with small rice balls Hsiao, 612-866-4666 or Betty Hom, 952-249-2884 Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 PAGE 16 / February 2015 events chinainsight.info

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1232187_14088 10x7 4C.indd 1 1/23/15 4:25 PM 欢乐春节人大附中艺术团隆重奉献 A JOYFUL SPRING FESTIVAL By Beijing RDFZ Troupe Sunday, Februry 15, 2015 at 7pm The O’Shaughnessy 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul MN 55105