FosteringC Businesshina and Cultural HarmonyInsight between China and the U.S. VOL. 10 NO. 1 www.chinainsight.info January 2011 A trip to China: Observations Chinese New Year and reflections on life in China By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer have been antici- until we checked into pating my first our next hotel around I trip to China for 9 p.m. as we visited several years. While places and had all of I expected to partake our meals together. Travel of the requisite sight- Day 1 of the tour seeing, shopping and was basically a travel dining that one would day since the direct normally experience, flight from Chicago to this trip also turned Shanghai takes about into a cultural and his- 14 hours. Upon our toric odyssey for me arrival in Shanghai/ as I traveled through Pudong Airport, we parts of China for 15 were greeted by our days. My wife Linda guide, Leo Li, who in- along with sister-in- troduced us to the pen- Arts law, Carol from Chi- Shanghai waterfront nant/flag that would cago and I joined a henceforth be the ral- tour group of about 50 other individuals in each other, our diverse group that included lying point as we moved among the masses Chicago for our flight to Shanghai, China several extended families, children, elders, in China from one place to the next. Upon which was an optional tour prior to attending including non-Chinese, quickly became checking in we learned that our passports the 11th International Moy Family Conven- friends as the tour helped us develop a would need to be provided to the hotel and tion in Guangzhou, China as guests of the harmonious relationship. Our schedule for this was the policy required at all hotels in delegation from Chicago. the next 6 days would start with a 6:30 a.m. China. We also learned that you do not take Although most of us did not know wakeup call and we would be on the go Trip to China continues on Page 9 China Manufacturing and U.S. Retail, operating a lean company to drive maximum sales and profitability Sports By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer he December meeting of U.S.- them… bottom line.” China Business Connections The beauty of doing business with Chi- Tfeatured Shean Ferrell, Managing na, states Ferrell, is the fact that the country Partner of Pellegrene, Ferrell & Associates, has established a highly competent, efficient speaking on U.S. Retail and China Manufac- manufacturing base with the knowledge and turing, Operating a lean company to drive infrastructure to support mass production at maximum retail sales and profitability. highly competitive prices. There are few In a small satellite office in Minnetonka, places in the world that are able to offer Minnesota 3 individuals; Shean Ferrell, such vertically integrated manufacturing communication and workflow they utilize Joe Pellegrene and Eric Voltin have been practices that can quickly turn a sample or Skype to video conference with their Chi- managing, manufacturing and selling mil- a concept into finished product customized nese manufacturing partners, which is a free lions of products for U.S. mass retail since to the specification of the customer. service that allows them to have real-time 2003. The company Pellegrene, Ferrell Through technology and strategic busi- face- to-face meetings where all parties can & Associates “PFABRANDS” or “PFA” ness partners PFA has been able to develop preview prototypes, concepts and finished has been able to maintain low overhead a business model that allows them to oper- goods. and reduce risk by utilizing technology to ate a low overhead virtual business that In addition they can also discuss product effectively communicate with its Chinese essentially operates much like those with specifications and utilize instant file trans- ALSO IN THIS ISSUE manufacturing partners, worldwide logistics fixed assets and high overhead. To simplify fers to transfer workflow documentation. teams and U.S. retail customers. According Announcements...... 2 E-mail is an effective tool but nothing beats to Ferrell, “There is no need in our business Education...... 3-4 the speed of a face-to-face meeting and for lavish office spaces or a large staff when Skype is a great resource to bridge this gap Sports...... 5 we are able to utilize the resources of our and is a universal product that is utilized Arts ...... 6 Chinese and U.S. business partners. We see worldwide. EFAX is another great tool Finance...... 7 companies come and go quite often in this PFA has incorporated into their business that Travel...... 8-9 industry and in most instances the reason Business...... 10 has to do with resource allocation, how companies inappropriately deploy capital Images: Products offered by PFA Culture...... 11-13 and don’t focus on the objective at hand Food...... 14 China Manufacturing continues on which is manufacturing products and selling Chinese New Year...... 15-16 Page 10 PAGE 2 > JANUARY 2011 announcements www.chinainsight.info Statement by the Press ChinaInsight Secretary on the Visit of Advertisers Publisher: President Hu Jintao of the Your potential customers Gregory J. Hugh People’s Republic of China are reading ChinaInsight. [email protected] Shouldn’t you be bringing them The President will host Hu Jintao, bilateral, regional, and global issues, as well in the door with an ad? Editor: President of the People’s Republic of as the friendship between the peoples of our Jennifer Nordin China, at the White House on January 19 two countries. The President looks forward [email protected] for an official State visit. This will be the to welcoming President Hu to Washington Contact Greg Hugh third State visit of the administration and to continue building a partnership that ad- Manager of Operations/ reciprocates President Obama’s State visit vances our common interests and addresses 952-472-4757 to China in November 2009. our shared concerns. [email protected] Circulation: Richard He President Hu’s visit will highlight the The President and Mrs. Obama will host or visit importance of expanding cooperation President Hu for an official state dinner on [email protected] between the United States and China on the night of January 19.  www.chinainsight.info for more advertising Marketing Director: Yo-Yo Ma named a Presidential information. Will Ahern [email protected] Medal of Freedom Recipient Production Editor: On Nov. 17 President Barack Obama extraordinary lives that have inspired us, named fifteen recipients of the Presidential enriched our culture, and made our country Dawn Murphy Medal of Freedom. One of the recipients and our world a better place. I look forward ChinaInsight [email protected] was cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The Medal of Free- to awarding them this honor.” is seeking dom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, Artist/Intern: presented to individuals who have made Yo-Yo Ma Production Editor Lauren Hugh especially meritorious contributions to the Yo-Yo Ma is considered the world’s Must be passionate about security or national interests of the United greatest living cellist, recognized as a our mission: in addition to being Staff Writers: States, to world peace, or to cultural or other prodigy since the age of five whose celebrity success-oriented, self-motivated, Greg Hugh significant public or private endeavors. The transcends the world of classical music. resourceful, creative, disciplined [email protected] other Medal of Freedom recipients are: Born in Paris, Ma was a child prodigy who and community-minded. President George H. W. Bush, Chancellor went on to study with Leonard Rose in New Responsibilities include layout Elizabeth Greenberg Angela Merkel, Congressman John Lewis, York. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at and design of 10 issues per year John H. Adams, Maya Angelou, Warren age nine. He was the recipient of the Avery using Adobe InDesign and Photo- [email protected] Buffett, Jasper Johns, Gerda Weissmann Fisher Prize in 1978, and, in 1991, Harvard shop, some proofreadiing, must be Klein, Dr. Tom Little (Posthumous), Sylvia awarded him an honorary doctorate in mu- Internet savvy. Anthony James Mendez, Stan Musial, Bill Russell, Jean sic. He serves as Artistic Director of the Silk [email protected] Kennedy Smith and John J. Sweeney. The Road Project, and has won sixteen Grammy This is a part-time, awards will be presented at a White House awards. He is known especially for his volunteer position. Albert Leung ceremony early in 2011. interpretations of Bach and Beethoven, and [email protected] President Obama said, “These outstand- for his ability to play many different styles Contact Greg Hugh at ing honorees come from a broad range of of music, including tango and bluegrass. He 952-472-4757 or Jennifer Nordin backgrounds and they’ve excelled in a broad serves on the President’s Committee on the [email protected] range of fields, but all of them have lived Arts and Humanities.  [email protected] Mike Xiong [email protected]

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Editor, ChinaInsight 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 ChinaInsight Insight Fax: 952 472-6665 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Guaranteed [email protected] 10 issues - $24 for a domestic subscription and $40 for Letters to the Editor become the property international. you could run to the of ChinaInsight and may be edited for YES length and published. Articles will not be Please make check payable to ChinaInsight, 6520 South store and pick up a copy, but published without the express consent of Bay Drive, Minnetrista, MN 55331 did you know you can have the author. Name______ChinaInsight delivered directly NOTICE TO READERS: The views Address______to your mailbox? epressed in articles are the author’s and not neccesarily those of ChinaInsight. City/State/Zip______A subscription costs a mere Authors may have a business relationship $24 and brings a full year (10 with the companies or businesses they Phone______discuss. Email______issues) of new understanding Company______about today’s China, from language to business Title______opportunities. Copyright 2010 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info education JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 3 Looking for a job on campus By Stephanie He Many international students have work students will be graduating. Certainly, some we just waited outside. We lined up to keep experience when they study in school. It is jobs will be available for next semester. This warm in sub-zero temperatures. Around four good experience for getting a good job after time I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. hours later, there were four students from graduating. For the international students, Like the current job market in society, India who came towards us. They also came this is the most important point to get a for- there are not enough jobs to go around for here to get the top positions. When we told mal job in the United States. Some students the students on campus. All the applications them we stayed all night, they were shocked. have an internship in school; other students will be First Come First Serve. I have to oc- They thought they would be the first group. have a part-time job during their studies. cupy a position on the top of the applicant As time went on, more students came Not only they can get work experience, but list in order to get a job. So I prepared to to wait for the career office to open. By 6 they also can earn some money to decrease wait in front of the career office with my a.m., there was a long line in front of the the financial burden on their parents. In the friends all night to get on the top of the list. building. My friends and I were the first the competitive school environment, getting a Because the office opened at 8 a.m. the group; we thought everything we had done part-time job on campus is rare for interna- day after Thanksgiving, we got some sleep was worth it. tional students. and woke up at Thanksgiving night around Finally, I am in the first group of ap- I have been studying in the United States 10 p.m., brought our all books and some plicants. I do not know whether I will be one and a half years, but I still do not have stuff to keep warm outside while we waited. hired. It is up to the employers. This is a any work experience. At St. Cloud State We realized that would be a hard night. For competitive society; I have to be prepared University, international students cannot getting a part-time job on campus, we were for competition in the future. This opportu- ASIAN BLOOD DONORS NEEDED work off campus, they just can work on prepared to take this challenge. When we nity was a good experience for me.  Call 1-800-59-DONOR toll free for campus, and also only a few jobs are avail- arrived at the office building, the door was more information. able. With winter vacation nearing, some locked; we could not enter the building, so Yvonne Cheung Ho of MEDA gathers corporate executives and entrepreneurs of color to lead at-risk students in innovative mentoring initiative

One-of-a-kind program aims to become national model Numerous mentoring programs around to ask questions, and learn about the chal- About MEDA the gap between majority and minority en- the country regularly match businesses with lenges and possibilities of entrepreneurship Metropolitan Economic Development trepreneurs with its business development kids. The varied programs are critically and business. Association (MEDA) is a nonprofit orga- programs. The organization’s services help important and often show positive results. * The first event held last month, fea- nization that provides training, financing, invigorate minority communities, local and But few, if any, of these initiatives involve tured a dialogue with Tony Williamson, a consulting and other assistance to minority- national economies and help create great the head of the company in a year-long effort successful African American entrepreneur owned and minority-managed companies. business leaders in Minnesota.  to broaden the horizons of at-risk students who started an IT consulting company with MEDA (www.MEDA.net) works to narrow through the world of business. In an ambi- his wife in 1995. The company currently tious effort to prepare vulnerable children has revenues of US$35 million. for rewarding careers in the future, Risen * The second event will include a pre- Christ School (RCS), a 325-student, K-8 sentation on January 7, 2011 by Cathy Cruz grade school located in the Powderhorn Gooch, a third generation Mexican Ameri- Mother Tongue Park area of Minneapolis, has created an in- can woman, whose family owns Catallia novative program, Imagine the Possibilities. Mexican Foods, a tortilla manufacturing By Sophie Liu-Othmer More than 90 percent of RCS’s students company. come from families who are living either at * The third event is a luncheon on I speak Chinese to my dog or below the poverty line. Many of these February 10, 2011 hosted by Ken Powell, Baby, my precious son, my heart and liver* students will become first-generation high chairman and CEO of General Mills. At this How beautiful you are school graduates. Because these students event, students can interact with Powell as Yellow coat, and those black eyes have limited contact with the world of busi- well as MEDA clients, who are entrepre- Oh, they are even slanted like mine ness, the school believes they would benefit neurs of color. from personal interactions with business Student participation can include field I see you are thinking about leaders. Imagine the Possibilities program trips to the business, focus group research what makes my red braised pork divine will pair the top executives from over a and other ideas to help youth understand the Grandpa in China made it divine dozen companies with 8th-grade students. importance of their education in preparation You’ve decided on my egg rolls- The business leaders/mentors would ex- for future careers. Funded in part by an Not even buttered fresh sourdough changed your mind pressly design a project related to their field inner-city education grant from the GHR to be presented over the course of the school Foundation, RCS’s (www.risenchristschool. You soar in my Chinese lyrics like year to their group of students. org) Imagine the Possibilities will result in Clouds dancing on evening winds Yvonne Cheung Ho, president and CEO a myriad of benefits to both students and You sprint in long strides of Chinese syllables of Metropolitan Economic Development their mentors. to build for me the mounts of green, in slow motion Association (MEDA), is taking the project “The approach is both innovative and your enlarged eyes grin for Chinese ghosts one step further. “I simply want my lesson creative. Because the students are the focus plan to include other Twin Cities corporate of the campaign, they will bring back to the I awoke from eating piles of jujubes executives and entrepreneurs of color in an classroom insights and knowledge that will You licked your chops and sighed with me interactive series of sessions with students,” also influence, inform and enlighten other Raindrops from a Chinese tree she said. “By showcasing successful en- students,” said Fran Rusciano Murnane, My yellow son, my yellow sun- trepreneurs of color, I want the students to RCS’s director of advancement and program Come closer to me ‘imagine the possibilities’ these business manager. “Imagine the Possibilities will men and women now have because of their allow us to expand our academic capital Smooth my wrinkled soul upon the sea hard work and success.” and give our students a broader educational Cheung Ho has already scheduled three experience.” 心肝 events for the students, introducing them to * (heart and liver): This Chinese expression comes from a belief that liver is the entrepreneurs of color and allowing them the seat of emotions. PAGE 4 > JANUARY 2011 education www.chinainsight.info Educational exchanges with China prove fruitful art school where 64,000 ap- was honored by the gesture and will likely and Student Professional Development in plicants recently applied for return to China to teach. Meanwhile, his the Liberal Arts." MPCC President Paul 2,000 openings. "The number Summer Exchange Program is being rep- Cerkvenik gave opening remarks at the of students seeking degrees licated by other colleges; at CSB/SJU, a conference. is enormous, which is poten- grant will allow the program to one day be The partnership with UIC represents tially beneficial because you replicated in India and Japan. many firsts, Cerkvenik noted. UIC is the have a huge surplus of phe- first fully-sanctioned liberal arts college to nomenally qualified students Focusing on liberal arts in China be created in China in more than 50 years, who could study in the U.S. if This November, 12 representatives and the agreement reached with MPCC is they wanted," he said. from the Minnesota Private College Coun- the first UIC reached with any American There are four students cil (MPCC) member institutions returned college or group of colleges. "What I saw from China (and Taiwan) from the fourth annual MPCC-United at UIC is a very serious interest in bringing currently studying to receive International College (UIC) Presidential a true liberal arts curriculum into higher MCAD degrees. In the future, Lecture Series and the Sino-American education in China. It is a ground-breaking MPCC President Paul Cerkvenik (second from left) and Coogan would like to bring Conference on Liberal Arts Education. The development for them," he said. "It is also the International Development Office staff at UIC (Mei Chinese art and design pro- group traveled to Hong Kong and Zhuhai, clear that the relationship with MPCC Li, Bill Feng, Maggie Wu, Jasmine Sun, Cherry Yan) fessors to MCAD to teach; a coastal city in southern China, where UIC schools is a high priority for them." and St. Olaf’s Pat Quade (far right). he is also planning an oppor- is located. The economic boom in China combined Most Americans know that Chinese tunity for an MCAD faculty Representatives from four MPCC in- with the one child policy has created a mid- companies have become major players in member and students to study art and design stitutions — Augsburg College, Concordia dle class that is willing and able to pay for the worldwide economy. The corporate in China. College, Gustavus Adophus College and their children’s higher education, Cerkvenik world, however, isn’t the only area in which "It’s important that our students experi- Bethany Lutheran College — were in at- noted. Families value both education and China’s ambition and global interest are ence Chinese culture, and see what Chinese tendance; the College of St. Scholastica international study opportunities for their making waves — a recent report revealed art and design students are doing, because and Hamline University are also members children. In addition, the country is investing that China is now the number one source they are creating some fantastic work," he of the consortium. In addition, Concordia greatly in its universities, and emphasizing for international students studying in the said. "I suppose you could see them as a University, St. Paul is exploring the UIC internationalism. As American students also United States. And with 29 million students formidable opponent, but I’d like to see consortium and sent a representative on the seek opportunities to study abroad in China, enrolled in higher education in China, the them as wonderful partners." trip. The UIC collaboration involves stu- there is a natural opportunity to collaborate. opportunities for international collaboration dents from both countries studying abroad, "The combination of these factors leads will likely only grow. The chemistry of international friendships faculty from MPCC institution visiting and me to believe that MPCC schools have a Minnesota private colleges are no For College of St. Benedict and St. teaching at UIC and MPCC graduates travel- significant opportunity in higher education strangers to Chinese colleges and universi- John’s University (CSB/SJU) chemistry ing to UIC to serve as teaching assistants. in China, especially in the formation of a ties, with some institutions forging new professor Henry Jakubowski, an interest Gustavus Adolphus College President liberal arts curriculum there," he said.  partnerships and others building on decades- in the history of science and medicine led Jack Ohle and Bethany Lutheran College old relationships. Below are examples from him to China. After a faculty development President Dan Bruss each gave lectures Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, program gave him the chance to visit the at the event, which focused on liberal arts the December newsletter produced by the the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s country in 1997, Jakubowski began consid- education. Ohle’s lecture was titled "The Minnesota Private College Council and is University and a multi-institution partner- ering ways his science students, who were Importance of Internationalism in the Lib- reprinted with their permission. ship with United International College. rarely able to fit study abroad into their tight eral Arts" while Bruss spoke about "Faculty schedules, could make such a trip. Designing global partnerships "The germ of an idea developed in my For Jay Coogan, president of Minne- mind that it would be great if we could set Minnesota students perform in China apolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), up some sort of exchange that would also China’s emergence as a collaborator in involve research," he said. Jakubowski said at Confucius Institute Conference higher education endeavors is no surprise. the combination of research and studying Three Minnesota students recently provided a grant to assist several of the Though he’s been president at MCAD for abroad interested him because those experi- returned from a two-week trip to China students so that they could get the neces- slightly more than a year, he spent his last ences are often cited by students as the most after performing at the fifth annual Confu- sary travel documents expedited. eight years at the Rhode Island School meaningful aspects of their undergraduate cius Institute Directors Forum in Beijing, The Confucius Institute Conference is of Design building international relation- career. China. The Minnesota students -- Nick hosted annually by the Hanban, a public ships, he said; those experiences made him In 2004, Jakubowski again went to Klauda (Chanhassen High School), Nathan institution affiliated with the Chinese Min- prioritize developing similar partnerships China to lead CSB/SJU’s fall study abroad Tapp (graduate of Patrick Henry High istry of Education that provides Chinese at MCAD. program at Southwest University (SWU) in School in Minneapolis) and Tommy Tran language and cultural teaching resources A recent trip to China this October was Beibei, an institution with which CSB/SJU (a Patrick Henry graduate and current Uni- and services worldwide. The conference especially fruitful for Coogan, as it yielded had had a partnership since 1985. He started versity of Minnesota student) -- performed is designed to bring Confucius Institute three new collaboration agreements be- planning the Summer Science Exchange traditional Chinese songs and martial arts directors from around the world together tween MCAD and Chinese art and design Program at that time; it began in 2006. with students from around the world at the with their institution's leadership to discuss schools. The Central Academy of Fine Art The program is designed to take five to conference, which is hosted by the Chinese the development and impact of Confucius in Beijing is one new collaborator. Coogan 10 students to SWU in mid-May, where they government and designed to bring Confu- Institutes. The conference also allows Con- attended and spoke at a conference there on partner with Chinese students and do re- cius Institute leadership from around the fucius Institute directors and their leaders the future of art education and design, along search for six weeks, under the supervision world together. to interact with key personnel in China's with representatives from ten other institu- of a SWU professor. Then, the students and Each year, the University of Minne- education ministry and institutions. tions from Asia and Europe. The conference their Chinese partners come to Minnesota sota's Confucius Institute (which opened The Minnesota delegation -- which ended with the institutions signing an accord for another six weeks of research. in 2008) and China Center annually host also included University of Minnesota Se- documenting an intention to work together. Though the research aspect is novel, a China Day program for local area high nior Vice President for System Academic Other schools with which MCAD signed especially for undergraduates in China, school students who are studying Chinese. Administration Robert Jones, Associate agreements were the Luxun Academy of Jakubowski said the program also has other The 2009 program focused on Chinese Vice President and Dean of International Fine Art (with campuses in Shengyang and benefits. "This program offers the chance for music, and the local students were chosen Programs Meredith McQuaid and Con- Dalian) and the Shanghai College of Art. interpersonal relationships in a way that is to perform in Beijing based on their per- fucius Institute Director Joan Brzezinski Finally, MCAD is exploring collabora- quite unique," he said. "It’s an opportunity formances. -- arrived in China on Dec. 1 and departed tion with the Shang Yuan Art Museum and for students to mentor other students while The entire performance was shown Dec. 14. Artists Residency Program, located outside they are in their home country and to learn on Chinese television. Videos from The Confucius Institute at the Uni- Beijing. The group sent three emerging a new culture when they’re abroad. I’ve the performance can be seen at http:// versity of Minnesota (CIUMN) promotes artists to speak at MCAD this fall, Coogan had students say the program changed their confucius.umn.edu/calendar/2010_ the study of Chinese language and culture said; in the future, he sees MCAD faculty lives." student_performance.html. throughout Minnesota. It is a collabora- and graduates possibly spending time there. Jakubowski had always wanted the pro- Two of the students, Tommy Tran and tive initiative between the University of In China, there is a strong demand for gram to expand beyond the sciences, and in Nick Klauda gathered with a small group Minnesota, the Hanban/Confucius Insti- pre-professional design programs. "Design recent years, it has, encompassing arts, hu- at Mandarin Kitchen for Dim Sum and tute Headquarters, and Capital Normal is definitely something that many people manities and social sciences. In May 2010, had hoped to catch their performances University in Beijing. The Confucius want to study there. They are proud of while visiting China, he was surprised when on TV but unfortunately were unable to Institute at the University of Minnesota is their heritage, their thousands of years of the vice chancellor of Southwest University locate the correct channel. The Chinese one of 67 in the United States and nearly artistry, and they see creativity as important decided to give him a special honor — the Heritage Foundation was represented by economically," he said. title of visiting professor of chemistry and 400 worldwide.  Ming Tschou and Pearl Bergad who had Consider the example of a Chinese chemical engineering at SWU. Jakubowski www.chinainsight.info sports JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 5 PAGE 6 > JANUARY 2011 arts www.chinainsight.info BOOK REVIEW

Deborah Fallows, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language. New York: Walker & Co., 2010. 205 p. ISBN 978-0-8027-7913-7.

Reviewed by Raymond Lum selves approach foreigners speaking their how do Chinese people communicate with one) of the given name are non-divisible. language. She was welcomed, ignored, one another? All Chinese languages write in For the Cantonese, who are still the largest harassed, but she took all episodes as part of only one modern form, the written form of Chinese immigrant community in the United the learning experience. And what Fallows the Beijing language, known in the West as States, the generational name, used to indi- found, which she probably already knew “Mandarin,” which is not a Chinese word. cate relationships and the terms of address from her study of other foreign languages, Not long after the founding of the People’s to be used with others of the same surname is that learning a foreign language opens Republic of China in 1949, Mandarin, based (such as “elder brother” [which could also up another culture in ways that studying on the way it is spoken in Beijing, was mean “cousin], “younger uncle,” “elder a culture without learning that culture’s declared the national language and is today aunt,”) is acquired upon a man’s marriage language cannot. taught in schools and used in the broadcast (Fallows does not address the complex issue Like some other languages, spoken Chi- media. The language is now known in China of women’s names). nese is tonal, meaning that how one raises as “putonghua,” the common language, but Still, the author presents a highly read- or lowers a sound, following an established goes by other names in Taiwan, Singapore, able, entertaining, and personal account of pattern, determines what a spoken syllable Southeast Asia, and the United States, and how a foreigner, with an academic back- means. The classic example of this is the by yet earlier names in China. ground in linguistics and foreign-language sound “ma.” Pronounced in a high level So, can non-Chinese learn Chinese? Of study, approached learning Chinese when pitch, it can mean “mother.” As a rising course, and many do, just as many Chinese deposited into 21st century Chinese-speak- sound, it might mean “hemp,” but in a learn English perfectly. Australians are ing China. The lesson to be learned from this falling and then rising sound, it can mean particularly efficient at learning Chinese be- book, and perhaps the whole point of it, is “horse.” When the sound descends, it can cause of that nation’s close relationship with that she did it and so can we. mean “to scold.” And when pronounced China but more so because Chinese is taught The author’s multiple digressions give in a “neutral” tone, it can indicate that an to students from a very early age, when they us a view of living and learning in China an a billion Chinese be wrong? utterance is a question. There is nothing in are most receptive. Americans, on the other that provide a real-life context for acquiring Contrary to popular myth, Chi- the written form to indicate the tone. And hand, most often begin foreign language the language and much of its baggage in a Cnese is not an impossibly difficult some characters are used to represent more study (Spanish, French, perhaps German or rapidly-changing country where the changes language to learn. Spoken Chinese is, rather, than one word, often with completely dif- Latin) only in high school, if at all, and gen- are reflected in the language (for example, deceptively simple and is much less com- ferent pronunciations. That’s why Chinese erally have no use for it. The world speaks “tongzhi” formerly was a greeting between plex than English. Consider this: in Chinese, love dictionaries. So, we could theoretically English (very well, in fact), the Internet is Communist comrades but now is a greet- “he” and “she” are the same words; there are get a statement such as “Ma ma ma ma?” largely in English, and English-speaking ing among gay people) and where the most no singular or plural forms; there are no verb meaning, “Does Mom scold the horse?” The people colonized much of the world and modern nuances and slang can be learned forms (no past, present, future tenses; the four syllables might also mean, “Mom, is the passed on their language and much of their only by listening and asking (“shouji,” or only tense aspect of Chinese is foreigners horse numb?” Or it might mean “Mommy! value system. Winston Churchill described “hand machine” is not a vibrator but a cell thinking it’s hard); numbers are based on the Mommy!” So, “Ma ma ma ma” can have the United States and England as two coun- phone). decimal system, although larger numbers are a variety of spoken meanings, depending tries divided by a common language. China, One awaits a similar study of Chinese in groupings of ten thousands; agreement on the tones of the spoken syllables, the on the other hand, is a country united by a as spoken on Taiwan and in other com- of nouns and verbs is not necessary. “Book context, the understanding of the hearer, common written language but separated by munities, particularly Hong Kong, where have picture” can be singular or plural but and the intention of the speaker. But rare mutually unintelligible utterances unless the language has evolved differently since is perfectly clear in context, as is “I already is the Chinese utterance made up of only they are all in Mandarin. 1949. In Taiwan, for example, “aizi le,” went tomorrow at this time.” one repeating syllable, except in textbooks. Attempts to explain the vagaries of the the “joy of short people,” was once used as So why do foreigners think Chinese is Fallows gives a classic example of just Chinese language---and, obliquely, why we the Chinese term for platform shoes. And hard to learn? There are some features of such a composition, however, in the poem supposedly can’t learn it---have given us among American Chinese, the Cantonese modern Chinese that might seem daunting to “The Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den,” a some interesting and insightful publications, term “jook sing,” which means the hollow the uninitiated: instead of an alphabet of 26 semantic spoof by the eminent linguist Chao such as Richard Newnham’s book, About space between the nodes of bamboo, is still 元 任 letters, Chinese has some 60,000 individual Yuanren (Chao Yuen Ren) 赵 (p. 41). Chinese (1988), and David Moser’s “Why used by elders to describe American-born written symbols known in English as “char- The poem is composed of 92 characters, Chinese is So Damn Hard,” (http://pinyin. Chinese and their hollow knowledge of acters,” although only some two thousand with many repetitions, all pronounced the info/readings/texts/moser.html). But per- anything really Chinese. (only 2000!) are necessary for functional same but for the tones. haps the best English-language explanation For anyone anticipating the study of the literacy. But what each character “means” While Fallows deals in some detail with of Chinese is The Chinese Language: Fact Chinese language, this book will serve as a depends almost entirely on context, on the the spoken tonal system of Mandarin, she and Fantasy, by John DeFrancis (University first-hand introduction to what they are up other characters with which it is allied in a glosses over the so-called “neutral” tone of Hawaii Press, 1984), which is the classic against but, more importantly, will encour- statement, whether spoken or written. The and the phenomenon of tone sandhi, in work on the subject. The latest addition to age them with a success story.  Chinese writing system is based on mean- which the tone assigned to an individual that coterie of treatments is this succinct and ings imbedded in the characters rather than syllable can change in speech depending timely book by one who learned Chinese sound, although most characters have a visu- on the tones of the immediately preceding as an adult and by necessity. Her previous al element suggesting pronunciation. Thus, and immediately following syllables. That studies of foreign languages and her PhD Raymond Lum the many languages of China that write in requires Chinese speakers to anticipate what in linguistics no doubt set her up well for Raymond Lum (林希文) the same script and grammar---although they will say before they say it, which is not learning Chinese, but her apparently warm a bad idea at all. personality and openness gave her an easy is Librarian for Western they are spoken with different grammar, Languages in the Har- English also has tones, emphasis really, entry to the language and the people she sounds, and vocabulary---can be mutu- vard-Yenching Library, ally understood in writing no matter how a that determine nuance more than separate met in China. where he is also curator syllable is pronounced in the multitude of meanings. Consider these: YOU bought Fallows’s experience in learning and of historic photographs. languages and dialects current in China and bread? (so did I). You bought BREAD? (I using Chinese in situ suggests why anyone A native of Chicago’s among the Chinese abroad. But of course told you to buy potatoes). You BOUGHT going off to live in China might do well to Chinatown, he studied Chinese there and in one has to be literate to take advantage of bread? (I always make my own). YOU begin learning the language before they Taiwan. He holds a master’s in library sci- ence from the University of Michigan, and that commonality. Where to begin? BOUGHT BREAD! (thanks; I had forgotten head out. Much of what she took pains to an MA and PhD in East Asian Languages & Arriving in China to accompany her to get it). But unlike with Chinese tones, it discover would have been covered in U.S. is still about you and the bread. college courses. Because her introduction Civilizations from Harvard University. From husband, James Fallows, on his three-year 1968 through 1970, he was a US Peace Corps And what is Chinese? What are often to the language evolved in northern China, assignment for The New Yorker, Deborah Volunteer in Sarawak, Malaysia. Formerly, Fallows was thrust into a society, with two referred to as “dialects” of Chinese are for after very brief study in the United States, he also was Harvard’s librarian for South and small children, in which she had to negoti- the most part separate regional Chinese lan- Fallows tends to generalize about Chinese. Southeast Asia and Instructor in Chinese in ate daily life in a language she did not know guages. The Chinese, who rarely relocated For example, she refers to the usual three- the Harvard University Extension School. He well. She set out in a mostly orderly fashion until fairly recently, developed unique local syllable Chinese name as being composed is the book review editor for a new (debuting to learn the language and in the process languages. And thus someone from Beijing, of, first, the surname, followed by the first 2010) online scholarly journal, TransAsia Photography Review, and contributes the learned a great deal about the language, for example, speaking in the Beijing (north- name and then the middle name, one of column “Asia Resources on the World Wide much of which she records in this charm- ern) Chinese language cannot understand the latter of which is a common character someone from Shanghai speaking Shang- used by all males in a common generation. Web” to the Asian Studies Newsletter of the ing book. Association for Asian Studies. He has directed hainese, as Fallows discovered after living Chinese forenames are not composed of first How the author learned Chinese is very several Harvard projects that digitized photo- revealing about how the Chinese them- first in Shanghai and then in Beijing. So and middle names: the two syllables (rarely, graphs and other visual images of Asia. www.chinainsight.info finance JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 7

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132398_00817 10x13 bw.indd 1 12/14/10 12:43 PM PAGE 8 > JANUARY 2011 travel www.chinainsight.info My first trip to China would not be complete without a visit to Liyuan Garden in Kaiping District of Guangdong By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer highlight of tury to other parts of the den Zone lies to the west my recent trip world and many of them of the Villa Zone and A to China was immigrated to Canada, comprises several ex- to visit Liyuan Garden Australia and America. traordinary buildings. in the Kaiping District Weili returned home The majestic Memorial of Guandong. In 2007, with a lot of money un- Archway was built in the Garden was added der his father’s order to 1926-1936, and has a to the UNESCO World organize the construction width of 37.7 feet and a Heritage List as part of of the villas ‘panli’ and height of 36 feet. Close- the Kaiping Diaolou and ‘Panwen’ in their clan’s ly behind the Memo- Villages. “Diaolou” is a village, Geng Hua. rial Archway is a stately term used to describe for- Completed in 1936 Decorated Archway tified multi-storied tower-like structures that after about 10 years of construction, Liyuan which is roofed with L to R: Linda, Greg, tour guide Helen, and Carol exquisitely integrate western architectural Garden has been referred to as a bright pearl green glazed tiles. It style with Chinese architectural style. This in the sea of gardens designed by Overseas consists of a main build- tion of the architectures, but also from the garden should not be mistaken with another Chinese and is the one with unique archi- ing 21.3 feet high and two accessory build- plants in the garden: flowers, grasses, potted famous garden referred to by the same name tectural style which can well match the Four ings which are 16.4 feet high. To the east plants and fruit trees of considerable kinds which is located in the lower Yangtze valley Famous Gardens in Guangdong. of the Decorated Archway, there stands a which we were unfortunately not able to on Lihu Lake in southwest Wuxi which we Based on the Grand View Garden de- unique structure called the Bird's Nest. The experience due to the time of year that we also visited on this trip. scribed in the Chinese classic, a Dream of top is built in ancient Roman style while were visiting. The significance of our visit to this site Red Mansions, Li- the middle part looks The landscape architecture of the garden is that my brother-in-law and other friends yuan takes in much more like the Chinese zone was based on both the design of west- of mine that I knew while growing up in of the Chinese tradi- paper cutting. Inside ern landscape and the landscaping elements Chicago are descendents of the family that tional garden archi- the Bird's Nest, there of classic Chinese garden. Despite living built the garden. As noted in an accompa- tecture and integrates is a pond and rock- in the United States, the owner, Xie Weili nying article, my wife, sister-in-law and it with the features of work populated with had established a very profound feeling I were picked up at the conclusion of the European and Ameri- peacocks and other for Chinese culture. Since he had lived in Moy Family Convention in Guangdong by can villas of its time, birds. The elegant the critical era of the exclusion of Chinese Helen Liang from the Guangdong Kaiping a successful combina- Hua Teng (Flower with conflicts between Chinese and western Diaolou Tourism Development Corp., Ltd. tion of Chinese and Vine) Pavilion is a culture occurring in contemporary China, a the West. It also en- closed structure built very strong sense of the trend of the times joys the reputation of with numerous grilles was revealed in his idealistic landscaping. being a Grand View and the roof is shaped Fortunately Liyuan Garden has survived Garden only smaller like the crown of the the turmoil’s of government unrest through in size. Queen of England. The Yupei Villa is the years and in l983 the garden was first This unique garden is a perfect combina- a tower dwelling located in the listed as one tion of the modernist western architectural southwest of the Garden Zone. The of the historic style of the period and the traditional land- four-storey construction shows high reservations of scaping of China. The distinctive charac- architectural skill, blending Chi- county grade teristics make this elegant garden unique nese, Japanese, Italian and ancient by the People’s among Chinese gardens. A special feature of Roman styles. Government of the garden is the wide and deep canals which Connected with the Villa Zone Kaiping Coun- string together the architectural features by canals, the Little Garden Zone ty. In October of the garden. Above the canals, there are is characterized by fancy bridges l999, Ms. Xie winding corridors, fine bridges and exquisite and bijou pavilions, including Yu Yaoqiong, pavilions. The layout of the garden can be Kuahong Bridge, Wanxiang Pa- the widow of delimited into the Villa Zone, Grand Garden vilion, Chanchun Pavilion and the garden and Little Garden. Guanlan Bridge. The owner wrote a Entering the garden hexagonal Yicui Pavilion letter to entrust the People's Government from the front entrance is engraved with a golden of Kaiping City to administer the garden and walking along the dragon and vivid designs for 50 years and in 2007 was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since then, Statue of Mr. Xie Weili art corridor, you will find of the Eight Immortals the Villa Zone, which in the inner roof. Excel- the famous garden has been completely contains six villas and lent couplets written by renewed and expanded. It will eventuality who was kind enough to provide a car and an ancient watchtower luminaries are scattered likely become one of the first-class tourist driver to take us to Kaiping, a two hour (dialou). Covered with across the buildings, and spots in China.  drive from Guangdong, to give us a tour of double-tier roofs and they add a cultured air to the Garden and assist us in arranging a visit green glaze tiles, the Panwenlou Villa and the beautiful Liyuan Garden Editor’s Note: Some of the material included to my Mom’s village in the Taishan area. the Panlilou Villa are the two most mag- The well-preserved artistic works in in this article were taken from sources be- Liyuan Garden is located at TangKou nificent villas. Italian building materials Liyuan Garden are extensive, consisting of lieved to be reliable along with use of some Township in Kaiping and was built by are used for flooring and the staircase, and the large scale colored paintings, golden lac- file photos. an overseas Chinese by the name of Xie the walls are decorated with grand frescos, quer woodcarving, porcelain figurines and Weli. Weili (1893-1970) lived in Chicago, delicate embossments and lifelike metal- American sanitary fittings and water supply U.S.A. and made his coated woodcarv- system made at that time. Buildings in the fortune by running a ings. Adorned with garden include a big arch writing “Liyuan medicinal herbs trade western fireplaces and Garden”, a big decorated archway writing with his father, Xie artistic ancient lamps, “Xiu Shen Li Ben”, four pavilion bridges Shengpan. As a result the rooms look more (“Fragrant Night”, “Water Playing”, “Waves of central government elegant with elabo- Watch” and “Yicui”), the Roman building policy at the time, the rate blackwood furni- “Bird’s Nest” and “Vine Pavilion”. The Kaiping and Taishan ture inside. A bronze calligraphies and antithetical couplets, es- areas of China were statue of the garden's pecially, make the garden rich in traditional the major sources master stands in front Chinese culture. of emigrants at the of the Panlilou Villa. The uniqueness of the Liyuan Garden turn of the 20th cen- The Grand Gar- can not only be seen from the composi- www.chinainsight.info travel JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 9

not very efficient; however, we did just make A trip to China it back in time for the evening banquet. Continued from Page 1 The final day of the convention was any forbidden items as souvenirs from the filled with the normal meals and more hotels since this is closely monitored and shopping. you will be charged for same. As soon as Departure day began with breakfast with everyone was checked in, we were treated all of us headed for other destination cities to a specially arranged dinner before retiring around China. I had made arrangements to for the evening. visit Kaiping, China to see Liyuan Gardens The next day began with a breakfast that was previously the home of my brother- buffet at the hotel and then a visit to the in-law’s family. We were picked up at our Shanghai Museum to explore China’s 5,000 hotel in Guangdong by Helen Liang from year history. Following the museum was a the Guangdong Kaiping Diaolou Tourism visit to the People’s Square and Old City Development Corp., ltd who was kind Temple Commercial district. After lunch, enough to also provide a car and driver to we enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront take us to Kaiping, give us a tour of the promenade known as the Oriental Pearl garden and assist me in visiting my mom’s and Jinmou Building before departing for village in the Taishan area where we were Suzhou via coach to enjoy dinner along one also able to visit for a day with Edmund of the lake’s famous restaurants. Moy, a good friend from Chicago. Day 3 started with a visit to the Liu Yuan Our final days in China were spent in Garden followed by a tour of the China Hong Kong were we stayed with my cousin Government’s Silk Museum along with an who took us to Shenzhen for some serious opportunity to purchase silk products. After shopping and great dining around the area. lunch that featured local specialties, we left Although the trip was very exhausting, Suzhou by coach for Wuxi, a 3,000 year old it turned out to be a fun-filled, educational city where we were able to visit the world’s 15-day China odyssey that produced for tallest Buddha. The day ended with dinner me quite a few revelations and many fond that included famous Wuxi pork ribs and memories. Silver fish from the local Tai Wu Lake. I learned a little bit about the life of an After breakfast on Day 4, we visited the average Chinese citizen by listening to our fresh water pearl factory by Tai Wu Lake tour guide, Leo Li speak honestly about followed by lunch at a local hotel then a his status and his concern about his abil- visit to the Zi Zha Teapot Museum followed ity to acquire items we take for granted in by a visit to Dr. Sun Yet San’s Memorial the United States such as a car or a home. Hall Zhong Shan Ning in Nanjing ending He also expressed concern about how the with dinner and a tour of the night scene of Chinese government has instituted sales famous Confucius Temple area. taxes on essential goods to help pay for the Day 5 included a visit to the Yangtze infrastructure that is being built through- River Bridge at Nanjing completed in 1968 out China. I heard this yet I observed an and the symbol of much national pride and abundance of youthful shoppers crowding renewed self-reliance in China since this the various shopping areas that we visited was 100 percent Chinese built after the that were loaded with the latest and very Russians said it couldn’t be done in 1960 fashionable goods. We also observed was after the Sino-Soviet split. The evening the presence of large numbers of menial concluded with a performance of a great laborers cleaning the streets and other public show entitled “West Lake by Night”. areas with very rudimentary brooms and After breakfast a tour of the famous other cleaning equipment. West Lake of Hangzhou one of the most The traffic and driving is unbelievable. beautiful lakes in China followed by a visit In Shanghai, traffic is managed by a very ef- to the Moy’s Tea Farm to taste the famous ficient and sophisticated traffic light system “Dragon Well” tea then returned to Shanghai that actually displays the seconds counting after lunch. After dinner the magnificent down which is something I have not seen night scene of Shanghai is enjoyed via the in the United States, however pedestrians Huang Pu River Cruise. travel at their own risk and the majority of Before departing Shanghai on Day 7 a motor scooter drivers do not wear helmets tour of the Chinese Pavilion at the Shanghai even if there are children on board! This Expo was taken before boarding a plane to was not the case in Guangzhou so traffic Guangzhou. An evening dinner was hosted systems may be regulated at the local level. by the Chicago delegation to the Moy Con- There doesn’t appear to be a real estate vention at the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou bubble in China since wherever we traveled, where the Moy convention was being held. there was construction going on everywhere. Day 8 began with a leisurely buffet Evidently there is plenty of steel and con- breakfast. Since we were not delegates to crete to go around but there is definitely a the convention and did not have to register paper shortage when you aren’t provided or attend any meetings, we could spend with napkins at a restaurant especially in our time any way we wished so we spent it 5-star government run hotels. I also found exploring the shopping close to the hotel so it inconvenient not to be able to pick up a we could return in time for the convention’s simple printed guide or brochure at all of the opening night banquet. attractions we visited. Toilet tissue contin- Again, a leisurely breakfast started ues to be in limited supply at many public off Day 9 which was followed by another restrooms as does the quality standards. exploratory visit to areas in close proxim- It was interesting to observe during the ity to the hotel where we discovered shops four-hour motor coach ride from Kaiping to and markets that the local people frequent. Hong Kong, how farming is still being done Within blocks of the hotel we found a market in the rural areas and pockets of develop- that sold all manner of fresh meat, seafood ment and construction encroach upon them and produce that the locals probably pur- as they continue to toil in the fields by hand chase daily just as they must have done for or animals pulling plows illustrating that hundreds of years. We returned to the hotel China continues to present these two faces in time to attend the Moy Convention Grand of old and new.  Opening ceremony luncheon along with a group photo session. After lunch there Photo to the right, L to R: Greg & Linda was a tour of the Canton Tower which was Hugh with Helen & David Fong at Moy my least favorite tour since it consumed so Family Convention; Above: Opening much time and the local tour operator was ceremony of Moy Family Convention PAGE 10 > JANUARY 2011 business www.chinainsight.info With China’s economic prospects sound, the focus shifts to structural issues, according to the World Bank

BEIJING-China’s growth has moder- “Further normalization of the macro- ated somewhat to a still healthy pace, with economic stance is needed to guard against 952-881-1810 a shifting composition, according to the macro risks.” says Ardo Hansson, Lead World Bank’s latest China Quarterly Update Economist for China. “The key concerns are released [Nov. 3]. asset price increases, strained local finances The Update, a regular assessment of and nonperforming loans, while inflation China’s economy, finds that GDP growth risks cannot be ruled out. Importantly, two declined from 10.6 percent in the first half way risks call for policy flexibility.” to a still surprisingly strong 9.6 percent (year The authorities are broadly on track to on year) in the third quarter. The domestic normalize the overall monetary stance and economy cooled as the stimulus impact is meet the 2010 quantitative targets. They fading out and the monetary stance is be- have also started to raise interest rates, al- ing normalized. Growth of investment and though interest rates will need to increase urban consumption has decelerated, and so further. International liquidity poses chal- has that of imports. Meanwhile, with exports lenges to monetary policy, but these should strong, net external trade has contributed be more manageable in China than in some significantly to (yoy) growth and the exter- other emerging markets. Nonetheless, mea- nal surplus is rising again. sures can be taken to enhance protection The Update notes that, despite an ex- against unwanted capital flows. pected deceleration, global growth prospects The preparations for the 12th Five- are fairly favorable due to emerging market Year Plan (2011-2015) call for focus on strength. However, risks remain, including structural issues and reforms, according to a weaker outlook in high income countries. the Update. Changing the growth pattern is Global price pressures remain contained by rightly a key target. The need to rebalance spare capacity in many countries, but raw to more domestic demand led, service sector material prices have risen again and there oriented growth seems stronger now than 5 are upward inflation risks internationally. years ago, in part because the international China’s own economic prospects remain environment is less favorable. Rebalanc- sound, with risks both ways, according to ing will not happen by itself-it will require the Update. “Growth may ease a bit fur- significant policy adjustment. ther as global growth decelerates and the This Update also discusses policies that macro stance is normalized but it remains would help boost private sector develop- supported by the traditional growth driv- ment, focusing on opening up sectors and China Manufacturing continued from Page 1 ers and a robust labor market.” says Louis reducing entry barriers, addressing invest- Kuijs, Senior Economist and main author ment climate constraints, and supporting allows customers to fax any document to down on paperwork and travel not to men- of the Update. “We have edged up our GDP research and development and innovation by them and it is instantly delivered to their tion all the expenses associated with these.” growth projection for 2010 to 10 percent the private sector. Further progress in energy e-mail in the form of a PDF, this has really Aside from the few tools listed in his after the third quarter data. We see growth conservation and development of renewable limited the amount of paperwork some of- presentation, Ferrell commented that it has at 8.7 percent in 2011 and easing somewhat energy sources calls for further rebalanc- fices can pile up and have to sort out later. also been critical to become proficient in further in the medium term.” ing the pattern of growth, energy pricing Owning a web domain has also proven their customer’s systems and processes and Pushed up by higher food prices, infla- reforms, greater reliance on market-based extremely beneficial to PFA and the cost is that he didn’t want to make this sound easy tion may stay above the 3 percent target for a mechanisms, and accelerated development minimal about US$15/month which covers by any means, since there is a relatively while. It is unlikely to escalate as core infla- and diffusion of new energy technologies. the cost of hosting a Web site, unlimited large learning curve to do this but it is quite tion remains in check. However, commodity To read the full report and summary, e-mails and FTP storage and access. If you achievable. prices may rise further while sustained high visit: http://www.worldbank.org/chinaquar- select the right hosting partner, notes Ferrell, In his closing remarks, Ferrell stated wage growth is unlikely but cannot be ruled terly and go to: http://eapblog.worldbank. you can specify limitations that can some- that “The key is to be able to take all of the out. Given the fundamental drivers of prop- org/ to read Louis Kuijs’ blog on the Chinese times restrict communication flow for some software and systems and to be able to un- erty prices, they are unlikely to be contained economy.  companies; for example some companies derstand it and utilize it to make your busi- for long. On current trends and policies, the set a file size limitation per e-mail such as 3 ness operate more efficiently. Aside from external surplus is on course to rise in 2011 Source: World Bank megabyte maximum and a large PowerPoint software we have found it to be much more and the medium term, in U.S. dollar terms. presentation can easily exceed 10 megabytes affordable to utilize third party logistics but if you are one of those unfortunate companies, EDI companies, external law employees with a 3 megabyte limit then firms, third party warehousing and any and you will never see that presentation unless all resources provided by our manufacturing Upcoming seminars offered by someone sends you a CD via mail. and retail partners to help reduce risk and The goal of any business, according to the cost of business and to improve operat- the Minnesota Trade Office Ferrell, is to become more efficient and to ing efficiency.” cut down on the amount of time it takes to The presentation concluded with a Q & On Monday, January 10, 2011, the Min- to Exporting" seminar on Wednesday, accomplish a task and as a byproduct to cut A session allowing the 60 plus participants nesota Trade Office (MTO) will conduct the January 12, 2011, will provide you with down the costs associated with that task. to ask a variety of questions. newest seminar in its Export Essentials se- the tools to help make sound decisions and Microsoft Office is another required set of For more information about Pellegrene, ries -- “Connecting the Dots on Incoterms.” plan for export success. One of the original programs that most companies utilize when Ferrell & Associates, visit their Web site at International terms of trade (incoterms) are cornerstones of our Export Essentials series, transferring legal, financial and operational www.pfa.com.  negotiated at the point of contract agree- this seminar will address a broad overview documents. Ferrell continued by stating that ment. Though a small part of an interna- of fundamental exporting topics including a Smartphone has become tional sales contract, correctly applied, an how to assess your company's readiness to a necessity when working incoterm will mitigate any bumps in your export, finding the right markets for your to speed workflow and international trade transactions – keeping product or services, arranging shipments communication and is crit- your cash flow in the right direction. This and collecting payment. ical in being able to make seminar will provide an understanding of Both of these MTO seminars will be decisions on-the-fly. “Es- the implications of each of the 11 incoterms held at Saint Mary’s University-Twin Cit- sentially we have created from an operational perspective and how ies Campus, 2304 Park Ave., Minneapolis. a war chest of software they affect various aspects of conducting Visit www.positivelyminnesota.com/ that we are able to utilize your business. Business/Exporting_Trade/Calendar_of_ on a daily basis that has Whether you are new to exporting Trade_Events/Seminars,_Conferences_ allowed us to mainstream or want to expand your global presence, Roundtables for more information about communications and cut MTO’s "Export Process: An Introduction these and other MTO events. www.chinainsight.info culture JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 11 China’s ethnic minorities We conclude our series on China’s 55 ethnic minority groups. This month features the Yugur and Zhuang ethnic minorities.

=Major Area of Distribution of Yugur and simple. The tribute demanded by the underground water tapped to irrigate large central government also included stag ant- tracks of dry pastures and provide drinking lers, musk and furs. The Suzhou Yugurs had water for animals. The situation of "wor- to deliver grain or silver. ried herdsmen having sheep but no water, Lamaism [began to spread] in the Yugur wandering from place to place" has been area in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Each fundamentally changed. tribe had its own monastery. The lamas The Yugurs used to hunt wild animals worked closely with the chiefs in important without trying to domesticate any, but in tribal matters; some tribes practiced integra- 1958 they began to set up farms to domes- tion of religion and politics. The Lamaist ticate wild deer. monasteries had their own feudal system In industry, the area now has farm and of oppression and exploitation: courts, pris- livestock-breeding machinery factories, ons and instruments of torture. They could carpet, fur, and food processing industries, order compulsory donations and gratuitous and coal mining. Electricity reaches all forced labor, and compel children to join the townships and most Yugur homes. Wool clergy. Some lamas extorted large amounts shearing, threshing and fodder-crushing of money and property out of the common machines are now in extensive use. people by way of fortune telling and exor- There is a developed network of high- cism. Donations for religious purposes ways now. Before 1950 there was "not a accounted approximately for 30 percent of meter of smooth ground and not a single the annual income of a middle-class family. bridge across the rivers" as the saying went. All these hardships reduced the ethnic Merchants made use of this backwardness group virtually to extinction. At the time to exploit the local Yugurs: a mere five or of the mid-20th century, its population was six pieces of brick tea could buy a horse. less than 3,000. The Yugur ethnic minority third year (1010) of the reign of Emperor Zhenzong. Development Population: 13,700 In the mid-11th century, the Western Xia In February and April of 1954, the Sunan Major area of distribution: Gansu Kingdom conquered Ganzhou and toppled Yugur Autonomous County and Jiuquan Language: Yugur and Han Chinese the Ouigur regime. The Hexi Ouigurs then Huangnibao Yugur Autonomous Township Religion: Lamaism became dependants of the former and were established. This development ushered moved to pastoral areas outside the Jiayu in a new period of cultural progress and Nearly 90 percent of the Yugur people Pass. However, their links with the Song economic growth among the Yugur people. live in the Sunan Yugur Autonomous Coun- court were still maintained. Ouigur envoys ty, and the rest in Huangnibao area near the came to the Song capital with tribute again Culture city of Jiuquan in western Gansu Province. during the first year of the reign of Emperor The Yugurs have a rich literary tradition Due to historical reasons, this ethnic mi- Shenzong (1068) and requested a copy of a handed down orally, such as legends, folk nority uses three languages: a Turkic branch Buddhist scripture. According to an envoy in tales, proverbs and ballads. The folk songs of the Altaic language family (Raohul) used 1073, there were more than 300,000 Ouigurs feature uniquely simple yet graceful tunes, by the Yugurs in the western part of the at that time. In 1227 the Mongols conquered and vivid content. Yugur totem autonomous county; a Mongolian branch of Western Xia Kingdom and put the Hexi They are skilled at the plastic arts, weav- the same language family (Engle) by those Ouigurs under their direct rule. ing beautiful patterns on bags, carpets and At the time there were only four primary in the eastern part of the county; and the Part of the Hexi Ouigurs were assimi- harnesses. Vivid patterns in harmonious schools with a total student body of 70, Chinese language by those in Huangnibao. lated with neighboring ethnic groups over colors of flowers, grass, insects, birds and mostly children of tribal chiefs, herd own- Chinese is also a common medium of com- a long period of co-existence from the mid- domestic animals are woven on women's ers and landlords. In the early 1980s Sunan munication among all Yugurs. 11th to the 16th century, and developed into collars, sleeves and cloth boots. Geometrical County had two senior middle schools, a community – the present-day Yugurs. They patterns made of coral beads, seashells and eight junior middle schools and 76 primary Origins lived around Dunhuang in western Gansu green and blue stone chips, and silk threads schools. Many young Yugurs were able to The Yugur ethnic minority can trace and Hami in eastern Xinjiang. in bright colors are used as hair decorations. finish secondary technical or college edu- its origins to the nomadic ancient Ouigurs The Ming (1368-1644) rulers moved The Yugurs have their own peculiar way cation. The ethnic group now has its own in the Erhun River valley during the Tang many of the Yugurs farther east as the fron- teachers as well as technicians. Dynasty (618-907). In the mid-9th century, tier became unsettled. Medical care has markedly improved, the ancient Ouigurs, beset by snowstorms, The Yugurs un- whereas, in the old society, people's only feuding within the ruling group and attacks derwent changes in recourse was to pray to Buddha when they from the Turkic Kirgiz, had to move west- the mode of economic suffered from illnesses. ward in separate groups. One of the groups production after their emigrated to Guazhou (present-day Dun- eastward move. Those The Zhuang ethnic minority huang), Ganzhou (present-day Zhangye) in the Huangnibao and Liangzhou (present-day Wuwei) in area, availing them- Population: 16.18 million the Hexi Corridor – the most fertile area in selves of exchanges Major area of distribution: Guangxi central-western Gansu Province – and came with the Hans, learned Language: Zhuang under the rule of Tubo, a Tibetan kingdom. farming and gradually Religion: Polytheism They were thus called the Hexi Ouigurs. substituted it for ani- Later, they captured the city of Ganzhou mal husbandry, while The Zhuang ethnic minority is China's Yugur women Source: China Daily and set up a khanate – thus they were also those in the Sunan largest minority group. Its population of called Ganzhou Ouigurs. area still engaged in of dressing. A typical well-dressed man 16.18 million approaches that of Australia. The Hexi Ouigurs had all along main- livestock breeding and hunting. Thanks to sports a felt hat, a high-collared long gown Most of the Zhuangs live in southwest tained very close ties with the central the introduction of iron implements from the buttoned on the left, a red-blue waist band China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous empire and regarded these ties as relations Hans, the Yugur peoples' skills in farming, and high boots. A woman of marriageable Region, which is nearly the size of New of "nephew to uncle." During the Northern animal husbandry and hunting all improved. age combs her hair into many small pigtails Zealand. The rest have settled in Yunnan, Song Dynasty (960-1126), the Khan of the The Qing government (1644-1911), in which are tied up into three big ones, with Guangdong, Guizhou and Hunan provinces. Ganzhou Ouigurs often sent special envoys an attempt to strengthen its rule, divided the two thrown over the chest and one over While most Zhuang communities con- to the imperial capital to present tribute to Yugurs into "seven tribes" and appointed a the back after marriage. The women usu- centrate in a compact area in Guangxi, the the emperor, and, in return, the Song court headman for each and a powerful chieftain – ally wear a trumpet-shaped white felt hat others are scattered over places shared by gave "the nephew Ouigur Khan in Ganzhou" the "Huangfan Superintendent of the Seven with two black lines in front, topped by other ethnic groups such as Han, Yao, Miao, special products from central China. The Tribes" – over them all. red tassels. Dong, Mulao, Maonan and Shui. Khan's emissaries went to the capital of the The Qing government made it a law for In the last few decades, wool shearing Lying in Guangxi's mountainous re- Song Dynasty on several missions to offer the Yugur tribes to offer 113 horses every has been mechanized, animal stocks im- gions, the Zhuang area is high in the north- camels, horses, coral and amber as tribute year in exchange for tea. At first, they got proved and steps taken to have the herdsmen west, undulating in the middle and low in the to the imperial court in the fifth year (980) some tea, but later, virtually none. The settle down and pastures grazed by rotation. of the reign of Emperor Taizong and the horses thus contributed were tribute pure Reservoirs have been built, ponds dug and Minorities continues on Page 12 PAGE 12 > JANUARY 2011 culture www.chinainsight.info

Minorities continued from Page 11 Culture choose their lovers through songs. The Zhuang language belongs to the Common Zhuang musical instruments =Major Area of Distribution of Zhuang Chinese-Tibetan language family. Ancient include suona (Chinese cornet), bronze Zhuang characters appeared in the South drum, cymbal, gong, sheng (Chinese wind Song Dynasty (1127-1279), but never got pipe), xiao (vertical bamboo flute), di (Chi- popularized. So, the Zhuangs wrote in the nese flute) and huqin (a stringed instrument) Han script until 1955, when the central made of horse bones. government helped them create a writing Zhuang dances are characterized by system based on the Latin alphabet. The distinct themes, forceful and nimble steps, Romanized script has been used in books, jocular and humorous gestures and true-to- magazines and newspapers. life emotions. The Rice-Husking Dance, The Zhuang ethnic group's ancient cul- Silk-Ball Dance, Shrimp-Catching Dance, ture and art are not only rich and colorful Tea-Picking Dance, Shoulder-Pole Dance but also outstanding with their indigenous and Bronze-Drum Dance not only vividly characteristics. For example, 2,000-year-old depict the Zhuangs' life and work, but also frescoes have been found at more than 50 display their straightforward, unbending spots on the precipices hanging over the nature. Zuojiang River running through southwest Yet what combines the Zhuangs' folk lit- Guangxi. The best known of them is the erature, music, dance and other forms of art Huashan fresco in Ningming County which is the Zhuang Opera, which first originated is over 100 meters long and 40 meters wide, from religious rites in the Tang Dynasty. featuring 1,300 figures. Drawn in rugged Customs and Habits and vigorous lines, it reflects the life of the Most Zhuangs now live in one-story Zhuangs' ancestors. houses the same as the Hans. But some Bronze drum, a special relic of minor- have kept their traditional two-story struc- ity groups in central south and southwest tures with the upper story serving as the southeast. Limestone is widely distributed In the centuries that followed, a number China, dates back well over two millennia. living quarters and the lower as stables and in the area, which is known round the world of powerful clans emerged in this area, who Guangxi alone has unearthed more than 500 storerooms. The old housing style, they for its karst topography. Many rocky peaks owned vast tracts of land and numerous of such drums, which are in different designs think, suits the mountainous terrain and the rise straight up from the ground, and the slaves and servants. Still later, during the and sizes. The largest exceeds one meter humid climate. peaks hide numerous fascinating grottoes Tang and Song dynasties, social and eco- in diameter and the heaviest weighs over Contemporary Zhuang clothing is in and subterranean rivers. Guilin, a tourist at- nomic development was such that irrigated half a ton while the lightest several dozen general close to the wear of the Han people. traction in Guangxi, is an excellent example rice paddies, farm cattle, iron, copper and kilograms. The tops and sides of the drums But traditional dresses remain in many of such landscape. As the saying goes: "The spinning and weaving spread far and wide. are decorated with designs done in relief. places or are worn for special occasions. landscape at Guilin is the best on earth; and However, the Zhuang area still lagged However, explanations are diverse in so In northwest Guangxi, for instance, elderly the landscape at Yangshuo is the best in Gui- behind central China economically. Quite far as the use of these drums is concerned. women like collarless, embroidered and lin." Wuming, Jingxi and Lingyun counties a number of places retained the primitive Some people believe that they were meant trimmed jackets buttoned to the left together are also known for their scenic splendours. mode of production, including slash-and- for military music, others argue that they with baggy trousers, embroidered belts and Crisscrossing rivers endow the Zhuang burn cultivation and hunting. The dominant were for folk music, and still others think shoes and pleated skirts. They fancy silver area with plentiful sources of water for ir- social system was feudal serfdom and they were for religious rites or to symbolize ornaments. Women of southwest Guangxi rigation, navigation and hydropower. The people were classified into three strata: power and wealth. prefer collarless, left-buttoned jackets, coastline in south Guangxi not only has hereditary landowners, tenant farmers and Zhuang brocade is a splendid handicraft square kerchieves and loose trousers -- all important ports but also yields many valu- house slaves. The system was eliminated which originated in the Tang Dynasty (618- in black. able marine products including the best during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the 907). Woven in beautiful designs with natu- Tattoo used to be an ancient Zhuang pearls in China. last feudal monarchy in China. ral cotton warp and dyed velour weft, the custom. A great writer of Tang Dynasty, The Zhuang area enjoys a mild climate Administratively, most of the Zhuang brocade is excellent for making quilt covers, Liu Zongyuan, mentioned it in his writings. with an average annual temperature of 20 area was governed by the headmen system table-clothes, braces, aprons and handbags. Chewing betel nuts is a habit still popular degrees centigrade, being warm in winter all through the over 1,000 years from the Winning national fame during the Ming among some Zhuang women. In places such and sweltering in summer in the south. Tang to Qing dynasties. Backed by the and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Zhuang as southwest Guangxi, betel nuts are a treat Plants are always green, blossoming in central authorities, the local headmen op- brocade has all seasons. Abundant rainfall nurtures pressed and exploited the Zhuangs, forcing been steadi- tropical and subtropical crops such as rice, them into hundreds of uprisings. ly improved yam, corn, sugar cane, banana, longan, In 1851, the Taiping Revolution, the big- and at least litchi, pineapple, shaddock and mango. gest of peasant uprisings in Chinese history, 40 new de- The mountains in southwest and northwest broke out in this area. Thousands of Zhuangs signs have Guangxi abound in Liuzhou fir, silver fir joined the Taiping Army, forming its spine been devel- and camphor trees, rare elsewhere. Mineral in its march to the north. Many of them oped in the resources include iron, coal, wolfram, gold, became important leaders of the army and past few de- copper, tin, manganese, aluminum, stibium, the Heavenly Kingdom of Taiping. cades. zinc and petroleum. The area is also rich in Inhabiting China's southern frontier ar- Leg- tung oil, tea, tea oil, mushroom, Chinese eas, the Zhuangs have played an important ends, fairy cinnamon, pseudo-ginseng, Chinese gecko role in defending the country's territory. In tales, stories (used in traditional Chinese medicine to help the 1070s, they repulsed the Annamese ag- and ballads regain vitality), fennel and fennel essence. gressors; in the middle 16th century, they frame the The last four items are the Zhuang area's beat back the invading Japanese pirates. folk litera- special products. Towards the end of the 19th century, ture of the French troops that had occupied south Viet- Zhuangs Zhuang woman Source: China Daily History nam pushed northward and invaded China. who have "Zhuang" was one of the names the People of Zhuang and Han nationalities in also been reputed for their singing. Sweet to guests. ancestors of the ethnic group gave them- Guangxi formed the Black Banner Army songs can be heard wherever you go in the Rice and corn make up the Zhuangs' selves. The term was first recorded some and trounced the French invaders near Hanoi Zhuang area. Extemporaneous melodies and staple food, and glutinous rice is particularly 1,000 years ago, in the Song Dynasty. The in 1873. They again routed the French at lyrics and clever use of metaphors, riddles favored by those in south Guangxi. Zhuangs used to call themselves by at least Hanoi in 1882. and cross-examinations add charm to their The Zhuangs are monogamous. But they a dozen other names, too. When the French invaders made new songs. It is said that, in the Tang Dynasty, have a strange custom -- the wife stays away The Zhuang areas first came under the incursions into China in 1885, the local a Zhuang woman singer called Third Sister from the husband's home after marriage. administration of China's central authority Zhuang and Han people helped the Chinese Liu became known not just for her beautiful At the wedding, the bride is taken to the 2,000 years ago. In 221 B.C., the First Em- army win a crucial victory at Zhennanguan, singing but especially for the courageous bridegroom's home by a dozen girls of the peror of Qin, China's first feudal emperor a pass on the Sino-Vietnamese border. exposure in her songs of the crudeness of same generation. She returns to live with to unify the country, conquered the area The Zhuangs also made great contribu- local tyrants. Today her name is a household her parents the next day and visits her hus- and established three prefectures there. tions to the Revolution of 1911, China's first word throughout China thanks to a success- band only occasionally during holidays or The emperor had the Lingqu Canal built to democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat- ful film about her made in the 1950s. the busy farming seasons. The woman will facilitate irrigation. He also started a project sen. Many Zhuangs became key members of In the old days, every Zhuang com- move permanently to the man's home two to move people from other places to the the Tong Meng Hui, an organization Dr. Sun munity held its regular songfests at given or three years later. This convention, which area, strengthening its political, economic formed to advance his revolutionary cause. venues. On those occasions, young people often impairs the harmony between husband and cultural ties with the central-south part from nearby villages would come together and wife, has been going out of existence. of the country. in their holiday best to meet each other and Minorities continues on Page 13 www.chinainsight.info culture JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 13 Minnesota’s first Asian film festival showcases China’s best in cinema By Anthony James, Staff Writer

ver two weeks in November, there was much to be excited about: the joint the British colonial rule. While there are throngs of die-hard fans and curi- pairing of action legends Donny Yen and many years between the current generation Oous viewers weathered the cold Sammo Hung (known in the United States and those events, these films emphasize Minneapolis temperatures and made their for leading the TV drama Martial Law), the the scars that may remain. In essence, the way into the St. Anthony Main theaters for depictions of a young Bruce Lee (which was film’s characters are merely the reflection the first regional festival of top class and cut due to legal issues with the Lee family), of a Chinese culture struggling to survive typically unseen Asian films. From Japan and rumors of completing the trilogy. and not so much the true historical account to India to Korea, the Minnesota Film So- Starting off immediately after the end of the famous Yip Man. To many, the film’s ciety’s Asian Film Festival showcased an of the first film, Ip Man (Donny Yen) has script is purely semi-biographical. eclectic variety of Far East Cinema that even moved to Hong Kong after World War II But the Wing Chun is real, and that truly included some with local ties. The Chinese to teach his legendary style of kung fu, is all that matters. As with practically all of Crazy Racer selection was commendable, featuring a col- Donnie Yen flicks, this film kicks butt. There into accepting a illegal drug endorsement. lection of up-and-coming movies that were is humor, intense tragedy, and knock-‘em- Seeking vengeance and compensation, Geng critically acclaimed although they didn’t out martial arts that have never been a let tries to track down the fraudster who set draw too big of a crowd. Nevertheless, I was down for Kung Fu fanatics. Never mind him up and hopefully have some money to very pleased that the organizers worked as the small segments of cheesy dialogue, pay for a gangster themed funeral for his hard as they did to bring the cream of the plot holes, or training montages, you will deceased trainer. If only it were that easy. crop to the often-isolated Midwest scene. certainly love these epic films if you were Unless you are immune to adrenaline, While there were many highlights of drooling after Li’s Once Upon a Time in Crazy Racer’s twisting, turning plot is sure the film festival that were missed by your China. to put you on the edge of your seat. The ever-busy writer: a locally made Chinese fantastic cast of characters makes up for the documentary, art house films from Beijing, Ip Man 2 Crazy Racer shear silliness (and hilarious violence) that a famous Hong Kong kung fu comedy. I was Ning Hao’s Crazy Racer has been builds up through film’s colliding subplots. still able to catch two spectacular highlights Wing Chun. After gaining many devoted boasted as China’s answer to Guy Richie. Though I would agree that there were ele- of the event that displayed the strength and students to his art, Ip Man must go against The slick fast-cut editing and weaving sto- ments in the film that were truly unique to depth of the Chinese film culture. The two the relentless protection racket within the rylines are most likely responsible for the Chinese slapstick, the overall structure rang films were on two separate ends of the spec- city, its head instructor (Sammo Hung), and comparison, but I think the dark comedy of a few of the tongue-in-cheek directors trum: one a more anticipated kung fu epic a British champion boxer. achieves much more considering the infu- from the west: Guy Ritchie, Quentin Tar- and the other a lesser-known comedy. Both Proceeding from the dazzling action/ sion of Chinese art house that is not new to antino, Matthew Vaughn. achieved their purpose in my opinion, and if drama from the first film, it is safe to say the scene. There are some that have lost faith at the they ever come back around either by wider that Ip Man 2 was anticipated with high The characters and their go-for-broke compatibility of China’s action films. The theatrical release or DVD they are must-sees expectations. While the sequel might not style are definitely what draw us in this film. Hong Kong gangster has lost his pizzazz of for the Chinese aficionado. have quite as much fighting and spectacular There is little in the actual story that I can earlier classics; the character styles are over- choreography as the first film, there is still summarize without giving up the fun of the used and transparent. Crazy Racer certainly Ip Man 2 enough to entertain. The two films are also experience: competitive bicycling, a Thai takes away such notions of bereavement; While the original film has just recently very emotional, dealing with two traumatic hitman, two thugs that can’t get a break, and there is depth and originality that equally broken into the U.S. mainstream theaters, a eras within China’s contemporary history. one flaming turtle. The main plot revolves thrilling and entertaining. If this film makes glimpse of the incoming action drama sequel For the lead character, Man, it was a constant around Geng Hao (triumphantly played by it back to the states again, don’t just look it was a rare treat for the die-hard kung fu ebb and flow of survival and living under Huang Bo), a failed silver medalist who was up, go see it.  connoisseur. Even before viewing the film the Imperial Japanese invasion and then stripped of his title because of being duped

Minorities continued from Page 12 whipping during the spring ploughing and was set up in the western part of Guangxi, Education and medical services have that the ritual would call back the lost souls. which was enlarged to cover the whole of also taken on a new look. There were three The Feasting Festival is celebrated only Guangxi and renamed the Guangxi Zhuang colleges in Guangxi in the early 1950s but by people who live near the Sino-Vietnam- Autonomous Region in 1958. Shortly higher education was still beyond the reach ese border. Legend has it that a group of afterwards, the Wenshan Zhuang-Miao of the minority groups because of their lack Zhuang soldiers, having repulsed the French Autonomous Prefecture was established in of elementary and secondary education. invaders in the late 19th century, returned in Yunnan Province and the Lianshan Zhuang- Today the autonomous region has over 20 late January and missed the Spring Festival. Yao Autonomous County in Guangdong universities and colleges, and the Guangxi To pay tribute to them and celebrate the vic- Province. According to statistics tabulated Ethnic Institute alone has turned out over tory, their neighbors prepared a sumptuous in 1984, there were more than 207,208 dozens of thousands minority graduates, feast for them. Zhuang government employees at various half of whom were Zhuangs. Elementary The Zhuangs are polytheists, worship- levels in Guangxi, making up one-third of and middle schools have increased in large ping among other things giant rocks, old the total number in the region. The case in numbers so as to enroll all school age trees, high mountains, land, dragons, snakes, Wenshan Prefecture and Lianshan County children. birds and ancestors. Taoism has also had a was about the same. In the past, the Zhuangs had such a short- deep influence on the Zhuangs since the The Zhuang area is basically agricul- age of medical services that for generations Zhuang totem Tang Dynasty. In the old days, there were tural, but before 1949 the local people never they suffered from infectious or contagious semi-professional Taoist priests in the had enough to eat despite their hard work diseases like cholera, smallpox, snail fever While sharing many festivals with the countryside, and religious rites cost a lot of and the favorable natural conditions. By and malaria. The incidence of malaria, for Hans, the Zhuangs have three red-letter days money. Foreign missionaries came to the 1983, they had raised grain output by 158 example, exceeded 90 percent. Now these of their own: the Devil Festival, the Cattle area in the 19th and early 20th centuries, per cent thanks to improved field manage- diseases have almost been eliminated since Soul Festival and the Feasting Festival. The but their influence was limited to cities and ment and the 500,000 water conservancy hospitals cover all cities, counties and town- Devil Festival, which falls on July 14 on towns. projects built since liberation. the lunar calendar (usually in August on the ships, and every village has its clinic.  Forestry in the Zhuang area has grown Gregorian calendar), is an important occa- even more rapidly, with timber output 150 sion next only to the Spring Festival. On that Development After 1949 times what it was before 1949. Advertisers day, every family would prepare chicken, Land reforms began in the Zhuang area The rapid growth of agriculture and for- duck and five-colored glutinous rice to be immediately after the founding of the Peo- Your potential customers are estry has contributed to the development of offered as sacrifices to ancestors and ghosts. ple's Republic. Land was confiscated from reading ChinaInsight. modern industry, which started from scratch The Cattle Soul Festival usually follows evil landlords and distributed among the after liberation in 1949. In the early 1980s, the spring ploughing, when every family poor peasants. Later producers' cooperatives Shouldn’t you be bringing them Guangxi annually produced 4,400 tractors would carry a basketful of steamed five- were formed while the socialist transforma- in the door with an ad? and 3,600 farm lorries. colored glutinous rice and a bundle of fresh tion of handicrafts and private industry and In transportation, highways now reach grass to the cattle pen. After a brief sacrifi- commerce was carried out. Contact Greg Hugh every township in the region, railway mile- cial rite, they would feed the cattle with the Starting from 1952, the policy of region- age has almost quadrupled and shipping ser- 952-472-4757 grass and half of the rice. They believe that al ethnic autonomy was implemented in the vices have been opened on the main rivers. [email protected] the cattle have lost their souls because of the area. At first, a Zhuang autonomous region PAGE 14 > JANUARY 2011 food www.chinainsight.info After two days you get hungry: Cuisine for the New Year By Elizabeth Greenberg, Staff Writer

t's always seemed to me that New One of its symbolic meanings is similar to rising higher every year-- although you'd contain five dishes symbolizing the five bless- Year's traditions in the United States-- the meaning of the Jewish apples and honey think a cake with that meaning would be ings of the New Year (longevity, riches, peace, Ichampagne, Auld Lang Syne, watch- tradition: the cake's sweetness and richness a little taller. wisdom, and virtue), and generally an even ing shiny things descend from the sky-- represents New Year's wishes for the same. While 年糕 is perhaps the best known number of dishes are served to bring 'double became traditions mostly because they're A number of Chinese New Years traditions Spring Festival dish, it is by no means the happiness' on the attendees. Additionally, things Americans like to do in their free share that same symbolism: a "tray of only one. Fish also makes appearances at virtually everything is served whole during time. (If you don't think Americans enjoy togetherness" contains a number of auspi- most New Year's banquets. The tradition the New Year to keep from breaking the fam- shiny things and drunken singing, please cious Chinese snacks and sweets for long- comes from yet another pun on one of the ily fortune. The unbroken foods can also have explain the popularity of nightclubs and term sweetness, each of which often has its many New Years' greetings, 年年有余 additional meanings: togetherness (chicken), karaoke bars to me.) Growing up Jewish, own additional meaning, such as candied (nián nián yǒu yú), which roughly trans- longevity (noodles), and plenty (oh, come on, though, I was used to a bit more symbolism lotus root lates to look how many dishes we have on the table!) in my New Years, and a lot of that symbol- (symboliz- "may There is one extremely significant differ- ism revolved around food. Every Rosh ing abun- you have ence between how the New Year is celebrated Hashanah, my family and I would eat apples dance), lo- surplus in the United States and how the Chinese New and honey for a sweet new year. I feel a little tus seeds every Year is celebrated. While the lavish dinner anxious to this day if I don't manage to share (symboliz- year." falls on only one evening, New Year's Eve, that ritual with my loved ones. ing fertil- "Yú" is the Spring Festival celebrating the New Year Given my Jewish background, the Chi- ity), mel- a homo- is not celebrated on a single day. Rather, it nese culinary traditions of the Spring Fes- on seeds phone begins on the first day of the first month and tival (the Chinese New Year, and the most (sym- for 鱼 , ends on the fifteenth day with the Lantern important traditional Chinese holiday) are bolizing which Festival. That's actually familiar to me too startlingly and delightfully familiar to me. wealth), is the from my upbringing: Rosh Hashanah, the Symbols abound, both in the ingredients of and tan- Chinese Jewish New Year, begins a series of 10 High the dishes and their preparation, and those gerines character Holy Days. I'm not sure of the reason for the symbols start the year off with optimism and (whose for-- you similarities: it can make sense to think of the hope that New Year's Resolutions fall short name guessed change of years either as a period of time or of. Chinese New Year's dinners are also sounds like Chinese New Year treats it-- fish. as a single point, and different cultures come pretty much entirely composed of linguistic "wealth" The fish to their own conclusions for their own reasons. puns, which is even more familiar to me than in Chinese). But like most of the dishes is never completely eaten and the remain- But hey, at the very least, the similarity symbolic foods-- however, that might just served during the Spring Festival, the name der is put away to be eaten later, because between Jewish and Chinese culinary and be my family dynamic and not my Jewish 年糕 is also apparently having surplus during the New cultural traditions might explain why my background. symbolic: "nián" can mean either "sticky" Year isn't ambitious enough: you need to family keeps going out for Chinese food on Probably the best-known of the Chinese or "year" depending on the character used to have surplus surplus. Christmas.  New Year dishes is 年糕, or "year cake," a write it, and "gāo" can mean either "cake" or Even the way dishes are served for the dense cake made from glutinous rice flour. "high." Thus, the cake mainly symbolizes New Year is symbolic. Some platters may Chameleon: How Chinese food has adapted to its surroundings worldwide On the Coast

By Elizabeth Greenberg, Staff Writer

ingapore is a small country perhaps dim sum’s classic sweet egg tarts, but fewer ing names that made them seem more most famous for its strict laws would be familiar with the “Portugese Egg ‘authentic,’ like Hainanese Salt-Baked Sand harsh punishments for crimes Tart,” which is topped with caramelized Chicken, a dish that cannot be found in as seemingly minor as chewing gum. As sugar like crème brulee. Hainan. And finally, as in Australia, Japan, such, as Jennifer Lee says in The Fortune Even in a foodie nation with a wealth of and India, some famous Chinese dishes Cookie Chronicles, food is “the most fun traditional Chinese cuisine, though, Chinese were adapted for local tastes by a local you can have [in Singapore] without get- food retains its chameleon nature. Chinese celebrity chef. During the 1960s, chef ting arrested,” and is something of Than Mui Kai of Lai Wah Res- a national obsession. taurant adapted a raw fish salad The population of Singapore is native to Chaozhou to modern nearly 75 percent ethnic Chinese, Singaporean tastes, and the which means tracking down tradi- salad (yusheng) is popular during The Majestic in Singapore tional Chinese cuisines is a lot easier Chinese New Year celebrations than it is in most countries to which in Singapore to this day. Given how ubiquitous and popular Chi- Chinese food has emigrated. Many And as a fun throwback to nese restaurants are in Singapore, it’s far eas- countries welcome some adaptation our first article, according to ier to name the most famous restaurants than of bold, spicy Szechuan cuisine, but columnist Gillian Murdock, In- it is to name the ‘best’: in terms of the best, fewer have standard Han Chinese dian Chinese cuisine is gaining I have to defer to Jennifer Lee’s selections. dishes like congee and youtiao Yusheng in popularity within Singapore. Majestic is famous for elegant re-imaginings (essentially, a really long donut) or of Chinese food with extremely expensive Hokkien, Hakka, or Chaozhou (Teochew) food in Singapore has still significantly Best restaurant worldwide? ingredients: its menus feature ingredients cuisines in abundant supply. That’s not adapted to local ingredients and flavors: Singapore might just be a country like foie gras, avocado, and abalone. Xi Yan to say it’s impossible to find Singaporean as Singapore is located on the coast, many where the persistent idea that the best restaurant is famous for its elegant modern Chinese foods familiar to the Western eye: Singaporean Chinese dishes feature seafood Chinese food can only be found in hole-in- Chinese cuisine. dim sum is extremely popular in Singapore, prominently, particularly shrimp and fish. the-wall joints is close to true. Singapore Join us next month as we jet around Eu- as are specific dishes like fried rice and One such dish, a fish-head and noodle soup is famed for its street food, sold in stalls rope to see what different countries there do steamed buns. Even those familiar dishes, called 鱼头米粉 (yú tóu mǐ fěn), includes in and carts. However, Singapore is also with Chinese food!  though, sometimes feature unusual twists: its broth milk, an ingredient highly unusual home to a number of high-end Chinese for example, in the United States most in traditional Chinese cooking. Addition- restaurants. Chinese food lovers would be familiar with ally, some dishes adapted while brandish- www.chinainsight.info chinese new year JANUARY 2011 > PAGE 15 CAAM CDT presents “China the Beautiful” at the O’Shaughnessy CAAM Chinese Dance Theater’s annual production, “China the Beautiful”, a special 90 minute program, features the dances of diverse cultural groups from four geographi- cal regions of China lying along its power- ful rivers and seas. “China the Beautiful” emphasizes the evolving nature of dance arts into more modern forms, at times ex- ploring an “East meets West” motif and the myriad of influences that people from these regions have on the Chinese dance genre and culture. Whether to celebrate Chinese New Year or to find warmth on a cold Minnesota winter day, this show is not to be missed. The performances will be at the O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, Chinese New Year is Feb. 3, 2011 2004 Randolph Ave. in St. Paul at 7 p.m. on Sat. Jan 22, 2011 and 2 p.m. on Sun. Jan The Year of the Rabbit quickly approaching! 23, 2011. Tickets are US$15 for adults and US$13 for students ages 4-12 and seniors 65 We invite your organization to submit an item for our consideration for and older. A Family Four Pack for US$50 inclusion in the February issue of China Insight. is also available. (Tickets may be paid for with cash or check only.) We welcome information on upcoming events and recaps of Chinese New CAAM CDT will also perform two 45 Year celebrations that have already occurred. minute-long school shows on Tues. Jan 25 at 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The price for To be considered, your item must be received no later than tickets to the school shows is US$6 each. Monday Jan. 24, 2011. To order tickets call 651-774-0806. (Group rates are also available.) Send your organization’s Chinese New Year event information to: Visit www.caamcdt.org, or e-mail [email protected]. PHOTOS JACK YAN [email protected] for more information. 

2010 Chinese New Year Celebration

Place: North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center, University of Minnesota (2017 Buford Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108)

Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday February 5, 2010 2:30 p.m. Admission 3 p.m. Performances: lion dance, Chinese dances, Chinese music, talent shows, martial arts, magician, and more! 5 p.m. Lucky Money for children, Door Prizes (US$2,000 total) Delicious choice of food - Food Bazaar

Tickets: Adult: US$12 (in advance, or US$15 at door) Student/Senior: US$10 (in advance, or US$12 at door) Child (5-12 years old): US$8 (in advance, or US$10 at door) Raffle Ticket: US$2/each (in advance, or at door)

* Free admission for children younger than 5 years old. * All tickets include food coupons equivalent to US$6 in value. * Total of US$2,000 in door prizes!

Advanced tickets are available, before Jan. 31, at the Twin Cities Chinese Language School on Saturdays, or from ticket-sales volunteers. For further ticket information, e-mail [email protected], or call 651-733-9827.

Sponsors: MN Chinese Cultural Services Center, Chinese American Academic & Professional Association in MN, MN Chinese Student Association, MN Chinese Veterans Association

Cosponsors: Cultural Center of TECO in Chicago, 3M Company, China Center at the University of Minnesota, Merrill Lynch PAGE 16 > JANUARY 2011 chinese new year www.chinainsight.info Celebrate the New Year with the China Center!

Join us in celebrating the start of the Year of the Rabbit with the tenth annual Bob and Kim Griffi n Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture, “Migration and China’s Urban Transformation,” presented by Dr. Weiping Wu, professor of urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 4:30 p.m. Lecture and Q&A Reception follows lecture Free and open to the public

Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union University of Minnesota 300 Washington Ave. S.E.

www.chinacenter.umn.edu

A part of the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance