C hina Fostering business and culturalI harmonynsight between China and the U.S.

VOL. 12 NO. 10 NOV.-DEC. 2013

Driven 11th-grader brings “LINSANITY” to Maple Grove theater

6:30 p.m. Tickets for this one-night the world one of the most remarkable screening are on sale online only at underdog stories ever to unfold in the http://www.tugg.com/events/5923. You history of that sport. Director Evan can purchase tickets online up to four Jackson Leong embarked on this docu- mentary before Lin was a household Page 3 name, following the future star as he struggled to find his place in a league where Asian-American players are few and far between. More than just a film for basketball addicts, “Linsan- ity” serves as an insightful study of the way race is perceived in America, and shows what is possible if one believes Victoria Whiteford in oneself. Page 4 Whiteford has always been heavily When Victoria Whiteford, a home- immersed in Asian American culture: schooled 11th-grader at with a passion she attends a 100 percent Mandarin- for sharing the Harvard-graduate- speaking Chinese church; she has turned- NBA-superstar story of Jeremy studied multiple Asian languages and Lin, found out “Linsanity” was show- has been learning Mandarin since 2009. ing at theaters in Chicago, New York, A percentage of the proceeds from this Houston and cities in California but not showing will go toward Whiteford’s in Minneapolis, she went to work. fundraising effort for an educational trip A driven young lady who never does Jeremy Lin, Houston Rockets basketball Page 6 guard overseas, possibly to China. anything half-heartedly, this young Won’t you help Whiteford realize Maple Grove resident got going - she hours before screening! her dream? approached influential contacts and The film is the true, inspiring story jumped through appropriate hoops. of Jeremy Lin. It chronicles the surpris- Ticket Information: Her efforts paid off and on Thursday ing rise of the Chinese basketball player Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. evening, Nov. 14, Lin fans will be able who, in February 2012, while playing Maple Grove AMC Arbor Lake 16 to watch “Linsanity” with her at Maple for the New York Knicks, performed a Tickets are for sale online Grove AMC Theater in Arbor Lake at record-breaking string of games, giving http://www.tugg.com/events/5923 Page 14 MCAPEC networking and panel discussion By Greg Hugh, staff writer background on the formation of the club and stated that the mission of the organization was to “Foster a support- ing network to promote professional Page 15 and entrepreneurial success of Chinese Minnesotans and encourage a spirit of generosity and participation to benefit In This Issue the community.” Jiang stated that China has opened up Pronouncements.....2 more than three decades. Still, it never Community...... 3 stops surprising the rest of the world Business..4-5,10,14 with its ongoing changes. Once being called the “world’s factory,” China is Trade...... 5,13 History...... 6 Jeff Jiang, MCAPEC Board Member, Joan Brzezinski, Sarena Lin, Kin Joe Sham moving into a new era of development: it has become the second-largest im- Environment...... 7 More than 50 people from through- the Community,” featured the follow- porter in the world; is an enthusiastic Education...... 8 out the Twin Cities attended the Oct. 12 ing speakers: Joan Brzezinski, execu- investor overseas in resources, tech- Arts,Culture...... 8-9 Minnesota Chinese American Profes- tive director, University of Minnesota nologies and talents; and a passionate sional Entrepreneurs Club presentation China Center; Sarena Lin, corporate promoter of its unique language and Book Review...... 10 and networking session at the Ridge- vice president, Strategy & Business De- culture around the world. It offers Health...... 12-13 dale Library in Minnetonka. velopment, Cargill; and Kin Joe Sham, tremendous new opportunities to Min- Travel...... 15 The event, “Building a Stronger Tie cofounder & COO, OrthoCor Medical. nesotan companies doing business with with China in a Changing Era – How a Jeff Jiang, MCAPEC board member, China Background Will Help You and welcomed the gathering, provided some MCAPEC continues on page 10 PAGE 2 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info

Publisher’s Pronouncement ChinaInsight Publisher/Editor: Gregory J. Hugh Greetings I hope you will attend some of the holiday season. [email protected] As the last leaves fall to the ground many upcoming events highlighted We’d also like to take this opportuni- and we rake up the final bags, we must throughout this paper, including the ty to inform you that Chinese New Year, Manager of Operations/ now prepare for our most challenging screening of “LINSANITY,” and many The Year of the Horse, will take place Circulation: season of the year…winter. As hearty arts and culture events such as the on Jan. 31, 2014. I encourage you to Richard He [email protected] Minnesotans, we try to convince our- Shanghai Ballet, talk by ceramicist Gary submit announcements of any Chinese selves that we actually enjoy the change Erickson, along with business presenta- New Year celebrations that your orga- Marketing: of seasons. Soon we will celebrate tions by UCBC. nization is planning to us at articles@ Yin Simpson Thanksgiving and despite the gloomy The final installment by staff writer chinainsight.info by Dec. 15, 2013, if [email protected] economic plight of the world, we hope Elaine Dunn on the “What’s the oc- you would like them to be considered that you will nevertheless have cause casion” series will be replaced with a for our January 2014 edition. Staff Writers: to give thanks for all that you are able new series next year titled “What’s the As always, thank you for your con- Greg Hugh to enjoy. story?” in which she plans to retell some tinued support of China Insight. Please [email protected] In addition to Thanksgiving occur- Chinese folk tales. feel free to let us know if there are any Shilyn Chang ring in November in the U.S., we also Also, please note that this edition other topics you would like us to cover [email protected] celebrate Veterans Day, which takes of China Insight is a combined issue or if there are any other ways we can Elaine Dunn place every Nov. 11. In other parts of for November-December and there better serve the community. [email protected] the world, it may be celebrated as Armi- will not be a separate edition published Anthony James stice or Remembrance Day. This is the for December. Thus, in addition to our Sincerely, [email protected] day we honor our military veterans and best wishes for a great Thanksgiving Gregory J. Hugh Jodi Yim James let them know that their service to our holiday, all of us at China Insight wish Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] country is deeply appreciated. you a joyous, prosperous and healthy Publisher Contributors: Patrick Welsh [email protected]

Raymond Lum [email protected]

Honorary: Jennifer Nordin, Editor Emeritus [email protected]

About ChinaInsight ChinaInsight is a monthly English language newspaper fostering business and cultural harmony between China and the U.S.

ChinaInsight is a Member of The Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).

Submissions & Correspondence ChinaInsight welcomes guest articles and letters to the editor. Correspondence should be addressed to: By Anthony James, staff cartoonist Editor, ChinaInsight 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 Fax: 952 472-6665 ChinaInsight Insight [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Letters to the editor become the property Guaranteed of ChinaInsight and may be edited for 10 issues - $24 for a domestic subscription and $40 length and published. Articles will not be published without the express consent of for international. Please make check payable to YES you could run to the the author. ChinaInsight, 6520 South Bay Drive, Minnetrista, store and pick up a copy, but did you know you can NOTICE TO READERS: The views MN 55331 expressed in articles are the author’s and have ChinaInsight delivered Name______not neccesarily those of ChinaInsight. directly to your mailbox? Authors may have a business relationship Address______with the companies or businesses they City/State/Zip______A subscription costs a discuss. Phone______mere $24 and brings a full year (10 issues) of new Email______understanding about today’s Company______China, from language to Title______business opportunities. Copyright 2013 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info community NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 3 University of Minnesota hosts China-related events during

International Education Week

During Nov. 11-15, the University of Minnesota will host two China-related events in celebration of International Education Week. “University of Minnesota and China: 100 Year Snapshot” Date: Nov. 11 -15, 2013 Time: 8 a.m. -4 p.m. Location: University International Professor Waltner in front of slides of early exchange students from China. Center (331 17th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) Screening of “The Dialogue” meaningful dialogue and cultural iden- From the first Chinese students ar- Date and Times: tity. This film was created by Crossing riving at the University to the first uni- Tuesday, Nov. 12; noon-1:30 p.m. Borders Education and co-produced by versity study abroad program in China, Wednesday Nov. 13; 3-4:30 p.m. Michigan State University. experience the journey of education Location: Other International Education Week exchanges between the U and China in University International Center (331 events include receptions, seminars, the past centennial. The chronological 17th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) brown bag sessions that highlight the Cha Chien (谦), born November 22, exhibit also features major univer- University’s support of international 1896, in Dangtu, Anhui Province, sity delegations and key institutional “The Dialogue” is a 70-minute docu- education. IEW was declared by the enrolled at the University of Minne- collaboration. This exhibit is part of mentary that follows four American U.S. Departments of State and Educa- sota in 1920. He received his master “Centennial Exhibition: University of and four Chinese university students as tion in 2000 as part of their effort to of science in mathematics in 1921, Minnesota and China (1914-2014) “ they travel together through Hong Kong encourage policies and programs that and then a doctorate in physics in which will be launched officially in and Southwest China. Intrigued by the prepare Americans for a global envi- 1923. Cha is the first Chinese student January 2014. Exhibition text presented complex context of Sino-U.S. relations, ronment and attract future leaders from to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. in English and Chinese. the eight students explore elements of abroad to study in the U.S. u

Aviation Industry Corporation of China delegation visits Minnesota

as a bridge between China and Min- nesota. The delegation also participated in a custom-designed training program focused on strategic planning and lead- ership development developed by the China Center’s Mingda Institute for Leadership Training. The Mingda Institute for Leadership Training is certified by the State Admin- istration of Foreign Expert Affairs of China. It was founded in 2001 to con- duct training programs for Chinese pro- fessionals. Since then, the Institute has provided training for more than 2,500 Minnesota Trade Office staff welcomes the 8 member delegation from AVIC. Chinese education administrators, fac- ulty, government officials, and business The University of Minnesota’s China ment faculty members and visited the leaders. As an arm of the China Center, Center, in collaboration with Link To Minnesota Trade Office, where Execu- China Insight proudly recognizes the Institute implements the mission China, hosted an eight-member delega- tive Director Kathleen Motzenbecker, our military veterans of building US-China bridges through tion from Aviation Industry Corporation Deputy Director Ed Dieter and trade as we observe training Chinese talents and developing of China (AVIC) International Aero- representative Li King Feng welcomed partnerships with Chinese organizations Veterans Day Development Corporation in October. them. Motzenbecker spoke highly of and the Minnesota community. For more November 11, 2013 During its five-day visit, the del- the partnership between AVIC and information about the Mingda Institute, egation attended a series of business the industries in Minnesota, and the visit mingda.umn.edu. u lectures by Carlson School of Manage- important role the China Center plays PAGE 4 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 business www.chinainsight.info The fish that didn’t get away By Caroline Berg, China Daily USA, October 18

eating 5 percent to 20 percent of their Just across the border in Kentucky body weight each day, and some may is Two Rivers Fisheries, which was reach 110 pounds, although the average established this year to purchase Asian size is about 30 pounds to 40 pounds. carp from local fishermen to process In addition to outdoing native fish for and export. food, Asian carp are known to reproduce Customers in China are placing or- like rabbits. A female bighead can carry ders, including one for 1 million pounds, up to 1 million eggs in a lifetime, ac- for which Two Rivers shipped its first cording to Jennifer Nalbone, formerly of 40,000-pound load of carp in August, Great Lakes United, the only bi-national according to a report by WKMS 91.3 coalition organized around Great Lakes FM public radio. Owner Angie Yu told environmental protection, which per- China Daily that Two Rivers’ prices manently shut down this summer. A range between $0.10-0.45 per pound of study by Fisheries and Oceans Canada carp, depending on the quality. reported that only 10 females and 10 “Asian carp are kind of a disaster An 82-pound bighead carp was caught in an Illinois pond in August. The Illinois males would be needed to establish a here [in the US], but it’s a good food Department of Natural Resources is working on making a life-size replica of the sustainable population. in China,” Yu said. “We’ve got a lot of fish for outreach and education purposes. Courtesy of Illinois Department of Silver carp are infamously skittish. reports about the very good quality of Natural Resources When boat motors rumble, the fish are our fish.” easily startled and may leap as high as She said the 36,000-square-foot In the 1960s, scientists in China man-made waterway provides a direct 10 feet out of the water, posing a threat facility - the first and currently biggest artificially spawned Asian carp. Now connection between the Mississippi to recreational and commercial water Asian carp processing plant in the U.S. the fish poses a threat to the U.S. fish River and Lake Michigan. activities because they can harm people - can process 6,000-20,000 pounds of ecosystem as well as commercial fishing The leading edge of the Asian carp or damage boats. Asian carp a day, depending on how and recreational water activities, reports population is about 25 miles down- The Great Lakes hold 21 percent much her 15 crews of fishermen man- Caroline Berg in New York. stream near Lockport, Illinois, accord- of the world’s fresh water, and annual age to haul. She also said Two Rivers It began in China in the 1960s. That’s ing to the Illinois Department of Natural revenue from commercial and sport fish- employs 26-30 people, and is looking when scientists discovered the key to Resources (DNR). eries, tourism and recreational industries to hire more. creating artificial conditions to support Kevin Irons of the DNR said repre- totals more than an estimated $9 billion. Last month, an Illinois business spawning of the Asian carp fish. After sentatives from Quebec all the way to More than 250 non-native species development network held a “Carpe that, carp-based aquaculture took off Wisconsin and Minnesota are meeting are already established in one or both Carpio,” - “seize the carp” - meeting worldwide. to figure out goals and policies to protect of the Great Lakes and Mississippi ba- to outline carp economic opportunities, Seven different species of the filter- the five Great Lakes from an Asian carp sins, and invasive species cost the Great which the group said could total $40 feeding fish were shipped to the US invasion. Lakes region alone an estimated $200 million a year through food products, to help control weeds and parasites in “Communication has been ramped million annually, according to a report carp pituitary extract and even carp col- aquaculture operations in the South. In up,” Irons told China Daily. “We talk by the Great Lakes Commission. lagen, according to a Chicago Tribune 1972, the silver carp variety was intro- often with our Great Lakes brothers and In addition to erecting electric bar- report. duced into the U.S. from China. sisters, the other provinces and states. riers to halt the mobility of aquatic For its part, Irons said Schafer Fish- Fast forward 41 years and more than We’re sharing and learning very quickly invasive species, businesses have been eries has partnered with the local DNR a thousand miles north on the Missis- ways in which we can tackle this issue.” setting up an Asian carp trade with Chi- to collect Asian carp to convert into sippi River to southern Minnesota where “Having things like the electric bar- na, and state and federal governments liquid fish fertilizer. on a concrete abutment a silver carp was rier in place, I think we can do really have used a poison in the waterways Still, the Illinois River teems with found dead after trying to clear a dam well in keeping the fish out of Lake to net carp by the tens of thousands as carp, and a lack of nearby processing on the river. Michigan, and also reduce the impact in part of an $80-million effort to prevent plants, along with the brief time it takes “Invasive carp: Leaping silver carp places where they have been thriving,” the outsiders from infiltrating the Great for the fish to spoil, have complicated found dead in Winona - farthest up- Irons said. Lakes basin. transportation for fishermen, according stream fish yet,” read one newspaper The size of the Asian carp population Between 5 million and 10 million to the Tribune. headline after the discovery in late in the U.S. remains uncertain, but the Il- pounds of fish are hauled out of the “Unfortunately, I don’t see any kind August. linois DNR and local fisheries estimate 4 Illinois River every year, according to of silver bullet to get rid of the problem Silver carp have been creeping up million to 10 million pounds of the fish Irons, who said he would like to see 20 totally,” Irons said. “I think in the Illi- the Mississippi River basin for decades, reside in the 150 miles of the Illinois million to 50 million pounds extracted nois, Mississippi, Ohio Rivers, they’re hoarding the food eaten by native fish River on either side of Peoria, which is annually to better control the population. likely stuck with these guys for a long and spreading concern into Canada be- considered the epicenter of carp activity. time.” cause carp pose a serious threat to the Irons said he has seen places on the No market In 2010, the Great Lakes Commis- ecosystem of other fish, commercial Illinois River where Asian carp make “Our commercial fishers at the be- sion (GLC) and the Great Lakes and St. fishing and recreational water activities. up perhaps 60 percent of the biomass. ginning had a hard time because there Lawrence Cities Initiative joined forces And the immediate concern is that He said the carp have yet to cause a was no market for bighead or silver on a project to study the feasibility of the fish threaten the Great Lakes. native species to become extinct, but carp,” Irons said. “But we can really restoring the natural divide separating The silver carp is enemy No. 1 officials have noted that populations of affect populations with our removal the Great Lakes and Mississippi River among four species of invasive Asian indigenous fish like Bigmouth Buffalo efforts.” Basins in the Chicago Area Waterway carp moving toward the five lakes, and Gizzard Shad have thinned. In 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn System (CAWS). including the sometimes human-sized Three years ago, a 19-pound Asian made a deal with a Beijing animal The CAWS includes an approxi- bighead carp, as well as the grass and carp was pulled from Lake Calumet, husbandry official to ship as much as mately 130-mile array of natural and black carps. about six miles from Lake Michigan, 30 million pounds of Asian carp a year constructed rivers, canals, locks and Besides Minnesota, the states and and evidence north of the barriers re- to China. other structures in Chicago and north- provinces that border the Great Lakes vealed Asian carp environmental DNA, Irons said the Illinois Department of west Indiana constructed beginning in include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New which fish shed in their excrement, Commerce has supported the expansion the 1890s. York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, scales and body slime. of Big River Fish Corporation in Pearl, The system benefits the Chicago Ontario and Quebec. The Chicago Bighead and silver carp have vora- to install new flash freezers to increase region, including conveying treated Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) is a cious appetites and feast on plant and their ability of moving fish in containers focal point in this region because the animal plankton. They are capable of to China and elsewhere overseas. Continues on next page www.chinainsight.info business, trade NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 5

The fish that didn’t get away Continued from page 4 wastewater, supporting commercial The report said laboratory analysis the spread of invasive species in wa- told China Daily. “In this case with in- shipping, managing flood water, and uncovered 58 positive DNA results for terways. vasive species, particularly with Asian moving recreational and tour boats, bighead or silver carp in the Chicago “Asian carp has kind of been the carp, we can’t afford to wait until there’s according to an executive summary by Area Waterway System (CAWS) - a net- poster child for raising public awareness a crisis.” the GLC. work of rivers and canals linked directly about invasive species,” Irons said. “We She said research has concluded that The project’s researchers have come to Lake Michigan - and six in western really need people to think about these if Asian carp broke through the Chicago up with three viable options to restore Lake Erie. things.” waterway, they could spread into Lake the divide. The least expensive option, Sampling by the U.S. Army Corps In Ontario, the provincial govern- Heron and the Georgian Bay within five which would build four barriers on of Engineers and other federal agen- ment has teamed up with OFAH to build years, and Lake Erie in 20 years. CAWS branches between Lockport and cies have also yielded positive results more public awareness. “People living on Lake Erie might Lake Michigan, would cost households in Chicago waterways, but the question say, ‘Well, that’s a problem 20 years in the Great Lakes region about $1 a is the source of this DNA, according to Most unwanted out,” Goucher said. “But it’s a problem month through 2059. the report. “For the last 20 years across Ontario, that if it starts today, there’s nothing Federal agencies said bird feces, fish we have been educating and alerting the we can do about it in the future. It re- The savings sampling gear, barges and storm sewers public to the harm that invasive species ally is an issue that requires immediate The group estimates between $1.4 could have transported the DNA. The can cause,” Quinney said. “Of course, support.” billion to $9.5 billion would be garnered opposing group of scientists argues most recently, at the top of our most Quinney said occasionally people in long-term savings from evading that there are actually live Asian carp unwanted list are these Asian carps.” need these reminders of real life damage aquatic invasive species control costs in these waters. Last year, the Federal Minister of that invasive species can have on North and damages alone. Benefits for the In Lake Erie, DNA was discovered Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Keith American society, and gave a couple of Chicago region and the Great Lakes 100 miles from waterways infested Ashfield, allocated $17.5 million over examples of already established Great and Mississippi River basins as a whole with Asian carp, the AP story reported. five years for Asian carp prevention, Lakes invaders, including sea lamprey would also include improved water Therefore, the research group said if according to a report in Ontario Out of and zebra mussels. quality, strengthened flood protection, birds were the source, it would mean Doors magazine. Quinney said the people of Canada and modernized shipping facilities, ac- birds feasted on carp, flew 100 miles Last week, the Environmental De- and the U.S. have spent $1 billion to cording to the executive summary. and excreted feces within a few hours fence celebrated the Bill 6 Great Lakes control and manage sea lamprey alone “Quite frankly, we’re all in this of when the researchers collected wa- Protection Act in passing its second in the Great Lakes over the last 50 years, together,” said Terry Quinney, pro- ter samples. Although possible, the reading in the Ontario legislature. and it has taken us decades to recover vincial manager of fish and wildlife researchers said they find it highly The proposed act would provide new those valuable fisheries that collapsed services for Ontario Federation of An- unlikely. tools to restore and protect the lakes, and as a result of the very fast invasion of glers and Hunters (OFAH). “Canadians, “Scientists are still finding DNA create targets and action plans to better sea lamprey. The documented costs for Americans, our joint societies, our joint on this side of the border in the Great address the complex challenges facing zebra mussel damages and controls are economies - we all need to work to- Lakes, and that’s concerning,” Nancy the Great Lakes, according to a state- estimated at up to $500 million annually. gether to ensure a healthy environment Goucher, water programs manager ment from the Environmental Defence. “What I’m trying to emphasize is the to continue to supply healthy economic at the Toronto-based Environmental This summer, the Environmental De- threat posed by aquatic invasive species opportunities.” Defence, told China Daily. “We’re not fence released a report called “Tipping like sea lamprey, like zebra mussels, like Between 2009 and 2011, a group of sure what the source of that DNA is, the Scales: How Canada and Ontario Asian carps, is not a theoretical one, it’s scientists from the University of Notre but what it means to me is we need to Can Prevent an Asian Carp Invasion of not a hypothetical one,” Quinney said. Dame, the Nature Conservancy and be looking at all the potential pathways the Great Lakes.” “We know the harm that has been caused Central Michigan University, collected of introduction.” “Whether it’s acid rain or rivers in the past, and that’s why we have to be more than 28,000 water samples from In May, the Illinois state government catching on fire, whatever it is, it’s only so vigilant now and absolutely address parts of the Great Lakes and tributaries, launched a campaign called “Be a Hero once we’ve seen these very visible, dra- this with the greatest of priorities.” u according to an Associated Press report - Transport Zero,” to raise awareness matic examples of the consequences of published in April this year. about how the public can help prevent our actions do we take action,” Goucher

The search for food: China’s response to its growing food demand means drastic measures

By Anthony James

Although it is one of the world’s this was a bold step for a government largest producers of food, China is in that two decades ago provided practi- a pickle: the country is running out of cally zero farm subsidies. However, farmland. That’s pretty surprising for a today, with farm aid, that is equivalent country that feeds close to 20 percent to 17 percent of the total value of farm of the world’s population and employs production, Chinese farmers are almost more than 300 million farmers. How- as reliant on government help as EU ever, with rapid industrialization, mass farmers are. In fact, according to the migrations of farmers to the cities, and 2013 Organization for Economic Co- the growing demand for food by its operation Development (OECD) annual middle class, how is China going to get report on agricultural policies, China more food? spent US$165 billion on farm support One solution, similar to what’s been while the EU only spent US$106 billion. done in the United States and the Euro- Farm protectionism is becoming big in pean Union: provide incentives for do- China, and that doesn’t exactly bode mestic farmers to increase production. well for other countries. For the current Chinese administration, Continues on page 13 Farmers harvesting fields in China PAGE 6 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 history www.chinainsight.info The Green Gang of Shanghai By Patrick Welsh, contributor

These days, Shanghai is largely him with various Triads while he was members of the Green Gang, especially known as a commercial center. Prior still working for the police. With her with a personal friend who eventually to 1949, the popular image of Shang- help, he established a number of busi- became his roommate, Don Asan, who hai was very different. It did have a ness operations that included theaters later introduced him to Huang Jin-rong reputation as a commercial center, but and bathhouses. Nonetheless, it was the and Huang’s wife. At first, Du was its image suffered greatly because of opium trade that provided him with the Huang’s gambling and opium enforcer. its well-known history of underworld lion’s share of his profits. Lin also or- After the humiliating mistress incident, activities. As a result, the slang term ganized a special gang that stole opium Huang gave Du control of the Green “to be shanghaied,” meaning the use of at the docks and brought it into Huang’s Gang’s opium, prostitution, gambling booze, trickery or force over a victim home. Using this stolen opium, Huang dens and protection rackets. In 1927, who was sent off to some kind of deten- and a young friend, Du Yue-sheng, cooperating with Chiang Kai-shek’s tion, often in a ship, started appearing formed the Sanxin Company as a front efforts to wipe out the communists, Du in the mid-1800s. for his criminal activities, specializ- organized the anti-communist purge of One Triad (Chinese organized crime ing in opium trading. In 1924, Huang 1927 in Shanghai that saw the deaths group), the Green Gang in particular, went into a semi-retirement phase after of thousands of real and suspected came to be very well known and feared. barely surviving a humiliating scandal. communists. For this service Chiang For several decades, it had been split- At that time, Huang had a mistress, Lu Kai-shek rewarded Du with an appoint- ting off from the Red Gang and the Big Lan-chun, a Chinese opera singer. Her ment of president of the National Board Green Gang member, Zhang Xiaolin Photo, Wikimedia Commons Eight Gang. By the early 1920s, the previous lover Lu Xiao-jia publicly of Opium Suppression Bureau. Chiang Green Gang spread its tentacles into the booed her during an opera performance. also made him a major general of the the other two leaders. It was rumoured upper levels of Shanghai society and Huang had his men severely beat Lu Military Commission of the Republic of that he took revenge on one of his mis- into national and local governments. Xiao-jia. Unfortunately for Huang, Lu China. Du now officially controlled all tresses who had disgraced him in public In 1911, this gang and the Red Gang was the son of Lu Yong-xiang, an Anhui of China’s opium trade, thereby earning by feeding her to his pet tigers. had infiltrated and supported Sun Yat- clique warlord and the military governor him even greater profits. The fox was It is believed that Chiang Kai-shek’s sen’s Tongmenghui revolutionaries. The of Zhejiang Province and Shanghai. now in charge of the henhouse! In 1936, support of Du in 1924 over Zhang Green Gang’s further support of Chiang Shortly afterwards, Huang himself was Du opened his own family temple and within the gang motivated Zhang’s de- Kai-shek in the 1920s led to this gang’s picked up, beaten and held prisoner until within months, two of its wings were cision in 1937 to support the Japanese supremacy in Shanghai. his friend Du Yue-sheng provided the dedicated to manufacturing heroin. and suppress anti-Japanese activities in money and diplomacy to free him. When Shortly afterwards, it became China’s that region. Twice Chiang’s assassins the Japanese entered Shanghai in 1937, largest drug manufacturer. tried to kill Zhang. In 1940, shortly after Huang managed to keep the Japanese Keeping his Kuomintang connec- publicly bragging that the Japanese were at a distance from the gang’s activities. tions firmly established, Du helped going to name him as the new governor His gang provided opium and operated fund and equip its military forces. When of Zhejiang, he was assassinated by one many of the vice establishments that Shanghai was invaded in 1937, Du of his own bodyguards. Japanese and Pro-Japanese Chinese of- scuttled his fleet of ships at the mouth After 1949, the leading remnants of ficials used during their occupation of of the Yangtze River to impede the en- the Green Gang fled China for Chinese Shanghai. After suffering criticism of try of the Japanese. At about that time communities overseas. Shanghai’s dis- the communists, Huang died peacefully Du himself fled to Chongqing, but his orders during World War II had created in Shanghai in 1953. gang in Shanghai continued to smuggle refugees out of much of the population. weapons and goods to the Kuomintang After the war, new residents arrived armies. from nearby areas, especially Ningbo. Unfortunately, Kuomintang anti- The Shanghai dialect itself underwent corruption campaigns in the late 1940s significant changes reflecting the new left Du exposed. Being viewed as a make-up of its population – but that is Green Gang founding member, deserter from Shanghai by those who a story for the next issue. u Huang Jin-rong remained behind, he found himself unwelcome when he returned after the Between 1919 and 1949, three indi- war. Many of Du’s relatives were ar- viduals - the “three tycoons” - headed rested and were released only after Du About Pat Welsh the Green Gang. The first of its leaders threatened to expose the embezzlement Welsh has worked in banking and trade was Huang Jin-rong (1867-1953). He activities of Chiang Kai-shek’s relatives. development with Asia Pacific nations was nicknamed “Pockmarked Huang.” In 1949, Du fled to Hong Kong where Like his father who once had been a he died in 1951. for more than a decade. By invitation constable in Suzhou, Huang signed The third ruling member of the of the Georgia State Department, he up to be a detective in Shanghai, first Green Gang Triad was Zhang Xiao-lin taught Chinese in Georgia high schools with the local Shanghai police in 1890 (1877-1940). Born in Cixi in Zhejiang from 1991-2007. His deep interest in and two years later, with the French Green Gang member, Huang’s Province, he had a disordered youth. the Chinese culture and his fluency in Concession Police force where he fared protégé, Du Yue-sheng Bad-tempered and lacking self-control, Chinese and Japanese have helped him better. He remained there until 1924, Photo, Wikimedia Commons his impulsiveness led him into frequent establish strong personal relationships when several major scandals rocked Huang’s protégé, Du Yue-sheng fights. In 1903, he attended the Zhejiang the police department. His work there (1888-1951), is the second of the three Military Academy where he befriended with top Chinese officials. His insight had involved his befriending criminals tycoons. His position in the gang arose Zhang Zai-yang, who became the gover- into Chinese cultural and economic and other low-life types whom he made from his government contacts with Chi- nor of Zhejiang Province in 1922. From affairs is enriched by these personal informants and connections. ang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang. He became this and other political connections, relationships. In 1900, Huang married Lin Gui- a key supporter of Chiang in his battle Zhang Xiao-lin came into the Green sheng. As his leading legal advisor with the communists during the 1920s. Gang rising high within its ranks. Yet in and strategist, she enabled Huang to As a bodyguard in a Shanghai brothel, some sense, because of his impulsive- amass a large fortune. She involved he became acquainted with many ness, he never seemed to rank as high as www.chinainsight.info environment NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 7 Sister Lakes: Pepin in Minnesota and Liangzi in China By Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, September 2013

Liangzi Lake in China faces many of the same challenges as Lake Pepin here in Minnesota. In the first of its kind between the The program aims to strengthen wa- United States and China, officials tershed protection via communication, recently formalized a Sister Lakes training, public participation, scientific Partnership between Lake Pepin in research and demonstration projects. Minnesota and Liangzi Lake in Hubei “It is an honor to be asked by the Province. Initiated by the U.S. Environ- U.S. EPA to be in partnership with the mental Protection Agency, the purpose Chinese. Not only do we have a lot to of sister lakes is to share information share, but anytime we have a chance to and ideas. With U.S. cooperation, China learn about water resource protection, is hoping to accelerate its efforts to con- we want to take advantage of that op- trol water pollution, a top priority along portunity,” said Rebecca Flood, assistant with controlling air pollution. MPCA commissioner. In particular, China is looking for Like many sisters, Pepin and Liangzi help in developing regulations for differ in several ways. Liangzi Lake protecting water resources, improving is about 117 square miles in size and monitoring and assessment of its waters, located on the same latitude as New water, hurting the water quality needed China, visit www.minnesota-china.com. and learning more about watershed and Orleans, Louisiana. It drains to the for aquatic life and recreation. The To learn more about the Sister Lakes, in-lake best management practices. The Yangtze River, the longest in Asia and amount of sediment flowing into Lake contact Steve Heiskary at 651-757-2419 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency third-longest in the world. Lake Pepin Pepin threatens to fill in the lake within or [email protected]. u (MPCA) will play a prominent role is about 40 square miles in size and is 300 years. Both Minnesota and Hubei in the Sister Lakes partnership as the part of the Mississippi River, the chief Province need to reduce the impact of agency leading the restoration effort for river in the largest drainage system in agricultural and urban runoff. Both are Lake Pepin. North America and fourth-longest in looking to balance the need for eco- “We’re excited about this partner- the world. nomic development with environmental ship because of what it could mean Liangzi’s watershed encompasses protection. scientifically and economically,” said about 1,260 square miles while Pepin’s Hubei in eastern China is known as MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine. is much larger at 48,634 square miles. the “Province of 1,000 Lakes.” Liangzi “On the science side, we’ll be able to The surrounding populations are much is the second largest freshwater lake in see if our best management practices can different, too, with Hubei Province hav- the province. Located near the city of Wuhan, with a population of 9 million, The formal Sister Lakes partnership fol- work in other places. We can also col- ing 57 million people and Minnesota lows a visit by U.S. delegates – Rebecca this lake faces development pressure. laborate with the Chinese on better ways only 5 million people. Flood, assistant MPCA commissioner, to address agricultural runoff, which is But the lakes face similar challenges. The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Steve Heiskary, MPCA research scien- hurting water quality in both countries. They are both relatively shallow, mak- Protection and the Hubei Dept. of En- tist, and Steve Riedel, international trade Economically, it may open the door for ing them more susceptible to the nega- vironmental Protection have taken sev- representative with the Dept. of Employ- Minnesota and other U.S. companies tive impact of nutrients and sediment eral steps to protect the lake, including ment and Economic Development – to to market their technology for water flowing in from tributary rivers and sur- controls on wastewater and industrial Hubei Province in 2012. quality monitoring and improvement rounding landscape. The nutrients fuel pollutants, cultivation of desired aquatic to China.” excessive algae blooms and muddy the plants, and fish stocking. Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Several partners are striving to restore the water quality of Lake Pepin, a natural impoundment of the Mississippi River between Red Wing and Wabasha. State and local agencies on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the lake are working to reduce sediment that clouds the water in the Mississippi and that is filling in Lake Pepin. Reducing nutrient load- ing and clearing up the water will help grow desired aquatic plants for fish and wildlife, as well as enhance recreation. To learn more about Minnesota’s Chinese delegates visiting Lake Pepin Sister Lakes world map efforts to establish partnerships with and the Red Wing area. PAGE 8 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 arts, culture, education www.chinainsight.info Talk and sculptures by noted ceramicist

Gary Erickson By Elaine Dunn, staff writer porcelain slipcast work … I consider my creativity with a life both in America and The Chinese Heritage Foundation China. My symbiotic relationship with Friends will host an evening talk China is reflected in the interdependence by noted ceramicist Gary Erick- of forms nestled within or balanced and son on Friday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m., perched on top of each other. These life at 6711 Lakeshore Dr., Richfield. experiences have made the work extremely personal and reflective of my growth as an international artist,’ says Erickson. The evening will include a preview of For “A Passage to China” attendees, you Erickson’s porcelain sculptures that will be may remember Erickson as the anchor of the on exhibit at Concordia University (Nov. porcelain medallion table, one of the most 21-Dec. 18) and Mankato State University popular activities of the event. (January 2014), which are underwritten in Erickson is currently a professor at part by Chinese Heritage Foundation grants. Macalester College Art Department. His There also will be video clips of Jingdezhen, work was exhibited at the Jingdezhen Inter- with its age-old water-powered hammer national Academy of Ceramics the summer mills crushing chinastone, multi-person of 2011. This past summer he lectured at the teams throwing more than 300 pounds of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and has clay together in making sections of 15-foot established gallery representation at tall vases, decoration factories, and a tile the SAS Gallery in Shanghai. Erickson village producing porcelain tiles up to 12 received his B.A. from Hamline University, feet long! St. Paul, Minn., and an M.F.A. from New Erickson, who has spent eight summers York State College of Ceramics at Alfred in the historic porcelain city of Jingdezhen University in Alfred, N.Y. His sculptural (景德镇) in China’s Jiangxi Province, will work is in many collections: National Mu- talk about learning to work with the Chinese seum of American Art/Smithsonian Insti- superwhite porcelain clay (高白泥) in Chi- tution’s Renwick Gallery in Washington na’s “Porcelain Capital,” and reflect on its D.C.; Cuban Institute of Friendship with influence on his own porcelain sculptures. the People in Santiago de Cuba; Jingdezhen Jingdezhen is an active industrial town Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen, where Chinese and foreign artists explore the China. unique properties of the historic porcelain Cost of the Nov. 15 event is $10 for clay. “The characteristics of Jingdezhen’s CHF members and $15 for nonmembers, unique clay has challenged me while trans- and includes a buffet dinner. Please RSVP lating my U.S., low-temperature, coil-built by Nov.12 by calling 612-722-4895 or email earthenware aesthetics into China, high-fire, [email protected]. u Character study: Seasons By Alexia O’Brien, an American student studying Mandarin at St. Paul Preparatory School

It may be fall, but some days it sure feels like winter has arrived already! Therefore, this month’s characters are about the seasons. The character on the right of each season is 天 (tiān), which means “sky” or “day.” 秋天 冬天 春天 夏天

Fall: 秋天 Qiūtiān Winter: 冬天 Dōngtiān Spring: 春天 Chūntiān Summer: 春天 Xiàtiān The character for fall is made up You can remember the winter char- The character for spring looks like You can remember the summer of a radical for grain (禾) followed acter because it looks like snow flowers growing from the ground, character as the sun, and people by fire (火) representing harvest, falling from the sky during the day. with the help of the sun. running out to lay under it. which happens in fall. www.chinainsight.info culture NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 9

What’s the occasion? Chinese New Year Celebration Dongzhi (冬至) By Elaine Dunn, staff writer occurs when the harvest is finished and many farm hands would return to their families after having been away for many months, it is somewhat like Thanksgiving; harvested food is stored, and thanks are given for the bounty of the year. An interesting practice that may be practiced during Dongzhi, especially for those who raise animals, involves a thorough cleaning of the areas where livestock are kept - a reward for the livestock. Others give household uten- Bitten tangyuan sils an extra special cleaning as a gesture of thanks and respect for the utensils’ The longest night. The shortest day. service throughout the year! The turning point. Call it what you will, Some other old customs that have Dongzhi (冬至 ) is the one day Chinese been abandoned include: families all around the world still make • giving of gifts, especially shoes a point of getting together for a family to children Photo, Wikimedia Commons, Maya-Anaïs Yataghène meal of meat dumplings (mainly in • hanging a painting of a plum tree northern China) or tangyuans, glutinous with 81 barren blossoms – one for rice balls. This year, Dongzhi falls on each day between winter solstice and Dec. 21. the spring equinox – with a petal We invite you to submit your Chinese New Year Celebration In Chinese culture, Dongzhi is the painted on each day to make a color event by December 15, 2013 so that it will be published Winter (Solstice) Festival, a day that is ful painting when spring arrives almost as important as New Year Day. • hanging a scroll to be composed in the January issue of China Insight. “Dong (冬)” means winter and “zhi ( of nine nine-stroke characters to 至)” means arrive. At some ancient make up a spring couplet Send your announcements or ads to [email protected]. point of time, Winter Festival and New Year Day in China were one and the same. However, during the Han Dy- nasty under Emperor Wu (birth name Liu Che, 156 -87 B.C.) – one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history – when the traditional Chinese calendar was adopted, Winter Festival and New Year Day became two differ- ent occasions. Unlike most Chinese festivals that are based on the Chinese lunar calendar, Dongzhi is based on when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. Plate of Beijing dumplings Tangyuan filling Colored tangyuans Therefore, it coincides with the western winter solstice. It also traces back to Current celebrations the risk of their ears falling off in the However, these days of mass-produced the Chinese concept of yin and yang, Today, even though Dongzhi is no freezing cold! everything, one can find pre-mixed glu- of balance and harmony. On Dongzhi, longer a formal holiday, Chinese fami- In southern China, families get to- tinous rice dough in the supermarkets in yin qualities of darkness and cold are lies still gather to reconnect and, since gether to make and eat a different kind multicolor, including green and orange! at their strongest. After this celebra- food is always a crucial component of of dumpling called tangyuans (湯圓, Taiwanese eat a lot of “tonic” foods tion, it’s the turning point for light and any Chinese celebration, eat a family pronounced as tong-yuans). These are during Dongzhi, such as mutton and gin- warmth, an increase of positive flow of meal! Some families may start the day at round balls made with glutinous rice ger duck hot pots, abalone and chicken yang energy their favourite temple to make offerings flour. They may be sweet or savory, cooked with herbs such as ginseng and to their deceased ancestors; others will depending on one’s preference. They deer horn to” nourish the body” for the just leave work early for a family dinner. may also be plain or filled. Sweet ones cold winter days ahead. The dessert of However, depending on where you are, may be filled with red bean paste, jujube choice? Steamed nine-layer cakes in what is eaten may be quite different. paste, sesame paste, chopped walnuts animal shapes are a big hit. And how are In northern China, to ward off the or peanuts, or dried fruit, etc. Savoury tangyuans used in Taiwan? Folks stick chill, the custom is to eat meat-filled tangyuans may be filled with chicken them on the back of doors, windows, dumplings cooked in broth. This tra- or pork. The tangyuans are then cooked under tables and chairs to ward off evil dition is said to have originated from in boiling water until they float, then spirits! the Han Dynasty when a kind-hearted dunked in cold water to prevent them Chinese in Singapore celebrate doctor, Zhang Zhong-jing (张仲景), from sticking, and then served in a hot Dongzhi by eating tangyuans with the saw the poor in his community suf- brown sugar syrup for the sweet variety family and Malaysian Chinese choose Yin Yang Symbol fering from chilblains on their ears on or in chicken broth for the savoury ones. to relax with friends and family over a Old, abandoned customs a cold winter day. He ordered meat- The round shape of the tangyuans simple meal. In ancient times, Dongzhi was a big filled dumplings that were shaped like symbolizes completeness and unity of So before the frenzy and com- deal: farm workers and fishermen stop ears to be served to them to keep them the family. Each member of the family mercialism of Christmas take over work; soldiers in the field get R&R; em- warm to prevent their ears from getting will get at least one large tangyuan and your household this December, plan a perors hold elaborate ancestral-worship chilblains. In Henan Province, children several smaller ones. The tangyuans Dongzhi celebration to enjoy a relaxed ceremonies; common folks just gathered are told that if they do not eat the ear- may be white or pink, which is sup- family get-together and eat some dump- with their families. Since Dongzhi shaped dumplings on Dongzhi, they run posed to bring good luck and happiness. lings! u Book Review Mike Ellis, Chinese Slanguage: A Fun Visual Guide to Mandarin Terms and Phrases (Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2010), 95 pp. ISBN 978-1-4236-0750-2 Reviewed by Raymond Lum, China Insight contributor

PAGE 10 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 book review, business www.chinainsight.info

Book Review: The End of Cheap China: Economic and Cultural Trends That Will Disrupt the World, Shaun Rein US$ 24.95 , 224 pages, hardback , Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012 By China Today, April 2013

the coin, the obverse of which, where in the near future. For one thing, these companies looking to enter the Chinese the company understands and adapts to ever more demanding employees aren’t market, therefore, is to present their the Chinese wave, is eminently positive. just a threat to manufacturers’ bottom goods as a luxury item with a price tag Though what previously fueled line – they are also part of a popula- to match. China’s growth – the ability to produce tion with increasing spending clout. The book also warns against the low-cost goods largely due to its huge This book helps the reader understand mistake Mattel made when it opened army of cheap labor – is evaporating, the hugely complicated world Chinese its six-story Barbie flagship store in a new opportunity has appeared in the shoppers live in, their means, fears, and Shanghai. The clothes were designed form of the growing domestic market. aspirations. for the Chinese market, but Chinese Rein introduces us to the individuals For anybody interested in tapping women just weren’t buying the low-cut putting pressure on manufacturers to into the much-lauded rising consumer blouses on offer and the store closed raise salaries. They are the factory work- masses in China this is a must read. It two years later. ers and managers who are demanding warns against many dangerous Western Rein puts a lot of emphasis on higher wages and better working con- assumptions that just don’t work in women as the consumers to really Right now, the end of cheap China ditions, well aware of the power they China. focus on, and the book seems to be is a huge and ominous wave crashing hold over their employers and playing For example, the mid-range brands populated mainly by women. Personal down on the shoreline. Or so says Shaun company against company, heading to that attract so many of the West’s middle stories about real individuals fleshing Rein in the conclusion to the overview whoever offers the best deal. class don’t do well here. Some Chinese out the generalizations he makes about of China he has been forming for more Rather than focusing just on the end people want to show off their new found this changing sector of society. Each than a decade of involvement in the of cheap Chinese labor and the cheap wealth with ostentatious luxury goods – character comes from hugely divergent country. The end of cheap China, he goods flooding out of the country as leather bags and the latest smart phones backgrounds, but they all have one thing adds, is ready to crush those companies its title suggests, the subject of “The – and they’ll skimp in other areas of in common – ambition and determina- that refuse to budge from their tradi- End of Cheap China” is much broader, consumption to buy them. The goods tion to create more successful lives for tional approaches and practices. But giving a synopsis of the future of the that do well are those at either extremes themselves. this stark warning is just one side of Chinese market and its implications of the price scale. His advice to foreign Continues on page 14 Two upcoming breakfast meetings/ networking opportunities from UCBC

201, 1000 Lasalle Ave., Minneapolis, ment in diverse industries, including Chair for District Export Council of MN 55403). agribusiness, software, and publishing, Northern California. The presentation, “China – Trading focused on Asia. NOTE: UCBC monthly meetings are Partner or Foe? The World’s View,” The Dec. 4 presentation will feature held on the first Wednesday of the deals with rapid changes in China with Deep SenGupta, senior manager of month. If that is a holiday, it moves to the new government and the world’s FedEx Trade Networks’ “Trade & Cus- the second Wednesday. You are encour- view of China. The speaker, Jennifer toms Advisory Services (TCAS)” group, aged to bring brochures and information Kocs, is vice president of sales for who provides regulatory assistance to to share on the member table. PRA Global Business Development, a importers and exporters, both within Meetings are free for UCBC mem- firm that helps companies execute their the U.S as well as overseas. SenGupta bers and there is a nominal charge for US-China Business Connections objectives in emerging markets. Previ- previously worked with KPMG and those attending for the first time. Please (UCBC) will hold its November meet- ous to joining PRA Global, Kocs spent helped establish KPMG’s International R.S.V.P. online: http://www.ucbcgroup. ing on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7:30-9:30 seven years with the State of Minnesota Trade & Customs practice in India. He org/ u a.m., at the University of St. Thomas helping companies export their goods. regularly speaks on international trade Minneapolis campus, (Room MOH She’s also worked in business develop- issues, and serves as the Educational

but along with India, will soon be an an expert in your chosen field. MCAPEC networking exporter of talent. She also cautioned The presentation was followed by a about the China myth (that China’s lively Q & A session, which generated Continued from page 1 ambition is to simply “beat the United additional discussions on some of the China, to our schools offering Chi- the heart. States”) while ignoring China is not just points mentioned by the presenters ear- nese programs, and to the individuals The next speaker, Lin, said she one China but a nation with different lier. Questions included whether or not whose Chinese background, combined joined Cargill almost three years ago viewpoints. She also stated that simply China will continue to be an economic with their expertise, could be a catalyst after spending 13 years at McKinsey and being Chinese is not necessarily help- power, how does a young entrepreneur for their career growth. Company, serving in managing partner ful. Actually, the Asian trait of being become more assertive without being The first speaker, Brzezinski, has and principal roles in Taiwan and New modest also can be a handicap; so she labeled pushy, and does a company made more than 30 trips to China and York. Lin has extensive experience in encourages entrepreneurs to develop like Cargill have specific guidelines Taiwan in the past 20 years. She shared business strategy, mergers and acquisi- the necessary skill sets by being part of for businesses that they would entertain her early experiences in China as being tions, supply chain and strategic sourc- a group/team. acquiring? The Q & A session went on rudimentary and not quite as expensive ing. Earlier in her career, she also held The final presenter was Sham, a quite a while and attendees stayed on to as today, and pointed out that China has product management roles with Proctor young entrepreneur. Sham stressed the mingle until the library closed. changed dramatically during this time. & Gamble and Xerox Corporation. importance of learning how to network MCAPEC’s 200-plus members can Brzezinski also stated that for her, it Lin felt that many Chinese corpora- by utilizing whatever tools are avail- network on LinkedIn and receive up- was her passion to bring the U.S. and tions typically outperform most multi- able. He also noted that it was prudent dates on group activities. Visit www. China together, and that it was best ac- national companies and that China can to pick a niche market to cultivate and MCAPEC.org for additional informa- complished by making decisions from no longer be a source of cheap labor, use your network to promote yourself as tion. u Shanghai Ballet Tue, Nov 12, 7:30 pm Orpheum Theatre

The Butterfly Lovers

The renowned grace and flawless technique of the Shanghai Ballet shines through in this full-length storybook ballet. The Butterfly Lovers, a perfect blend of classical ballet and Chinese folk style, tells the story of Liang and Zhu, two classmates in love.

The star-crossed lovers, like Western literature’s Romeo and Juliet, must transcend family disapproval and tragedy to be together. Shanghai Ballet enlivens this ballet with their trademark dazzling sets and costumes that harken from Chinese landscapes, as well as precise classical movement from their Russian-influenced training.

Shanghai Ballet in The Butterfly Lovers. Photo courtesy of Shanghai Ballet. PAGE 12 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 health www.chinainsight.info A Psychological Lifeline for Asian American Teens By Katherine Kam, New America Media, September 10, 2013

hide anymore.” social circle. Amid this competitive environment, “I talked to all my friends and they Wei never considered herself demand- said, ‘Oh, it’s a boyfriend. She’ll get ing. “I was not a pushy parent,” she over it. This is nothing. She’ll find says. But she sees the parental pres- somebody else. This is just a stage.’ ” sures around her. “Parents are so afraid But Diana was cutting off contact of their kids making mistakes in high with close friends and isolating her- school,” she says. “It’s all because then self. She stopped wearing makeup and they can’t get into a good college.” changed her way of dressing, hiding Often, students tell Wei that nobody, herself underneath layers of clothing. including their parents, talks to them She threw out old clothes and photos, about their emotional lives. Traditional as if attempting to erase her past. Asian parents might not express love “Those behavior changes were so through words, but in non-verbal ways, obvious of being depressed, but we were such as preparing a child’s favorite so naïve,” Wei says. Students walk through the quad at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, meal. But that cultural difference has In many Asian American communi- California. Photo by Jeremy Le led some students to confide to Wei that ties, depression and suicide are taboo they don’t believe that their parents love subjects that cause shame. When Diana On a cold, clear Sunday evening in after the young woman’s suicide. After them. Many dwell in immigrant house- died, Wei’s friends, also of Asian de- March, Hung Wei sits in the living room that profound loss, she began channel- holds where typically, emotional issues scent, rallied to show support, taking her of her home in Cupertino, a prosperous ing her hard-won insights into nurturing aren’t aired openly. out to lunch every day for several weeks. Silicon Valley suburb, surrounded by a the emotional lives of Monta Vista’s But parents must be vigilant about But of Diana’s death, “they wouldn’t dozen high school students. The teens, students. their children’s emotional develop- talk about it at all,” she says. “And for almost all Asian American, gather Tonight, the Verdadera students are ment, Wei says. When she speaks to a long time, I couldn’t either.” around a circular glass coffee table planning an issue on the topic of “en- parents’ groups, she challenges them to graced with brightly colored figurines. couragement.” They vet anonymous view mental wellness as part of being A son’s depression Two girls of Indian descent are seat- submissions that classmates have sent a well-rounded teen. She knows that Three years after Diana’s death, ed on the couch. An Indian-American electronically or on scraps of paper, since many Asian American families heartache came anew. Wei discovered boy and several girls and boys of East reading each one aloud to decide which don’t understand mental illness, serious that Dustin, the youngest of her three Asian heritage sprawl across the carpet. ones to publish. As always, Wei has problems can go undetected. children, was also depressed. Only In their midst, Wei, 57, a mother and invited a professional counselor to help “My parents have absolutely no in eighth grade when Diana died, he local school board member, wears a lead the meeting and write a column idea what goes on in my life…In my went on to become an accomplished maroon shirt with the word Verdadera in about the subject. sophomore year, I had a friend almost student and competitive swimmer in flowing script across the front, Spanish The staffers have picked wide- commit suicide. In my junior year, I fell high school. for “truthfully.” ranging themes for their past issues: into depression myself. And my parents Although he managed to keep up his Eight years ago, at the teens’ campus, love, loneliness, academic pressures, had no idea about any of this.” grades and extracurricular activities, by Monta Vista High School, Wei founded body image, sexual identity, dances, Such despair fuels Wei’s passion. “I junior year, he started staying out with Verdadera, a school publication devoted secrets, fears for the future, relationships just feel that if I can save a few lives, my friends until the wee hours, drinking and to honest expression and mental health. with parents. Their classmates haven’t daughter didn’t go away for nothing.” abusing drugs. Tonight, she has gathered her teen staff held back. From the pages of Verdadera, Having lost one child, she became members to plan the next issue. Ver- blunt feelings emerge. Losing Diana alarmed as Dustin withdrew. “He didn’t dadera aims, as its tag line states, “to “Every day, I remember this mass of Almost a decade ago, on March want to connect with anybody, he didn’t express what is often unsaid.” emotion hidden deep inside me that no 6, 2004, the police knocked on Wei’s want to love or be loved. He just simply Wei’s own three children graduated one can understand, so I put on a smiley door, bearing devastating news. Diana, wanted to isolate himself,” she says. from Monta Vista, a highly competitive, face and come to school and gossip with a sophomore at New York University, She told her son, “I love you too nationally top-ranked public high school my superficial friends. I try opening up had jumped to her death from the roof much. I can’t see you go down this in which eight out of every ten students and they push me away, not wanting to of her boyfriend’s Manhattan apartment road.” are Asian American. deal with the miseries of another. I’m building. By many accounts, the two had Although he resisted at first, Wei per- All too often, the public views high- lonely quite a lot and no one will ever a troubled relationship; earlier that day, suaded him to go to counseling, where a achieving Asian American teens as whiz know.” they had been arguing. psychologist diagnosed him with long- kids-- problem-free members of the Some teens feel little freedom to At Monta Vista, Diana, who grew standing, minor depression. He had felt “model minority.” But Wei knows that show their real selves. Monta Vista up in a successful Taiwanese American bereft, he told the counselor. His sister many struggle with intense emotions, parents are often upper-middle class family, was an A student, track athlete had died, his older brother had moved including stress, depression, anxiety, professionals, “doctors, lawyers, and and captain of the girls’ basketball team. away to college, his father was on a and suicidal thoughts, often without engineers,” Wei says. “They have high “In high school, everything was very temporary work assignment in China, their families or friends knowing. expectations for their kids.” But in a easy for her,” Wei says. and his mother was grieving. It’s unusual enough for an Asian community that prizes superb achieve- After graduation, Diana went to The counselor taught him to recog- American parent to discuss mental ment in multiple arenas, distress can mar University of California, Los Angeles, nize his own depression and to avoid health with teens, given the stigma that busy young lives. but transferred to NYU as a sophomore turning to drugs and alcohol for escape, surrounds mental illness in many Asian “She was supposed to be the first- to be closer to her boyfriend, also a Wei says. The weekly therapy sessions American communities. But Wei speaks born son, the next engineer, the piano student there. helped so much that he didn’t need an with an indisputable authority: a teenage prodigy, the star of the team, the one After two months in New York, she antidepressant. son who struggled for years with minor that leads the team to championships, took her life. She was 19. Wei and her husband also attended depression, a daughter who took her life the leader in everything. She wanted Looking back, Wei says that she family counseling with Dustin. At in college. nothing more than to be herself. But she didn’t know enough about depression school, she asked his teachers to show has never been that. She has lived her to understand how much Diana was at him extra kindness. Knowing the power Genuine emotions life in hiding, hiding behind the mold risk. She had suspected, though, that Wei began Verdadera as a tribute to she created for herself. She just wants her daughter was in a bad relationship. her oldest child, Diana Chien, a year to be happy again. She doesn’t want to Wei felt uneasy enough to confide in her Continues on next page www.chinainsight.info health, trade NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 13 A Psychological Lifeline Continued from page 12 of extended family, she enlisted Dustin’s aunts, uncles and cousins to gather around him, giving him hugs at fam- WHERE TO FIND MORE ily get-togethers, telling him that they INFORMATION loved him, and staying in touch with him regularly. The National Alliance on Men- Now, she tells other parents that they tal Illness (NAMI) shouldn’t feel ashamed to seek mental NAMI, the nation’s largest health care for their teenagers. As she grassroots mental health orga- told Dustin, “I need professional help to nization, offers information on help me help you. I don’t know what’s mental illness, treatment and going on in your life.” support programs. Visit www. She insisted to Dustin’s counselor nami.org. The organization’s that he not go to college until his phone number is (703) 524- substance abuse and depression were 7600. NAMI also offers plentiful under control. “College can wait,” she information on mental illness says. “This can’t wait.” By senior year, and recovery in various Asian his counselor deemed him ready. After languages, including Chinese, graduation, he chose to enter New York Korean and Vietnamese. See the University. website’s “Multicultural Action As the Sunday night planning ses- Center” sion ends, the Verdadera students dis- perse into the chilly night. Full of life, National Suicide Prevention two girls, both seniors, speak excitedly Lifeline about getting their college acceptance For anyone going through an letters. As they stand on Wei’s doorstep, emotional crisis or thinking about they reveal dreams of careers in journal- suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK ism, mental health or public health. to speak to a trained crisis coun- Wei hopes that students will head selor. The Lifeline operates 24 off to college with a willingness to hours, 7 days a week. It provides seek help if they struggle or become translation services for callers depressed. who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, “Diana changed all of our lives,” Wei Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese says. “When I started Verdadera, what I and most other Asian languages. would have loved to do is let them know they’re not alone, that there are a lot of kids just like them, and they’re going to be fine. If something does happen to them in college or in life, they know help is out there. They know it’s OK The search for food Continued from page 5 to find a psychologist, it’s OK to go to counseling. It’s not a stigma.” At the moment, the country with the of the world’s farmland. This issue has in order to keep its population from In fact, good counseling is a “com- biggest magnifying glass on China’s caused the Chinese to look for purchas- starving. A recent research publication munication channel,” she says. It en- farm subsidies is Australia. Back in ing land outside of China. In the most by Standard Chartered PLC, a British abled Dustin to finally tell his family 2005, China and Australia started a recent news, China made the largest multinational banking and financial ser- about a deep emotional wound. Years joint feasibility study to look into cre- land lease ever - three million hectares vices company, anticipated that China ago, a classmate’s words had colored ating a free-trade agreement to bridge (11,500 square miles) of Ukraine, equiv- would be facing a scenario of importing his adolescence and heaped guilt onto commerce of goods, including agricul- alent to 1/20th of the whole country of 100 million tons of food every year into his sadness. Not long after Diana’s sui- tural goods, between the two countries. Ukraine. China’s land lease will prove the country by 2033 in order to avoid a cide, he was laughing with friends on Though the Australians would have ac- to be a long-term trial for Ukrainians: food shortage in the country. his middle school playground. A girl cess to China’s growing market, which on one hand it will bring billions of While China may be protecting its walked over to him and said, “Your would include agricultural goods, farm dollars into Ukraine, on the other hand, own farmers and grabbing farmland sister is dead. How can you laugh?” protectionism would definitely hurt their Dustin, 22, now lives in New York the food produced on the leased soil will from other countries, it also provides an City. He is a social worker for a nonprof- business. For Australian farmers, who only go toward feeding the Chinese and example of China’s potential economic only receive 3 percent of farm aid from not Ukrainians. power outside of what we normally see it agency that aids Chinese families. u the Australian government, opening China’s growing agricultural de- as basic stock market trading. Trade their doors to China would mean fewer mands are more far-reaching than agreements or land purchases could goods going out, and certainly more just domestic troubles. Countries like provide powerful policy cards in which would be coming in, causing unfair Uganda are benefiting from joint Chi- China could use to their advantage in Katherine Kam competition. This challenge has already nese-Ugandan agricultural projects that international politics. Partnerships with Katherine Kam specializes in re- pushed Australia’s politicians into com- provide the sharing of farming practices, poorer countries could provide win-win porting on health and medicine. ing down with some pretty harsh criti- producing better crops. In order to satis- scenarios, but they could mean someone This series on Asian American cism on the current FTA. However, as fy the growing pork demand of China’s is going to lose. China’s rapid industrial youth and mental health, sup- of October, a final resolution had yet middle class, many Chinese farmers are expansion and rise of its middle class ported by a Rosalynn Carter to made. looking toward the U.S. pork produc- have taken away from one of its most Mental Health Journalism Fel- Though China is doing a lot to ers. Where China once feared of being powerful international assets, agricul- help its own farmers to produce more, unwelcome to the table, this past May tural output. In order to meet its own lowship, was produced for New it’s simply not just a matter of lack of saw one of the largest American pork needs, China might have to adopt more America Media and its national farmers, but lack of farmland that is processers, Smithfield Foods Inc., being bullish tactics to increase domestic ethnic media network partners. the leading obstacle to meeting its food bought out by Shuanghui International farming while buying away farms in- demands. China has approximately 1.3 Holdings Ltd. for US$4.7 billion. ternationally. u billion people, and it has only 9 percent China knows it has to do a lot quickly PAGE 14 > NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 business www.chinainsight.info

because they can deny it the authority the dominant position in global finance Time to reduce dollar’s to borrow more. that it does today. The made-in-America There have been many govern- financial crash of 2008 was a direct result ment shutdowns before in the US, as of the dollar’s role as the global currency. By Giles Chance, China Daily, October 14 hold the parties have struggled with each This role forces the Federal Reserve to It has been described as other to agree on spending priorities print dollars for export to other countries irresponsible and childish. and government borrowing. None has for use as a store of value and for business Yet the issues concerned lasted more than a few days. This time, transactions. The creation of dollars far are serious ones. Many though, the shutdown could last much beyond its own needs encourages the US Americans object strongly longer. The Republicans want to force to over-borrow and overspend. to the steady rise in US Obama to give in to their demands - In 1945, the US was the only large debt, which has risen from and they could go to extreme lengths country left standing with enough strength 55 percent of GDP in 2000 to do that. They even welcome the idea to support a world recovery after World to 106 percent last year. that the US could default on its debts, War II. The principal architect of the post- Wars are expensive. The if it helps them achieve their goals. war financial system, the British econo- US military commitments The US is still the country of mist John Maynard Keynes, foresaw the in Iraq and Afghanistan the immigrant, a person who rejects dangers of having one country’s currency are estimated to have cost established values and leaves his used by the whole world. Instead, he $3 trillion. country to find a new home where he wanted a world currency and imagined But it was the financial can enjoy freedom and independence. the International Monetary Fund to be the United States government shutdown crash in 2008 that really did The balances inside the Constitution, organization that could issue and manage could cost China dearly: Experts the damage to the US balance sheet. The whereby Congress can hold the presi- it. But the US, then in the driving seat, China holds a significant portion, combination of an economic recession, dent to account while the president wanted the dollar to reign supreme. Now, about $1.1 trillion, of its foreign re- which shrunk the economy and reduced can veto laws passed by Congress, 70 years later, the dollar’s supreme role serves in debt issued or guaranteed by tax receipts, and additional government were designed to prevent any one ele- is out of date. The guardian of the system the US government. As the US’ largest spending to boost the US economy and ment of government from becoming has become too weak economically and foreign debtor, China has every right to rescue the banking system drove the an- over-powerful. The founding fathers financially to support the system. be concerned about the US government nual US public deficit from 2.8 percent succeeded in that aim, but they also China should gradually reduce its shutdown that started in Washington of GDP in 2007 to 13.3 percent in 2009. created a foundation for constant current dollar holdings as a matter of on Oct. 1 and which shows no sign of Even at today’s historically low interest struggle between the president and financial prudence and steadily work ending. [Editor’s note: The shutdown rate levels, the US payments of interest the two houses of Congress. At a time with others toward a new global financial ended Oct. 16.] this year will amount to 2 percent of of economic weakness and decline, architecture. Progress will be gradual After a short period of calm, debt GDP. As interest rates rise, interest pay- when firm leadership is needed both and slow, because the US will not give markets started to show signs of nerves ments could double or triple. for the US and the world, political up its dominant financial role without a on Oct 5, with short-term US borrow- What has saved the US, until now, struggle may signal the end of the struggle. But the government shutdown ing of one month’s maturity offering a has been the role of the US dollar as the US’ position as the dominant global in Washington demonstrates that now is significantly higher yield than a week world’s major reserve currency, mean- financial power. the time to start that process. earlier. The increased return on short ing that other central banks hold dollars The issue for the major lenders who The author is a visiting professor at Treasury bills was necessary to per- as backing for their own currencies. have a stake in the US’ financial posi- Guanghua School of Management, Pe- suade investors to lend money for one The dollar plays a key role in the global tion, such as China, is whether the US king University. The views do not neces- month to the US government. financial system. It is still used in the is a trustworthy borrower and, beyond sarily reflect those of China Daily. u A higher bond yield means a fall in majority of global trading transactions that, whether the US should occupy bond prices that for debt maturities of and is the currency used to quote the more than five years can mean a loss prices of commodities such as oil and on paper of 5 to 10 percent or more. gold. The US Federal Reserve can print Book review Just a tremor in the US debt market can as many dollars as it wants, something it give China a paper loss of hundreds of has been doing since the crash of 2008. Continued from page 10 billions of US dollars. A political earth- But if the US defaults, the dollar and the Among them is Melanie, a white- the jobs won’t return to the U.S. but flow quake in Washington could cost China price of US debt will both collapse and collar businesswoman. Young up- southward to countries like Vietnam. a lot more. China, which holds about $1.1 trillion wardly mobile women like Melanie He explains China’s more active in- According to the US Treasury Secre- of US debt, will suffer. How could the are one element of the market for volvement in the world – fueled by the tary Jack Lew, Oct. 17 is the date when US remain at the heart of the financial imported goods bubbling up in China: need for raw materials and technological the government can no longer pay its system? Typically for this generation, her and managerial expertise. The discussion bills without exceeding the debt limit set Ironically, the US government shut- parents house and feed her. With few delves into China’s involvement in Africa, in 2011 by Congress, of $16.7 billion. down has been caused by politicians responsibilities outside of work she about the road it’s building, and what in the Republican Party who want to The possible outcome worrying the isn’t concerned with saving, changing China is asking of, or not asking of, the reduce spending and cut the US debt bond market is that no agreement will be her handset every nine months. And continent. It looks at mergers and acquisi- - actions that help to restore the US’ reached between the Democrats and the her credit card allows her to buy the tions and reassures companies not to fear position as the keystone of the global Republicans by that date. Then, the US latest iPhone straight away instead of being bought, as Chinese multinationals government would have to depend en- financial system. saving for two months. don’t want to change them or strip them tirely on cash inflows from tax receipts Many of the Republican politicians As the book progresses, Rein tack- for parts – they want knowledge. and cut spending immediately by about behind the shutdown come from the les China’s biggest weaknesses in its Overall, Shaun Rein is optimistic 4 percent of GDP to balance its budget. South, and they want to neutralize and prospective prosperity – namely lack about “the end of cheap China.” And The sudden pullback in government destroy Obama. That is the reason why of adequate housing, corruption, food though he certainly does not ignore the spending would amount to about $1.1 they object to Obama’s 2010 Afford- safety issues, and the education system darker aspects of China’s past and present trillion, or 1.6 percent of world GDP able Healthcare Bill, which is aimed – explaining the intricate challenges of – the “cultural revolution,” prostitution - a big enough shock to cause another at bringing medical care to 40 million each of these widely reported topics. existing through local corruption, im- world recession. With debt repayments poor Americans, and which came into The influence of “the end of cheap moral methods of cutting corners in the amounting to more than 5 percent of force on Oct. 1. China” beyond China’s borders is also food industry – he certainly is inclined to current government spending, the US An irreconcilable divide lies at the explored, challenging simplistic media think the best of and defend his adopted could stop making payments to its debt- heart of the breakdown between the two perceptions of the country. Rein is par- home. His love of China hinted at during holders. In other words, it could default political parties. The US Constitution ticularly persistent in criticizing Paul his descriptions of the country and in the on its debt. gives the Senate and House of Rep- Krugman’s claims that the weakness of tales of his personal experiences of it is The news of the government shut- resentatives considerable power over the Chinese yuan is keeping Chinese almost palpable, and his writing is full down in Washington has been greeted lawmaking. As Republicans control exports cheap and stealing American of enthusiasm for the possibilities that by most onlookers and the global the lower house in Washington, they jobs. His main point is that when lie ahead. u investment community with dismay. can force the government to shut down Chinese exports are no longer cheap, travel www.chinainsight.info NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 > PAGE 15

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1109202_09904 10x7 bw.indd 1 10/8/13 9:57 AM Hiking through a Chinese landscape

painting By Linda Mealey-Lohmann, vice president, US-China Peoples Friendship Association of Minnesota

Yellow Mountain Grand Canyon - truly like walking through a “live” Chinese land- Tour group: scape painting. Back L to R: Nancy Lo, John Ferguson, Therese Kulla-Abbott (USCPFA tour coordinator), Linda Mealey-Lohmann (USCPFA tour director), John Lim, Bonita It was a beautiful day (in September while taking in the breath-taking beauty Lim, Henry Lim Front L to R: Beijing Youxie representative Wendy Zuo, Paul Lim 2013) to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime of the jutting granite peaks and the an- trip to Yellow Mountain (Huangshan cient Huangshan Pines. The sky was shrouded in clouds. Disappointed, we one spot, trying to take in the grandeur 黄山), a UNESCO world heritage blue and we could see for miles. It was nevertheless headed out that morning that was before us. site in Anhui Province, China, west of a perfect day for this US-China Peoples for a group hike to Bright Summit. Lit- We all came away with a deep Shanghai. Friendship Association tour group of tle did we know what awaited us! The respect of Yellow Mountain, a new We took the tram from the bottom eight travelers who had traveled from mountains and pines re-created scenes understanding of Chinese landscape of the mountain to nearly its top, where all over the U.S. to come together at we had only seen in Chinese landscape painting, and the bonds of friendship to we were told we would have to hike the this spot. paintings in museums or books. Ev- last a lifetime. u rest of the way to our hotel. So, with our The next morning brought us a erywhere we looked, the scenery was Read the paper online at overnight bags slung across our shoul- completely different view of Yellow breathtaking, and we found ourselves www.chinainsight.info ders, we hiked along a well-defined path Mountain - it was raining, and all was standing in awe, speechless, glued to Saturday, November 23 6 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. The Depot Minneapolis 225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401

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