INSIGHT CCCFosteringHINHINHIN business and culturalAAA harmony between China and the U.S. VOL.6 NO.4 Copyright © 2007 China Insight, Inc. All Rights Reserved APRIL 2007 Chinese AIDS activist, Dr. Gao Yaojie, visits Minnesota Dr. Gao Yaojie known as “Grandmother Courage” visits the U.S. for the first time to receive humanitarian award By Richard He and Jennifer Nordin, Staff Writers rominent Chinese AIDS Activist, of AIDS prevention and treatment in Dr. Gao Yaojie, visited Minnesota China. The first lecture was at the Wishes for the Sky Mar. 23-24 on her first trip to the University of Minnesota on Mar. 23. Page 5 PUnited States. Dr. Gao came to the She repeated the presentation on Mar. United States to receive the 2007 Vital Voices 24 for the public at the International Global Women’s Leadership Award for Hu- Institute of Minnesota. These lectures man Rights in Washington, D.C., on Mar. were sponsored by China AIDS Or- 14. Vital Voices honors extraordinary women phan Fund (CAOF), Chinese American leaders who are at the forefront of political, Student Association (CASA) and Pro- social and economic progress in their soci- gram in Human Rights and Health, eties. The honorary co-chairs of the Vital University of Minnesota – School of Voices Global Partnership include Senators Public Health. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Hillary Rodham Dr. Gao was the first person to pub- Clinton, Sally Field, Andrea Mitchell and licly expose the tainted blood selling Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad programs that led to widespread HIV Yunus. infection in rural Chinese villages. While in Minnesota, Dr. Gao gave a pre- During the early and mid-1990s, village sentation, twice, describing her humanitar- Dr. Gao Yaojie and provincial officials established ian work and reporting on the current status programs to pay poor farmers for Orphan Fund continues on Page 6

Chinese Adoption Benefit concert to support Page 7 impoverished students in China By Albert Leung nstead of church hymns and prayers, Home School), Ming Lin (15, Minnetonka the St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church HS), Kenny Broberg (8th Grade, Cecilia’s Franchising in China sanctuary echoed piano rhapsody at Home School), Lillie Gardner (17, DelaSalle Page 10 Ithe first-ever benefits concert held by HS). All 10 performers showed their mastery the non-profit groups China Service Ven- of pieces composed by Franz Liszt, Frederic tures (CSV) and Hongzhi Donation Program. Chopin, Ludvig van Beethoven, Maurice A crowd of over 100 people gathered into Ravel, Mozart, Sergei Rachmanioff, Franz Jo- the nave to listen to some of the most tal- seph Haydn and Claude Debussy. Nick Qiu ented piano virtuoso in Minnesota. On their also prepared a special Chinese folk song to way in, audience members were greeted by play especially at the charity concert. Nearly persuasive young boys selling authentic all the performers were trained by Dr. Jo- Chinese goods including silk handbags, silk Young boys help sell goods outside the seph Zins, who has instructed young people ties, piggy-banks, key chains and bracelets. Concert Hall before the performance in piano performance for over 30 years. Zins, The event, which was planned by 15- who did not have a part in the event plan- Shangri-La Chinese year-olds Melody Hu and Nick Qiu, was to “We know all the performers personally, ning, looked on proudly as he bobbed his raise money for both charities which help said Qiu. “When they heard it was for char- head with each strike of the piano. He said Acrobats Page 16 impoverished students in China attend high ity they wanted to help.” he was especially proud of how two of his school. Since high school is not free in China, The two event planners, having col- students were able to review music on their ALSO IN THIS ISSUE many financially despaired families struggle lected a few musical awards themselves, not own without his guidance. Announcements / 2 to send their kids to school. only planned the event but also performed “It’s one of the most awesome events “We really don’t have a goal amount,” in it. All the teen performers, ages ranging I’ve ever attended,” said Zins. “I was very Educational said Hu. “It’s the first year so any amount of from 13 to 18 years old, pulled double-duty pleased that their instruction has grown them Announcements / 3 &4 money we can raise would be great.” that day after performing their respective musically.” Hu and Qiu recruited friends who share musical pieces at a local piano competition Hu and Qiu hope that this event is only Events / 5 the same piano instructor. The concert fea- earlier in the day. the first of many to come. The same senti- Community / 6 & 9 tured award-winning young pianists, includ- The ten performers are: Melody (15, ments were shared by many who attended. ing winners of prestigious young artist piano Wayzata HS), Nick (15, Woodbury HS), Josh “To start a tradition, we need people to Adption / 7 competitions such as Music Teacher’s Na- Tan (16, Roseville Area HS), Brittany come and you have come. We feel [heart- Culture / 8 tional Association Competition and Schubert Polhemus (15, home schooled), Vivian Hou ened] by that,” Paul Ofstedal, CSV presi- Club Student Scholarship Competition, (16, Eastview HS), Sulamita Yang (16, St. Paul dent, said. Business / 10-15 among others. Central HS), Jimmy Broberg (18, St. Cecilia’s Benefit Concert continues on Page 9 PAGE 2 > APRIL 2007 announcements www.chinainsight.info Stanley Chong, CHINAINSIGHT Publisher/Editor: Gregory J. Hugh Chinese Minnesotan of Note [email protected] By the Advisory Committee of the Chinese Heritage Foundation Associate Editor: Jennifer Nordin years remained with Chong throughout his Foods on the Minneapolis campus of the [email protected] life. University of Minnesota. The only store on At the suggestion of relatives in Minne- campus to carry Chinese food items, it was a Manager of Operations/Circulation/ apolis, Chong moved here in 1934 to further haven for Chinese students. They went there China Marketing/Web Master: his education. In search of work to support whenever they felt homesick, knowing that Richard He himself, he discovered, through his fluent the generous Chongs would envelop them [email protected] Cantonese, that the local Chinese restau- and offer whatever assistance and encour- rants were having difficulties getting their agement they needed. During fishing sea- Production Editor: grocery supplies from the west coast. Chong sons they also knew that on Monday Dawn Murphy promptly set out to help them, and Interna- mornings there would be free fresh fish for [email protected] tional House, a wholesale supplier to res- the taking in the display case, courtesy of taurants, was born. After World War II, the Chongs’ legendary fishing prowess! Director of Marketing and during which Chong served in the U. S. Army, The Chongs were also innovators in the Communications: he expanded his services. By 1961 Interna- development of frozen foods. Another one Cydne Washington tional House was the largest Chinese food of their business ventures, Marvel Foods, [email protected] mail-order operation in the nation. was the first in the country to offer frozen Observing another need in the growing chow mein. The company also offered cook- Advertising Representatives: local Chinese community, Chong worked with ing classes and assisted in the development Amy Lau his good friend, Walter James of Nankin of a mechanical celery chopper. [email protected] Café, to organize a social and cultural asso- Watching a new generation of Chinese ciation that eventually became the Chinese children growing up, Chong sought to en- Mike Xiong American Association of Minnesota sure their future by establishing a college [email protected] Stanley Chong (CAAM). One of the missions of CAAM scholarship fund at CAAM for them. He ex- was, and still is, to preserve the cultural heri- plained, ‘Education is very important and I Staff Writers: Stanley Chong was born in Yakima, tage of Chinese Americans and promote its wish to help young people, who are willing Greg Hugh Washington. He grew up on his father’s cross-cultural understanding with the greater to work hard, to become productive citizens. [email protected] hops farm, working every spring to build Twin Cities community. Chong served as its I am proud of our Minnesota Chinese com- trellises for the hops vines, and later on in first president in 1967. munity, and hope that our succeeding gen- Jennifer Nordin the season harvesting the flowers to be During this period, Chong, together with erations will continue to learn about our [email protected] shipped to breweries in Chicago. The strong Marvel, his wife, business partner and best Chinese homeland and culture. My grand- work ethic that he developed in those early friend, also ran the International House of Chong continues on Page 12 Phil Lee [email protected]

2007 Dragon Festival: About CHINAInsight CHINAInsight is a monthly English-language newspaper Celebrating the Asian Pacific fostering U.S.-China cultural and American Communities in MN business harmony. CHINAInsight is a member of The Minnesota Chapter of the July 14, & 15, 2007at Lake Phalen and Phalen Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota Asian American Journalists Dragon Festival is the premier Pan Asian Many have participated in Dragon Fes- cians also are welcome. Association (AAJA). festival in the State of Minnesota. Since its tival by sending dance groups, boat teams Asian cultural organizations, performers inception in and martial art and artists interested in performing Submissions & 2003, the groups. The or showcasing their cultural heritage Correspondence festival has Dragon Festival at this family-oriented event are in- grown in planning committee vited to e-mail popularity hopes to have an [email protected] or CHINAInsight welcomes guest and in size. Asian village at this call Linda Hashimoto, 651-631-9157 articles. Correspondence should In 2005, the year’s Festival, a or 651-631-9655. Performances are be addressed to: Star Tribune place for all API generally of 30-minute duration and named the community organi- take place on both Saturday and Sun- Editor, CHINAInsight festival as zations to get to- day, between noon and 5:30 p.m. 6520 South Bay Drive one of the gether, a place for Besides cultural performances, Minnetrista, MN 55331 five best API artists to ex- this year's festival will again feature Tel: (952) 930-5252 summer hibit and sell their martial arts demonstrations, arts and Fax: (952) 474-6514 events. work, a place for Cultural performance from crafts, dragon boat races, a silent [email protected] Planning for children of all ages 2006 festival auction (those who have an item to the 2007 to participate in donate, e-mail Judy Holm at Letters to the Editor become Part of the opening ceremo- Dragon Asian Pacific Islander games and a place to [email protected]) and, of course, a wide the property of CHINAInsight and nies from 2006 Festival, taste traditional cuisine. Any individuals variety of ethnic foods. may be edited for length and which will with ideas for other traditional activities, Participatory activities that appeal to published. Articles will not be take place at Phalen Park, St. Paul, on July questions, or interest in participating should "tweens" and teens will be added to this published without the express 14-15, is well underway. contact Outreach Director Will Ahern at year's festival. In addition, the Asian art consent of the author. This year, the planning committee has [email protected]. fair and craft bazaar will be expanded. great plans to make this festival even more For details about the festival and to see Fun activities for the entire family NOTICE TO READERS: The festive with more activities for all ages. The photos from past festivals, please visit This annual two-day event generally views expressed in articles are the dragon boat races have always been a great www.dragonfestival.org. „ draws a diverse crowd of 9,000 attendees author’s and not necessarily those attraction, but what makes the festival so from the Greater Twin Cities area. Past per- of CHINAInsight. Authors may great is the opportunity for Asian Pacific formers have included Taiko drummers, cul- CORRECTION: Bob San wrote Chinese have a business relationship with Islanders to share their rich and diverse cul- tural dance groups, storytellers and volunteers visit Minnesota not MTO pre- the companies or businesses they ture with fellow Asian Pacific Islanders and musicians from the Philippines, Indonesia sents China Practicum as indicated on Page also with the greater community. discuss. and India. Strolling musicians and magi- 6 of the March 2007 issue. www.chinainsight.info education announcements APRIL 2007 > PAGE 3

Editor’s Note: CHINAInsight is planning a comprehensive update on Department of Minnesota’s Chinese Mandarin language programs in the May issue of the paper and invites all school administrators to be sure to advise us of their plans so that they can be included. Items for consideration must be submitted by April 13 Education releases directly to [email protected]. Mandarin Chinese report Paulsen authors Governor Pawlenty has led state efforts • The number of licensed foreign lan- to bring Mandarin Chinese language classes guage teachers should increase by a factor legislation to to Minnesota schools of five over the next fifteen years. The Minnesota Department of Educa- • Priorities within school curricula should tion (MDE) has released a report to the leg- be altered to include language learning as implement islature that recommends expanding the well as broadened coverage of global his- availability of Mandarin Chinese language tory, culture and human geography. classes to more Minnesota schools. • Schools, universities, communities and Mandarin Chinese “If our students are going to succeed in corporations should be encouraged to em- a more globally competitive environment, it’s phasize the importance of language and cul- essential that they learn a second language,” tural knowledge and skills in the success of Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice our society. programs Seagren said. “The recommendations in this • School language learning should be Bill enhances pilot project passed during the 2006 legislative session report provide the groundwork for prepar- supplemented by summer intensive learn- ing our students for the future by making ing experiences, travel experiences, commu- State Representative Erik Paulsen (R- languages including program administra- Mandarin Chinese language classes more nity-based events and popular media Eden Prairie) in February introduced legisla- tors, retired educators, curriculum coordi- available for Minnesota students.” learning opportunities. tion, HF 1424, to create intensive Mandarin nators, school board members, and Last year, the legislature adopted Gov- Chinese programs in Minnesota schools and representatives from the Minnesota Board ernor Tim Pawlenty’s proposal to develop The report also makes the following rec- provide grants from the Minnesota Depart- of Teaching and the Department of Educa- and provide school districts with a common ommendations for the Minnesota K-12 edu- ment of Education to implement the pro- tion. curriculum, materials and classroom assess- cation system: grams. Paulsen’s legislation allows the commis- ments to be used for a Mandarin Chinese • Provide ten (10) US$50,000 pilot pro- “We live in a global economy,” said Rep- sioner from the Minnesota Department of program. MDE was directed to make recom- gram grants in both fiscal year 2008 and 2009 resentative Paulsen. “We need to enhance Education to award up to 25, US$10,000 pi- mendations on related issues including to assist interested school districts or char- foreign language instruction in Minnesota lot program grants in both 2008 and 2009 to 2007 schools to meet the demand for proficiency assist interested school districts or charter teacher preparation programs, the need for ter schools in initiating Mandarin Chinese an adequate supply of Mandarin Chinese programs or enhancing successful models in languages other than English.” schools in initiating or enhancing Mandarin teachers, expedited licensure for Mandarin in place. In order to receive the funding, Paulsen’s legislation continues his ef- Chinese programs. It provides 10, US$2,500 Chinese teachers and the development of schools should be required to evidence the forts to implement a Mandarin Chinese cur- scholarships to Minnesota residents with an adequate number of high-quality pro- ability to sustain each program. This fund- riculum in Minnesota schools. He secured bachelor’s degrees who are proficient in grams. ing would be used for such things as supple- US$250,000 in funding for the initial devel- Chinese to enroll in intensive teacher licen- Last year, MDE brought together a net- mentary materials, professional development opment of the curriculum in 2006. This year’s sure programs, and provides five, work of higher education representatives and summer camps for students. bill creates a pilot program to develop and US$100,000 grants to select state universi- including educators, teachers of Chinese, • Develop and implement week-long, in- implement model programs in Mandarin Chi- ties to expand foreign language teacher business, members of the Board of Teach- tensive training sessions for 25 public nese instruction. It also provides program- preparation programs to include Mandarin ing, Department of Education staff and other school district administrators who are inter- ming and funding to expedite the training Chinese. In addition, it provides US$250,000 interested partners to accomplish the goals ested in establishing high-quality, sustain- and licensing of teachers of Chinese. in grant money to extend study abroad op- set forth by the governor and legislature. able foreign language program models, “We took the right steps in initiating portunities for teachers. In the report, that group makes several similar to advanced placement training pro- curriculum development. We now need to Paulsen said his legislation also calls for recommendations to the legislature: grams with an estimated cost of US$25,000 expand upon the initial development of that the commissioner to make recommendations • Each Minnesota high school graduate in both fiscal year 2008 and 2009. curriculum to implement pilot programs in to the Minnesota Legislature by 2010 on should have foreign language instruction The complete report can be found at schools and provide an adequate number of how to make Mandarin Chinese programs by 2013 and possess second language pro- www.education.state.mn.us. Chinese language teachers for those pro- available to students in kindergarten through ficiency by 2021. As part of his budget, Governor Tim grams,” Paulsen said. grade 12 throughout the state. • Graduates should have the opportu- Pawlenty has proposed US$500,000 in fund- Paulsen said his legislation is based on “We must be forward thinking in the area nity to continue their language learning in ing for FY 08-09 to expand Mandarin Chi- recommendations from the Minnesota De- of global communication. This comprehen- more commonly taught languages (such as nese language programs across the state. partment of Education and the Chinese Lan- sive proposal will ensure that we are not French, German and Spanish) as well as sev- He has also proposed requiring every Min- guage Programs and Curriculum falling behind in an education area we should eral strategic languages, including Manda- nesota student take four years of a second Development Project. The recommendations be enhancing,” Paulsen said. rin Chinese, at several Minnesota colleges language. „ were developed by interested volunteers The legislation was referred to the K-12 and universities. who possessed both skills and expertise re- Education Committee where Paulsen has lated to Mandarin Chinese or other world submitted a hearing request. „

Minnesota college students gain new opportunity to study in China Student exchanges between Minnesota College Council. “By enhancing our under- side with Chinese students in a Chinese in- o UIC is the product of the first partner- and China will grow, with the signing of a standing of the 21st century’s economic stitution where all courses are taught in En- ship between a mainland educational insti- new agreement between the Minnesota Pri- powerhouse, we greatly benefit both the glish. tution, Beijing Normal University, and a vate College Council and a unique Chinese academic and business communities in Min- “This partnership is another sign of the Hong Kong counterpart, Hong Kong Bap- liberal arts college. Starting this year, stu- nesota.” private colleges’ commitment to deepening tist College. dents and faculty from 17 private colleges The 17 institutions in the Minnesota Pri- students’ understanding of the world we live o When UIC opened earlier this year, it will begin studying and working at United vate College Council have longstanding ties in today,” said James Peterson, Ph.D., presi- was the first fully sanctioned liberal arts col- International College (UIC) in Zhuhai, China. with China, with some dating back to the dent, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter. lege to be created in China in more than 50 “Minnesota’s unique and historic con- 19th century. The colleges have 15 exchange “More than half of the Minnesota college years. nections to China are further strengthened programs in place that will be complemented students who study abroad come from the o The agreement with the Minnesota by this agreement, said Dan Miller, Ph.D., by the new partnership with UIC. Minne- state’s 17 private colleges.” Private College Council is the first UIC has president and CEO, Excorp Medical Inc., and sota students from all member institutions There are many firsts associated with reached with an American college or group a board member of the Minnesota Private will have an opportunity to study side-by- UIC and the partnership: Students continues on Page 4 PAGE 4 > APRIL 2007 education announcements www.chinainsight.info Goodwill gone wild Applicants wanted Chinese student joins U of M Pay it Forward for Race, Gender, Community Service Tour during spring break Zhi Li, a student from Fuzhou, China, Management, was one of the bus leaders on and Public Policy was among the 140 University of Minne- a bus that went to Silver Creek, Neb., Den- sota students who participated in the Pay It ver, Sante Fe, El Paso and ended up in San Forward spring break tour Mar. 9 to Mar. 18. Antonio. He said he learned a lot on this postdoctoral Four buses departed from the Univer- trip. sity of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus on "The trip was an enriching experience Friday, March 9, as part of the Pay it For- for me," said Li, who minors in global stud- ward spring break tour. The 140 U students ies. "The trip wasn't without struggle. The fellowship loaded a suitcase, pillow and sleeping bag intense emotion and human interaction The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs lowship will give interested scholars the and boarded the buses to start on separate helped me to grow tremendously in a short is seeking postdoctoral fellows to be part of opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary nine-day journeys. week. I learned everything from leadership, a new program that will explore the intersec- research with practical applications,” said Now in its fourth year, the Pay it For- confidence, group dynamics and unity, trust, tions of race, gender, and public policy. The Dr. Sally Kenney, co-director with Myers and ward Tour is a spring break community ser- open communictaion, respect and support. postdoctoral fellows will support and de- director of the Humphrey Institute’s Center vice trip--planned and led by students--that The experiences we shared will be discussed velop new research in this policy area. on Women and Public Policy. has grown exponentially since it was con- in the future, and the intangibles of the tour “Race, gender, and public policy offer a The program will explore all areas of race ceived by four U freshmen during a late- will benefit me far into my life." critical intersection for new scholars inter- and gender. There is added interest in appli- night brainstorming session. This year, 15 Li said all participants found the trip very ested in moving our society forward through cants who focus on the peoples of the Afri- buses with 600 student fulfilling. In addition to the unforgettable greater understanding of one another,” said can Diaspora, indigenous women, such as volunteers collectively served 77 communi- service opportunities for students, the trip program co-director Dr. Samuel L. Myers, American Indians or the Aborigines of Aus- ties. After traveling across the country, eight helped to break down stereotypes and par- Jr., and director of the Humphrey Institute’s tralia, and other populations in Latin buses met in Washington, D.C. and seven ticipants often forge lifelong friendships. Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and America. buses met in San Antonio. "I believe our tour was a success story Social Justice. Applications will be reviewed by a se- because every participant stepped up to be In addition to developing new research, lection committee comprised of nationally a leader at certain point of the tour," Li said. fellows will teach one graduate seminar recognized race, gender, and public policy "One of our service projects was to lead within their area of specialty focusing on scholars. Applicants must submit a cover workshops for kids age 11 to 14. Watching race, gender, and public policy and/or a mas- letter, resume, three letters of support from our volunteers discuss the activities and ters-level course on social policy. Applicants graduate advisers, a graduate school tran- planning the events for the kids was the should be broadly trained in the social or script, a one-page proposed course descrip- most fulfilling moment of my trip. We were behavioral sciences and must have a dem- tion, and a writing sample. All materials must all leaders of the tour." onstrated commitment to investigating the be received by April 15, 2007. For more in- The annual tour is the crowning accom- relationship between their disciplines and formation and complete application instruc- plishment of Students Today Leaders For- race, gender, and public policy. tions, visit www.hhh.umn.edu/about/ ever (STLF), a student organization that was “Public policy is constantly influenced employment. Additional questions may be founded in September 2003 by four Univer- by issues of race and gender, and this fel- forwarded to Lawrencina Mason-Oramalu at sity of Minnesota freshmen. In May 2005, [email protected] or 612-626-8734. „ Zhi Li (right) and other U of M students STLF became an official non-profit organi- doing community service work in Texas on zation, and it has since grown to 11 chapters the Pay it Forward Tour. Photo courtesy of in the Midwest. Members work on projects Zhi Li at their respective universities throughout the year. China may allow Li, a sophomore majoring in Manage- For more information about the tour or ment Information Systems, Supply Chain the organization, visit the STLF Web site www.stlf.net/ „ more Hollywood

Students from Page 3 films tional ties to China. Along with the private According to U.S. Secretary of Com- tries are the most regulated markets for for- college’s strong academic links, the Univer- merce Carlos Gutierrez, China is showing eign business to enter. While China has re- sity of Minnesota has been active for more some positive signs that it will increase the cently opened up its banking and retail of colleges. than a century, including as an educator of import quota for Hollywood-produced films. sectors in order to meet its WTO commit- “Reaching this agreement with large numbers of Chinese students. Currently, China only allows 20 foreign films ments, a mounting request to allow more Minnesota’s private colleges — our first About the Minnesota Private College to be imported and distributed each year in Hollywood films into China's domestic mar- such agreement with Council its theaters. ket has become a major topic for the U.S. American higher education — signals The Minnesota Private College Council China’s banking, retail and film indus- Department of Commerce’s lobby in Beijing. UIC’s commitment to the liberal arts and our represents 17 of the state’s most respected „ commitment to creating meaningful interna- four-year, liberal arts colleges and universi- tional partnerships,” said Edmund Kwok, ties as well as more than 57,000 students. Ph.D., UIC vice president. These institutions award 30 percent of the Located in the southeastern part of the baccalaureate degrees in the state. They are: NSIGHT country, near Macao and Hong Kong, UIC Augsburg College, Bethany Lutheran Col- CHINAI opened last spring and now has 1,200 stu- lege, Bethel University, Carleton College, Subscription Order Form dents and 11 majors. Enrollment is expected College of Saint Benedict, College of St. 11 issues - $24.00 for a domestic subscription and $40 for International. to grow to 4,000 undergraduates and 500 Catherine, College of St. Scholastica, graduate students. Along with Minnesota Concordia College, Moorhead, Please make check payable to CHINAInsight, 6520 South Bay Drive, Minnetrista, students studying at UIC, Chinese students Concordia University, St. Paul, Gustavus MN 55331 are expected to come to Minnesota to study Adolphus College, Hamline University, as well. Macalester College, Minneapolis College of Name: ______“We have a meaningful opportunity to Art and Design, Saint John’s University, contribute to China’s reintroduction of the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, St. Address: ______liberal arts into its higher education system,” Olaf College, and University of St. Thomas said David B. Laird, Jr., president, Minne- MPCC’s mission is to preserve and en- City/State/Zip: ______sota Private College Council. “As we’ve seen hance quality private higher education and Telephone: ______here in Minnesota, a liberal arts education to serve the education and economic needs has so many benefits, including the intellec- of our region, while strengthening our cul- Email: ______tual skills that are critical in our world’s rap- tural and economic fabric. For more informa- idly changing knowledge-based economy.” tion on the Council and its members, visit Signature: ______Minnesota is a leading state for educa- www.mnprivatecolleges.org.„ www.chinainsight.info events APRIL 2007 > PAGE 5 Chinese New Year Local tenor to celebration begins perform first solo CHF initiative recital to feature an all-Chinese program On Mar. 3 the Chinese Heritage Foun- who voluntarily cited a prevailing custom, dation (CHF) launched a new initiative to won an opportunity to select a door prize Chinese tenor Li Lei will present his first Xian Xing-hai’s Yellow River Cantata. The encourage philanthropy among young Chi- from among dozens of Chinese gifts con- public recital in the Twin Cities on May 6, at Chorus subsequently repeated the perfor- nese Americans by hosting a Chinese New tributed by members. Along the way every- 3 p.m., at the Coffman Union Theatre on the mance in the Twin Cities to great acclaim. Year celebration at Jun Bo Restaurant. Re- one learned the importance of homonyms in Minneapolis campus of the University of Li has continued his activities in pro- sponding to a desire among young Chinese the Chinese language: lotus seeds thus be- Minnesota. The recital evolved as a result moting cross-cultural understanding in the Americans to reconnect with their heritage, come a fertility symbol, tangerines become of Mr. Li’s commitment to promoting cross- Twin Cities and performs frequently outside especially now that they are becoming par- a symbol for wealth and good fortune, and a cultural understanding through music and the Chinese community. As tenor soloist at ents, CHF plans to build informational whole fish becomes a symbol of plenty. The his desire to share some of the culture and Grace Trinity Community Church he has events around significant holidays on the oft-heard exclamation during the evening tradition of his native country. participated in many collaborative recitals, Chinese calendar. These events will be part was, ‘I didn’t know that!’ Li is originally from Shenyang, China. singing songs from different regions of networking, part culinary tour, part educa- Another consensus from the evening He holds a China. For his first solo recital on May 6 he tion, and part fundraising. At the same time was an appreciation of the art of menu plan- B.F.A. from has chosen an all-Chinese program, featur- these events will also serve as opportuni- ning. Food is deeply intertwined in many Shenyang ing tribal songs from different regions in ties to promote cross-cultural understand- aspects of Chinese culture; and the eleva- Conservatory China. These regions include Inner ing and will therefore be open to the greater tion of the mundane to the sublime is an and two Mongolia, Tibet, and the provinces of Twin Cities community. experience to remember. With an expert resi- M.F.A.s, one Yunnan, Szechuan and Xinjiang. Li said, “ The kick off event was the Mar. 3 cel- dent guide in Ming Tchou, how to eat well in voice and During my recent trips back to China I was ebration of Chinese New Year. Co-chaired (and staying within a reasonable budget) one in piano, thrilled to come across these tribal songs by Ida Lano and Norton Lam, the event drew definitely will be a focus in future events. from Nara again. I realized that many of them, such as a nice crowd that was approximately 50 per- One more surprise from the evening was Educational The River Is Swollen with Carp, The Sun is cent Chinese and 50 percent Caucasian. The the realization that while the World Wide Chinese tenor Li Lei University, in Rising over the Prairie, The Song of the Shep- evening began with a sumptuous banquet Web can provide practically all information (Photo Credit: Nara, Japan. herd, and Evening in the Meadow, have never featuring a menu carefully selected by CHF on all subjects, having pertinent informa- Cindy Bai) During his been performed in the Twin Cities before. president Ming Tchou. It was followed by tion available in a concise format about com- seven-year so- These wonderful songs invoke the big blue an interactive program led by Margaret mon Chinese customs and festivals cannot journ in Nara he concertized widely through- sky and wide-open prairies of western China; Wong on the customs and practices during yet be found. CHF will look into providing out the western region of Japan. His and celebrate the harmony between man and Chinese New Year. Anyone who correctly this information on its Web site in the fu- repertoire included Chinese and Japanese nature. Horses and camels occupy a special answered a question posed by Wong, or ture. „ art songs, and Italian bel canto songs and place in everyday life, and in one song, you opera arias. As a scholarship recipient of can hear the bells on the camels’ harnesses. the International Silk Road Foundation he And of course when the day’s work is done, was active in promoting cross-cultural un- there is love! These songs are so evocative derstanding through music. that I am really looking forward to introduc- Li came to the Twin Cities in 1996 and ing them to my audience.” rapidly became known for his interpretation The recital will also feature select slides of both Chinese art songs and Italian songs. of tribal costumes and sceneries from these He has sung with many Twin Cities organi- regions. Margaret Wong will be the narra- zations, including the Minnesota Opera and tor. Pearl Lam Bergad will accompany Li Lei the Minnesota Chorale, and has been the on the piano. Tickets are US$12 each and featured soloist in numerous Chinese cul- may be reserved by contacting Hong Lin tural performances. During his ten-year ten- (763-478-3117) at [email protected], or ure as artistic director of the Minhua Chorus, Yanan Guo (651-278-3498) at the group won several grant awards from [email protected]. Coffman the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and Union Theatre is located on 300 Washing- in 2005 traveled to Chicago to perform with ton Ave. SE, Minneapolis. „ the Chicago Yellow River Performing Arts in Sucheng Chan donates to the Immigration History Research Center Sucheng Chan, one of the founding University of Minnesota scholars of Asian American Studies, is do- Friday, April 27, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. nating her formidable collection of Asian Graduate student lunch and seminar with American Studies-related books and mate- Prof. Chan rials to the Immigration History Research 308 Andersen Library Center. University of Minnesota There will be two upcoming events with RSVP to Erika Lee at [email protected] „ Professor Chan at the end of April: Thursday, April 26, 5-7p.m. Visa to China Why Asian American Studies Matters Fast Safe Cheap Sucheng Chan, Professor Emeritus of Asian MN China Tribune Visa Service Center American Studies, UC Santa Barbara 566 N Selling Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 University and community reception and Tel: 651-644-4294 or 651-387-0234 book signing 120 Andersen Library Fax: 651-644-4295 PAGE 6 > APRIL 2007 community www.chinainsight.info

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♦ Accounting Services ♦ Tax-Preparation ♦ Quickbooks and Peachtree set up ♦ Business Consultation ♦ Financial Planning MEG YOUNG Dr. Gao and Crystal with CAOF Board (Photo credit: Ping Yeh 2002, as news of the epidemic spread, Dr. Dr. Gao is very conscious of her cause. Gao became a prominent and courageous She insists on three “NOs”; meaning, three 952-474-3567 spokesperson for its victims. things she will not do: Dr. Gao was born in 1927, in rural 1. She will NOT join or establish any Shandong Province. She and her husband, foundation or organization. This will prevent 800-735-0106 also a doctor, have three children, in addi- any accusation that she would use those DOYLE & ASSOCIATES tion to three from his previous marriage. organizations against the government; 2. She will NOT receive any donation to TAX AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Dr. Gao’s presentation on AIDS in her directly. It is not that she does not need 5100 Thimsen Avenue, Suite 100 China money for her cause, she needs it dearly. On Friday, Mar. 23, a press conference, She has spent every penny from her cash Minnetonka, MN 55345 lecture and an exclusive interview with China awards for food, medicines and AIDS edu- Insight afterwards was scheduled. Unfortu- cation materials for all AIDS patients and Hwy 7 and 101, SW corner nately, Dr. Gao’s flight into Minneapolis was their families. She wants to avoid any accu- delayed and there was only time for the lec- sation from anybody (including government) ture. Before her arrival to the Auditorium at on how much money she will get and how Moos Tower on the University of Minne- she will use the money thus impacting her sota campus, the audience got a chance to ability to help the patients directly; Orphan Fund from Page 1 view the DVD and part of her power-point 3. She will NOT work for the government or speak for the government. She will work blood, which was often collected with un- landlord, Dr. Gao was forced into hiding. presentation about the field trips and reality of the AIDS situation in Henan province. independently. In this way, she will keep sanitary practices. Estimates vary as to the From 1966 until 1974 she was not allowed to her neutral position and speak out the truth extent of the resulting AIDS epidemic, but in practice medicine, but as the Cultural Revo- When Dr. Gao arrived and began her lec- ture, it was be hard to believe that she is 80 (not lying to outside world) to help cure the some villages much of the adult population lution receded, she returned to her practice, AIDS epidemic in China. has died or is infected. In the province of focusing on Gynecology. In the 1980s she years old from the way she moved and spoke. She spoke very clearly (with a Henan A banquet for Dr. Gao was held at Pe- Henan, AIDS orphans number in the tens of became a lecturer and teacher, and served king Garden on Mar. 23. Dr. Gao returned to thousands. as Director, Department of Gynecology and accent), responded to questions promptly and precisely, and she displayed a sense of Chicago after the second lecture on Sun- Thomas Ting, President of the China Obstetrics, No. 1 Hospital, Henan College day. of Chinese Traditional Medicine. She for- humor too – a very valuable trait after hav- ing worked in a very difficult environment mally retired in 1990. About China AIDS Orphan Fund In April, 1996, Dr. Gao was invited to and pressured circumstance for so many The mission of the China AIDS Orphan consult on a case of infection at the Henan years. Fund is to improve the lives of children or- Armed Police Hospital. Within days the After her presentation, she answered a phaned by HIV/AIDS in central China, es- patient was confirmed to be HIV positive. few questions. She mentioned she was in- pecially Henan Province. It was founded in Dr. Gao immediately began doing public edu- vited to visit the United States by the hon- 2003 by Dr. Steven Wang to raise awareness cation on AIDS. As she traveled through orary co-chair of the Vital Voices Global and support for AIDS orphans and their fami- the rural villages of Henan she discovered Partnership, U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham lies in Central China. The Fund was estab- that an epidemic of HIV infection was emerg- Clinton, and that she received the approval lished under the auspices of The ing due to the collection and sale of tainted of Chinese President Hu Jintao, so she could Minneapolis Foundation. CAOF has since blood in the early and mid-1990s—a pro- make her first trip outside China. become an independent charitable organi- gram encouraged by local officials as a way Dr. Gao explained that blood-selling is a zation. In four years it has made grants of for poor farmers to supplement their meager nation-wide issue in China, not just limited more than US$150,000 to NGOs addressing income. to Henan Province which was in the spot- these needs in China. For additional infor- Dr. Gao ministered to the victims and light right now. The AIDS issue in China is different from the cases in the other parts of mation, visit www.chinaaidsorphanfund.org. Dr. Gao at the lecture the world. In China, the majority cases of * Information about Dr. Gao Yaojie was provided by the China AIDS Orphan Fund AIDS Orphan Fund, commented on the sig- AIDS are caused by blood-selling, not sex nificance of Dr. Gao’s visit: “We have been or drug related. She encouraged everyone aware of Dr. Gao’s courageous leadership in to put a greater emphasis on helping to pres- drawing attention to the AIDS orphan crisis sure the Chinese government to improve or in central China, and we are honored to host stop this practice to resolve the AIDS issue her visit. We hope that her trip to America from the root, not just donating the money will draw even greater attention to the needs to cure AIDS patients and help the families. of children and families affected by AIDS in Resolving the blood-selling issue will be a China and throughout the world.” Dr. Gao dinner speach (Photo Ping Yeh) more efficient way to stop AIDS infection. Otherwise, it has been and will continue to About Dr. Gao Yaojie* helped support the children who were be- be a Chinese tragedy. Dr. Gao has a blog at http:// Dr. Gao Yaojie graduated from Medical coming orphans in large numbers as a whole blog.sina.com.cn/u/1260580754. From there, College, Henan University in 1954, and be- generation of adults in some villages began viewers can see over 100 real AIDS cases came a popular obstetrician, delivering as to die. Local and provincial officials at- LET US HEAR FROM YOU recorded by her and much more information. many as twelve babies a day until the 1960s, tempted to minimize or conceal the situation She mentioned that people should not send Have an observation or comment about when she was classified as a "black until 2000, when Dr. Gao met with a New York her e-mail as her e-mail was blocked and she something you read in CHINAInsight? element" during the Cultural Revolution. As Times reporter and alerted the outside world would not be able to receive messages. Write a Letter to the Editor an educated person and the daughter of a to the AIDS crisis in Henan. In 2001 and www.chinainsight.info adoption APRIL 2007 > PAGE 7 Update on Chinese More and More Tax Audit, More and More Losses Sales Tax, Corporate Tax, Employee Tax, Unemployment Tax? Want to reduce the risk of Audit, reduce the loss of Audit? Adoption Want to hire an experienced, licensed, superior CPA? By Will Ahern, Minnesota Regional Director Great Wall China Adoption Over the past several years, China has become the leading choice of families in the United States for foreign adoption. It is no Peter Deng CPA wonder with China’s reputation for healthy children and a corruption free process that •Licensed CPA this has happened. I want to preface some More than 10 years in Chinese community the wording regarding supply and demand • as seemingly indifferent to the fact that these •Many years for Government Audit are children in need of homes: My wife and •Great Knowledge on Tax; Reasonable Fees; Convenient Location; Confidential I adopted our daughter from China 8 years •Member of MN CPA Association ago, so we know these are children and not just numbers. Requirements for Chinese The demand for Chinese children ap- Personal Tax Return Corporate Tax Return adoption by foreigners pears to continue to grow while the supply Employee Tax Return Audit Representative Age Requirements for Parents of children available for foreign adoption Tax-reduction Planning Financial and Tax Reports may be slowing down. Growing to a peak of * Married couples 30 to 49.5 years old or 7,906 children receiving adoption visas to less (at application to Great Wall) are eli- the United States in 2005, 2006 saw an 18 gible to adopt from China. This age eligibil- percent decline in children being adopted ity requirement is assessed by dossier 1885 University Ave. W #269 by U.S. parents to 6,493. Starting in mid registration in China. Both adoptive parents 2005 and all through 2006, U.S. families in must be less than 50 years old when their St. Paul, MN 55104 the process of adopting found the wait time dossier is registered at the CCAA. 651-917-0809 for referral grow from 7 or 8 months to 15 or * Adoptive parents must be at least 30 www.dengcpa.com more months. By the end of 2006, it was years old when the dossier is registered in clear that demand was up and supply was China. down. * Adoptive parents must be less than 50 Want to reduce audit risk? One factor years old when the dossier is registered in possibly impact- China. Hire Peter Deng! ing this is the in- * Married couples 30 up to 55 years old creased activity are eligible to adopt a Waiting Child from in domestic Chi- China. Both parents must be less than 55 nese adoption. years old when the dossier is registered in According to China. Wang Xi Ming, orphanage director in Health History have 3 or more divorces are not eligible. Shaoguan, China, more than half of the chil- Age Guidelines for Adoptive Families Families are not eligible to adopt if any dren finding homes from the orphanage he * Couples 30 to 44 may apply to adopt a of the following apply: Maximum Number of Children is responsible for find homes within China. child 3 to 12 months old. * Diagnosed with major depression or Every child deserves the undivided care Late last year, the China Center for Adop- * Couples 45 to 50 may apply adopt a any other severe mental health concern; and attention of a loving parent, especially tion Affairs, the central administering author- child 13 months to 3 years old. Dossiers must * Current diagnosis of depression or children who have been orphaned at a young ity in China, announced changes to the be registered before both parents are 50 years anxiety or currently on medication for de- age. For this reason, the CCAA limits the guidelines for foreigners to qualify for a old. pression or anxiety number of children in the household to a child. These officially take effect in May, * Couples 51 to 55 may apply adopt a * Diagnosed with alcoholism within the maximum of five. 2007. Realistically these are already in place child 4 and older through the Waiting Child last 10 years; * Couples with less than 5 children un- as you would have to have your dossier Program. * Any surgery within the last year; der 18 years old living in the household may ready to go to China by May which is usu- * China bases eligibility on each person's * One or both parents use a wheelchair adopt from China. ally a 4 month process itself. Here are a few age. If one spouse is under 30 or one spouse or mobility aid; * Couples with adult children (not living of the broad strokes of the changes. is over 55, the couple is not eligible to adopt. * Any diagnosis of cancer within the last in the home) may adopt from China. * Parents now must both be under 50 Education Requirements three years; * Couples with more than 4 children in years old, previously they could have been * Each potential adoptive parent must * Active Hepatitis A, B, or C; or the family; but not all live at home, may adopt 109 years old combined have a high school education. A diploma or * One or both parents have a seizure from China. * A net worth of US$80,000, previously GED is acceptable. disorder. * If there are more than 4 children living this just needed to be positive. * BMI over 40. in the household; please contact us to dis- * At this time, no single parents are ac- Financial Requirements All health issues will be reviewed on a cuss your specific situation. cepted. Previously approximately 8% of the * The family must show a positive net case-by-case basis. children were allocated to single moms. worth (assets vs. liabilities) of at least Household Requirements * Health of the parents is more closely US$80,000. Criminal History Adoptive children entering a family re- scrutinized. * There must also be an income earning Families are not eligible to adopt if any quire time to adjust to their new environ- China remains possibly the best option of at least US$10,000 per person in the house- of the following apply: ment and bond with their adoptive family. for foreign adoption. While the lead time hold, including the adopted child. * Current warrants or currently on pro- * If you have recently given birth to a from decision to begin until you are home * Adoptive parents must demonstrate bation child, or adopted domestically or from an- with your new family member may be well an annual minimum combined income of * ANY use of or arrests for illegal drugs other country, you must wait until the child over a year and a half, the lifetime of joy and US$30,000. This represents US$10,000 per * Any arrest for a violent crime (ex- is 12 months old to submit your dossier to wonder in store exceeds by far the minor adult + US$10,000 for the adopted child. An amples: assault, domestic violence, child China. delay. additional US$10,000 income is required for abuse/neglect) * If you have recently adopted a child each additional person in the household. For * Any felony arrests from China, you must wait until after you example, a married couple with two children Any other criminal charges are reviewed have submitted the 12 month post-placement living in the home must earn at least on case-by-case basis. report to submit your dossier to complete US$50,000 Marriage Requirements another adoption from China. * If the first marriage, couples who are Parental History married over 2 years. Religious Requirements * Prospective adoptive parents who * If either spouse is in a second mar- * CCAA requires a statement in the Home have terminated parental rights after the age riage due to the death of a spouse, the cur- Study regarding spiritual beliefs. of 18 are not eligible to adopt. rent marriage needs to be a minimum of 5 * Families with religious beliefs that pro- * If you have been investigated by Child years. hibit any kind of medical treatment, includ- Welfare Services please contact Great Wall * If either spouse has 1-2 divorces, the ing blood transfusions, for the child, will not for a personal consultation. current marriage needs to be a minimum of 5 years. * Couples where one or both spouses Requirements continues on Page 8 PAGE 8 > APRIL 2007 culture www.chinainsight.info

Traffic warden Zhang daily sees squabbles and screaming matches taking Safeguard the bike place between motorists and cyclists. And By Lu Rucai, China Today his sympathies lie with the latter. “Cyclists are much more vulnerable, so motorists Known to many as the “Bicycle King- family, Liu also believed that a car was a should give way to them,” he says. “But the dom,” China is rapidly losing that status as vital status symbol in today's China. “It is fact is that cars are more powerful, and they its roads are increasingly clogged up by can easily take over cycle lanes." automobiles. But regardless of the conges- That means more road rage on the streets tion in large cities, or the government's calls of Beijing. Roadside arguments often draw for two-wheeled transportation, the Utility workers paint bicycle lane signs on large crowds, and many passing cyclists will country's fondness for the four-wheeled a road in Chaohu City, Anhui Province. jump to their peers' defense. Sometimes the kind shows no sign of slowing down. debate spills over into cyberspace. Blogging four million, about half of which are used cyclists rebuke ill-mannered drivers that Boom Time for Autos every day. China produces some 70 million thoughtlessly drive or park on their turf, bikes a year, but 50 million of these are sold while the other side lambastes the cyclists' “When I drive to work, I have to leave abroad. indifference to traffic lights. my home at 7 a.m. It takes at least an hour to Recalls Ms. Liu, “Once, every one of my get there,” complains Zhang Hui, an em- five-member family owned a bike. But now ployee with Bull, a French technology com- Improving the Cyclists' Lot On October 29, 2006 many Beijing residents we just have one between the lot of us.” pany. But it was not the frustration of sitting To tackle pollution and seemingly per- responded to the call to "March toward Ms. Liu and her family have moved from in grid locked streets that finally persuaded manent gridlock, the Chinese government the Olympics in a green way-leave your car their old house in a hutong to a suburban Zhang to get on his bike. Last November, has been encouraging residents to leave the at home for a day." flat. The compound she lives in has plenty during the Forum of China-Africa Coopera- car at home. Vice Minister of Construction of room for cars, but none for bikes. Ms. Liu tion (FOCAC), the government requested Qiu Baoxing says that China should main- bought a car two years ago, and solved the citizens to cycle so that traffic would flow true that cycling is better for the environ- tain its number of cyclists, and make biking whole family's transport problems. These more freely. Zhang was astonished to find ment than driving is,” he says, “but what more convenient. In the 1980s, there were days, the bike is used only for getting to the that he could “leave a half hour later, and difference will it make if I give up my car?” 500 million bikes in China, and more cities nearby market. Ms. Liu says, “Times change, arrive earlier than before.” His opinion prevails among many. And had special cycle tracks. They disappeared and trends change too. When I got married with the expansion of the roadways, but now 20 years ago, a bike was considered an ex- they will be brought back. For example, travagant dowry. But who wants one today? Shanghai plans to construct more than 100 No one.” kilometers of cycle track within the next five Urban sprawl is another reason to es- years. chew the bike. Liu Jianshuang comes from a Liang Congjie, president of an environ- small town in Hebei Province. In her home- mentalist association called Friends of Na- town, most residents cycle, as their compa- ture, proosed that railings be reinstalled nies are relatively close to their homes. But between the cycling and auto lanes, and that residents of big cities like Beijing and parking in bicycle lanes be strictly forbid- Shanghai are not so lucky. As more houses den. His suggestion was echoed in the are built in the suburbs, many people have Beijing Traffic Administration Bureau to change bus several times as they com- (BTAB) and the Beijing Municipal Commis- mute to their downtown companies. Liu, who sion of Urban Planning. The BTAB says it now works in the capital, complains of the has installed about 110,000 meters of rail- difference. “Now my company is almost 40 ings on roads and crossroads and painted kilometers away from my home. I cannot out some parking areas in the bicycle lanes. cycle, so I must take the subway and then They are also rebuilding some large bus two buses.” She and her husband plan to stops to limit the effect that buses have on buy a car once they have saved up the cyclists when they pull into the stops. money. “It will reduce my daily struggle on Yet an expert with the BTAB says that Automobiles on China's roads increase by millions each year as the number of bicycles the crowded buses.” there is no permanent solution. The best declines. approach, he reckons, is to urge both cy- Boiling Tempers clists and drivers to obey the traffic law. On Millions of Beijing citizens like Zhang though local governments are concerned Though Zhang Hui's cycling habit was China's Bicycle Day, members of environ- Hui opted to pedal -- or use public transport about the environment, they still encourage short-lived, it brought about longer-lasting mentalist organizations like Friends of Na- -- during FOCAC. The result was a conges- residents to buy cars, because the auto in- changes to his mentality. In the past, he ture cycle around cities to promote the tion-free Beijing. But as soon as the event dustry is a pillar of the economy. would cruise down the cycle lane to avoid a environmental - and mental - benefits of that drew to a close, chaos came back to the traffic jam, if there were no police around to mode of transport. But the situation is likely streets. Even Zhang returned to his old ways. Times Change spot him. But when the shoe was on the to continue to drive people mad for quite He says, “Although I did save a lot of time Ms. Li, in her fifties, is a native of Beijing. other foot, Zhang had numerous quarrels some time. „ while cycling, there are disadvantages to She cycles to her office every day. But re- with law-breaking motorists like himself. cycling. There is nowhere to park near my cently, she has done so in fear. “There used When he got back into his car, he decided Reprinted with permission from China To- company, and I had to take a cab when meet- to be railings separating the cycle lane from not to invade the cycle lane any more. day ing clients. What would they think of me if I the car lanes, but they are gone.” As the cycled up to them?” Zhang believes his car number of auto lanes was expanded from Requirements from Page 7 lends him the esteem necessary for success. two to three, the roads became deathtraps Judging a person by what car they drive for the city's population of cyclists. On one dossier to China after they sub- is nothing new. Another Beijing resident expedition, Ms. Li was knocked down by a mit the 12 month Post Placement named Cheng considered investing in a car car that suddenly shot into the cycle lane. Report for the previous adop- so she could drive to work instead of sitting Though she was not seriously injured, her tion. in a cramped bus for two hours. She says, “I dread of fuel-powered machines continues itizenship Requirements was looking at a compact car for about 60,000 to this day. “I am now very cautious while * One adoptive parent must yuan, but my family said I might as well by cycling.” be a U.S. citizen no car as [buy] a compact.” In the end, she Fondly recalling the days of old, Ms Li * If one parent is not a U.S. splashed out twice the money for a more says, “Back then, you could ride wherever citizen; the other parent (who is imposing vehicle. you wanted.” But times have changed dra- a U.S. citizen) must travel to According to a survey carried out by matically. In 1949, there were only 2,300 au- China to complete the adoption. ACNielsen, a market research company, 30 tomobiles on the boulevards of Beijing. In * If you are a U.S. citizen liv- percent of the 1,500 respondents in Beijing, February 1997, that number had increased ing abroad, we can help you to Shanghai and Guangzhou said they planned to a million. And just six years later, there be eligible to adopt. According to the CCAA adopt from China; Great Wall has placed to purchase a car within a year. Car fever were two million. These days, there are 1,000 this includes religions that use alternatives children with Americans living in Africa, had, it seemed, reached an unprecedented new cars added to Beijing's streets every to blood transfusions, as this is not avail- Asia, Europe and the Middle East. high, compared with similar surveys in 2005 single day. able in every country. This information is also available on the and 2004. Says the 28-year-old Liu Yong, Meanwhile, the number of bicycles has * CCAA and Great Wall do not require Great Wall China Adoption Web site at “Society continues to develop, and our lives declined gradually, and they are used less families to be associated with any religion. http://www.gwca.org/why_china/re- continue to improve. Why should we cycle frequently. At one stage there were more than Subsequent Adoptions from China quirements/married „ when we can afford to drive?” Like Chen's 10 million bicycles in Beijing; now there are * Adoptive parents may submit their www.chinainsight.info community APRIL 2007 > PAGE 9

Benefit Concert from Page 1 Benefit concert to support impoverished students in China Ofstedal said that he is hoping to make Beijing University Alumni Association, this event a tradition because its cause is Tsinghua University Alumni Association helps so many in need that it would be un- and Chinese American Association of Min- fortunate to only have once. nesota. The event was originally proposed by CSV, a non-profit group, sponsors a pro- Nick Qiu’s mother. But it was Melody Hu gram to help provide tuition, room and board and Nick Qiu that brought the concept into to impoverished students in the Henan Prov- fruition, with little help from their parents. ince in China. “We met several times planning out the Hongzhi Donation Program raises money event and spend hours working on the pro- to financially aid talented but impoverished grams and fliers.” said Hu. students from rural Beijing complete their high school education. The do- nation program directly funds Hongzhi classes that admit stu- dents whose families make less than US$36 per capita per month Group Performers and achieve higher entrance (Front row from left: Vivian Hou, Sulamita Yang, Josh Tan, Nick Qiu, Kenny Broberg exam scores. Back Row from Left: Brittany Polhemus, Melody Hu, Lillie Gardner, Jimmy Broberg, This concert collected over Ming Lin) US$2,000 from ticket sales, goods sales and donations. To support more, Maryland in March to compete in China Service Ventures or the International competition. She went on Hongzhi Donation Program, visit to win the 2007 International Brain Bee on www.csventures.org or http:// March 17. More details will follow in the Melody, Nick and the organizing committee: Jennifer hongzhidonation.googlepages.com coming issues. Larson ( China Service Venture, communication di- for opportunities to get involved Albert Leung is an avid writer in jour- rector), Joy Guo(Melody’s Mom), Lin Qiu and or donate. „ Dongmei Zhang(Nick’s Parents) nalism and fiction. A University of Minne- sota graduate, he freelances on the side. Editor’s Note: During prepara- Besides writing, he is a devout movie viewer The two said that their parents were in- tion and organization for this benefit con- and an emotionally charged Vikings and tegral in promotions, working their relation- cert, Melody won the 9th annual Minnesota Timberwolves supporter. Albert currently ships through the local community to gain Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition resides in Minneapolis. support from organizations including China hosted by the University of Minnesota. As All photos are provided by the Concert. Melody with her Piano Teacher Dr. Joseph Insight, Huaxia Times, Woodbury Bulletin, the champion, Melody traveled to Balti- Zins and his wife Dr. Jo Anne Link PAGE 10 > APRIL 2007 business www.chinainsight.info Breaking down the great wall to franchising in China A change to a new law may help lower barriers for American operators with big plans of opening units in the country’s lucrative dining market

By Milford Prewitt

Two little words—“in China”—deleted is the requirement that a franchisor admin- chised branches in China, made the buyback He notes that unlike in Europe, where he from a franchising law could make a big dif- ister a “well-functioning chain” and con- because “we believe the growth potential is could pick from among Church’s building ference between profits or perils for Ameri- tinuously provide guidance, technical enormous and a good investment,” Chase format inventory of stand-alones, drive- can restaurant chains that have yet to open support, business training, marketing as- says. “We think operating our own [outlets] thrus and kiosks to enter targeted markets, in the world’s fastest-growing economy. sistance and all other needed services to will make us a better franchisor for the rest China’s cultural sensitivities would require The recent sigh of relief heard in the in- franchisees. of the country.” more careful analyses of facility footprints. ternational franchise offices of restaurant Rick Johnson, an attorney in DLA With most forecasts predicting that “We’re pleased the law has changed and brands eager to tap the Chinese market was Piper’s Atlanta office who represented China’s economy may surpass the U.S. that there appears to be no restrictions on in reaction to the elimination of a costly stipu- Hooters of America—perhaps the first economy to become the world’s dominant franchising at the moment, but China is a lation that threatened to stymie the timing American restaurant franchisor to come up engine of economic growth within the next challenge,” Kollias says. “We’re very opti- and strategy of such brands as Church’s against the law with the opening of its third 30 years, most internationally driven restau- mistic that we will be there because it is such Chicken, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday, Dunkin’ unit in China, says the elimination of the rant chains and emerging brands admit that a great opportunity. I guess you could say Donuts and others. franchisor-first provision would substan- they cannot afford a lengthy delay in their we are still in our exploratory phase. They But while operators are optimistic that the tially reduce costs that brand owners might brands’ inevitable penetration of the Chinese still have legal challenges that you don’t see revised rule lifts a major impediment, they re- have faced. market, even if the two-plus-one rule had in other parts of the world.” main cautious about franchising in China. “That was a fairly Draconian law for remained intact. Ricky Johnson, a spokesman for Ruby Moreover, many still cannot set a time when any company that just wanted to sell fran- China already boasts a middle-class con- Tuesday, which has franchised units around they plan to make their debuts there despite chises,” Johnson says. “Instead of racing sumer base of 330 million people, larger than the globe, including Hong Kong but not in years of talking about it. to expand the brand through franchising, a the total U.S. population of 300 million. mainland China, says his chain has never Chain operators are reacting to a revision franchisor would have had to have boots Many international restaurant developers opened a company-owned branch abroad to China’s “two-plus-one” rule, which had on the ground. and real estate experts are fond of quipping and depends on the resources of local op- required franchisors to own and operate their “It would have been burdensome be- that “every location is an A location in erators who know foreign markets. The com- brands’ first two outlets in the nation for one cause of the inherent time delay. You lose a China.” pany therefore welcomes China’s rule year, profitably, before franchising to local year running a restaurant when it could take According to the World Bank, China’s change. entrepreneurs. Part of a package of laws called that much time just to find a franchisee.” real rate of economic growth in 2005 was 9.9 However, Ruby Tuesday still has no the 2005 Franchise Administration Measures percent, compared with a 3.2-percent growth specific timeline for debuting on the Chi- enforced by the Chinese government’s Min- New franchising frontier rate in the United States. Seen another way, nese mainland and continues to study the istry of Commerce, the rule was set to take Although political and cultural theories according to the International Monetary opportunities there, Johnson says. effect in January. have been suggested, it’s not clear exactly Fund, the whole world’s economy grew 4.3 He says that given the popularity of With the law looming, the International what prompted the Chinese government to percent in 2005, and China alone accounted American food concepts in China and the Franchise Association, federal trade officials draft the franchisors-first rule in 2005, for one-third of that. potential of that market, even if Ruby Tues- and other American interests last year though one might presume that business Such powerful economic trends account day were required to open company stores mounted intense negotiations with commu- woes besetting some inexperienced local for the reasons that veteran players in China to get a foothold, that would be worth the nist Chinese business regulators to remove franchisees could have prompted the en- like KFC—the first American brand to tap investment. the provision, arguing that owning company actment of a law requiring brand owners to the market 20 years ago—and McDonald’s, A spokesperson for Applebee’s Interna- stores, even through subsidiaries as the law demonstrate the viability of their concepts T.G.I. Friday’s, Starbucks Coffee and even tional, which has yet to open a restaurant in allowed, would have been a prohibitively before they could be licensed to others. Hooters have made ambitious growth pro- China despite repeated statements of intent costly investment. In an interview with Nation’s Restau- jections. by its executives over the past few years, Presumably, that argument made an ex- rant News in June 2005, Sam Su, president In the case of KFC—which purportedly declined to discuss the status of its China ception of the fact that China’s largest and of Yum Restaurants China, discussed the opens a store in China every 24 hours— expansion strategy. fastest-growing restaurant company, Shang- country’s relative lack of familiarity with Yum’s predominant ownership position in Applebee’s, the industry’s largest ca- hai-based Yum! Restaurants China, a wholly franchising. the market meant that in 2004 the brand sual-dining brand by unit count with nearly owned arm of Yum! Brands Inc. of Louisville, For business people in the world’s most owner’s Chinese operations began yielding 1,950 restaurants worldwide, has tradition- Ky., had directly opened hundreds of KFC populous nation, “franchising is a vague more operating profit than did the chain’s ally expanded domestically by selling huge, and Pizza Hut outposts in China before it be- concept today; it’s really just a contract,” entire, mostly franchised U.S. system of res- territorial agreements to well-capitalized mas- gan franchising—just as McDonald’s still is Su said, noting that Yum China then had taurants. ter franchisees with heavy industry experi- doing there. only 21 franchisees operating a total of 50 Other chain operators, such as Cold ence. Ultimately, the American franchising ad- restaurants, even though its Chinese sys- Stone Creamery and Papa John’s, have Executives of the wholly franchised vocates got what they wanted. Philip tem was nearing the 2,000-unit mark. Of shown a determination to develop in China Dunkin’ Donuts chain, which terminated a Zeidman, an international franchise attorney those pioneering owner-operators, several through company stores. four-unit foray to China years ago, are re- at DLA Piper in Washington, D.C., who is the were single-unit franchisees, “some of them considering a new drive there. A Sarasota, IFA’s chief negotiator in China, says the re- overseas Chinese who may have worked For some, easy does it Fla.-based Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee told vised franchisors-first rule does not include in Australia or the U.S.” and therefore were But even as the easing of that rule ex- local media that he was making plans to open the phrase “in China,” though it still requires “easier to work with,” Su said, adding that cites franchisors, and the boundless eco- a unit in China to coincide with the Summer that franchisors own and operate at least two the company had only recently begun “do- nomic prospects of China titillate them as Olympics in Beijing in 2008. restaurants somewhere for a year before fran- ing deals with small, local entrepreneurs.” they anticipate mining the market, many res- Canton, Mass.-based franchisor Dunkin’ chising in the nation. Despite the lack of a clear record of taurant companies that had expressed inten- Brands Inc. says the Jan. 17 debut of a “Assuming there is no change in the law success among Chinese franchisees of tions to expand to China remain cautious. Dunkin’ Donuts outlet in Taipei City, Tai- by the Chinese agencies that will be imple- American brands, a U.S. franchisor’s Like many of his peers who haven’t set a wan, marked an initial step in the chain’s menting it, there appears to be no effort to buyback of a local franchisee’s assets is date by which their brands would make Chi- plan to expand into mainland China. Follow- restore the reference to ‘in China,’ which ap- not necessarily a sign of problems. The re- nese debuts, Zack Kollias, Church’s ing the Taiwan opening by Mercuries & peared in the previous draft,” he says. “So it cent sale to Louisville, Ky.-based Papa Chicken’s senior vice president of interna- Associates, which agreed to develop 100 seems very clear that you do not need to have John’s Pizza of a Beijing franchisee’s five tional operations, says that even before the Dunkin’ outlets in Taiwan over the next de- [franchisor-owned stores in China] in order outlets, quality control center and initial law had changed, the chain was determined cade, Dunkin’ Brands says it is talking with to franchise. development rights was unrelated to the to enter the country only through franchis- potential Asian partners and expects to sign “This is a tremendous change in terms of two-plus-one rule or stress factors that may ing. agreements this year to open units in China. liberalization and is the culmination of months have prompted it, says Robb Chase, presi- But Kollias, who has overseen site se- In addition to Dunkin’ Donuts’ usual and months of discussion with the Chinese dent of Papa John’s international division. lection and has tailored building designs to fare, the initial Taipei outlet offers sweet government about the difficulties and impedi- The law “was not a driving factor,” he fit various international locales, says China potato, green apple and pineapple dough- ments many franchisors face trying to go to says. “We didn’t have to purchase them.” remains an imposing market that requires nuts and a doughnut with a sweet rice paste China.” Instead, Papa John’s, which now has careful thought about partners, the culture called a mochi ring. What also remains from the previous law five company-owned outposts and 45 fran- and the costs. Franchising continues on Page 11 www.chinainsight.info business APRIL 2007 > PAGE 11

Franchising from Page 10 China with over a million people? Thirty- five. Know how many KFCs you can put in A Dunkin’ Brands spokesman would a city with a million people?” China's only say that the Florida franchisee’s plans „ © 2007 Nation's Restaurant News. All Rights were under review. Reserved. Years ago, various news outlets reported that Dunkin’ pulled the plug on an earlier Advertisers professional skin foray into China after suffering weak cus- Your potential customers are reading tomer traffic, blamed on Chinese consum- CHINAInsight. Shouldn't you be bringing ers’ lack of appetite for pastry sweets. them in the door with an ad? Our readers care market will are: A nation of evolving laws - Well-traveled - Opportunity-seeking Observers speculate that Chinese offi- soon surpass - Entrepreneurial cials may have devised the two-plus-one - Open-minded provision because a communist nation that - Excited about understanding China . is wholeheartedly embracing capitalism Rates are highly competitive. the U.S could find itself torn between old-guard, Contact Greg Hugh (952-472-4757, secretive traditions of central control and [email protected]) or visit Fueled by a still-booming economy and However, with this promise come signifi- the temptations of Western-style wealth and www.chinainsight.info for more an accompanying wave of consumerism, the cant hurdles. The competition between for- systems for generating it. advertising information. Chinese market for professional skin care eign imports and local Chinese brands has Zeidman, the International Franchise products posted a robust 15 percent gain in created a polarized pricing structure that Association negotiator, said Vietnam is per- Color-coded warning system in 2006. This rate outpaced the United States challenges marketers to find their niche for and European markets and is expected to both pricing and distribution. haps the only other nation in the world with Beijing signals food safety risk a rule similar to China’s now-modified two- continue to do so over the next five years, "There are essentially two brand tiers: plus-one provision. ratings according to a recently published study by the foreign brands and the local brands," But while many economic pundits com- Legal uncertainties that are keeping Kline & Company. These prospects have Mellage says. "Imports are higher-end and pare the state of maturity of China’s com- some U.S. brands from diving into the lu- skin care marketers around the globe taking tend to be more expensive, appealing to up- mercial and business laws to those of the crative Chinese market may not be the only notice. scale spas and beauty institutes. The local 19th century American frontier—largely un- deterrents to confidence about franchis- "The sheer size of this market alone brands, which account for a large majority regulated and rife with bribery and scan- ing restaurants in China. makes it attractive," says Carrie Mellage, of products on the market, are low- to mid- dal—Zeidman insists that corruption has Indeed, consumers and restaurant op- industry manager for the Consumer Prod- priced and are generally positioned for little to do with the country’s franchising erators there have been alarmed in recent ucts practice of Kline's research division. beauty institutes where there is less empha- regulations. years by increasing signs that the Chinese "Factor in the growth potential and it's easy sis on luxury and pampering." Even though the communists have been government’s food safety systems are an- to see why China is becoming such a critical The lion's share of skin care product cracking down on scores of bribe-soliciting tiquated and insufficient to stop recurring element in sales and marketing strategies for sales through professional channels in China government officials, and although a former instances of contamination, such as a car- the global consumer products industry, es- belongs to the beauty institutes, with about McDonald’s executive was one of 22 people cinogenic-ingredient scandal that sup- pecially for high-margin sectors like profes- a 70 percent share. However, Kline's study in China charged in a kick-back scheme in- pressed KFC’s sales throughout China for sional skin care." suggests that the spa market is poised for a volving exclusivity in the awarding of com- several months a few years ago. surge, which would give the foreign brands puter contracts, Zeidman says the country’s In a first-ever nationwide survey by a chance at raising their market share. corruption problems are tangential to the the nation’s Ministry of Health, 82 per- "We're expecting sales through spas in two-plus-one franchising issue. Locally cent of the 4,482 people polled said they China to grow by more than 17percent a year based franchisors that feared competition worry about food safety and 40 percent over the next five years," says Mellage. "The from slick, Western franchised brands might had gotten ill eating food away from home. emerging middle class is beginning to dis- have had more to do with that legal evolu- Food safety and consumer confidence cover the day spa, which offers some of the tion. And perhaps the government’s aver- have become such big issues in China’s same amenities of the full spa experience but sion to large public gatherings—in the form capital city that the government there re- at a much more affordable price." of franchisee conventions—was another cently deployed a public-warning system While the Chinese professional skin care factor, he theorizes. that is reminiscent of the U.S. Department market is younger than those of the United But Zeidman urges franchisors not to of Homeland Security’s color-coded ter- States and Europe, some of the same trends ignore China. rorism alert system. According to the National Statistics are present. “There are lots and lots of difficulties The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau Bureau of the People's Republic of China, "Even more so than in the Western mar- opening in China, and it is not just legal chal- established the system to warn the public disposable per capita income has surged by kets, Chinese consumers want the efficacy lenges and issues,” he says. “It takes a lot when restaurants and other food places an average of 11.3 percent over the last five of a powerful clinical-type product combined of thought and a considerable amount of are linked to outbreaks of foodborne ill- years. This has helped to drive personal care with the perceived benefits of natural ingre- capital.” nesses. expenditures up by 13.4 percent each year, dients based in traditional Chinese medi- However, he says, no company that in- Health authorities in Beijing this year Kline estimates. This trend is a major force cines," says Susan Babinsky, senior vice tends to be a global player can afford to began publicizing the graduated, four- in the market for professional skin care prod- president and head of Kline's Consumer ignore “what is shaping up to be the big- color code, which reflects the severity of ucts--sold primarily through beauty insti- Products consulting practice. "This is a very gest marketplace in the world.” an outbreak. The system is designed to tutes, spas, and salons or dermatologist and viable value proposition in China, and in fact Still, cultural and ethnic differences in stem a rash of serious foodborne illness plastic surgery clinics--with Chinese con- may yield some novel new products and in- China can be thorny factors. For those rea- outbreaks that have exploded throughout sumers focusing more of their attention--and gredient platforms that could offer potential sons, some brands may just be ill-suited for the Beijing metropolitan area in recent their income--on enhancing their appear- in Western markets." parts of the Chinese market, says Paul months. Among the hundreds of out- ance. PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE 2006 is the Fetscher, an international restaurant real es- breaks was an incident last summer in Kline's study, PROFESSIONAL SKIN fourth edition of Kline's comprehensive se- tate broker who travels to China with some which 87 diners fell ill after eating raw or CARE 2006, Volume III: China, pegs the over- ries on professional brands sold through regularity as president of the Long Island, half-cooked snails contaminated with a all market at US$720 million at the manufac- spas, salons, beauty institutes, physicians, N.Y.-based Great American Brokerage. He parasite. turer level and rising, quickly gaining ground and retail stores. The 2006 edition comprises notes, for example, that among the Under the new warning system, after on the US$870 million U.S. market. In fact, separate volumes on the U.S., European, Cantonese, a dominant population group, it such a foodborne illness is confirmed a the facial treatments sector in China is cur- and Chinese markets, as well as an execu- is considered “barbaric” to lift more than placard is placed outside of establishments rently the third-largest in the world, larger tive overview of all three markets. Each vol- one bite of food to one’s face. to indicate their risk ranking. Blue is a low- than any single country in Europe, accord- ume examines sales volume by product But Fetscher also is bullish in urging level danger. Yellow is elevated. Orange is ing to preliminary data from Kline's GLO- category and distribution channel, market franchisors to spare no expense in getting high. Red denotes the most severe out- BAL COSMETICS & TOILETRIES 2006 share by leading brands, regional trends, and to China, and he is forgiving about its breaks, generally in which more than 100 service. growth forecasts based on Kline's exclusive government’s evolving effort to gain a regu- people have gotten ill or more than 10 While it is already a highly fragmented FutureView Scenario Forecasting Model. latory grip on the emerging franchising in- people have died. market space, with more than a thousand Established in 1959, Kline & Company dustry. At each level of the outbreak, the color local brands competing with approximately (www.klinegroup.com) is an international “It makes sense that the Chinese, given codes also give the public an idea of the 100 imports, the promise of a steadily ex- management consulting and market research all the scam artists and snake oil salesmen corresponding corrective action the gov- panding growth market is alluring. Kline's firm serving the consumer products, life sci- that have been going through there in re- ernment is taking in concert with medical, study forecasts annual growth of nearly 15 ences, specialty chemicals, and energy in- cent years, would want to weed out weak health and sanitation authorities. percent in China through 2011, compared to dustries.„ companies or shysters,” he says. “It is the Meanwhile, private enterprise has just over 9 percent for the U.S. market. This Source: Kline & Company new frontier. But look at what is at stake. taken separate precautions, such as Yum! will push sales in the Chinese market past Web site: http://www.klinegroup.com/ You know how many cities there are in Restaurants China’s establishment of its the US$1.4 billion mark -- and the U.S. mar- http://www.klinegroup.com/reports/ America with more than 1 million people? own food safety labs and crackdowns on ket -- within this timeframe. y562.asp Nine. Know how many cities there are in suspicious suppliers.—Milford Prewitt „ PAGE 12 > APRIL 2007 business www.chinainsight.info China’s Second-Tier Cities: A frontier of opportunities for U.S. exporters Thirteen of China’s second-tier cities are buying more as well. Soaring investment cities there is a lot of competition already. account for 8 percent of China’s population in infrastructure and public projects has in- But in second-tier cities, we have an edge but 53 percent of its total imports – which is creased demand for various B-2-B goods because fewer of our international rivals are why the untapped markets of China’s sec- from the United States, such as heavy ma- there.” ond-tier cities provide some of the most ex- chinery, construction equipment, and medi- citing and lucrative opportunities for U.S. cal devices. Policy momentum exporters. The emergence of a vibrant business Realizing the increasingly important role community in second-tier cities has also and potential of second-tier cities, the Chi- China’s Real Economic Miracle…. pushed the expansion of a resilient and grow- nese government is actively promoting their China’s growth crusade and the oppor- ing middle class with a rising disposable in- development. Over the last five years, the tunities it presents are no longer a secret to come. China’s National Bureau of Statistics government has invested US$123 billion in anyone in the business world. While estimates China’s middle class will expand China’s national expressway system, and megacities such as Beijing and Shanghai from 5 percent of the population to 45 per- has also implemented a modern tracking have long captured much of the spotlight, it cent by 2020, and Merrill Lynch predicts their system for shipments as reported in is behind the scenes in second-tier cities countryside. Recent economic reforms have total number will reach 350 million within ten “Intermodal Revoution”, China Business where one can witness China’s real eco- allowed the growth from China’s megacities years (more than the entire U.S. population) Review. This trend presents sales oppor- nomic miracle. Take a group of 13 of China’s such as Shanghai and Beijing to spill over as reported by China Daily, a large percent- tunities for U.S. exporters in a wide range of main second-tier cities outside of Shanghai, to second-tier cities, transforming the Chi- age of which will reside in second-tier cities. industries from machinery to construction Beijing, and Guangzhou, for example. (The nese marketplace into a vast and layered equipment to electronics, as well as second-tier cities are: Harbin, Dalian, network of regional hubs and industry clus- Less-saturated markets. smoothes the logistics process for those Qingdao, Tianjin, Xian, Wuhan, Hangzhou, ters that make up even larger, more integrated, In 2005, U.S. exports to China via Shang- exporting to China. Ningbo, Nanjing, Chongqing, Kunming, and robust economic markets. hai and Beijing grew by a steady 8 percent, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen) While this Second-tier cities are the backbone of and U.S. exports bound for Guangzhou de- Best Prospects group of cities comprises only 8 percent of this new economic landscape, and under- clined by 11 percent. Many industries in Almost half (47 percent) of U.S. exports China’s total population, it accounts for over standing them will help U.S. exporters capi- these cities have become saturated, already this past year (Oct ’05-Sept ’06) have gone 19 percent of China’s total GDP according talize on over half of China’s import demand. furnished with most of the products they to second-tier cities. Here is a look at the to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, 2004 Nanjing, formerly a middle-market city, has need. New buyers of foreign products fastest-growing U.S. export industries to statistics. On average, they are growing at a grown to become the United States’ second- emerge every single day in second-tier cit- these markets: rate two percent faster than that of the al- biggest trading partner in China. Together ies, however, as incomes of both individuals ready impressive national economy. (Real with Hangzhou and Ningbo, these three cit- and companies in these hyper-growth mar- For further information: GDPs calculated using data from National ies comprise the Yangtze River Delta hub, kets rise. Last year, Xiamen, Chengdu, and To make the dynamic, untapped markets Bureau of Statistics and The People’s Bank which imports high volumes of electrical Chongqing’s imports from the U.S. spurted of China’s second-tier cities more accessible of China machinery from the United States Tianjin and by 28%, 30%, and 70% respectively accord- to U.S. exporters, U.S. Commercial Service ing to World Trade Atlas 2006. experts work in partnership with China’s na- Second-Tier City GDP Growth (2004) Product Description City % increase Volume (mUSD) Cotton, yarn, & fabric Qingdao 196% 852 Vehicles Chongqing 178% 70 Machinery Nanjing 143% 1,012 Electrical machinery Dalian 120% 50 Machinery Xi’an 114% 85 Vehicles Tianjin 92% 260 Electrical machinery Qingdao 78% 318 Cotton, yarn, & fabric Tianjin 74% 287 Medical Instruments Nanjing 70% 318 Fish and seafood Dalian 56% 154 Hides and skins Hangzhou 55% 104 Hides and Skins Xiamen 47% 54 Qingdao have risen to become the United Organic chemicals Dalian 47% 56 …Brings Opportunities for U.S. States’ fifth and sixth-largest trading part- Exporters ners, surpassing the traditionally recognized tional trade association, CCPIT, to help pro- Local entrepreneurs in these second-tier port of Guangzhou. Along with Beijing they Less competition vide U.S. exporters with customized prod- cities are not the only ones reaping the ben- have evolved into a northern megalopolis A less-saturated market also means one ucts and services including developing efits. These cities have become importing importing products such as medical instru- with fewer competitors, presenting a crucial partners and distribution, key contacts, and havens and present lucrative opportunities, ments and grains from the United States opportunity for U.S. companies to be among in-depth market research. The Commercial especially for American companies. In 2005, Wuhan, Xian, Kunming, and Chongqing the first to touch a market. This advantage Service has expanded its service network U.S. exports to China totaled US$41.8 bil- have also followed suit as the hub of central also gives U.S. exporters the chance to win to 20 major cities across China. For more lion, a 20 percent increase from the year be- China, all with heavy machinery as their top over a Chinese customer base, known for its information on how the U.S. Commercial fore, and as of July 2006 were up an even import from the United States. strong brand-loyalty behavior and tendency Service in China can help your business, higher 35 percent, year on year. Unlike what to associate U.S. brand names with high qual- contact 1-800-USA-TRADE or go to one might expect, the majority of China’s Four Reasons To Target Second-Tier ity. One exporter recently explained, “In big www.buyusa.gov/china.„ imports are not ending up in Shanghai, Cities Beijing, or Guangzhou. The aforementioned Several forces are currently working to Chong from Page 2 group of 13 second-tier cities account for an the advantage of U.S. exporters in second- astonishing 53 percent of China’s total im- tier city markets: mother taught me that it is very important to wonderful memories of frequent big gath- ports, almost double the amount of the three know our heritage and to form strong rela- erings at their lake cabin, events that were megacities combined. Surging demand. tionships within and outside of our commu- open to friends and friends of friends. Many manufacturers in China are shift- nity. Everyone has something to contribute. The Chinese Heritage Foundation hon- Understanding the “New” Chinese ing operations to second-tier cities to cut We can learn so much from and help each ors Stanley Chong posthumously for his other.’ generous spirit, civic mindedness, strong Marketplace costs on land, labor, and energy: for example, the cost of top-grade office space in Wuhan Relationships were very important to work ethic, abiding devotion to family and The rapid growth and emergence of sec- Chong. He was deeply devoted to his fam- friends, abundant joy in life, pioneering role ond-tier cities has radically altered the way is one-third of its cost in Beijing according to The Standard. Featuring an average ily, especially to Marvel, and their many close in the building of our community and ready global exporters should think about China: friends, among them Howard and Lolita Wu, responses to its needs, and exemplary pro- it is no longer characterized by a few coastal growth rate of roughly 11 percent, second- tier cities are not only producing more – they and Howard and Margaret Chin. Chong’s motion of cross-cultural understanding in megacities surrounded by an impoverished daughter, Siu Linn and her children have the greater Minnesota community.„ www.chinainsight.info business APRIL 2007 > PAGE 13

2007, a year of INVEST IN CHINA According to recent figures, China has about 265 million children between the ages of 0 to 14 years change for China's old – 20 percent of its total population. To fulfill the desire of parents to obtain the best education pos- sible for their children, quality English kindergarten internet market schools are much sought after.

CCID Consulting reviews China's internet You now have the opportunity to become an inves- tor in such a school. CCID Consulting, through their flagship of accumulation; the integration of enter- branch, Internet Industry Research Center, prises in different industries and the coop- reviews the internet era in China in 2006, as eration between enterprises in the same The Loudi Economic Development Zone (LEDZ) well as what people can expect in 2007. industry forebode the arrival of new busi- located in the City of Loudi, Hunan Province, PRC, In 2006, China's Internet market contin- ness models; frequent changes at the top has awarded a kindergarten project to ued to see strong growth momentum, as wit- executive levels remind us that changes are InfoGlobe,LLC, a Minnesota-based consulting firm. nessed in 2005, however, compared to the approaching. This series of undercurrents ''collective listing fever'' in 2004 and the ''big under a quiet surface is expected to create Learn all about this exciting opportunity to invest in storms'' of 2005, the year saw neither the surging waves in 2007. this service to be provided in China by contacting entry of international giants nor hotspots in Richard He at (612) 987-6540 or Greg Hugh at (952) enterprise listing. Even Web2.0 was only a 2007: Forces will Push Forward 472-4757. Additional information can also be ob- continuation of the high tide of 2005. In real- Market Development tained by visiting ity, the situation was far from impressive. The continuous efforts of large multina- www.infoglobeus.com. Although, behind the tranquility, CCID tionals will certainly change the market pat- is happy to see that all kinds of businesses tern in 2007. Frequent changes at top have shown steady growth. Enterprises have executive levels at the end of 2006 reminded also become more rational and mature us that multinationals are now changing their Hunan Province, PRC through competition: Market segments such development strategies in the Chinese mar- as search engines, online games, IM and e- Capital,Changsha. ket. CCID also believes that there have suf- St.Paul’s Sister City business are more mature and the market ficient reasons to believe that such a change pattern has gradually become clearer and will produce a positive role in the develop- Loudi City, Kindergarten’s Location more stable; after the over play-ups in 2005, ment of the market and may even change its Web2.0 has made a breakthrough from con- pattern: ceptual innovations to business model in- Mutual integration of diversified tech- novations; and online marketing and nologies and applications. The year 2007 network media are also gradually warming will be a year in which Internet technologies www.infoglobeus.com up through stable development. and applications will be improved. The ad- Despite a relatively quiet Internet mar- vent of the 3G era will speed up the integra- ket in China in 2006, it can be found that tion of wireless and cable network and capital and innovation were the two main become the main driving force for the devel- themes of the market: opment of the Internet market. The in-depth Web2.0 saw a tide of innovations. In integration between Web1.0 applications 2006, Web2.0 profoundly affected the think- and Web2.0 ideas and technology will also Chinese carmaker ing model of the whole Internet market. bring new business models to the market. Large numbers of new Web2.0 enterprises On the other hand, the penetration of the and traditional Web1.0 enterprises collec- Internet into traditional industries and the “Brilliance Auto” to tively explored the development possibili- deepening application of e-business in tra- ties of Web2.0. In the exploration process, ditional industries will fully improve the val- business models were the key problem baf- ues of internet services. enter U.S. market fling all enterprises. Web2.0 enterprises Mature applications drive up rational and The company showcased three fuel-ef- faced the pressure to innovate and turn con- healthy market development. In the Internet ficient models: the Zunchi (BS 6) and Junjie cepts into profit. Traditional enterprises also market, which has long been beset with vari- (BS 4) sedans, and the M3 (BS 3) sports car. explored ways to use the Web2.0 concept to ous problems, enterprises and users have At the end of last year, Brilliance clinched innovate their services models. Traditional become more rational as the segments of an export deal with the Bremen-based HSO portal websites introduced blogs, RSS and search, e-business and online games gradu- Auto Trading Co. to sell 158,000 Zunchi and other Web2.0 services to improve user ex- ally mature. This is bound to bring the mar- Junjie cars in Europe over the next five years. periences. Web2.0 was also used to improve ket into a mature and healthy development China’s Brilliance Auto hopes to estab- Entering the market was a breakthrough for such traditional Internet services as an online course. lish a marketing network in the United States the Chinese car making industry in the de- community, online advertising, search en- Industry development will bring new in order to export its Zhonghua cars to the veloped countries.„ gines and e-business. market opportunities. Continuing their in- Capital played a leading role. In 2006 country. According to Qi Yumin, company novations in 2006, Internet enterprises have CERTIFICATE OF chairman, the Shenyang-based auto com- when the Web2.0 was at a peak, capital be- started to explore deeper into more detailed ASSUMED NAME pany is currently choosing distributors in came a major support column for enterprises Internet application segments. Vertical STATE OF MINNESOTA the United States. ______to grow. From venture capital cravings for search has become the most typical example. Alongside Detroit, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Minnesota Statues Chapter 333: investment in Web2.0, capital came onto the Meanwhile, along the track of integrating, and Paris, Brilliance Auto has become China’s 1. The assumed name under which the business stage in a high-profile. New generation en- Internet enterprises will cooperate more with is or will be conducted is first carmaker to hold an exhibition at the terprises conceived various ways to attract enterprises in traditional industries. e-busi- WAREHOUSE 100, LLC Geneva motor show, one of the most impor- 2. The street address of the principal place of attention from investors. The involvement ness will become the most important link in tant events in the global automotive indus- business is or will be: of venture investment also provided a growth the process. It will deepen the Internet in- try. 4009 W 31st St.,Suite 7, St. Louis Park, MN space for these enterprises. Meanwhile, dustry. „ 55416. mature enterprises used capital as a means Source: CCID Consulting Co., Ltd. 3. The name and street address of all persons to improve and expand themselves. Enter- conducting business under the above Assumed prises sought cooperation, while leading Name. Name Street Address enterprises unleashed large-scale M&As. SUIRU SHI SEBERSON All these painted ''a crimson capital color'' 4009 W 31st St.,Suite 7, St. Louis Park, MN for China's Internet market. U.S. trade: 55416. Through these two key ingredients of 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this imbalance with China soars certificate and I further certify that I under- capital and innovation, we see that changes stand that by signing this certificate, I am sub- in China's Internet market are now afoot. The U.S. trade deficit sets a record and partment. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry ject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Enterprise giants are stepping up their ef- the imbalance with China has soared to an Paulson urges China to accelerate the ap- section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate

forts for search engines in secret, the free all-time high. The gap between what the preciation of the Renminbi.„ under oath.

○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ DATED: March 19, 2007 service model is bringing fundamental United States sells abroad and what it im- “People with virtue must speak out; (Signed) SUIRU SHI SEBERSON, Owner changes to the online games market and e- ports rose to a record US$763.6 billion in (April 1, 2007; May 1, 2007) 2006, according to the U.S. Commerce De- People who speak are not all virtuous.” 00000703 business is about to pop out after many years ...Confucius PAGE 14 > APRIL 2007 business www.chinainsight.info Statistical data on Shaanxi Province Editor’s Preface: As part of our continuing series to provide additional information on Shaanxi Province, Minnesota’s Sister City, following is recent data directly from the Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook 2005.

Major Economic Indicators Output Share of Leading Industry Groups 2004

Source: Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook 2005

Foreign Trade In 2004, Shaanxi recorded contracted The importance of foreign trade is rela- FDI amounted to US$ 1.05 billion, and uti- tively low and accounted for around 10 per- lized FDI was US$0.53 billion. In 2004, 46 cent of the province's GDP. A major reason percent of the actual FDI in Shaanxi were * Real growth ^ Jan-Sep 2005 is poor transport linkages. Nevertheless, the engaged in manufacturing. E.g. Cummins has Sources: Statistical Yearbook of Shaanxi 2005; official announcements government introduced measures to encour- a JV producing dynamos, and Mag Lite has age international trade, incl. provision of a JV producing chips. Other areas that at- export subsidies to specified products, set- tracted investment inflows were social ser- abundant supply of electricity and energy, General Background ting up export processing zones, setting up vices etc. In particular, investment in the Shaanxi has a strong heavy industry sector, Shaanxi has a total area of 205,800 sq.km. trade promotion associations etc. tertiary sector grew very fast generally. As which include transport equipment and ma- Total population stood at 36.59 million in Foreign trade amounted to US$3.64 bil- at end 2004, 29 out of the world's top 500 chinery, ordinary and special equipment and the 2000 population census. Located in cen- lion in 2004, of which exports amounted to enterprises have invested in Shaanxi. They machinery, metal smelting and pressing, etc. tral China and landlocked, Shaanxi is adja- US$2.40 billion. Ordinary trade (contrary to include Nisson, Toshiba, Metro, Pepsi, While heavy industries account for over 69 cent to 8 other provinces. export processing) is the main form of trade, McDonald's and Nestle etc. percent of Shaanxi's industrial output, light A relatively underdeveloped province, accounting for 80 percent of the province's Hong Kong is the largest source of for- industries, mainly textiles, food and bever- Shaanxi has abundant reserves of coal, natu- total trade. Hong Kong is Shaanxi's 4th larg- eign investment in Shaanxi. Up to end 2003, ages, electronics and telecommunications ral gas, petroleum, salt and other non-metal est trading partner, with total trade volume Hong Kong has a stock of 1,834 projects equipment, pharmaceuticals have gained in minerals. Shenmu and Fugu are major pro- of US$167 million in 2004, up 25.7 percent. with a contracted and utilized investment of importance in recent years. duction bases of fine quality coal in China Major exports included electrical and US$4.58 billion and US$2.13 billion. In 2004, Shaanxi's output of its development with a total deposit of more than 160 billion processed agricultural products, minerals, Hong Kong signed 91 projects, with con- zones for hi-tech industries amounted to tons and natural gas reserves proven in textiles and garments, metals and metal prod- tractual and utilized capital US$358 million RMB 73.5 billion in 2003. Xi’an has become Shaanxi reach 200 billion cubic meters. To- ucts, electrical / mechanical and AV equip- and US$110 million respectively. Other ma- an IT powerhouse since the implementation gether with its rich metallic and non-metallic ment and transport equipment etc. Major jor investors were BVI, Japan, the United of the opening and reform policy; it now has mineral reserves, Shaanxi's estimated re- export markets included the EU, the United States and the UK etc. the majority of the province's software en- serves of mineral resources ranked first in States, Japan and Hong Kong etc. terprises. Having plentiful supply of exper- the nation. Among the 92 kinds of minerals Major import items included electrical Consumer Market tise, Shaanxi is also a national center for found in Shaanxi, 27 have reserves that are and optical / health equipment, electrical / Retail sales of consumer goods rose by research in aviation, aerospace, equipment ranked among the top three in China. mechanical and AV equipment and metal and 13.3 percent to RMB 96.6 billion in 2004. The manufacturing, electronics and agriculture. Shaanxi ranks third in terms of overall metal products etc. Major import sources largest consumer center of Shaanxi is Xi’an Pharmaceutical industry is emerging in R&D strength after Beijing and Shanghai. It included the EU, Japan and the United States whose retail sales accounted for 52 percent Shaanxi. Xi’an has been designated as one has more than 2,000 science and technol- etc. of the province's total in 2004. of the 15 state-level export bases of pharma- ogy research institutes, of which 50 are rec- Xi’an retail distribution developed rap- ceutical products. Famous brand products ognized as reaching the advanced level in Foreign Investment idly in recent years. Apart from new shop- the country. The largest number of R&D in- developed include the medicines of Xian- The government positions itself as a hot ping malls being developed, foreign-invested stitutes and personnel are concentrated in Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., the erythromy- destination of foreign investment in West- retail enterprises --- B&Q from the UK, Metro Xi’an. cin ethylsuccinate tablets and granules of ern China and takes a proactive role in at- from Germany, Carrefour from France have Shaanxi's capital city, Xi’an, is a historic Xian Pharmaceutical Factory, the tracting FDI. It holds conferences and also set up their presence in Xi’an. city with abundant cultural and historical gynostemma pentaphylla medicines of 505 organizes business trips to Hong Kong and Patterns of consumer expenditure in assets that can be developed for tourism. Group and Sanbao Shuangxi Group etc. other parts of the country. To attract for- Shaanxi have also undergone structural While the terra-cotta army is highly praised Shaanxi's climate is favorable for grow- eign investment, the government empha- changes. While the share of expenditure on as the 8th world wonder, other popular sites ing fruits. It is the nation's largest process- sizes on creating an investor-friendly food has declined, expenditure on services, include Lantian Ape Man, Xi'an Forest of ing center for fruits and has 17 large environment. Initiatives include simplifying in particular transport and communications, Steles, Wild Goose Pagoda and Huaqing companies producing apple juice concen- government administrative procedures, rais- medicine & medical services and housing Pool. trates, accounting for over 9 percent of the ing transparency on government regula- have gained in relative share. tions and fees and charges, providing See FDI in Shaanxi and Composition of one-stop service for investors and estab- Per Capita Consumption Expenditure of lishing a complaint agency etc. Urban Household (%), below and and Eco- nomic Indicators of Major Cities (2004) on FDI in Shaanxi Page 15.

Source: Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook 2005 Industries In 2003, Shaanxi's industrial value added world's production. Other important fruits output increased 26.9 percent to RMB67.4 include peach, grape and pear. Famous en- Source: Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook, 1997, 2005 billion. In the 11th Five-Year Plan period terprises include Hasheng, Rongshi bever- Composition of Per Capita Consumption Expenditure of Urban Household (%) (2006-2010), Shaanxi's development targets ages and Sun foodstuffs. will focus on 4 sectors: hi-tech, fruit produc- Under the "Military-to-Civilian" initia- tion and processing, energy and petrochemi- tive, a number of military enterprises in Xi’an cals and pharmaceuticals. have converted their technologies and pro- Thanks to its abundant reserves of coal, duction capacities to develop and produce natural gas and oil, Shaanxi has developed products for commercial purposes. Marked into an important energy production base examples include the Xian Aircraft Co., Xian- of China. Output of its coal, petroleum, natu- Volvo Automobiles and Shaanxi Changling ral gas and chemical industry accounted for Refrigeration. 24 percent of the province's total industrial output in 2003. Thanks to its cheap and Source: Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook, 1997, 2005 www.chinainsight.info business APRIL 2007 > PAGE 15

Data from Page 14 Economic Indicators of Major Cities (2004) Business Planning & Employee Benefit Planning Application for Government Tax-Refund, Credit & Rebate Tax Disputes Retirement Financial Planning Source: Shaanxi Statistical Yearbook, 1997, 2005„ Taxes for Individual, Small Business, S-Corp, Partnership Tax-Return & Financial Planning Dr. Helen Zhang Ph. D. in Economics Partnered with Eleanor F. Anderson, CPA IRS Enrolled Agent

Helen Zhang Tel: 763-574-7207 Fax: 763-502-2816 Export roundtable - Email: [email protected] selling to China is Web: www.efatax.com now easier Make an appointment at our Fridley office, I will do your tax return just like my own! March 7th UCBC Breakfast Meeting Recap On Mar. 7, 2007, US-China Business Con- Minneapolis, MN 55403. Web site: nections (UCBC) held its monthly breakfast www.exportassistance.com. The staff of the networking meeting at the Minneapolis Com- Minneapolis office include Director Ryan munity & Technical College. Jim Smith, Di- Kanne, three Trade Specialists, plus Mr. rector of UCBC, presided over this meeting. Kullman. This office provides products and The topic of this meeting was “Export services that help small and medium-sized Roundtable - Selling to China is Now Easier”. companies enter and grow international mar- The guest speakers are Paul Kullman, from kets by: providing consulting and advisory; US Dept. of Commerce; and Nancy Libersky finding international partners; performing from Small Business Administration. market research; and organizing trade events.„ Audience Recent changes in China’s tax laws US-China Business Connections will State Bar Association. She speaks and Guest speaker Nancy Libersky hold its April meeting on Apr. 4, 2007 from writes in Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. W. Anne Jie, Manager - and holds a Juris Doctor, William Mitchell ness centers across China: Dalian, International Tax Deloitte Tax LLP, will be College of Law, magna cum laude, a Masters Chongqing, Hangzhou, Harbin, Kunming, the featured speaker at the meeting. She will of Science in Accounting and Taxation, State Nanjing/Jiangsu Province, Ningbo, present Recent changes on China's University of New York at Albany and a Bach- Qingdao, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Tax Laws and Their impact on American elor in Economics, University of Sydney, Guest speaker Paul Kullman. Xiamen, Xi'an/Shaanxi Province and Zhuhai. businesses there Australia (China Insight has agreement with the U.S. At the Minneapolis office of Deloitte Tax Along with the presentation, will be a Q Commercial Service in China to share busi- Paul Kullman is the Commercial Officer LLP, Jie consults with multinational corpo- & A session and networking opportunities. ness news and reports from China.) from the Minneapolis Office, U.S. rations in tax-aligned supply chain strate- The UCBC breakfast meeting will be held The Minneapolis office is located at But- Deptartment of Commerce. He introduced his gies, international restructuring, at Minneapolis Community & Technical ler Square, 100 North 6th Street, Suite 210-C, local Minneapolis Office and the U.S. Com- cross-border transactions, financial prod- College (www.minneapolis.edu) 1501 mercial Service, plus their services, especially ucts, and tax compliance. Her main areas of Hennepin Avenue, Wheelock Whitney Hall in China-related business. focus are consumer businesses and finan- Rm L3000 (3rd Floor). The price for atten- The U.S. Commercial Service cial services. Anne started her public ac- dance is US$20. College students may at- (www.export.gov/china) under the counting career with the New York office of tend for free. To reserve a place at the Deptartment of Commerce is the federal a Big-6 accounting firm, where she special- meeting e-mail: [email protected] or government’s worldwide network dedicated ized in financial services and international call Jim Smith at 612-865-6543. to promoting international business. In banking. She also clerked for the Honorable "UCBC is a non-profit organization pro- China, they have five offices located at Justice Alan C. Page of the Minnesota Su- viding an educational and networking fo- Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and preme Court. rum for entrepreneurs and companies Shenyang. The Commercial Service has an Jie is a member of the American Institute interested in developing business relation- expanded service reach in China. It can give of Certified Public Accountants, the Ameri- ships with China." „ export assistance in 14 additional major busi- can Bar Association, and the Minnesota For more information visit the UCBC Paul talks with audience Web site: http://www.ucbcgroup.org. PAGE 16 > APRIL 2007 performance www.chinainsight.info Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats perform at Ordway Center Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center performed at pre-show World Party By Albert Leung

dazzling coordination of grace, sota graduate, he freelances on the side. strength and balance was show Besides writing, he is a devout movie cased by the Shangri-La Chinese viewer and an emotionally charged Vikings Acrobats in front of about 1,700 and Timberwolves supporter. Albert cur- people at the Ordway Center for rently resides in Minneapolis. „ Athe Performing Arts on Mar. 18, 2007.

Performance (photo credit: Ordway Theater)

Performance (photo credit: Ordway Theater)

Ordway Center jects to help springboard themselves 2005 issue). Craft stations were also set up (photo credit: Ordway Theater) through rings no larger than 4 feet in diam- that let children make buttons, ribbon sticks eter, whereas the smaller hoops were around and paper lanterns. The acrobats, consisting of 11 perform- 3 feet. Food was also served by Bamboo Gar- ers from China, bated the audience’s breath den Restaurant. The menu consisted of with their fearless performances with accom- cheese puffs, fried egg rolls, skewered panying rhythmic music fitting to the feroc- chicken dumplings, pork fried rice, vegetable Dance by TCCDC ity of each performance. Audience members lo mein and stir-fried vegetable with chicken. (photo credit: Richard He) were deeply engrossed by the showman- Complimentary beverages were provided ship and skill each performer exhibited courtesy of Midwest Coca-Cola. throughout the night. TCCDC consists of male and female per- formers from ages 4 to 60 years old. The organization was started by Qiang Yang, an award-winning choreographer and dance instructor who received his professional Chinese Kung Fu by TCCDC degree from Beijing Dance Academy; the (photo credit by Richard He) most prestigious dance institutions in China. TCCDC has performed at Chinese Culture Other performances included balanced Rhythmic Gymnastics by TCCDC Service Center, Friendship Association of chair stacking nearly up to stage height, an (photo credit: Richard He) agility-driven lion dance, contorting female Chinese Students and Scholars, Chinese performers who spun at least three plates New Year Celebration, 3M and other events that moved like fluttering butterflies in each organized by different organizations and hand with a flimsy stick, and many more. corporations. TCCDC will have a produc- Prior to the main event, the Ordway Cen- tion show this coming May. For more de- ter hosted its World Party in the main lobby tails, visit the Web site: www.yangdance.org. that featured Chinese cultural dances, crafts The World Party is a pre-event gather- and food. The performances were presented ing coordinated by the Ordway Center and Audiences by the Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center its cultural advisory council. It is held prior (photo credit: Ordway Theater) (TCCDC), a non-profit art organization that to every culturally specific music and dance The night was a beautiful exhibition of started in July 2005 to promote traditional show scheduled for its Planet Ordway sea- graceful precision through performances Chinese performing arts while nurturing the son. that involved unnatural contortion, con- integration of ethnic dances into American’s “These pre-show parties are meant to TCCDC (photo credit: Richard He) trolled balance and almost bewildering modern art stream. enhance the cultural experience for audience physical strength. “Our goal in this organization is to mod- members,” Eric Olmscheid, community en- One performance involved five males, ernize traditional Chinese dances to promote gagement coordinator, said. one red small hoop on the ground with a our culture and diversify the Minnesota This season, Planet Ordway has about slightly larger red hoop attached to the top. Community,” Qiang Yang, Artistic Director seven cultural shows scheduled to perform. The acrobats, like nimble nymphs, flipped of TCCDC, said. Editor’s Note: Thanks to Weiwen Xie, forwards and backwards, tumbled, and dove For the World Party, TCCDC organized TCCDC board member, Connie Cher, Cul- through the hoops. As the act went on the a 40 minute performance that included kung tural Advisory Council Member for Ordway hoop stack grew until it topped off at four fu inspired choreography, rhythmic gymnas- and TCCDC Board Member, Eric small hoops and one large hoop. The body tics and solo dances. The rhythmic gym- Olmscheid, Community Engagement Coor- tricks became more intricate as the men nastics was performed by the famous and dinator for Ordway. started to use each other as obstacles to National Champion Lu sisters: Cindy and Albert Leung is an avid writer in jour- Foods served by Bamboo Garden soar over, safeguards to land on and ob- Serena (see China Insight July/August of nalism and fiction. A University of Minne- Restaurant (photo credit: Richard He)