SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION CHINA NSIGHT Fostering business and culturalI harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 19 NO. 7 July/August 2020 NOW, ONLINE Unsung heroes ONLY! News, p. 3 Government & Politics, p. 4 Take a good look at these faces. They are faces of Chinese American veterans from World War II whose contributions have yet to be told and to be recognized. COVID-19 had delayed the ceremony for the Congressional Gold Medal award to World War II Chinese American veterans, but you can find out where and how you can read about their stories on p. 6. Community Events, p. 5 Zoom party for Ming Tchou By Greg Hugh She was a founding member Foundation, she established at the Minne- of the U. S. China Peoples apolis Foundation, she plans to devote the Friendship Association and coming years to promoting this important the Chinese Senior Citizens function within the Chinese community and Society, serving as its president the Greater Twin Cities with events such as Arts & Culture, p. 7 for more than a decade. A Passage to China and Dream of the Red In 2004 she created the Chamber. Chinese Heritage Foundation Visit www.chineseheritagefoundation. (CHF) with the goal of pre- org to learn more about Ming’s amazing life serving and promoting the un- and CHF’s mission. ♦ In This Issue derstanding of Chinese culture, history and Ahern Screenshots credit: Will heritage in Arts & Culture 7 Ming Tchou (right) eats cake while Pearl Lam Bergad Minnesota; Books 6, 8 looks on. and it was Business & Economy 12 Not even a pandemic can keep down the the CHF Advisory Com- Events 5 celebration for this spirited nonagenarian. mittee that organized the Government & Politics 4 Yes, on July 4, Ming Tchou turned 96. Zoom party. Health & Environment 5, 6 Her friends and families from near and far Reflecting on her held a party to mark the occasion via Zoom. 40 years in Minnesota, Language 9 Ming Tchou has been an active volunteer Ming said, "We should News 3 in the Chinese community in Minnesota for learn how to share ideas Points of View 12 more than 40 years, and has won numerous with each other and to Pronouncements 2 awards, including the leadership award from do it often." Through Society 10-11 the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans. the Chinese Heritage Family and friends celebrate Ming’s birthday PAGE 2 / July/August 2020 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements CHINAINSIGHT Greetings: As the world continues to deal with the best of our ability, to “flatten the curve.” Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden Publisher: coronavirus pandemic, regardless of our In our opinion, this means taking protec- of Whispering Willow and Flowing Waters Gregory J. Hugh acceptance of the situation, we nevertheless tive and preventative measures so that the at Lake Phalen Regional Park and the Chi- [email protected] are all dealing with it individually. There is number of cases will spread out over time nese Garden at the University of Minnesota constant coverage by the media and while to allow our healthcare system better man- Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. Manager of we have no control over what will happen age caseloads. Thus don’t worry about what Because of COVID-19, the ceremony Operations/Circulation: next, we do have control over our actions you can’t control and work on what you for honoring Chinese American congressio- Richard He and thoughts. can do in a responsible manner so as not to nal gold medal recipients has been delayed [email protected] The key to realistic planning in times endanger others. by the U.S. Congress. However, you can of crises is to balance social and personal Although there are few activities that can order a copy of the book “Unsung Heroes,” responsibility. And now that we’re in a state be enjoyed outdoors, we strongly recom- honoring them. See page 6. Staff Writers: of emergency, the best we can do in the time mend visiting either of the Chinese gardens Also be sure to read the final installment Greg Hugh of COVID-19 is to do what it takes, to the located within the Twin Cities area: The St. on page 11 of “Confucianism and con- [email protected] sumerism," a thesis by our intern, Jackson Venjohn. Elaine Dunn All of us at China Insight wish Ming [email protected] Your vote matters Tchou a very happy 96th birthday and thank her for her many contributions to the com- Minnesota’s Primary Day is Aug. 15, 2020 munity. Page 1. Intern: Jackson Venjohn Vote by mail or in person June 26 through Aug. 10 I would like to point out one change going forward as a result of the new na- [email protected] for the Primary tional security law over Hong Kong: China Insight will eliminate bylines in articles that Contributors: Election Day is Nov. 3, 2020 may be deemed controversial to protect our Pat Welsh Vote by mail or in person Sept.18 through Nov. 2 for contributors and writers. [email protected] Finally, please note this is a combined the Election July-August edition of our digital publica- tion and, as always, thank you for your Production Editor: Visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting for more continued support. Jennifer Nordin information about: [email protected] • Registering to vote Sincerely, • Election Day voting About CHINAINSIGHT CHINAINSIGHT is a monthly English • Where to vote language newspaper fostering business • Other ways to vote Gregory J. 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Of course, the Beijing mouthpiece, Global Times, immediately dismissed the concerns. Its “expert” claimed the dam, the world’s largest, was designed to withstand a “once-in-a-mil- lennium” flooding up to 175 A quarter-century-old chili sauce com- meters. pany was drawn into a lawsuit with Tencent, A breach of the dam only to uncover a major online scam. could affect 400 million Lao Gan Ma (老干妈) is a traditional people in down-river cities chili sauce company that dominates the In an interview with Radio France In- such as Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai. Chinese market with a 65-percent market ternationale late-June, a German Chinese Construction of the dam began in 1994 share. In March 2019, Tencent entered into hydraulic engineer who had studied the and was completed in 2006. It was the first a US$2.3 million promotional agreement Three Gorges Dam raised concerns about its structure to redirect the flow of the Yangtze with the sauce giant. When payments from structural integrity. The engineer claimed River and was built to control the frequent Lao Gan Ma were not forthcoming, Tencent cracks and substandard concrete were dis- flooding that plagues the Yangtze basin. It filed suit. Lao Gan Ma denied the deal, so covered during construction. The recent also provides limited hydroelectric power. ♦ the police was brought in. heavy rains had caused the water level at the It turned out three individuals had posed riod. The three scammers would then turn as marketing staff from Lao Gan Ma in sign- around and sell the codes online for profit.