MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741 inside AAB supports CAMPUS Qatar Sealine • QU engages 60 school students Rally 2014 in Stem project P | 4 P | 6 FOOD • Layered vegan vegetable tart delivers big flavours P | 7 FILM • Women get leading roles in French film industry P | 8-9 HEALTH • Mediterranean diet may slow diabetes progression P | 11 TECHNOLOGY • The rise of big data: A double ETHNIC edged sword TOURISM IN CHINA P | 12 Learn Arabic China is seeing a domestic tourism boom that is • Learn commonly bringing money to poorer ethnic minority regions used Arabic words and propping up their fading traditions, but is also and their meanings encouraging commercialism and stereotyping. P | 13 2 PLUS | MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 COVER STORY Minorities on display in Chinese tourist boom arching in dragon dances, domestic Chinese tourism boom that cheering on buffalo is bringing money to poorer ethnic fights, singing folk songs minority regions and propping up Mwith villagers, an enam- their fading traditions, but that can oured traveller ticked off the sights also encourage commercialism and during a three-week tour of Chinese stereotyping. ethnic minority festivals. He, in his 40s and from northern The man — who flew across the China, acknowledged that a flood of country to southwestern Guizhou tourism in other minority areas had province to see the colourful traditions doused their authentic feel. — represents both the benefits and “For those of us who have come to downsides of ethnic minority tourism. Guizhou early on, and experienced its “Their culture is a bit more back- simplicity, I really don’t know if these ward, but it’s because it’s backward traditional ways will exist a few years that they have this simplicity,” said from now,” he lamented. the traveller, surnamed He, in between A third of residents of Guizhou, recounting local customs and com- one of China’s poorest provinces, are plimenting Miao women in embroi- members of one or other of the coun- dered outfits and towering silver try’s 55 recognised ethnic minorities, headdresses. and He was watching a major Miao Visitors like him are fuelling a festival in the township of Zhouxi. PLUS | MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 3 Women with flowers pinned to over a quarter of its economy. Tour “fantasy bubble that tourists want to Tensions have run particularly high sweeping hairdos and ribbons draping companies operating in the province see”, said Chio. with Tibetans and Uighurs, who have from waist to floor swayed in sync, as offer an array of ethnic sights: women To truly reap economic rewards, carried out periodic self-immolations men blared bagpipe-like melodies from in elaborate silver jewellery, wooden minorities needed to be seen instead and knife attacks in response to what long reed pipes. homes, batik, operas and a water as educated and modern, said Reza critics say is cultural repression by Nearby stood racks of ethnic cos- festival. Hasmath, an expert on ethnicity in Beijing. tumes for visitors to dress up in for The visitors bring benefits such as China at Oxford University. photographs. better roads and a chance to make “China’s not moving beyond this sort ‘Nothing good’ Wang Ahua, a 39-year-old dress- money, said Jenny Chio, an anthro- of, ‘let’s get to know the minority’, to Residents of Zhouxi, which built a maker who cannot write, said she had pologist at Emory University who has ‘let’s try to integrate the minority’,” plaza for festival shows a few years ago, enjoyed a rise in demand for her cos- researched tourism in Guizhou. he said. said the influx of tourists was improv- tumes, with prices now topping 10,000 But they can also turn quiet vil- “We need to get to that stage to sug- ing ties between ethnic groups. yuan ($1,600). lages into crowded theme parks — a gest that minorities can be very accom- A mural on the road to the township Visitors did not look down on her criticism of popular spots Lijiang and plished individuals, that they are hard shows cartoon versions of Guizhou’s and were “very happy, very polite”, she Shangri-La in neighbouring Yunnan working, that they are skilled, that ethnic traditions -- men beating drums said. “It’s good that they come.” province — and pressure locals to con- they should be employed.” and fighting buffaloes. form to stereotypes. Intermarriage, an indicator of trust “It’s good to let other Chinese friends Better roads “If a place becomes a tourism des- among ethnic groups, was estimated in get to know our culture,” said Ceng Chinese domestic tourism tination, the people who live there are China to be only one percent of minori- Mingwu, a 21-year-old Zhouxi native expanded 10 percent last year, with kind of frozen in time” to maintain the ties, he pointed out. and Miao dancer. Chinese logging 3.3 billion trips “Our economy has developed, and within their country, generating 2.6 we’re getting a bit of publicity,” he said. trillion yuan. But 46-year-old resident Wang Authorities have promoted the sec- Zejun worried that Zhouxi could fall tor, along with ethnic tourism, both into the same commercial tailspin as to generate income and to promote a nearby village, Xijiang. China’s image of happy diversity. Five years ago Xijiang barely had Although 92 percent ethnic Han, vehicle access but prices had shot up China offers minorities preferen- and performers were now hired profes- tial policies and encourages them sionals from outside, he complained. to appear in TV performances and Locals there could only find jobs political events in traditional dress. as cleaners and many in Zhouxi had In past decades, Guizhou and its left Guizhou for work, he said, adding minorities suffered heavily from the that his children, ages 18 and 20, lived Communist imposition of collec- 940km (590 miles) away. tive farming and the chaos of Mao “There’s nothing to see,” he said of Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, but it is Xijiang. now seeking to tap its ethnic riches — “The food is expensive and fake, and its income from tourism rose 30 per- there’s nothing good there.” cent in 2012 to 186 billion yuan, just AFP 4 PLUS | MONDAY 21 APRIL 2014 CAMPUS / COMMUNITY QU engages 60 primary school students in Stem project ixty students (30 boys and 30 Allen, the students had the opportunity girls) from primary schools in to hear presentations from professionals SDoha participated in the Future in science fields and participate in activ- Scientists Academy organised by Qatar ities planned by NCED staff members. University’s National Center for Educator They also visited Exxon-Mobil Research Development (QU-NCED) recently. Qatar (EMRQ) to learn about the cent- The project, which is funded by er’s work and programmes. ExxonMobil, is an active learning ini- Commenting on the project, CED tiative designed to expand young stu- Dean Dr Hissa Sadiq said: “This is dents’ interest in science, technology, our commitment to nurturing young engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students’ dreams and ambitions by and encourage them to pursue careers strengthening their knowledge in sci- in those fields. ence, technology, engineering, and Participating schools were Omar Bin mathematics and orienting them on the Al Qhatab, Abu-Bakir Al Sadeeq, Umm wide range of careers they can pursue in Maibad, Moza Bint Mohmed, Al Ahnaf these fields. These young talented stu- Bin Qais, and Al Bayaan Complex. dents are the future of this country and Over five days, the students engaged we see it as our role to inspire them and in parallel activities such as using foren- unlock their potential. It was a joy to sic science to solve a “murder,” creating have them on campus with their bright a computer animation, firing rockets, minds and enthusiasm. They inspired and solving mathematical puzzles and us, as we hoped to inspire them. We are challenges. looking at expanding the program in the Under the supervision of College of near future to provide this opportunity Education (CED) professor Dr Nancy to more students”. The Peninsula Qatari team representing GCC wins second prize in Henkel Innovation Challenge wenty one teams from 30 countries around experience we made here in Düsseldorf: We really the world took part in the international final enjoyed the international atmosphere and met so Tof the “Henkel Innovation Challenge” in many great people,” said Jaasim Polin. Düsseldorf, Germany. The vision of team “Oryx” from Qatar: With The Qatari team representing GCC won the sec- “Diadermine Allure” users can treat their skin ond prize. With their vision of “Diadermine Allure” according to their individual needs thanks to smart – the world’s first programmable beauty product – substances and a special computer software. This Jaasim Polin and Sarah Mustafa from the Carnegie visionary idea of a programmable beauty product Mellon University Qatar convinced the jury. convinced the jury members to award the students During the three-day-event students from all over with the second prize. the world showcased their innovative concepts and This year’s winners of the “Henkel Innovation ideas to a panel of Henkel managers. The jury ulti- Challenge”, Daren Perincic and Dominik Benger, mately selected the Croatian team as having submit- who are studying at the Rochester Institute of ted the best product vision for the year 2050. Technology Croatia, receive an around-the-world- The second winners are awarded with €4,000 and ticket worth €10,000. Their product idea “H Design” along with the first and third placed teams, they will by Schwarzkopf allows its users to change and design have the opportunity to meet Henkel CEO Kasper their own hair style through an app.