Organ Donation Network in Shenzhen

China CSR.com (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports (May 18, 2008) that an online Organ Donation Network Information Platform will be launched in Shenzhen to publish information about available organs and patients waiting for organ transplants. For the full story, see: http://www.chinacsr.com/2008/03/18/2184-shenzhen-to-initiate-online-organ-donation-platform/

China CSR is a bilingual (Chinese and English) monthly publication (print and online) on sustainability in China. The current print issue may be viewed here (.pdf file): http://www.chinacsr.com/images/chinacsr-0805.pdf

Dan Hellinger: China Earthquake Relief

Dr. Dan Hellinger (Professor, History, Politics & Law Department, Webster University) is currently (Summer 2008) teaching in Shanghai. He wrote the following email to the Webster University Community (Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:20 PM).

One of my students from Western China asked me to appeal to my friends back home for help for her countrymen and women.

I just read a report that says that Americans are experiencing "donor fatigue" so many natural disasters that we no longer feel compelled to help. America's contributions to China so far are well below what we have raised for emergencies at home and for other disasters, such as the Tsunami.

China's needs are incredible. There are 4.2 million people left homeless. Hundreds of thousands need urgent medical care. The government really is doing its best -- and much discussion about lack of planning for the disaster beforehand. Very interesting. It seems as though the reformers are using the opportunity to raise important political questions that could not be discussed so openly before. But right now, the needs are overwhelming, and international support is needed.

I think it would be great if Webster St. Louis would help out Chengdu, where we have a campus. I know that one of our staff people, Abby, is working hard on relief there. She is fine, but likemany others she isliving in the stdreet because of fear of aftershocks. I've been expecting an institutional response with some concrete aid, but it hasn't materialized yet. No much Rick Foristel can do from here -- initiative needs to be take in St. Louis.

Meranwhile, if any of you want to help, there are two ways:

1. The International Red Cross is active here, as well as several American charities (unlike Myanmar, where the government is keeping out Western groups). You can, of course, get a tax deduciton.

2. My students are collecting funds themselves. What is interesting about this effort is that it is independent of the government or the Red Cross. They are worried about how long it takes to get the aid where it is need through these groups. All over China people are taking initiatives like this. So -- here is an option for you.

Vicki, my student, lives in Wuhan, in the middle of the country, a city that was shaken but not greatly damaged affected by the earthquake. Through her friends and family she is able to send desparately need materials within three days to where they are needed. You would not get a tax deduction if you go this route. Also, you are not going through an established aid agency. However, I trust Vicki and know her well.

If you want to give, send a message to me at hellindc@yahoo.com and tell me how much. I will give the money in yuan, and you can pay me back later in dollars (exchange is almost exactly 7 to 1) in the summer, when I return. Again, if you are more comfortable going through the Red Cross or some other known agency, please do that. Even five or ten dollars would be a big help here. (Feel free, of course, to comment on appeal through the board, but to keep your confidentiality, if would be better to write me at the yahoo address.)

Best to everyone back home in St. Louis

Dan Hellinger

NOTE: The message is reproduced on this "Global Issues in China" blog with Dr. Hellinger's permission. However, Dr. Hellinger requests to please do not forward this message,

"... If it gets around the Internet too much, I might have more than I can handle. I suggest that the class think about bringing a donation to China with them. It's easy to find reputable assistants...."

Webster University President: On China Earthquake Relief

Webster University's President Neil George sent the following message to the Webster University Community (Wednesday, May 21, 2008 1:40 PM). This is a follow-up his previous announcement on May 12, 2008.

Subject: China Earthquake Relief

Webster University Community,

As our academic community learns more about the impact of the May 12th major earthquake in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, we all want to know how we can contribute to the diverse relief efforts to help those affected by this disaster. The American Red Cross is working with the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on relief operations and a number of strategic responses. You can learn about these efforts on their website:

http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_ChinaEarthquake.asp?s_src=pre_aspLink

If you wish, you can also make a donation to the China Earthquake Relief fund directly on this site. I would also like to thank the numerous individuals in our community who are also supporting these and other relief initiatives.


Neil J. George
President
Webster University

Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong

The annual Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) will be celebrated in Hong Kong on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. In 2008, this is Sunday in the Western calendar. Over 1000 international teams race their colorful boats in waters around Hong Kong. The main races take place on Shing Mun River, at Sha Tin in the New Territories [See map below]. The Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt emperor. [Editor's comment: How many protesters against corrupt leaders in China today become national heroes?] The following day (Monday, June 9) is also a public holiday. More information available at:

• http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/heritage/festivals/he_fest_drag.jhtml
  
• http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=14168
• http://www.hkfastfacts.com/Chinese%20Festivals/dragon_boat_festival.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Boat_Festival
  

View Larger Map

Alexandra Harney: The China Price

Alexandra Harney, editor for Financial Times, has published The China Price: The True Cost of Chinese Competitive Advantage. [Penguin Press, March, 2008]. Harney describes the human cost of producing products on the cheap. While the consumer public may want goods produced in factories where working conditions are acceptable, it is often difficult to know whether those standards were followed. The focus of the book is Shenzhen and surrounding Guangdong Province, which is also the destination of the Webster University 2008 study tour course, "Global Issues in China."

Asia Society Corporate Conference Held in Tianjin, China

The 2008 Asia Society Corporate Conference will be held May 28-30, 2008 in Tianjin, China (See Map below). Topics included in the conference include: Global competitiveness, trade, energy and sustainable development. See http://www.asiasociety.org/conference08/agenda.html for the conference agenda.



View Larger Map

Alexandra Harney: Guangdong Exodus

In the March 2008 issue of Far Eastern Economic Review, Alexandra Harney describes a labor shortage in Guangdong province and other areas of China resulting from stricter monitoring of the environmental impact of factories and better protection of workers' rights.

Abstract: Chinese factories, whose ultra-low prices have been blamed for millions of job losses and countless plant closures around the world, are falling on hard times. In the late 1970s, as China began to reform its economy after decades of turmoil and relative isolation, Guangdong was among the first to see the opportunity. Beijing gave the province more freedom to manage its economy and to attract foreign investment. And while China still has a long way to go to improve law enforcement, local governments have started monitoring factories' environmental impact more closely and creating new regulations to better protect workers' rights. As Guangdong and other parts of China invest more in higher value-added industries, they will need more engineers, skilled technicians and managers. But China's labor shortage in this area is more severe than among semi-skilled factory hands in Guangdong.

• Reference: Harney, A. (2008). Guangdong Exodus, Far Eastern Economic Review, 171, (2, March) 29-32

• CLICK HERE for full article [Note: Webster University ID required]
• CLICK HERE for full article in .pdf version [Note: Webster University ID required]

"How to work with Chinese factories without getting burned"

In the AdAgeChina issue of May 14 2008, Alexandra Harney writes an article titled "How to work with Chinese factories without getting burned." The article describes how difficult it is for foreigners to know whether they are buying from a sweatshop, in spite of steps to get Chinese producers to follow international codes of conduct and Chinese law.

• For summary of the article, see http://adage.com/china/section.php?section_id=256
• For the full article, see: http://adage.com/china/article.php?article_id=127025
  [subscription required]

CCTV: Coverage of China Earthquake

CCTV, the largest news broadcast channel in China, has extensive coverage of the earthquake in China, including videos, photos, and news reports. See: http://www.cctv.com/english/special/earthquake/01/index.shtml

CCTV is also available outside China via satellite and cable television services. See: http://english.cctv.com/english/20051231/101597.shtml

CNN: China Earthquake Videos & Articles

CNN.com has posted new videos and articles updating the earthquake in China. (May 18, 2008)

• Articles: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/china.earthquake/index.html
• Video Report--School buildings devastated in the earthquake: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/05/18/vause.china.death.traps.cnn
• Video Report--The role of the military in the earthquake rescues: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2008/05/18/yoon.china.peoples.army.cnn
• Video Report--China still faces crisis: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2008/05/18/siraj.china.quake.itn
  

"Illicit: The Dark Trade"

Illicit: The Dark Trade is a 2008 documentary produced by National Geographic and broadcast by PBS in the U.S.A. The documentary is based on the book "Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy" by Moises Naim. The video describes how criminal networks take away numerous jobs, kill or injure thousands of people and promote violence and corruption around the world. See how all the following are part of a huge global crime network: fake designer hand-bags, cheap prescription drugs, human trafficing, money laundering, and arms dealing. Case studies of the desginer knock-off markets in Hong Kong and Guanzhou are included in this documentary.

• More information about the documentary available at: http://www.pbs.org/illicit/
• Watch the video trailer at: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/specials/films-specials/trailers/illicit-trade-trailer-spc.html
• Resources for teachers using the video for classrooms are available at:
  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/illicittrade/

---

Global Issues in China: "Illicit: The Dark Trade"

James Fallows: "China's Silver Lining"

In The Atlantic Monthly (June 2008), James Fallows describes various large scale projects in China that address environmental concerns. These are promising advances in the global quest to manage greenhouse gases:

"... Both Chinese and foreign environmentalists said the government is sending subtle but important bureaucratic signals that it now takes environmental protection more seriously..."

For the full article, see: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200806/pollution-in-china

China Earthquake: Update

Here are media updates (May 13, 2008) on the earthquake in Sichuan Provice, China from PRI / BBC's "The World":

• Article, Photos, Videos & Audio
  including audio interview with Anne Zuckerman, (a teacher at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China).
  
• Photo gallery (BBC)
  
• Updated Audio
• Full audio program for May 13, 2008 (1 hour)

This program includes an interview with Author John Pomfret [Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China]. Pomfret explains how deep Chinese religious beliefs may explain the all-out government response to the disaster. There were 50,000 soldiers dispatched to the Sichuan Province. The belief is that any government rules only as long as it has the mandate of Heaven. When natural disaster hits, it is a sign that the government may be losing this mandate. The government is responsible for maintaining the harmony of Heaven and Earth, and must prove its legitimacy by responding quickly and effectively to natural disasters like this earthquake.

• Pandas at China's famous Wolong Nature Reserve are safe (Article)
• Rescuers Reach Quake Epicenter (Article, photos, video)
• Shanghai Stock Market Falls After Quake
  

Pangea Day Succeeds in Shanghai

The organizers of Pangea Day (May 10, 2008) in Shanghai, reports that the event went smoothly in spite of concerns the event would be disrupted. See full report at: http://www.pangeaday.org/post_article.php?article_id=176

Pangea Day was a global event involving films, live music, and visionary speakers. The program was broadcast live – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones on May 10, 2008.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS of the Pangea Day event are available on streaming video at: http://www.pangeaday.org/filmDetail.php?id=101

China Earthquake

Webster University President Neil J. George sent the following message to the University community:

-----Original Message-----
From: President [mailto:president@webster.edu]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:24 PM
Subject: China Earthquake

Webster University Community,

I am sure most of you are aware there has been a major earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province. One of Webster’s four campuses in China is located in Sichuan’s provincial capital, Chengdu. Webster-Chengdu is located on the campus of our partner, the University of Electronics, Technology and Science of China. No Webster classes were in session when the earthquake hit.

We have been in communication with our Webster-China director, Dr. Richard Foristel via cell phone and text messages. Within the past two hours hour, Rick spoke to our Chengdu director by telephone. She did not have any damage to report about Chengdu. She is out in the streets, like millions of other people in Chengdu, riding out the possibility of aftershocks. Stores, gas stations and transit systems are completely shut down. There is no access to computers but cell phones are working on a limited basis. Even though Rick stressed the situation could change significantly when additional damage reports are received, thus far the damage in Chengdu seems much less significant than elsewhere.

Professor Al Cawns, chair of the math and computer science department in the School of Business & Technology, was teaching at Webster-
Chengdu during the spring term. Dr. Cawns emailed me to report that both he and his wife, Sheila, are fine. They are scheduled to begin their return to St. Louis tomorrow.

I will be in touch with you if we receive additional significant information about Webster’s campuses in China.

I’m sure all of you join me in sending heartfelt sympathy to all people of China where this earthquake has caused massive destruction.

Neil J. George

China Bans Coca-Cola, P&G, and Nestle's Products

The Shenzhen Daily reports (Monday, May 12, 2008) that the Chinese government has banned several Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble and Nestles' products because of fears they contain "harmful substances." The products include:

• The berry-flavored Fanta soft drink (a Coca-Cola Product)
• 2 flavors (“spicy salad sauce” and “crispy baked”) of Pringles chips from Proctor & Gamble
• Vietnam coffee beans from Nestle

For full story, see: http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2008-05/12/content_170547.htm

Traditional Chinese Medicine Is Popular Among Foreigners

In its May 11, 2008 edition, The Life of Guangzhou, an English language news service, reported on the popularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) . The article suggests that the lower cost of services in Guangzhou (compared to Hong Kong) has also attracted tourists. For full article, see: http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_31/node_557/2008/05/12/121055474638179.shtml

Anheuser Busch To Open New China Brewery

The Business Journal of Milwaukee reports (March 31, 2008) that Anheuser-Busch plans to build a new brewery in Tangshan [河北省], China. Tangshan is located in Northern China.
View Larger Map


















See full article at: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/03/31/daily9.html

Olympic Torch in Shenzhen

Here is a sampling of media coverage of the Olympic Torch going through Shenzhen on May 8, 2008:

• Photos by JesseWarren on Flickr
• James Fallows' photo on his blog
• YouTube video
  

• Video from CCTV (Central China TV):
  

• Article from CCTV (China)
  
• Article from The Guardian (UK)
• Photos from ShenzhenParty.com
• Article from Danwei (China)
• Article and Photo from South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) | Full story (requires Webster University ID number)
  

James Fallows on China's Internet Firewall

James Fallows (Journalist) discusses the workings of China's Internet monitoring in the March/April 2008 issue of The Atlantic Monthly titled “The Connection Has Been Reset”. See http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/chinese-firewall

James Fallows: "The $1.4 Trillion Question"

James Fallows is an American journalist most currently associated with The Atlantic Monthly. Living in China for the last several years, he has published many articles about U.S.-China relations. His January/February 2008 article, titled "The $1.4 Trillion Question" reveals the strange underlying economic relationship between the U.S. and China. He says,

"... Chinese leaders have deliberately held down living standards for their own people and propped them up in the United States. This is the real meaning of the vast trade surplus—$1.4 trillion and counting, going up by about $1 billion per day—that the Chinese government has mostly parked in U.S. Treasury notes. In effect, every person in the (rich) United States has over the past 10 years or so borrowed about $4,000 from someone in the (poor) People’s Republic of China. ... " [For the full article, see: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200801/fallows-chinese-dollars]

See also James Fallows' blog at: http://jamesfallows.theatlantic.com/

Shenzhen is Venue for Talks with Dalai Lama's Envoys

Envoys of the Dalai Lama met with Chinese officials in Shenzhen on Sunday (May 4, 2008) and agreed to hold a second round of talks. CLICK HERE for full story, photo, and slide show: http://article.wn.com/view/2008/05/05/China_Dalai_Lama_aides_agreed_to_talk_again_v/

---

Global Issues in China: Shenzhen is Venue for Talks with Dalai Lama's Envoys

Guanzhou News Reports on Child-Killing Virus

The Friday, May 9, 2008 edition of Guanzhou News cites two reports about the virus that has killed 25 children across China. In one story, it reports the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that epidemic will not be a threat to the Beijing Olympics in August. CLICK HERE for full story with accompanying video and slideshow.

It also cites an AP story reporting there are more than 6,300 cases in the viral outbreak that has killed 26 children. CLICK HERE for the full story.

[Video from Reuters]

The New Third Wave of Economic Development in China

In the American Public Media program 'Marketplace' (May 8, 2008) Andy Rothman (U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission) describes the three waves of economic development in China. He says that this third wave will be a "a process that should benefit Chinese workers, improve the global environment and lead to higher prices for American consumers." See full story at: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/08/rothman_commentary/

• To listen to the radio program, CLICK HERE
• For the podcast, CLICK HERE
• To view the transcript, CLICK HERE
  

The China Project

Wikipedia sponsors "The China Project" which studies and reports on public health, diet and epidemiology in many provinces throughout China. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Project

NPR in Chengdu for a Week

Message from Webster University's Director in China:

What better way to celebrate Webster University’s Chengdu MBA Program than listening to NPR about Chengdu:

"All Things Considered" will originate from Chengdu, China, the week of May 19-23. Follow the hosts and producers as they prepare reports for the series.—from NPR website.

Take a look at the advance work from NPR before the start of the Week in Chengdu http://www.npr.org/blogs/chengdu/

And don’t forget to listen in the afternoon for All Things Considered. We were very happy when Time Magazine provided four pages of Chengdu coverage in the 2/07 edition. It was the U.S. edition, not the Asia or Europe edition of Time.

A whole week of origination of All Things Considered in Chengdu is deep, not surface. NPR could have decided on Xi An (terracotta warriors), Chong Qing, close to the famous Three Gorges Dam, but the picked Chengdu, hopefully for the same reasons we picked it six years ago.

A you know, you can listen to NPR online, but for many of you, you’ll be able to hear about Chengdu while driving in a car in West Palm Beach, Washington, D.C. St. Louis, Chicago, or San Francisco. I wish I were there to hear it, but better, I was just in Chengdu a few weeks ago, and will be back next month. In the meantime, work continues at Shanghai, Shen Zhen, Dalian and Beijing.

Rick Foristel

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to the International Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC). Its objective is to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted by the COP-3 (Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change), in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan. For details, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

As of April 2008, 178 states have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kyoto_Protocol_signatories
China ratified the Kyoto protocol on August 30, 2002. Hong Kong, SAR, has applied since April 8, 2003; but Macau, SAR has not applied.

The United States (U.S.A.) is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, but the Federal Government has not ratified it. One reason given by the current president U.S. President George W. Bush for the U.S. opposition to the Kyoto protocol is because the exemption granted to China and India makes the Kyoto Protocol a flawed treaty.

The United States has signed the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, also known as also known as AP6. The AP6 is an international agreement that allows signatory countries to set their own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other nations signing the agreement in 2005 are Australia, India, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and South Korea.

The United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDG) and China

In September 2000, the United Nations concluded its Millenium Conference which resulted in a Millenium Declaration embodied in a series of eight Millenium Development Goals (MDG). China was among the 189 countries pledging their commitment to achieving the eight goals by 2015.

The Eight Goals and Targets are listed here: [Source: http://www.undp.org.cn/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&catid=10&sid=5]

	Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty
	Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
	Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
	Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
	Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
	Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
	Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
	Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

---

Related information on MDG:

• The goals, targets and indicators
• Core MDG documents
• The 2007 MDG Progress Report
  

International Forum on Climate Change Held in Beijing

The United Nations China office reports that a two-day International Forum on Climate Change Science & Technology Innovation was held in Beijing, April 24-25, 2008. The meeting brought together more than 600 representatives from 30 countries and 10 international organizations. The primary topic of discussion was how green technologies and other solutions can meet the challenge of climate change. See details at: http://www.undp.org.cn/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&catid=14&topic=6&sid=4291&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

National Geographic Channel Airs "China Revealed"

The National Geographic Channel began a new television series titled China Revealed, beginning May 4, 2008. The series includes four episodes including:

1. Beijing Olympic Stadium
   
2. Building the Great Wall
   
3. China's Warrior King
   
4. World's Largest Casino

For details, see: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/china-revealed

Environmental Sustainability Campaign

On April 21, 2008, the United Nations China Office reported that Chinese actress/celebrity Zhou Xun was appointed to be its first National Goodwill Ambassador (NGWA) to promote environmental sustainability and combat climate change. Zhou Xun and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are featured in a multimedia program which advocates simple, effective lifestyle changes to reduce carbon footprints and collectively combat climate change. For details, see: http://www.unchina.org/cms/p/news/27/516/content.html

Smoke-Free Beijing

On April 10, 2008, the United Nations China Office reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed the release of the Beijing Municipal Regulations on the Scope of Banning Smoking in Public Places. Dr. Hans Troedsson, WHO China Representative, says: "WHO warmly congratulates the Municipality of Beijing on its exemplary progress towards creating a new smoke-free city... These landmark regulations lead the way for the rest of China." [http://www.unchina.org/cms/p/news/27/528/content.html]

Understanding Money & Debt

On March 31, 2008, the China Post (a Taiwanese publication) published a Reuters story in which Hilary Clinton, U.S. Senator and Democratic-party Presidential hopeful, warns that the Bush administration has jeopardized national security and the ability to intervene in world crises because of the huge U.S. debt.

---

The article "The Yin and Yang of US Debt"(Bardham and Jaffee, 2008) explains the role of foreign investments, particularly the Chinese, in the U.S. economy. See: Bardhan, A. and Jafee, D., "The Yin and Yang of US Debt", YaleGlobal, 4 April 2008. Available at: http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10607

---

The documentary "Money as Debt," produced by Paul Grignon, gives an explanation about what is the "money-debt" system and how it works (or doesn't work). The streaming video is available at: http://www.moneyasdebt.net/

A trailer for the video may be viewed here:

---

The full video may be viewed here:
[Video Available At: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279

U.S. State Department Travel Alert

On April 25, 2008 the U.S. State Department issued a "travel alert" for China, advising "American citizens traveling or residing there to be alert to their surroundings and exercise caution at all times." The alert is in effect until October 31, 2008.

See: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4180.html

The State Department webpage on current travel alerts (http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html) defines a "travel alert" as follows:

"Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert."

Additional State Department information for U.S. citizens traveling or living in China is available at: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html

For State Department information specifically about Hong Kong, SAR, see: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1136.html

CCTV: "Your Window on China and the World"

CCTV International (CCTV-9) is an English-language website and television channel hosted by China Central Television, China's largest national TV network.

It includes news reports from within China, international news, business news ("BizChina"), sports, lifestyle & culture, and other documentaries and special reports including daily features on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It also includes critiques of how news about China is covered in other countries. CCTV International views itself as "China's contribution to greater diversity and more perspective in the global information flow." (Cited from http://www.cctv.com/english/about/index.shtml)

Motorcycles Banned in Guangzhou

How can a large city reduce street crime, minimize traffic congestion, and lower road accidents? Guangzhou's answer was to ban motorcycles.

Beginning January 2007, the Guangzhou government strictly banned motorcycle riding in the city. Police detain riders; riders are fined 200 Yuan, and their motorcycles are confiscated.

Within two weeks of the ban, traffic problems in Guangzhou were reduced by 50% and road accidents dropped by 40%, according to the Guanzhou traffic bureau.

Sources:

• The End of the Motorcycles Era (01-15-2007)
• The New York Times: In City Ban, a Sign of Wealth..." (01-15-2007)
  
• News Guangdong: A Week After Guangzhou Banned Motorcycles (01-10-2007)
  
• Guangzhou Life without Motorcycles (01-03-2007)
• Guangzhou Bans Motorcycles (01-02-2007)

Yuan's rise to boost outbound tourism

The article, "Yuan's rise to boost outbound tourism" by Xin Dingding (China Daily) (April 24, 2008) summarizes the rise of the Chinese Yuan against the U.S. Dollar as well as the Hong Kong Dollar. While Chinese tour groups are still not permitted to organize trips to the United States, the rise in the Chinese currency is likely to boost tourism to other countries and regions (such as Hong Kong) that use US dollars or peg their currencies to it.

Full Article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-04/24/content_6640156.htm

Biodiversity loss leads to sick world: experts

China Daily (April 24, 2008) reports on the UN-backed Business for the Environment international conference held in Singapore. It cites various experts warning that "The world risks wiping out a new generation of antibiotics and cures for diseases if it fails to reverse the extinction of thousands of plant and animal species."

Full story available at: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-04/24/content_6640091_2.htm

Chengdu kicks off herbal medicine research project.

According to an INTERFAX-CHINA wire report (April 23, 2008), the local government in Chengdu, Sichuan Province announced the launch of a national project to develop traditional Chinese medicines. The three-year project will involve an investment of RMB 37.6 million ($5.38 million). The research aims to examine plantation standards and quality standards, to analyze the the chemical makeup of unibract fritillary bulb, dahuricae angelica root, and coptis root, which are bountiful sources for therapies, and to develop new medicines and nutritional supplements.

The research partners include: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, and Sichuan Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

Source: China Business News. CLICK HERE for full story. [Note: Webster University ID required.]

China's vaccine bill this year grows to over $71 per child.

China Business News (April 23, 2008) reports that an official from China's Ministry of Health announced at a press briefing on Monday that the "Chinese government will spend over RMB 500 ($71.43) in vaccines for each child in China as part of its expanded program on immunization (EPI)." CLICK HERE to view the full story. [Note: Webster University ID required to access database.]

Global Feminisms Project

The 'Global Feminisms Project' at the University of Michigan aims to document

" individual life stories of activists and scholars, and considering them in their particular historical and cultural contexts, the project records important differences in women's activism in specific local sites, and questions constructions of 'global' feminism that assume a common (Western) set of issues as universal to all women. In addition, the project questions conventional notions of global feminism as the "internationalization of the women's movement," which often assumes a transfer eastward of western feminist ideals." Citation from http://www.umich.edu/~glblfem/about.html

At the China Project location, the interviews:

"... illustrate the multi-dimensional development of feminist practices in China's transformation from a socialist state economy to a capitalist market economy since the mid-1980s, when spontaneous women's activism emerged." Citation from http://www.umich.edu/~glblfem/china.html

The interviews and transcripts with the women scholars are available (in both English and Mandarin) at http://www.umich.edu/~glblfem/china_e.html
There are 10 video interviews, including:

	Ai Xiaoming Professor from Zhongshan University; now at Sun Yat-Sen University, in Guangzhou. Playwright, documentary producer, videographer.
	Chen Mingxia Researcher in women's legal rights at the Institute for Legal Research of the China Academy of Social Sciences.
	Gao Xiaoxian Secretary General of the Shaanxi Research Association for Women and Family.
	Ge Youli Director for the Global Alliance for Workers and Communities in Guangzhou.
	He Zhonghua Professor of literature; researcher in ethnic minority women's health in poor areas to empowering women to participate in rural development and community management.

CHINA VAULTS PAST USA IN NUMBER OF INTERNET USERS

This headline is reported by multiple sources. See:

• Benton Foundation (Last updated: February 21, 2008 - 7:15am): http://www.benton.org/node/6565
• USA Today (Apr 21, 2008, p1A): http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080421/1a_bottomstrip21.art.htm
• Information Week (July 13, 2007 03:49 PM): http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=201001379

See also the following related story:

"China’s Online Population Explosion
What It May Mean for the Internet Globally… and for U.S. Users"
By Deborah Fallows, Senior Research Fellow, Pew Internet & American Life Project available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/China_Internet_July_2007.pdf

The Battle of China (Frank Capra) (1945)

"The Battle of China" (64 minutes) is part VI of the 1945 documentary series Why We Fight, produced by Frank Capra. It explains why the Japanese Empire aimed to dominate China. But the Japanese invasion of Nanking in which 40,000 civilians were killed, resulted in unifying and galvanizing the Chinese people against the Japanese. The Chinese construct the 7,000 mile Burma Road in less than 12 months to keep the Chinese armies well supplied. As a result, Japan is unable to conquer China. The video is available for sale or rent, as well as free streaming on various web sites. Play the video below or see http://www.archive.org/details/BattleOfChina to download or stream the video.

Jeffrey Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and author of Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, discusses the role of China, India, the U.S. and International Bodies (U.N.) in addressing climate change.

• CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO
• CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT (Webster University ID Required)
  

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2008/04/16/1/a-conversation-with-jeffrey-sachs

William McDonough: The wisdom of designing Cradle to Cradle

William McDonough (who grew up in Hong Kong) believes that green design can prevent environmental disaster -- while also driving economic growth. He practices green architecture on a massive scale. He is involved in building 12 new and entirely green cities in China in collaboration with the Chinese government.

• Video from TED.com: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/104
  


• Cradle To Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things By William McDonough & Michael Braungart, North Point Press, 2002


• China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development: http://www.chinauscenter.org/

BBC World Service: "China's Long Arm"

Originally broadcast in October 2007, audio downloads & podcasts of this 4-part program are available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/documentary_archive/7041971.stm

---

CHINA'S LONG ARM

PART ONE
New arms race?
US government concerns about rising defence spending in China



PART TWO
Taiwan
Would China use its military power to reclaim Taiwan, and clash with the US?



PART THREE
Angola's oil
The impact of China's insatiable appetite for natural resources, in Angola



PART FOUR Minnesota's iron
China has turned its attention to the US in its search for natural resources




SPECIAL SEASON:
Ruling China

---

Pangea Day: May 10, 2008

Pangea Day is a live global event involving films, live music, and visionary speakers. The program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones on May 10, 2008. See: http://www.pangeaday.org.

"The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person's eyes...

The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova are among those taking part.

What Will Happen After Pangea Day

People inspired by Pangea Day will have the opportunity to participate in community-building activities around the world. Through the live program, the Pangea Day web site, and self-organized local events, everyday people will be connected with extraordinary activists and organizations.

Many of the films and performances seen on Pangea Day will be made available on the Web and via mobile phone, alongside open forums for discussion and ideas for how to take social action.

A Pangea Day documentary will be created to catalyze future activities, and dozens of talented filmmakers will make strides in their careers."

---

Yochai Benkler: Open-source Economics

In this video from TED.com, law professor Yochai Benkler describe how the new "open-source economics" changes human organization and interactions, locally and globally.

---

Live Radio Programs from China

A colleague at Webster University informed us of the following pertinent discussion on "onpointradio":

"...A week of live programming from China -

Heard part of the program on human rights & dissent coming home from class.

A memorable line - what you can't talk about or only with extreme care - Is called the three Ts - Tibet, Taiwan, Tinneman (sp)

The other programs look good too

http://www.onpointradio.org/

http://www.onpointradio.org/china/


Other shows during the week on business, etc."

The topics discussed are listed as follows:

• Monday, 4/14
• The Olympics
• Young China

• Tuesday, 4/15
• American Business in China
• China at the Movies

• Wednesday, 4/16
• China’s New Politics
• City Life with Hong Huang

• Thursday, 4/17
• China’s Environmental Crisis
• Dissent: China’s Third Rail

• Friday, 4/18
• China’s Week in the News
• The U.S. & China

Power One

Webster University's Director in China notes that Power One, a company in the solar energy stream, is located in Shen Zhen.

"... I just visited their booth in Shanghai at the Solar/Wind Trade Show. I was collecting materials for my current class that uses Solar ETF and Mutual Funds as working models for the class. Teams are putting together their own portfolio of ten companies.

I noted your interest in alternative energy, and looked through my materials for a Shen Zhen company. It turns out that Power One is in Shen Zhen, and we have already graduated four Webster MBAs from that company.

So, Serene is working on the task of putting your students into Power One when you are here.

The piece below is from today and I’ll use it this weekend for my class for the teams that are assembling their own ETF/mutual funds on alternative. Rick

See: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080415/20080415005884.html