Economist in Chinese

Interesting article on waxy.org about an underground, online effort which renders each weekly issue of The Economist into Chinese. (via chinadigitaltimes.net)

The Impact of "Floating Populations" on Children

Students in my developing world class have learned about the "floating populations" created when people in developing countries leave rural areas for urban in search of better employment. China is home to the largest floating population in the world (around 150 million people--about half the population of the United States). Recent reports indicate that as many as 58 million children are left behind by parents seeking work away from their rural homes. Li Jianguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top legislature, has indicated that many of these 58 million children (about 1 in 6 Chinese children) are not properly cared for. The following documentary (on YouTube! in three parts) looks at the way children are affected by this phenomenon. (via Shanghaiist)

Dazhalan and China's Hope for Obama

In this blog post at the New York Times website, Michael Meyer (author of The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed) mentions the Beijing district of Dazhalan prior to discussing Chinese hopes for the Obama administration. Dazhalan has been one of my favorite places to wander since my first trip to Beijing in 1989. I've known about its imminent demise for some time. It has been sad to witness its "modernization" bit by bit over the years. One of my fondest memories of the place is from a balmy July evening in 2000, when a brawny six-foot-eight administrative colleague from my university and I sauntered through the district's serpentine alleys for a couple hours. As you might imagine, the people--especially the children--were fascinated by my colleague's stature. My friend's warm disposition, combined with his impressive height and my ability to speak Chinese, provided for a number of pleasant exchanges with the denizens of Dazhalan.

Beijing Rap

Students in my Chinese Literature in Translation (CHIN 347) will recognize the name of Victor Mair. Professor Mair is a professor of Chinese language and literature at the University of Pennsylvania and the editor of the The Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature, the text we use in our course. In this entry on the blog "Language Log" hosted at UPenn, Professor Mair posts and comments on the language and culture of a rap video entitled "Beijing Natives." Language students will enjoy the complete transcription and translation Mair and his colleagues have provided.

American Dog Derby

I've heard that the American Dog Derby dogsled race in Ashton, Idaho is the largest of its kind in the lower 48 States. I accompanied my son and his 3rd grade class today to watch the start of the 100- and 60-mile races. The 12-dog sleds really fly off the starting line.

Beware the Cuddly Panda

They may look cute and cuddly, and prefer vegetarian fare, but don't forget that pandas are a relative of the bear. Don't believe me? Check this out.

More for the FDINT 202 Folks

According to the Shanghai Daily, Intel will be closing its Shanghai assembly and test plant, with plans to move the Shanghai operations to existing facilities in Chengdu (in Sichuan province). This is an interesting case of a company following cheaper labor within the same country.

Sino-African Trade

My FDINT 202 (Developing World) students are gearing up to study a case treating Chinese FDI in Sudan. Trade between China and African countries has surpassed US$100 billion.

Bird Flu

I think some of tonight's particular attention to infectious diseases could be attributed to watching I Am Legend last night. Regardless, here is a report claiming that China once again is seeing an outbreak of avian influenza.

Possible Cholera in China's Deep South

If you will be traveling in southern Yunnan Province, you might want to check into this.

China's Top Tunes in 2008

My Chinese language students often ask me for recommendations of popular Chinese music. I'm usually at a loss. Here's an article (with links to music videos) on the top ten pop songs in China in 2008.

China Drought

China is experiencing a terrible drought. Beijing has not had rain in over 100 days.

The Longchang Apartments in Shanghai

This is another great video by by Dan Chung of The Guardian.

If you can't get to Shanghai this weekend . . .

maybe this can be the next best thing:

Postcards from Tomorrow Square

Minnesota Public Radio is making available a discussion between James Fallows and Dr. Lincoln Chen about Fallows' new book Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China (Vintage). Fallows makes some interesting observations based on his experience living in both China and Japan. He also discusses, in quite accessible language, some aspects of the Chinese economy, including the currently hot topic of Chinese "manipulation" of their currency, the RMB. You can listen to the discussion here.