China’s legal system

The press writes about something -> Government decides to control whatever it is -> Overnight, a new law pops up -> New law is vague and overreaching -> Everyone starts to debate about the law, though really, everyone is trying to get around it -> The new law requires registrations and approvals -> No one knows how to actually get it done -> A steady state will be reached through trial and error -> The steady state is distrupted somehow -> Cycle begins again. 

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on Mao

Mao Tsedong is certainly a powerful character.  And quite an intriguing one as well.  Most people outside of China will remember Mao for one thing: the Cultural Revolution and the sufferings he imposed on many.  Most intellectuals will certainly despise Mao for destroying thousands of years of history and culture overnight.  Perhaps you’d have heard about how he liberated women… but on balance, the western world views him as negative.

I have yet to meet a native Chinese who will tell me that they despise Mao.  Apparently Mao was a man of many talents, one whom many has and still revere as “God”.    For decades, people see Mao as a protector.  And for many, he was.  As a friend explained to me, the Chinese do not see things as black, or white.  There’s always room for the gray.  Mao is a clear gray. 

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Whale Inside – Eating in the Dark

Back in April, I was coerced into going to this restaurant in Beijing.  The concept is that you’d eat, drink and talk in total darkness; like eating inside a whale I guess.  (The name of the restaurant is “whale inside”).  You order your food outside, and then being led to your table, just like it is in the picture.  Gosh, it looks a bit idiotic… but yes, I did that too.

As for the experience?  Supposedly it allows you to focus more on the taste of the food.  First, I refused to eat there for who knows what you’d be eating if you can’t see what it is!  But we did order drinks.  The review? Well, it certainly breaks the ice… if you bring a date there, for instance.  Interesting experience, but I don’t think I’d be back.  I go to restaurant to enjoy my food, and the look of it is as important as the taste. 

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The Emperor’s Piano

I was curious to see what reporters of the NYTimes wrote about China back in the days, so I did a search for the keyword “China” – well, the answer is not that much.  Most information back in the days came from missionaries; the rest were from what limited contact there was from global trade.  Apparently, this article made to the papers: the fact that the emperor hired a mechanic to fix his piano, that the ivory keys were dirty and that he preferred to keep it that way.  Well, here’s to your enjoyment.  Quite hilarious.

Emperor’s Piano

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the New vs. the Old

While chatting with friends and acquaintences in China/HK recently, the topic inevitably leads to the erosion of morality in modern Chinese society.  There are many stories we don’t get to hear in the States.  Here are some examples:

1) In Shenzhen, some tourists were mugged…  the robbers forced them into a public toilet and took a kidney (to be sold in the black market).   
2) A supplier of lunch boxes to a primary school deliberately added poison to its competitors’ lunch boxes.  More than 20 kids died as a result.

And, there are many more such stories where you just can’t believe what people will do for money.  For much of the 20th century, China wanted to rid itself of old values and habits.  There’s the perception that new = modern = good.  And that China can only advance if it can renew itself.  The side effect is that the society not only ridded itself of old habits, but also of its culture, values and traditions.  It’s not only a pity, but an emerging social issue. 

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Survival of the Fittest

There’s little to brag about in the modern history of China – the country has pretty much been on standstill for the past 200 years until this last decade.  Foreign invasion, WWII, more invasion, civil war, Mao, Deng…  Anyone beyond 30 yrs old would have lived through one or more massive shock one time or another.  The Chinese have thus learnt not to take anything for granted; they just can’t.  Even today, laws and regulations can change overnight, creating a society that’s always on edge.  A society that focuses on the very near term.  A society that always prepares for the worst.  A society that is extremely adaptable to change.  The following are just a few observations on modern day life in China that reflects on this of page history:

1. Anything is negotiable.  Walmart had to adapt and conduct auctions within stores.  Prices of new houses changes daily.  Neighbors join forces and negotiate discounts for oranges bought in bulk from grocery stores.  There’s no such thing as fixed price.

2. Save, and then save more.  We in the U.S. always complain about China not developing enough of a domestic market… and that the Chinese are just saving too much.  If you live in a society with no social security, you’d better save up.  It’s ironic how that’s increasing true for the U.S. too. 

3. Dream but don’t plan.  The concept of planning doesn’t seem to exist.  Scheduling meetings is a foreign concept.  I was told, “what’s the point of planning since you’d have to change your plan later”?  When I visited Beijing or a week last year, all my business contacts told me to give them a call on their mobile when I get in.  That drove me nuts.

All in all, it is a society that is quick to adapt and make the best from any situation.  One can be assured that no opportunity will be left on the table at the end of day.  Afterall, there are 1.2bn+ people over there!

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Blocking rain at the 2008 Olympics

Apparently Beijing is trying its best to control weather during the 2008 Olympics – this time, to block rain during the opening ceremony, etc.  Supposedly this is much harder than what China has done in the past; i.e., the create rain by shooting chemicals via rockets into the sky.  Doesn’t this sound like science fiction?

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Zhangjiajie (张家界) by Wu GuanZhong (吴冠中)

The header picture in this blog is a cropped painting, Zhangjiajie, by 吴冠中, one of the most famous living artist in China.  First, I must say that I don’t quite understand the current frenzy for Chinese modern art, particularly for paintings sold on “concept”.  While I’m no expert in art by any means, and certainly not of Chinese art, the concept of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a poorly painted “poster” of a laughing Mao is beyond me…  With all the piracy concerns in China, it is surprising that no one seem to be concerned about counterfeits/copycats of these paintings; many of which are “manufactured” by a team of apprentices to start with.  Anyhow, I disgress. 

On my previous trip to China, I walked into an old painting shop with reproductions of Wu’s work.  Not knowing who he is, I was immediately mesmerized by the style of his painting – perfect execution of east meets west.  On further research, I’ve come to fall in love with his style.  A bit too late now since one of his paintings has just been auction for US$4.6mn.   I am in search of a book written about him – if you know where to locate one, let me know!

Here are some google images of his work:
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&q=wu%20guanzhong

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Manufactured Landscape

A couple of days ago, I went to Film Forum and watched this film, “Manufactured Landscape”, a documentary designed to provoke thinking surrounding the impact of industrialization and globalization on the natural landscape.  I went on recommendation from a colleague, and after reading raving reviews online. 

It was an interesting experience – Perhaps because I’ve seen a lot of it having grown up in Hong Kong, I wasn’t all that impressed.  In fact, I found it borderline boring.  Some of the pictures are quite intriguing though; the one on the left, for example (this is the morning meeting for a huge manufacturing plant).  How did they pick yellow?  Must have been a democratic voting system.  They actually filmed another company which picked pink…  I will work for the yellow company over the pick one any day!

What I wasn’t impressed by was the commentary and the quality of the narration.  The stories reported were very shallow; similar to a traveler’s journal.  Much better if it were a photographer’s exhibit, in my opinion.  Anyhow, if you still want to see it, it’s still showing in NYC. 

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The Chinese Way

In the US businses world, there is the legal way, the moral way, or just generally the right way of doing things.  For example, in negotiations, it’s not illegal to rescind on a verbal offer in the 11th hour.  But it is probably not the right way of conducting business.  It is not illegal to hire someone for their knowledge, knowing you will fire them 3 months later.  It is not moral and not right, nonetheless. 

In China, there is the Chinese way.  I am still trying to figure out what is the Chinese way vs. the right way.  In my analysis so far, doing things the Chinese way equate to doing things that everyone is doing and not getting caught.  It involves bending rules while ignoring some.  Mind you, it’s not always bad since I have to say that many rules that exist are utterly ridiculous and impossible to follow.  Yet, as an outsider, where should one draw the line?  When is it the Chinese way, and when is it just the wrong way?

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